In this conversation, recorded down the line, I talk about writing and life with poet Toria Garbutt.

We chat about what it was like growing up in a close knit northern town in the aftermath of the miner’s strike; Toria tells me how poetry has enabled her to come to terms with some of the toughest episodes in her life; she explains how she’s overcome getting stuck with her second collection; and she shares a technique for making your wildest dreams come true.

Oh, and we discuss Sonic the Hedgehog as a metaphor for the creative process.

You can explore Toria’s work on her website.

Her first collection is The Universe and Me. Available here.