Nancy Farmer Quotes

Authors can get an attitude of us-against-them when it comes to publishers, but learning how authors and editors can work together taught me to look at my work in a different way and to make that work as solid as possible before it ever goes to the publisher.

I think about my editor when I write. She's a good friend, too.

My wife, Jill, and I have an incredibly close working relationship, and an incredibly happy married one. We met through work. I was the world's worst advertising copywriter. She had the misfortune to be my account director, so from the very start she was my boss, and she still is.

Being an editor doesn't make you a better writer - or vice versa. The worst thing any editor can do is be in competition with his writer.

I've always loved brainstorming with other writers, and I consider having my work critiqued a part of that brainstorming.

My two bits here are that writing is a solitary job but there are times when one needs to discuss the work, and see what's working and what's not.

There's never any humongous next draft. I know a writer who every time he finished a novel - you would know his name very well - but his editor would come and live with him for a month. And they would go through the manuscript together.

When you have somebody writing or acting for you, you have to be free to have them hate you so you can get your ideas across without worrying.

I find that with any good run on a show with good writers, they put something on paper, and you put something back on film, and that affects what they put on the paper the next time.

I loved working with Michelle Fairley.

Well, one of the best things is workin' with Muddy.

Working with Rosshan Andrews has been wonderful.

To work with anyone you admire and respect, and have for a very long time, is a surreal thing.

I like working with Kenneth Branagh.

To work with the same director is a great feeling.

In a first draft, I concentrate on moving forward and trying not to panic.

I loved working with Ed Zwick.

I can't think of a lot of bad directors I've worked with, really.

Having a connection and chemistry with a director is really key.

It is a total treat to get to work with James Cromwell.

There's a fairy story called the 'The Shoemaker and the Elves' where this old cobbler keeps leaving leather out overnight and wakes up the next day, and there's a new pair of shoes. Co-authoring is a little like that. You send off the manuscript to your partner, and a few days later, you check your email, and hey, there's more book in here!

I am neither hurt nor disturbed by the occasional backbiting and criticism from my colleagues. By and large, the music industry has been very supportive.

Working with the Ubisoft team was a joy.

No matter whom I've worked with, they've always created a great bond with me.

Chiki Sarkar edited 'Mrs Funnybones,' and she is a ruthless but kind editor to work with. The only lesson I learnt during this process was to say, 'Yes, Prime Minister,' and re-write.