Quotes from Geraldine McCaughrean

The Monk then undertook to tell us the history of the world -- an over-ambitious project, I thought, but it passed the time.

Though we were fearfully weary by the end of the third day, our quarrels were still spirited and our friendships firm fixed.

I hold it unmannerly if you are about to tell us your wife's failings without her here to defend herself.

Come out for a picnic and remind your face how to smile!

How could they know that a miller's not just as greedy as a hole in the ground, but as slippery as a handful of butter as well?

In the evening of his life, January was suddenly plunged into an early night. He went stone blind.

My master,' said the servant quite loudly, 'is a student of that venerable and respected science of alchemy. A research scientist, you understand...

I've won the hearts of five husbands, and that's enough to weary any woman. Now I'm free to think and say what I like, thanks be to God.

maybe all the saints in heaven will look down on our homeward journey and listen in on our stories. I dare say they relish a good story as much as the next man.' 'Amen,' said the Parson thoughtfully. 'Amen!' roared the rest of us.

Quill was full of glories ineffable. Feelings scrabbled about in him like a mouse inside an owl.

Naked children ran about playing leapfrog or football, or towing little toys about on string.

No man is an island entire of itself

Complicated, isn't it? This living business

Well, yes! If say, twelve people are miserable, it stands to reason there's less 'miserable' to go around. But if you try to carry it all yourself, you get squashed down flat. You have to share it, you really do

beloved daughter and friends always

Despite appearances, Sym, Love is not a four-letter word.

The Miller glared round at us, then his ruined face collapsed into a grin that showed all his tombstone teeth.

Their clothes were drab and they had to work hard all day. But they kept fit that way, and slept well.

Why don't you come with me? Why? Where are you going? Home. I've had enough. I hate England. Hate England? It was too much to grasp, with a head full of searing headache.

The Merchant said it was wonderful - a great contribution to the body of English literature. Personally, I would have preferred a pirate story.

Most of my central characters lack confidence but overcome their timidity or low self-esteem to win through in the end, so I suppose there is a kind of wish-fulfillment at work.

The chief thing is to make children feel good about themselves. They want to step into the shoes of a hero who is bigger and stronger, to face tremendous dangers and come home safely for tea.

I read hugely as a child, but I slowed up when the print got smaller. I am a very slow reader. I don't know why. Maybe it is like some people chewing their food for ages and some wolfing it down.

You need to be able to climb into a narrative and zip it up under your chin. You need to be able to see through the eyes of the hero, smell what he's smelling, hear what he's hearing.