I grew up in a very literate, very independent household where people spoke their ideas and were very supportive of helping each other find their own way

I grew up around poets and novelists and my dad wrote poems about everything - from a cat sleeping in a window to a car wreck he passed on the highway. I learned not to censor myself: that was one of things I learned in my apprenticeship, my creative-writing apprenticeship with my dad.

I'm in a contented, loving relationship, but that doesn't mean I'm not struggling with other things that are going on around me in the world.

I have to try different things to see what works best. Other people get impatient with that.

The perfect man? A poet on a motorcycle.

I think in the world of rock music or whatever it's called - anything outside of Nashville - there's a lot more freedom within that industry to do whatever you want to do.

It's always been hard for me to do without sounding precious or too corny or whatever.