Quotes from Kate Thompson

I always had an awful lot going on in my head, always telling myself stories, very vivid imagination.

My first book was an adult novel, 'Down Among the Gods,' published by Virago, and I've written poems as well, a slim volume of poetry.

I had thought about becoming a civil rights lawyer, but I gave it up.

It was essential that someone, somewhere, even if it was only the fairy folk, should know that the human race had produced more than wars, catastrophes, and ultimately its own slow and painful self-destruction. It had produced things of exquisite and lasting beauty as well.

There were always too many hours in the day and never enough in the night.

There was no moon, no stars, but even the darkest of nights steals light from somewhere.

There is only one way to deal with a goat.

And he has tried to swim that stream, And he swam on both strong and steady, But the river was wide and strength did fail, And never more he'll see his Annie. And woe betide the willow wan, And woe betide the bush and briar, For they broke beneath her true love's hand, When strength did fail and limbs did tire.

You die twice. Once when your heart stops beating and again when your name is spoken for the last time.

A library is the only place you can go--from cradle to grave--that is free, safe, democratic and no one will try to flog you anything. You don't have to part with a penny to travel the world. It's the heartbeat of a community, offering precious resources to people in need. It's a place just to be, to dream, and to escape -- with books. And what's more precious than that? So here's to all library workers. We need you.

He praised the mare and tugged at her ear. He flattered the cob as well, liking him suddenly; sorry for him because his plain looks concealed such a generous heart.

I am political. But not politically active. I'm not my dad. I'll never write polemic, as he did.

My mum wouldn't have had any time for fantasy stuff; she's more practical.

Children in their young teens are just moving into the moment when they are most receptive to philosophy and psychology. You can explore these things in stories and, in doing so, give them power and control.

The powerlessness of the child is often forgotten. And after it comes the terrifying phase of moving into adulthood.

Writers want publicity all the time, and they are always nagging their agents and publishers to give them more publicity, but, when you get it, it's kind of soul-destroying.

Irish mythology is gorgeous, and so are the fairies, but they are very misrepresented in the U.K. They are not little creatures with wings.

If there's a common thread to my books, it is that each involves an individual's journey. The individual must stay true to themselves.

What I tend to get from America is very enthusiastic letters and e-mail from librarians and schoolteachers, the gatekeepers, though I hesitate to use that word. I've never been a huge seller.

I came to writing because I joined the North Clare Writers' Workshop, which met every week at Ennistymon Library.

I wasn't that bothered with school; I was too mad into horses. But I liked reading and was good enough at English and always liked music.

I've always felt a bit hard done by in England - you know, I've won the Bisto three times in Ireland, but it has felt like nobody has even heard of me in my home country.

I find it very difficult to say no when I'm in Ireland. You do end up going around doing lots of events and things and not getting work done, and it's not just a question of having hours at the desk.

You know yourself, once you've had the excitement of riding thoroughbreds, it's not very interesting riding anything else. But I still love horses; I just don't have one any more.