Just as the ’60s ended January 1, 1970 (or was it after Led Zeppelin’s tour in 1973?), the Aughts similarly came to a close on the first day of 2010. Or was it 2011? Or, wait, was it after Arcade Fire won a Grammy?

Wendy is the fictional narrative of a young woman living in an urban centre, whose dreams of contemporary art stardom are perpetually derailed by the temptations of punk music, drugs, alcohol, parties, and boys. She is also Hazlitt’s Scene Reporter.

Audiences today are too savvy to be tricked by a War of the Worlds or Blair Witch Project. Is there any value left in entertainment that isn’t just realistic, but strives to be perceived as real?

The Kenyan-born British poet talks to Hazlitt about finding inspiration in life’s oddities (from finding women living in your walls to Dogtooth), telling her family’s stories, and why she hates being called “brave.”