Why do you write?

When I was young I tried different things: drawing, painting, music, poetry, short stories, journalism, reviewing, but poetry turned out to be what I was best at.

Are you a vivid dreamer?

Oh, yes. I always dream in colour, and I can remember how things are oriented in my dreams — which way is north, I mean, and where the coast is. I think I developed that talent as a child, roaming through the bush. I used to take an Army contour map with me, so I always knew where I was.