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

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

I write a chapter, then edit it and edit it and edit it and edit it. I don't think we mine creativity from within. It's bestowed from on high, from God.

I still have a feeling that I haven't written the best that I can write. I think all poets must feel this: that there is constantly something new to be discovered in the language. It's like a thrilling encounter, and you can find things.

If I felt, in the event of a royal wedding, inspired to write about people coming together in marriage or civil partnership, I would just be grateful to have an idea for the poem. And if I didn't, I'd ignore it.

Having a child takes you back to all those parts of your own childhood that you had hidden away.