I didn't choose Russia but Russia chose me. I had been fascinated from an early age by the culture, the language, the literature and the history to the place.

Once one habit peels away the others follow it. You have to hold on, or the next thing you'll find yourself parading down the street in your nightdress. Habit is everything.

My first collection of poems was published by Bloodaxe Books, which was then a very new imprint.

The human longing for story is so powerful, so primitive, that it seems like something not learned, but locked into our genes.

Those who try to obliterate the past are injuring the present.

I can remember being in my pram: children stayed in their prams much longer then than they do now. A big bouncy pram with black covers and a hood with metal clips that could trap your fingers. I was looking up at my sister who was sitting on the pram seat, with her back to me.

In a world without air all you breathe is adventure!