Quote

I've always been a writer. I hope to continue to write books until I can't anymore.

People ask me, 'Why are you still writing books?' Like I'm still only writing to make money and as soon as I have enough I'll quit and go fishing? I like to write books. It's the most satisfying thing I do.

The big new development in my life is, when I turned 80, I decided I no longer have to do four pages a day. For me, it's like retiring.

As long as I'm able to write across the media and across the age groups, I'm happy.

I love writing books - I really do. If I could just quit everything and work on a book every day, I would love that most.

I always thought I'd write when I retired - when I turned 65.

I really only have been seriously writing, finishing things and publishing things since January '91.

I feel lucky that my career so far has included books for adults and books for kids. They're equally important to me, and I hope I get to continue writing both.

And I find - I'm 63, and my capacity to be by myself and just spend time by myself hasn't diminished any. That's the necessary part of being a writer, you better like being alone.

I still have a full-time day job, which is why it took me five years to write An Ear to the Ground, and why I won't have another book finished by next week.