Having a kid is hard to explain, but when you talk to another parent, you have mutual understanding of what that does to you as a person.

My dad did a great job passing on what he learned from his career.

I've dealt with a lot of adversity and came out a stronger person.

I've been through some adversity where I didn't have football. Having it back gives you an appreciation for every snap you can take. I'm just blessed to have that opportunity.

Inspiring passion in children for books, and the world of imagination and creativity fuelled by them, is a fundamental reason for why the Children's Laureate post exists.

In acting, every day is different, and I guess it appeals to my storytelling imagination. But I've been very fortunate to get the chance to do what I want to do and earn a living from it to pay the mortgage.

I don't like scaring people off. When I tell people I'm a writer, they look kind of interested. Then I tell them that I write poetry, and they think I'm weird.

If you are a serious writer or just a normal one, in one way or another, you are writing in the service of freedom. All writers know, understand, or dream that their work will be in the service of freedom.