An Interview with Hannah Waters

Exploring navigating your early twenties discussing love, heartbreak, pain, hope, healing and growth. I’m a new poet but growing in confidence and I just want my words to make you feel something.

What inspired you to start writing this book?

Honestly, life just seemed like such a struggle; I was in my last year of university, wondering what the hell I was going to do next. Every decision felt like it would have major consequences om the direction my life would take and I had so many people around me but also no one I felt would understand if I talked to them.

I started reading a lot of poetry and immersing myself in a variety of poets, but then I found Isabella Dorta and that’s when I started believing that I could turn my words into a book. I just wanted to share my feelings and make people feel comfortable feeling the uncomfortable. In a world where we are so quick to discount other people’s feelings, I wanted to create a safe space for navigating the uncertainty that is your twenties. I just wanted to promote the idea that pain is ok and that in pain there is still room for hope, forgiveness healing and growth.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

I wanted a whimsical title that was both beautiful and free that helps summarise how this book gave me back my sparkle. I had the title written down in my little ideas notes for poems but after a lot of consideration I fell in love with the name, Dandelions and Dayrdreams, and thought it really summarised what I was going for with my first book. It’s been a title that has sat in my notes since I started writing and I knew it would have a purpose somewhere.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

I think there’s a few songs that would make the list if my book had its own soundtrack

“Love Me In Chapters” – Chrissi, Rachel Chinouriri

“Paper People” – Dan Whitlam

“Pretty Little Poison” – Warren Zeiders

“Homesick” – LYVIA

“Lose Control” – Teddy Swims

Describe your dream book cover.

My book cover is bright, colourful—if it’s on your bookshelf, I wanted it to add some sunshine. My book isn’t always happy but I hope it takes you on a journey. When I daydream, I think of sunsets and rainbows and there was something in the idea of wishing upon dandelions I loved. Dandelions are ‘weeds,’ but they are little balls of fluffy sunshine.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

My background is Forensic Science and I also did a Masters in Crime, Justice and Psychology. So my background is quite criminology-focused and I only started getting into poetry in my last year of university. Currently in between sending out dozens of job applications waiting for something to feel right, I spend my time tutoring GCSE students English and Science, actually teaching modules on poetry.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

I hope my book makes you feel something, I hope my words or feelings can resonote in some way and I hope my book brings you comfort. That it validates your feelings in that you are not alone and even though it may feel dark sometimes there’s always room for hope when surrounded by the correct environment. I hope it makes you want to chase your dreams and make wishes on dandelions. Tomorrow isn’t promised and this book set me free. I hope it provides you a space for your feelings and consider me a poetry friend through the blank pages. My perfect reader would be anyone who needs to hear the words I’ve written.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.