Early Life
Mahy was born in 1936; she was the eldest of five children. She was raised in her birthplace of Whakatane. Her father was a bridge builder and often told his children adventure stories which later influenced Mahy's writing. Her mother was a teacher. She wrote her first published story when she was seven, called "Harry Is Bad". She showed it to her class to let them know that they could write a story whatever their age.
She went to the local high school, where she was acknowledged as a talented swimmer.
Read more about this topic: Margaret Mahy
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