I lose it when I can't write. I feel sad and confused and fucked off.

There are times when I can't believe how much ridiculous stuff happens to me and how brilliant it is to be in a position to write about it.

The most lies we will ever tell in our lives will be to ourselves.

I laugh at the way some people think graffiti is all selfish tagging and vandalism. Thoughtful street art is like good fiction – it speaks out on behalf of everyone, for us all to see.

Someone once said writing and gardening are similar pursuits. Tell you what, I'd have one fucked up garden if that were the case.

Read the right books and we can be as wild and worry-free as we've ever wanted to be. No law can stop us reading.

When people say, 'you're so young to be a writer,' I always reply, 'I started young because I've got a lot to write.

When I write, I try to represent the voices of people I've known who had no voice.

Self-belief is not self-centred. We can only fight effectively for others if we already believe in ourselves.

Lyrics paved my teenage route to loving words. I take those passionate mini-stories with me everywhere.