Many people, especially young people, would like to be more independent and on their own. But it is very difficult and they suffer from feelings of isolation. I think that is one reason why young readers support my work.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
As I've gotten older and grown more independent, I think for myself, and that's how it should be.
I was the youngest and on my own a lot. I think this probably taught me independence and how to be okay with my own company. Also, it meant I read a lot.
I think to be writer you have to enjoy being alone. I was a loner as a teenager and was always drawn to characters in books and films who were at the fringes.
I've always had an enormous sense of independence. But I know that sometimes I can be too independent. It is important to be able to share your life - so that is a work in progress for me.
My desire is to be as independent as I can be, as long as I can be, subject to being effective.
I am as independent as I want to be, same as Catherine and Harry. We've all grown up differently to other generations and I very much feel if that I can do it myself, I want to do it myself.
As is said about most writers, on the one hand, all I ever did from when I was a child was read, and I was a loner, which was furthered by my parents and my upbringing. On the other hand, the more I read, the more I felt this well-known fissure between me and the world.
By the time I was a young man, I was pretty independent.
Now, I am completely independent - I earn my living by speaking and writing.
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.