Kate Thompson

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.

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

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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