I've been examing my teaching practice. I think as a teacher my jam is always going to be trying to help my students make a book they love that tells a story that matters to them. Because I'm just not the sort of person who can tell you, the book market loves X so do X. <1/3>

It feels more important to find out what they want to communicate and help them find the technique that best works for them as they do that. <2/3>

& that made me realise this—I write dark books. But I'm a reasonably hopeful person. But that hope is in the idea that some readers may care about those angry, biting, sad parts of the world. The day I give up hope is the day all my characters look like model citizens.<3/3>