For a long time I didn't have a writing day; my first book of poetry and two novels were written while I was working full-time as a radiographer and taking care of my daughter. I wrote when she was asleep. Then I managed to go part-time. Every Wednesday morning I spent at Pentonville Prison taking X-rays. I came home stinking of dark-room chemicals, not a little fazed from my time at the prison - but I had a whole afternoon to write.
Three and a half years ago, I gave up work completely and stayed at home to write while my daughter went to school. I was racked with guilt - all this time to myself!
I quickly learned just how hard it was juggling everything; housework, shopping, helping out at school, trying to write between making appointments and getting the car serviced. I watch the clock far more than I ever did when I was at work.
On a good day I start by reading the papers with my breakfast and then I usually read a poem. I forget who said that the best poetry workshop is to read a great poem. I rarely have the time for workshops but I make sure I have the time to read.
I never write poetry and prose at the same time, and I approach them very differently. When I'm working on prose or writing a piece for a newspaper, I'm sitting at the word processor by 9.45. Poetry I have learnt to let come out itself.
I tried to write a poem about my father for years. It finally came out in Sainsburys on the back of my shopping list. A Quiet Man was the last poem in my second collection All Alcoholics are Charmers. Much of my writing comes like that, in surprises and gifts. Like the title of my new novel coming out this March. I made up my own religious sect and then the title came as if it had been waiting for this religion to be invented: no drinking no dancing no doctors.
Martina Evans's third novel, no drinking no dancing no doctors, will be published by Bloomsbury in March, price £15.99 in UK
