I have piles of poetry books in the bathroom, on the stairs, everywhere. The only way to write poetry is to read it.

Poetry and prayer are very similar.

I write in that space between Ella's childhood and mine. I know it all sounds a bit sinister.

I grew up in a bookless house - my parents didn't read poetry, so if I hadn't had the chance to experience it at school I'd never have experienced it. But I loved English, and I was very lucky in that I had inspirational English teachers, Miss Scriven and Mr. Walker, and they liked us to learn poems by heart, which I found I loved doing.

I'll be left writing picture books and fairy tales.

It's always good when women win things in fiction because it tends to be more male-dominated, unlike poetry, which is more equal.