I've just swum the length of the Thames. I feel quite tired.

I'm terribly attention-seeking. It's very different once you get all this attention, though. Because then you want to control it. And you can't exactly.

I was quite fat as a kid. And swimming is a sport you can enjoy whatever size you are. If you're fat, running is a pain. I'm not really built for running.

All you can do in this life is follow your dreams. Otherwise you're just wasting your time.

A bully can only make you feel bad about yourself if you let them.

I thrive off the company of others, I love being sociable.

I was the kind of person who got bullied and loved the attention of it.

People think writing a children's book is something you could do in an afternoon but it's actually really hard.

I am a huge fan of 'Doctor Who.'

I was depressed as a child. I found it hard to make friends. My favourite thing was locking myself in the bathroom and practising comedy routines.

Children's books are often seen as the poor relation of literature. But children are just as demanding as adult readers, if not more so. I should know. I'm a children's writer myself.

This is not some silly game...This is life and death Angels and demons.

You have to study a great deal to know a little.

Getting out of the way is really important.

History is littered with the wars which everybody knew would never happen.

I have to make sure I exercise and that the ingredients that go into my body are completely organic.

I'm not a planner. I should be more articulate about what the imagery means, but I don't have a good reason for it; it's just there.

Freedom and slavery are mental states.

People don't always do what they say they're going to do.

No matter who you are it's the simple things in life that lead you to believe that you can achieve anything.

What made me love thee? let that persuade thee, there's something extraordinary in thee