....

Shiver Me Timbers... it's
David Harmer

These questions were asked by Lillian Pool (aged 11), Maya Gouw (aged 10), James Simpson, Katie Kirsch (aged 12) and Mulham Al-Assad (aged 15)
They all win a copy of David's new book - Pirate Poems. Well done!!!!

For more information about this swashbuckling book or to buy it click here

What does it feel like to be a published poet?
Great. Really exciting.

When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A Beatle, Bob Dylan, a lorry driver, a footballer and a writer.

Do you always feel inspired to write a poem?
No, sometimes it's all about pinning an idea down and working hard to get it right.

Have you ever written a poem that you didn't like?
Yes, loads

How many poems have you ever written?
Loads and loads and loads and loads.

What is the longest you have ever worked on one poem?
Three to four months.

How long have you been a poet for and what age did you start?
I always wrote poems and stories from being very youing. I've been at it part time since 1982 and full time since 2003.

There once was a pirate named Peter
Who fought a fierce rival called Rita
Although she was tough
It wasn't enough
And Rita let Peter defeat her

When you were young did you want to be a pirate?
Yes of course. Oooo-arrrrr!

Did you ever dream of finding a map and then sailing to the Seven Seas to find treasure?
Oooo-arrrrr!

Whatever made you take an interest in pirates? Was it when you were a kid,teenager, or adult? Or were you inspired watching Pirates of the Caribbean?
All of those things. I loved making treasure maps (on creased paper and stained with tea) and playing pirates in my back garden. Trees make good ships.

I'm a pants pirate, boo-hoo-hoo
Not very good at what I do
I'm a pants pirate, fair enough?
Not very good at pirate stuff.

I've got an eyepatch and I've got
A cutlass on my hip
The only thing I haven't got
Is a pirate ship
I try my best to be a pirate
Fierce as you like
But it's hard to be convincing
When you've only got a bike

Have you had any teachers that taught a subject that you especially liked?
Yes, I enjoyed being in the Juniors and at secondary school. I always had outstanding English and Drama teachers.

And could it possibly have led you to like pirates?
No. Real pirates are very, very scary.

You were once a teacher yourself. Would you rather be a teacher or poet?
A poet, but I work in schools all the time so I guess I am still a teacher.

Should there be more poetry in schools?
YES!!!!

What is the favourite poem that you've written?
Always Mr Moore, Mr Moore, creaking down the corridor... and the last one I've just completed. That keeps changing.

Who are your favourite writers?
Shakespeare, Ted Hughes, Val Bloom, Paul Cookson, Ian Mc Millan, Roger Stevens, Brian Moses, Seamus Heany Roger
McGough, Carol Anne Duffy, Sharon Olds, Linda Lee Welch, it goes on and on and on...

I love cats, especially American Shorthairs. What kind of pets do you
like? Parrots - possibly?
I like cats best of all. We've got a dog that's okay but cats are the coolest pet around. Especially lions.

There once was a pirate from Preston
Who continually kept his old vest on
He said to his crew
"This old one will do
Cos I can't let my best one get messed on."

What TV shows have you liked as a little kid, teenager and adult?
I liked cowboy films a lot, I liked cartoons a lot, I love The Simpsons and Family Guy. Also I like documentaries and plays and films and football
and cricket... well,most things really. Robin Hood with Richard Greene was good.

If you could have anything in the world, what would it be?
An end to wars, an end to misery.

If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?
I'd be thinner and younger, forever!

What is the biggest challenge you've faced, and how did you handle it?
To decide to give up a well paid job I quite liked and become a free-lance writer/performer. In the end, thanks to the support and love of my family, I just did it.

Do you regret your decision, or would you have made the same one if you had to do it over again?
Je ne regrette rein. No, no regrets at all.

A pirate who sailed to Bermuda
Was bitten by a barracuda
He held up his thumb
Said, "It's bitten my HAND."
Otherwise this last line would be ruder.

The above poems are all © 2007 David Harmer and are from Pirate Poems, published by Macmillan Children's Books.

Back to the top o' the crow's nest, me hearties...

roger