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Roger McGough |
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Roger McGough was born in Liverpool and educated at St Mary's College and the University of Hull. He has been a writer for many years, and his numerous collections have established him as one of the most distinctive and powerful voices in contemporary poetry. Among his most popular titles are Summer with Monika, Blazing Fruit and Defying Gravity, all published by Penguin, and for children An Imaginary Menagerie, Pillow Talk and Bad, Bad Cats. He is an international ambassador for poetry and in 1997 was awarded an OBE, and in 2004 he was awarded a CBE. His most recent books include 'All the Best' and 'Slapstick' (due in August) and for adults, 'Collected Poems' and 'Selected Poems.'
Roger McGough now lives in London. See his website for more information www.rogermcgough.org.uk
Watch a video of Roger McGough at www.alzheimers.org.uk.
PLACE AND DATE OF BIRTH:
I was born in Liverpool in the Middle Ages.
FAVOURITE BOOK:
I don't remember reading a great deal. I remember reading at school, and I can remember first books like A Christmas Carol and Treasure Island. Libraries were things that you would be afraid of going into, in case you got told off. Books were not as readily available as they are now. My mother used to read me a bit of poetry. I remember that Enid Blyton poetry; I liked Enid Blyton.
Now, I read almost whatever comes my way, so I often read Gabriel Garcia Marquez, who wrote Leaf Storm. I read Ruth Rendell occasionally, William Boyd, and I like Paul Theroux and Beryl Bainbridge.
Most frightening moment?
Flying over the Tatry mountains in the Czech Republic during a violent snowstorm when the
pilot announced to the passengers (most of whom were crouching under their seats) 'In
fifteen minutes we might be landing in Koice.'
Were you interested in poetry at school?
Not particularly, although I did enjoy reciting it and doing choral verse. Only the drama
teacher communicated the excitement that poetry can provide.
When did you begin writing poems?
At about seventeen or eighteen. I wanted to be an artist and took up painting. However, I
switched to poetry after listening to a recording of Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas and then reading American poetry, French and German (in translation).
How do poems happen?
At some stage you let the poem develop its own way. Part of the brain stands back, and
watches what's happening with the poem. Then you make it... there's inspiration at the end.
Do all poets rewrite their poems?
Some very good poets I know get their poems right first time. It very rarely happens to me
and when it does it's like being given a present.
Which do you prefer writing, poems or stories?
Poems, definitely. I am not a natural story-teller and find writing stories quite a slog. Poems, however, seem to come out of the air.
How would you like to be remembered?
It's just nice if you've given a few rhymes and lines which people can pass on - enrich the language, encourage someone... make them think it's possible. I was always brought up to believe that other people did things, and you had to be a certain kind to do something, and you realize, it's within the grasp of you to do that.
