Fleur Adcock
Poet Fleur Adcock, OBE was born in New Zealand but spent some of her childhood in England, and returned to live in London in 1963. She is the author of ten books of poetry and a collected edition of her work, Poems 1960-2000, was published in 2000. She has been commissioned by the soprano Joanne Roughton-Arnold to write the libretto for a one-woman chamber opera called Iris, about the NZ writer Robin Hyde (born Iris Wilkinson), with music by Gillian Whitehead. It's to be produced in London in July/August 1916 at the Tȇte à Tȇte opera festival and later in New Zealand.
1. What was your biggest career break?
Perhaps not the biggest career break but the one that launched me as a writer and gave me the confidence to persevere was winning the 1961 Wellington Festival Poetry Competition (prize £50). I bought an outfit to wear at the awards ceremony and a tricycle for my four-year-old, and still had £25 left over. There was some pleasingly vituperative correspondence in the weekly NZ Listener because my poem didn't rhyme – good publicity.
2. Have you had a notable mentor – and if so, what was it about them that was so inspiring?
Too many to name; no one in particular.
3. What one piece of advice would you give to the 20-year-old you?
I might have advised her not to marry too young, except that it would have been rather late for that – I had already got married at 18, and not even pregnant!
4. What qualities do you look for in the people you work with?
Independent minds and a thorough grounding in the English language, or whatever language they use.
5. Who do you admire and why?
Women who combine motherhood and paid work or creativity without losing their enthusiasm or their tempers. Society would fall apart without them.
6. What does the future of your industry look like?
I'm sure it will continue to thrive; there's no shortage of poets.
7. If you hadn't chosen your current career, what would you have done instead?
All I ever wanted to be was a writer, of some kind. I shudder to think what else fate might have had in mind for me if that hadn't been available. I've had occasional fantasies of being a foreign correspondent, but that still involves writing.
8. What is your biggest extravagance?
Books.
9. Who would you invite to your dream dinner party and why? (you can invite three people – they must be alive)
My sister Marilyn and my two sons; they live in New Zealand and I don't see enough of them. (Perhaps some of my grandchildren and great-grandchildren could join us after the meal).
10. What do you do to relax away from work?
Walk and daydream.
11. If you could change one thing about Britain today, what would it be?
The government.
12. What would your last meal be? (please choose a starter, a main course and a pudding)
A green salad with avocado and my own lemon, garlic and olive oil dressing; smoked haddock with parsley sauce, mashed potatoes and kale; mixed fresh berries.
