View source for Emily Murdoch Talks To Bookbag About The Way To Fairyland

{{infoboxguest
|title= Emily Murdoch Talks To Bookbag About The Way To Fairyland
|summary=Emily Murdoch talks to us about the tenuous balance between the head and the heart for an author.
|date=2 May 2013
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780621523</amazonuk>
|amazonus=<amazonus>B00BPWALCY</amazonus>
|website=
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The Way To Fairyland

''There is such a place as fairyland - but only children can find the way to it. And they do not know that it is fairyland until they have grown so old that they forget the way. One bitter day, when they seek it and cannot find it, they realize what they have lost; and that is the tragedy of life. On that day the gates of Eden are shut behind them and the age of gold is over. Henceforth they must dwell in the common light of common day. Only a few, who remain children at heart, can ever find that fair, lost path again; and blessed are they above mortals. They, and only they, can bring us tidings from that dear country where we once sojourned and from which we must evermore be exiles. The world calls them its singers and poets and artists and story-tellers; but they are just people who have never forgotten the way to fairyland.''

''The Story Girl''
Lucy Maud Montgomery

The head of a published author can easily become crowded with numbers, ratings and business concerns. But there in the cold black ink of numbers, the book magic shrivels and dies.

It’s a tenuous balance between business and heart. 

I’ve stumbled across the above quote twice in the past two weeks, and whenever that happens, that soft knock on my skull, I know it’s time to stop and pay attention. I love the thought of it; much like I loved the thought of dolls and stuffed animals coming to life and going about their happy business once my child-self left the room. 

A photograph from long ago …

[[image:Murdoch.jpg|center]]

May we never lose that magic. May we forever be graced with the chance to catch a doll in a bunny suit hurrying back to her crooked spot against the pillowcase, and may we never forget the path to fairyland ... especially those of us who write for children.

What are some of your favorite quotes for writers? Advice? Inspiration? I’d love to read about it in the comments!

Thanks so much for having me on your lovely blog. It’s been a pleasure!

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[[Category:Emily Murdoch]]