I think that there are fiction writers for whom that works well. I could never do it. I feel as if, by the time I see that it's a poem, it's almost written in my head somewhere.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
First of all, writing at best - certainly fiction writing - more and more I think is magic.
I think that it's more likely that in my 60s and 70s I will be writing poetry rather than fiction.
I thought that if one wanted to be a writer, one had to write novels because I didn't know that one could be a poet.
I'm quite sure that most writers would sustain real poetry if they could, but it takes devotion and talent.
However far fiction writers stray from their own lives and experiences - and I stray pretty far from mine - I think, ultimately, that we may be writing what we need to write in some way, albeit unconsciously.
I want prose fiction to be recognized as that, and I'm not interested in writing as it becomes more personal.
There's always a bit of fiction in everything that I write.
I write poetry anyway and have for years and years. For me, putting fiction and poetry together is like the best of both worlds.
I find in my own writing that only fiction - and rarely, a poem - fully tests me to the kind of limits of what I know and what I feel.
Fiction will always be my greatest love, with poetry close behind.