'Diane (Middlebrook)'s study, which crucially extended the right to examine private life, was a turning point in late twentieth century biography.'

Diane (Middlebrook)'s study, which crucially extended the right to examine private life, was a turning point in late twentieth century biography.

'She'd come across the opening buried deep in another chapter. Re-reading that early version and drawing up her plan, the scene had emerged as if by magic.'

She'd come across the opening buried deep in another chapter. Re-reading that early version and drawing up her plan, the scene had emerged as if by magic.

'I read Macbeth first and happened to learn half of it by heart. This was Shakespeare's achievement not of my memory.'

I read Macbeth first and happened to learn half of it by heart. This was Shakespeare's achievement not of my memory; after reading Shakespeare it's more difficult to forget him than to remember other poets.

'I'll never need to order another book from Amazon. For those of you who want to beat Amazon at its own game; join your local library.'

I'll never need to order another book from Amazon. For those of you who want to beat Amazon at its own game; join your local library.

'When I was writing my fourth novel I had two toddlers but I was trapped inside my story; I was compelled to keep writing.'

When I was writing my fourth novel I had two toddlers but I was trapped inside my story; I was compelled to keep writing.

'I was oblivious of any heavy-handed religious symbolism, I simply grew to love Lewis's alternative world.'

As a child, even after many re-readings, I was oblivious of any heavy-handed religious symbolism, I simply grew to love Lewis's alternative world.

'I don't mind admitting to reading it several times into my late teens. It seems strange now to think I read the Moomins alongside Lovecraft or Tolkien. '

I don't mind admitting to reading it several times into my late teens. It seems strange now to think I read the Moomins alongside Lovecraft or Tolkien.

'I write far too much, I think, which means I have to decide which poems make it out of the notebook. Many are left behind. '

I write far too much, I think, which means I have to decide which poems make it out of the notebook. Many are left behind.

'During a science fiction addiction I wrote to Isaac Asimov: "I think you should know that my academic failure is entirely due to the addicting nature of your books. Thank you."'

During a science fiction addiction I wrote to Isaac Asimov: "I think you should know that my academic failure is entirely due to the addicting nature of your books. Thank you."

'For prose I need my fingers moving on a keyboard or a page; poetry tends to come to me out loud (I live alone fortunately). '

For prose I need my fingers moving on a keyboard or a page; poetry tends to come to me out loud (I live alone fortunately). It comes to me through its sound and I write the first through drafts aloud.