But I can't and don't ever want to write bell-yanking confetti-tossing hat-throwing poems.

I don't want my poems to be sentimental, though I do acknowledge that sentiment is probably rather under-reported in a lot of people's feelings a lot of the time.

Each sudden gust of light explains itself as flames, but neither they, nor even bombs redoubled on the hills tonight can quite include me in their fear.

Poems are a hotline to our hearts, and we forget this emotional power at our peril

But Wordsworth is the poet I admire above all others.

I am a vigilant monarchist. I want to see things evolve. The direction the monarchy seems to be moving in - towards a more mainland-European model - is one I would feel sympathetic about.

Honor the miraculousness of the ordinary.

I write between 5.30am and 9.00. That way, I hope I carry over something from my dream time.

I like eating out. I like buying beautiful paintings and being surrounded by beautiful things. I have to finance that life. I can barely afford a pension scheme because I don't make enough money.

I'm ensuring my place in heaven.

Like a lot of people, for a long time I thought that the road to hell is paved with bad sequels.

Did you know I dream about your hair? I use to say it was the color of the sun at sunset, but I'm wrong. It's brighter than the sun, just as you are.

Keeping secrets is a survival tactic.

We each need to let our intuition guide us and then be willing to follow that guidance directly and fearlessly.

Teach love, generosity, good manners and some of that will drift from the classroom to the home and who knows, the children will be educating the parents.

How many roads must a developer walk down, before they accept the amenities package?

Two words, Super Cuts.

If you don't love Jesus-go to hell!

I would give female filmmakers the same advice I’d give any filmmaker; believe in your vision, believe in your team, believe in yourself.

I am a feminist, and I didn't think women would accept a throwback heroine.

I think of 'crazy' as what happens when we love the other person more than we love ourselves.