86 Quotes by Margaret Mahy

Every writer has to find their own way into writing.

At the same time, I think books create a sort of network in the reader's mind, with one book reinforcing another. Some books form relationships. Other books stand in opposition. No two writers or readers have the same pattern of interaction.

I hope I am not too repetitive. However, coming to terms with death is part of the general human situation.

I think I am too interested in my own ideas to copy anyone else's, but I find that other people's imagery, the flow of language in the outside world, games with words, and ideas about relationships are all most important to me.

New Zealand is the only country I know well enough to write about. It can sometimes lead to complications.

I once knew a house rather like The Land of Smiles - an old house occupied by a varied collection of young people, mainly students. However none of these people were true models for the characters in the book, though their way of life may have been.

I've never actually been a fighter myself - fighting tires me out and I'm not an efficient fighter anyway - but I have certainly seen other people have great complicated goes at one another.

In a way, the characters often do take over.

At this stage I am not involved with young adults as closely as many other writers. My children are grown up and my grandchildren are still quite young.