When a poem doesn't work, the first question to ask yourself is, 'Am I telling the truth?'

I think it's a question which particularly arises over women writers: whether it's better to have a happy life or a good supply of tragic plots.

I've never been more famous than I was, suddenly, in 1986.

I have a theory that if you've got the kind of parents who want to send you to boarding school, you're probably better off at boarding school.

My heart has made its mind up And I’m afraid it’s you. Whatever you’ve got lined up, My heart has made its mind up And if you can’t be signed up This year, next year will do. My heart has made its mind up And I’m afraid it’s you.

Write to amuse? What an appalling suggestion! I write to make people anxious and miserable and to worsen their indigestion.

I always tell students that writing a poem and publishing it are two quite separate things, and you should write what you have to write, and if you're afraid it's going to upset someone, don't publish it.