FIRST IMPRESSIONS: PAM AYRES
What are you working on at the moment?
My new book of poems just went off to print! Now I’m going to take a hoover and an enormous black bag and clear up the wreckage that has accumulated in my office. I’m working in chaos and I hate it.
When were you at your happiest?
It’s a very good time now. I’m older and tougher and I’m pleased with the way my books have been received. My boys are independent, happy and fit. My husband and I get on well – we have a good laugh.
What is your greatest fear?
Being in some old folks home having lost my independence. As you get older, your friends and all your peers fall away, and that terrifies me.
What is your earliest memory?
Sitting in the window of our council house, with my brothers and sisters crowded around me and arguing about whether I was three or four.
Who has been your greatest influence?
I’ve always been influenced by my gut feeling, certainly in terms of creative work. In the early days, people said I’d never make money writing poetry. I remember one pompous lady from a literary agent, who was so scathing. She said to go home dear and forget all about it, it’ll never make your fortune. And because of my gut feeling I did pursue it, so I’m glad I listened to my own instincts.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
I’m not very assertive. If something nasty needs to be said, I’m not very good at saying it.
What trait do you most deplore?
Shallowness People who worry about shopping and being seen in the right places. Those things don’t matter.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I have an age spot on my face, which is close in shape to the south island on New Zealand. I try and powder over it but it always comes through.
What is your most treasured possession?
My family, it’s brought me such joy. I didn’t have my family until late and I didn’t feel particularly maternal but once I had them I realised what a ghastly half-life I’d have lived had I not had them.
What is your favourite book?
Fannie Flagg’s Fried Green Tomatoes At The Whistle Stop Cafe. I love that book.
Your favourite film?
Dances With Wolves.
Your favourite piece of music?
I like a chap called Seán Cannon. He now sings with The Dubliners, but before he sung those old Irish drinking songs and he had the most miraculous voice. So Seán, singing The Rose Of Allendale.
Your favourite meal?
I love crab but hate the way the poor things are boiled, so I’m always fighting to put out of my mind how it met its gruesome end.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
I like the actor Noah Emmerich. He is so romantic and handsome. I’d have the candle on the table sufficiently dim, so he won’t see my age spot in the shape of the south island of New Zealand.
What is your secret vice?
Nuts – particularly honey-roasted almonds.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes. I read that if you thank quickly you thank twice.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
You know.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
I’d like to wave a magic wand and have my gammy knee restored to its former efficiency.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
I feel lucky because I started from such a modest background, so the nice home I have and my lovely children I really appreciate because I’ve come a long way, so I’d just say ‘Thanks’.
You Made Me Late Again!, by Pam Ayres, is published by Ebury Press, priced £16.99.
My new book of poems just went off to print! Now I’m going to take a hoover and an enormous black bag and clear up the wreckage that has accumulated in my office. I’m working in chaos and I hate it.
When were you at your happiest?
It’s a very good time now. I’m older and tougher and I’m pleased with the way my books have been received. My boys are independent, happy and fit. My husband and I get on well – we have a good laugh.
What is your greatest fear?
Being in some old folks home having lost my independence. As you get older, your friends and all your peers fall away, and that terrifies me.
What is your earliest memory?
Sitting in the window of our council house, with my brothers and sisters crowded around me and arguing about whether I was three or four.
Who has been your greatest influence?
I’ve always been influenced by my gut feeling, certainly in terms of creative work. In the early days, people said I’d never make money writing poetry. I remember one pompous lady from a literary agent, who was so scathing. She said to go home dear and forget all about it, it’ll never make your fortune. And because of my gut feeling I did pursue it, so I’m glad I listened to my own instincts.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
I’m not very assertive. If something nasty needs to be said, I’m not very good at saying it.
What trait do you most deplore?
Shallowness People who worry about shopping and being seen in the right places. Those things don’t matter.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I have an age spot on my face, which is close in shape to the south island on New Zealand. I try and powder over it but it always comes through.
What is your most treasured possession?
My family, it’s brought me such joy. I didn’t have my family until late and I didn’t feel particularly maternal but once I had them I realised what a ghastly half-life I’d have lived had I not had them.
What is your favourite book?
Fannie Flagg’s Fried Green Tomatoes At The Whistle Stop Cafe. I love that book.
Your favourite film?
Dances With Wolves.
I like a chap called Seán Cannon. He now sings with The Dubliners, but before he sung those old Irish drinking songs and he had the most miraculous voice. So Seán, singing The Rose Of Allendale.
Your favourite meal?
I love crab but hate the way the poor things are boiled, so I’m always fighting to put out of my mind how it met its gruesome end.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
I like the actor Noah Emmerich. He is so romantic and handsome. I’d have the candle on the table sufficiently dim, so he won’t see my age spot in the shape of the south island of New Zealand.
What is your secret vice?
Nuts – particularly honey-roasted almonds.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes. I read that if you thank quickly you thank twice.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
You know.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
I’d like to wave a magic wand and have my gammy knee restored to its former efficiency.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
I feel lucky because I started from such a modest background, so the nice home I have and my lovely children I really appreciate because I’ve come a long way, so I’d just say ‘Thanks’.
You Made Me Late Again!, by Pam Ayres, is published by Ebury Press, priced £16.99.