When did you start writing?
I always enjoyed writing at school and had fun playing around with words. But I really began to concentrate on writing when I finally realised that my lack of singing and guitar-playing ability meant that my dream of being a rock star was never going to happen – I think I was about 24 at the time. I forgot about the music and just concentrated on the words!
What books have you written?
My most recent book is called ‘Carry Me Away’ and I have another solo collection called ‘Chicken on the Roof’ coming out with Otter-Barry Books next year. As well as this, I’ve written a collection of poems called ‘The Same Inside’ with the lovely Roger Stevens and Liz Brownlee which is also due for publication in 2018.
What is the most unusual event that has inspired you to write a poem?
A woman knocked on my front door one day and said: ‘Excuse me, but my chicken is on your roof.’ And it was. Her chicken ‘Sage’ had flown the coop she kept in her garden and landed on my roof and then didn’t know how to get down again. The poem pretty much wrote itself!
Do you have a special time to write?
Whenever I’m not being harassed by my two children, Will and Daisy!
Are you writing anything at the moment?
Yes, an interview for Poetry Zone.
Ah yes, I see.
Do you visit schools?
Yep, every week – and I love it! I’m a massive show-off and love performing poems and stories in school and then helping children to write and perform for themselves!
Of all the poems you’ve written, which is your favourite?
My opinion on this changes all the time – but I’m very proud of this one from my book, Carry Me Away:
Poem for a New Year
Something’s moving in,
I hear the weather in the wind,
sense the tension of the sheep-field
and the pilgrimage of fins.
Something’s not the same,
I taste the sap and feel the grain,
hear the rolling of the rowan
ringing, singing in a change.
Something’s set to start,
there’s meadow-music in the dark
and the clouds that shroud the mountain
slowly, softly start to part.
Have you any pets?
A big, fat, brainless but beautiful mog called Jessie.
What football team do you support?
Manchester United
Ah well, never mind. What could schools do to improve the way poetry is taught?
Get a poet in to help!
I’d agree with that. What advice would you give to young poets?
Keep a good head and always carry a lightbulb. Erm, or just keep on reading and writing – and enjoy the process of crafting your words into something you’re proud of.
Thank you, Matt. To find out more about Matt, why not visit his website?
www.mattgoodfellow.yolasite.com
And you can read a review of Matt’s book, Carry Me Away, in the Poetry Zone reviews section.
