In Conversation with Brian Moses on Imaginary Friends, Verse Novels, and the Power of Poetry

Brian Moses is a widely respected poet who writes primarily for children. Over the course of his career, he has published more than 220 poetry books and anthologies. As a child, Brian dreamed of becoming a musician, and it was the lyrics of Bob Dylan that first sparked his creative imagination as a teenager. Discovering the Mersey Sound poets further fuelled his interest in writing, and he soon found himself drawn fully into the world of poetry.

Brian began his professional life as a teacher, writing poems for his pupils. Their enthusiastic response encouraged him to pursue poetry full time, and he went on to become a published author. Today, he performs regularly in schools, libraries, theatres and at festivals, and is a National Poetry Day Ambassador. Throughout his career, he has delighted generations of children with his poems, while inspiring many to start writing their own.

I Am Ray's Imaginary Friend is Brian Moses's first verse novel - "a beautiful, sensitive story about coping with change".

Q This is your first verse novel - what made you choose to tell this story that way?

A. Over the years I’ve written both poetry and fiction but this idea started when I wrote a poem about an imaginary friend in response to something I read online. I then thought that this could be a bigger idea than just one poem and as I’ve enjoyed a number of verse novels recently, I decided to challenge myself by trying to write one of my own.

Q. Do you think we will have more verse novels from you? Did you enjoy writing in this format?

A. I really enjoyed writing in this format and I’m now researching background to another idea, an historical one this time, that might well present itself as a verse novel.

Q. Do you remember having an imaginary friend as a child or have you experienced a child with one in your family?

A. I’d like to say that I did, but that wasn’t the case. I had a real friend who lived opposite me in our street and we played together all the time.

Q. Why do you think children create imaginary friends, and do you feel this can be psychologically beneficial rather than a cause for concern?

A. Most research shows that children with imaginary companions use them as a social playmate, often trying out social situations with them and gaining in social skills in the real world. There are also many cases, as with Ray, where children invent an imaginary friend to help them cope with a traumatic situation.

Q. What made you include the Ukrainian refugee element of the story?

A. A Ukrainian family moved into the village I live in, just across the High Street from my house. They were the inspiration for the refugee element of the story. It seemed like something that would help Ray adapt to his new situation through empathy with another family who will have been experiencing distress of their own from having to leave their country behind.

Q. You mainly write for children - what is it about poetry for a younger audience that appeals to you?

A. I love playing with language, and as a teacher I discovered that children love playing with language too. I learned my craft alongside the children I taught, finding out what motivated them, what appealed to them, what made them laugh or moved them in some way. The rhythmic appeal of poetry is also something I became aware of too and I love creating work that I can accompany with percussion instruments to show children how it emphasises and supports the rhythm.

Q. Children are naturally drawn to poetry, from nursery rhymes in early childhood to powerful verse novels for teenagers. How do you think poetry differs from other forms of literature?

A. Probably a similar answer to the one I’ve given above. If I can do an hours performance of my poetry and percussion show and then have a child come up to me and say that he didn’t like poetry before my session but he does now, then I feel that I’ve really communicated my love for the genre. I think also that many less enthusiastic readers are drawn to poetry on the page because it isn’t solid text and seems more accessible.

Q. What about rap, do you think that is poetry?

A. I have no time for any rap that promotes violence or denigrates women but when it’s done well, then I do think that it’s poetry and a rap poet can really inspire pupils at secondary level in particular.

Q. Is there a poem that you learnt by heart as a young child, and that you can still now recall? And do you think it is valuable for children to learn and recite poetry in this way?

A. I can’t recall learning any poetry off by heart as a child, and if I did, it has long been forgotten. I’m not a supporter of children being pressured into learning a poem but if they have choice and wish to do so, then the process can be valuable.

Q. Any tips you can share with aspiring young poets?

A. Become an ideas detective. Listen out, keep your eyes open and start up a writer’s notebook in which you write down things people say, jokes, thoughts, feelings etc. This becomes a treasure chest of ideas to spark your writing in the future.

Q. 2026 is the National Year of Reading. Are you involved in any plans or initiatives for the year, and if the campaign could achieve just one thing, what would you hope that would be?

A. I am Patron of Reading for two schools close to where I live, running online sessions and making actual visits. I also send them links to what I think are good books to read and ideas for writing.

I would love to think that more parents would be reading to their children, and reading themselves too. If children see that their parents think that reading is important, it can make all the difference.

Q. Finally, what does LoveReading4Kids mean to you?

A. I think that you do a splendid job in promoting books and reading for young people and I’d like to take this chance to thank you for supporting my work. It is much appreciated.

I Am Ray's Imaginary Friend written by Brian Moses and illustrated by Bethan Welby, is published by Scallywag Press. Read our full review and you can download an opening extract to read the introductory poems, enjoy the beautiful line drawings, and Brian has also created some discussion prompts and ideas to help you enjoy the themes of his moving verse novel.