Blowing The Whistle on David Orme David on the cover of his latest book. Welcome to The Poetry Zone, David. The first question is, of course, when did you start writing? When I was 10 I won a prize - six shillings and sixpence! - for writing a story and I thought - I can do this! Mind you, I had many learning problems at school so it was a struggle. I left teaching about 12 years ago and I have been earning my living from writing ever since. Do you write anything other than poetry? Yep - just about everything - stories, picture books, plays, non fiction, shopping lists, tax returns. What books have you written? To date, I've written or edited 112 books - some more boring than others! I'm particularly pleased with my books of poems such as Heroes and Villains and some of my picture books. How long does it take to write a poem? Quick (first go at it) then slow (drafting, redrafting). How long does it take to write a book? My record is four hours - though some of my school books can take months. Of course, I don't write books like that every day, so writing them can be spread over a long time. What is the most unusual event that has inspired you to write a poem? I was once a writer in residence in a zoo and that led to some interesting writing. (Elephants were good at writing poetry, but the camels were rubbish.) How do you write your poems? Either on a PC (when I'm at home) or on the back of an envelope (when I'm on a train). I try not to write poetry and drive the car at the same time. Are you writing anything at the moment? Yes - a book about dinosaurs, and a book about potties! 10 Things you can do with a Potty You can . . Fill it full of cat food To feed a hungry cat, Put it on your head to make a party hat, Make it wear a T shirt (they love to be well dressed) Put it in a tree so a bird can make a nest, Say it is a work of art and maybe win some prizes, Make a potty orchestra (you'll need some different sizes) Fill it up with compost and plant some pink carnations, Cover it with fairy lights And Christmas decorations, Say it is your favourite pet and pamper it and feed it But . . . . make sure it's always close at hand Just in case you need it! How many schools have you visited? I visit about 80 a year, so over 12 years that must be getting on for a thousand. Which is the most unusual school that you've visited? This year I visited a school that was inside a young offenders institution, which is a prison for people up to age 21. I began to wonder if they would let me out . . . What was your most memorable day? Er . . I've forgotten. No I haven't - it was the day I left teaching and realised that I had to earn a living in the real world. Of all the poems you've written, which is your favourite? The last one. Did you write poems at school? No - I was keener on stories. (I thought I might win another six shilling and sixpence.) Have you any pets? 1 cat, and a flock of computers. What football team do you support? Stoke City (I was born there) and Southampton (I live there). Also any team that is really rubbish - they need it. How do you spend your spare time? Working, listening to music, reading science fiction, climbing hills and mountains (but only easy ones.) Have you any plans for the future? Some very cunning ones. Do you have a web page? Yes - www.magic-nation.com - come and visit! Thanks for talking to us. Could you tell us another poem? I'd love to. This is from the 1999 World Book Day collection, The Great Escape. Phew, What a Scorcher! It's seventy degrees: In the shade The cat waits to pounce On dizzy sparrows; In the sun The house is undoing its buttons. It's eighty degrees: In the shade The cat pretends to sleep With one eye open; In the sun Tennis players are turning to ice cream. It's nearly ninety: In the sun The grass gets sunburn And begs the lawnmower to scratch its back; It the shade The cat Sleeps. Finally - what advice would you give to young poets? Read a lot. Find your own voice, but remember there's nothing wrong with copying the sort of thing other poets do to begin with. Learn about poetry - to do anything well you need some hard work and discipline. Anything that is easy isn't worth doing. back to top of page