Hello Poetry Lovers
Welcome back to the Talk Show Studio (ecstatic applause)
Now settle down, PL’s, because we know who’s coming, don’t we?! (Great cheers) 
Yes, indeed, it’s the wonderful and enigmatic and unique Wendy Young!!!
(Standing ovation. Security cut their fag break short!)
Welcome to the show, Wendy! So lovely to have you with us!
Adore that white crocheted suit! You’ve been up Chelsea Girl again, haven’t you?!
Thank you and glad to be asked!
And actually, it’s from Snob!
Adore Snob, especially their bags.
Fill us in on your background, Wendy. When did poetry become part of your life?
Early 2000s when not sure what course to do (yes I could write a book on ‘Courses I have done’) after attending a creative writing course at the City Lit.
Julia Casterton led a Summer School and it was the key to unlocking something inside. I guess the catatonic episodes of a poem just erupting in a frustrated situation e.g. a trip to a certain town and working in a busy public sector office began to merge/fashion into poetry. I would describe it as being ‘struck with a thunderbolt and woken up’.
What a powerful description, Wendy. And its certainly worked for you.
Who have been your biggest influences?
Influences? As above – frustration/Julia Casterton/Billy Childish jump to mind.
Adore Billy Childish. So tell us about Passing for Human, your poetry album. Such an innovative concept
Passing for Human came about after meeting Ivan on a Covid project with Disability Arts Online when we took part in a workshop writing poetry about our experience/we recorded it and Ivan added music.
Ivan suggested we record a poem or two (which is what I have always wanted to do) and then realised we could do an album.
So over the Summer/avoiding train strikes/travelling to Hertfordshire to Ivan’s synth/keyboard/ haven – we did it!
Amazing, Wendy. Your hard work really paid off.
I can thoroughly recommend Passing for Human, Poetry Lovers. A clever combination of spoken word and poetry.
Okay, (Sweeps everything off the desk. Audience gasp in anticipation)
What is the best poetry gig you’ve ever done? And the Worst?!
Worst gig? To be honest – I don’t look at it like that. I learn something from everything (well it’s how I cope anyway!).
Though I have had experiences e.g Poetry Cafe when I was booked on strength of the previous event and I was advised not to ‘be all going into myself’ ?? I think he meant be bold and perform as before and I only got a fiver as opposed to £15 last time ha ha?
I have had quite a few odd experiences but don’t really wish to go into it.
Best gig? ‘I’ve had a few’ so it’s hard to choose – Lyric Studio with Colin Hambrook as part of Joy Festival is up there though and anywhere I get a good response from the audience – whether it be small or large.
They sound great experiences. I hope you didn’t spend that fiver all at once! Cheek of it!
So what are you up to tonight? You go to great clubs. Are you seeing a band?
Actually Heather, my new suit’s coming unravelled. I think I’d better get home and re-crochet!!
Lumme! I can see that. You really are unravelling! Get a car round, quick!
Thank you so much for coming on the show, you’ve been a fascinating guest
(Standing ovation from the audience as our guest cautiously ascends the lighted stairs)
Wasn’t Wendy an amazing guest?!
Please listen out for her radio show The Free O’clock Show on K2K radio 2.30 till 5.30 on Fridays. A real joy!
Also treat yourselves to Wendy’s poetry album Passing for Human http://miserywithoomph.bandcamp.com
Thanks for visiting the Talk Show Studio, Poetry Lovers. We have many more fascinating interviews lined up and we’ll be back with more poetry action real soon……
Heather Moulson 