May you rest peacefully Margaret Mahy -My tribute to an amazing soul.
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On July 23rd New Zealand was rocked by the news that Margaret Mahy has died at age 76.
For those of you who do not know of her, Margaret Mahy was one of the worlds greatest children’s authors and also one of my country’s most important literary figures. When it came to literary success she was an over achiever, with awards spanning decades! One of these was the Carnegie Medal which she won in 1982 and again in 1984, but it was the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2006, the award considered the noble prize of writing that made a  really big statement for just how important and influentialÂ
she was to the writing world internationally. 
But no matter how important she was as a writer to New Zealand and the world, she meant more locally here in Christchurch than anywhere else, here she was a Superstar! The city even was proved this to her in 2009, when they presented a bust of her among 11 other great figures on Worcester Boulevard outside the Christchurch Art Centre. YES! you heard me! A bust! They don’t made those for just anyone!
Margaret Mahy in her life time wrote more than 100 picture books, 40 novels and 20 collections of short stories, her first Children’s book was published in 1969 and in the 1980s she became a full time author! She also wrote some television shows, most notable was the television series Maddigan’s Fantasia which was renamed to Maddigan’s Quest and was bought by the BBC and aired 13 episode in 2006.
Her career was not just limited to writing, she also spent a tremendous amount of time promoting literacy in New Zealand, visiting libraries and giving talks. It was at one of these that I had the joy and pleasure of meeting her, here in my city and her city to, the great city of Christchurch. I only ever met her once, I think that will be something I regret later in life? But then again… once may have been enough? That’s just the kind of person she was, a few minutes in her presence could inspire you to do great things or change the course of your life.
My conversation with her was about writing and to be more precise… about Pirate Zebras! She told me how much she loved pirates, she even said she had a tattoo of one! Though what were probably the most important words from the whole short conversation we had were:
“If you ever get a book published, I would get a copy because it sounds like you have a lot of stories to tell.â€
I will never forget those words, because of how much of an impact they had on me that very night. I went home and wrote, I mean I really wrote! I think I wrote 15 or so poems and 2 stories. I was so inspired! One of the greatest literary figures of the world and one of the most influential children’s literary figures of all time had told me, that if I had a book published… she would read it! I remember how excited I was that night. It changed my life.
I did send her a letter after that conversation saying thank you for helping me and inspiring me to keep writing, but I never got a reply… so I am not sure if she did ever manage to receive and read it… I kind of hope she did though, because I am sure it would have made her smile and she did tell me she loved getting mail.
I do admit though…  that even though I  feel so privileged that  I had the chance to meet her while she was alive, I do feel a little sad and disappointed in myself that I never did manage to get a book published during her lifetime… but then again… I also feel that her passing is more the reason to keep at it.
To make sure that the legacy of all she taught the writers of New Zealand and the world, as well as children and parents continued… She taught us that being creative isn’t wrong, that its not a waste of time. That you shouldn’t be afraid to take a step into the unknown and follow your dreams! But most important, if there is anything from the wonderful magnificent life of Margaret Mahy that I learned, its that it doesn’t matter where you are from, you can still achieve amazing things.
Here is a quote I think fits this post, from her autobiography, written by Tessa Duder.
We are not changed by experiences as common wisdom has it. What changes us are the stories we tell about our experiences. ‘Unless we have formed our lives into story, structured it with words, we can’t contemplate the meaning of our lived experience’ This is done by turning the raw material of our life into stories, and in the process, ‘it can be creatively transformed and given meaning’.
May you rest so ever peacefully and may you live eternally through your work
Love from just one of many changed lives.
Matty Angel
About The Author
Matty is a 36 year old girl who is an Autistic Poet, Writer and Artist and lives alone in Christchurch New Zealand with a kitty! Matty has given many talks on autism and about being unique in a world that's often not accepting, Matty has also engaged with artist and worked on Art projects Matty usually works on an Art project at the same time as a writing one! This means posts can be a bit delayed!
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What a lovely tribute to her Matty:) she was a very special person and will be missed.
What a wonderful fitting tribute you have written Matty. Her books are the legacy that will keep her name alive for many years to come.
She will be sadly missed
Beautifully written, Matty. I’m sure she would have been happy with what you’ve written here!