Interview with poet Nigel Tetley

Poet Nigel Tetley joins me today to chat about his collection of poetry, It’s a Funny Old World.

Welcome, Nigel. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

It started with a telephone call. In 2001, another teacher I had got to know in a neighbouring school called me one November evening to ask me if I would agree to write some children’s stories for a new numeracy project that she wanted to pilot in her own primary school. Her idea was to teach basic mathematical ideas through the medium of story. To this day, I do not know what made her think of me because, as I told her at the time, I had never written creatively in my entire life. I had only ever written irrelevant, boring, academic stuff at university, and I hadn’t even been particularly good at that. My only writing experience had been on philosophical and religious ideas, and now, as a teacher, the only writing I ever did was when I was either marking homework or churning out reports (which, all the evidence suggested, nobody read anyway). I didn’t have an imaginative life, I told her. I was a teacher, after all. She would have none of it, however, and so, if only to get her off my back, I reluctantly decided to give it a go. The moment I started was one of total astonishment. I felt that I had come home.

The numeracy project drew to a close, but I carried on, and I have not been able to stop; nor do I want to. Like a true addict, I don’t care about my dependency. All that matters to me now is my next fix. I have since branched out from numeracy topics to a diverse range of subjects and to a broader range of readers.

Please tell us about your current release.

It’s a Funny Old World is a collection of twenty poems written primarily for teenage readers who regard themselves as reluctant readers. The twenty pieces are short and accessible enough not to be threatening, but broad enough in their range of topics to stand a good chance of hooking the reader in.

What inspired you to write this book?

In my job as a teacher, I am continually confronted with the fact that most young people have a purely functional understanding of reading; that the one and only purpose of reading is to gain necessary information. The idea that one can approach a text in exactly the same way that one can instinctively approach, say, a piece of music, for example, is alien to most young people, in my experience. This book is a small attempt to change that mindset. Thus, the book is primarily for those who think that reading has got nothing to do with entertainment.

Excerpt from It’s a Funny Old World:

THE ACTOR’S SOLILOQUY

                                                I am not who I am,

                                                And I am who I’m not,

                                                I’m a living and stark contradiction,

                                                I express what is true,

                                                Yet my life is a lie,

                                                I’m a fact even though I’m a fiction,

                                                Every move that I make

                                                Is an act of pretence,

                                                A sham from beginning to end,

                                                A sheer fabrication,

A glorified lie,

                                                Whenever I play Let’s Pretend,

                                                There is no human drama

                                                I cannot take part in,

                                                I perform every role unrestricted,

                                                But alone in my room,

                                                There’s no sign of myself,

                                                Like a tenant now long since evicted,

                                                My essence is merely

                                                Dramatis Personae,

                                                A bundle of roles with no core,

                                                An identity void

Of a real, solid self,

                                                A collection of parts, nothing more,

                                                So when I use the word ‘I’

                                                In the course of a script,

                                                What is meant by this pronoun’s grammatical span?

                                                Am I me when I act or somebody else?

                                                Just who is now speaking:
                                                The mask or the man?

What exciting story are you working on next?

Ten Finger Rhymes (to teach the first five cardinal and ordinal numbers).

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I have never considered myself to be a writer. After all, Shakespeare was a writer, and I’m no Shakespeare. What I am is somebody who loves to play with the English language in the hope that I will entice others to do the same.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I am a teacher, and so writing is just a hobby for me, but one of the great things about writing is that it is a hobby that you can take anywhere. For example, I wrote the words to one of my pieces when stuck in a traffic jam. I wrote another during a free period at work when I should have been marking, and I wrote yet another during a school staff meeting. That’s the beauty of writing. You can do it anywhere, anytime, under any conditions, and nobody ever knows what you’re up to. It is the greatest form of escapism, ever.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I never write anything down until the whole piece is finished in my head.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a musician. Thankfully, the world was spared that particular affliction.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

My earliest memory is that of writing out each of the twenty-six letters of the English Alphabet, over and over again, and each time being mesmerised at how the shape of each one exactly matched the sound that it made. That perfect correspondence is one that still bewitches me to this day. How is it that each letter looks like its sound? (If you haven’t ever noticed this before, go back and have a fresh look. You’re in for the shock of your life.)

Thanks for stopping by today! All the best with your writing.

Interview with poet Margaret Goka

Poet Margaret Fourt Goka joins me to talk about her new chapbook, The Woven Flag.

Welcome, Margaret. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born in Washington, D.C. and lived in Bethesda, Maryland for 18 years. I traveled to St. Louis, Missouri for college at Washington University, majoring in English Literature. I met and married my husband in St. Louis. We settled in Sunnyvale, California where we raised three daughters. I completed a master’s degree in linguistics at San Jose State University and worked teaching English as a second language for over 30 years. Now I am retired and a grandmother.

Please tell us a little bit about your current release.

I have recently published a book of poetry collected from writing over the years since I was an undergraduate. It contains poems written when my children were young to the present.

What inspired you to write the book?

I like to reflect on what I have done and thought through writing poems. I wrote about my children, cats, places where I have been, questions I have, and the lives of my parents and husband.

Excerpt:

The dream comes out of sleep whole.

A universe creates within me

            As I wake.

            I write what I see

Like a sketch.

What are you working on next?

I need to find, collect and type up poems from journals and notebooks. I have not started this process yet. Some poems are thoughts or events I am sharing with my deceased husband.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

In fourth grade my teacher told the class that we could all write a book someday. I always believed her. I took a poetry writing class in college which gave me some practice. After marrying it was hard to find time to write, but this gradually became easier as my children grew up and started their own adult lives. Even when they were small, I intended to write and collected my poems.

Do you write full time? What do you do other than write?

I do not write full time. I am active in my church, volunteer at the Sunnyvale Historical Museum, and go to an exercise class or walk to keep fit. When I get an idea to write about, I find time to work on it, but I do not put specific time aside to write when I do not have an idea.

What would you say is an interesting writing quirk?

My habit is to keep memos and shopping lists in a small memo notebook. Sometimes I’ll start writing a poem in it, but since the pages are small, the poem will be brief.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a teacher.

Thank you for joining me today, Margaret!

Interview with poet and author Darrah J. Perez

I have an interview with poet and author Darrah J. Perez today. We’re chatting about her new anthology of poems, It Never Happened, It Always Happens, It’s Forever Happening.

Bio:

A Native of the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, Author Darrah J. Perez offers gifts of poetry and short stories centered around life experience, lessons, and upbringing. A poet who speaks right from the heart shining light upon the gift of life. No stone unturned, no path untraveled, Mrs. Perez is a believer, “everything happens for a reason,” Being very observant in everyday life, Darrah records everything as proof that the Universe is alive and listening.

Welcome, Darrah. What do you enjoy most about writing poems?

I love it when a poem can spark the tinder of saddened emotions by thoughts, words, and feelings. Life focuses on the past, the present, and the future; poetry has the ability to bring all three of those into one. When I write, it comes not by thought, not by feelings, not by emotion, but by the life of the Universe and everything yet to be understood. Poetry is an art that has helped me discover who it is, I am.

Can you give us a little insight into a few of your poems – perhaps a couple of your favorites?

My grandmother passed away almost 3 years now today. I spent the last dying day with her in the hospital, paying attention to every detail and word spoken between her and I, and her and others. Tomorrow is never promised spoke loud and clear to me throughout the whole day, take no time for granted. I watched her take her last breath as my heart cried out for mercy. The next day after her passing she spoke to me and through me in the poem, “Tomorrow is Never Promised.”

What form are you inspired to write in the most? Why?

I never force poetry. I let it come naturally with life’s experiences and lessons. I have discovered it is more free-flowing when chosen to be done this way. I have been working on writing fiction, but I think writing about real life events and people is what gets me most inspired. I am greatly appreciative that I discovered living a life secret-free and full of knowledge absorbed is what truly does open doorways to unknown successes.

What type of project are you working on next?

August 21, 2017 is the date of a total solar eclipse set to be seen across the United States. On February 2, 2017, a premonition came to me. This eclipse could be an awakening for many. “I saw the eruption of Yellowstone.”

My newest book currently being written is titled, A Perfect Eclipse.

When did you first consider yourself a writer / poet?

When I was very young I loved reading the choose your own adventure books. They were my favorite because of the different endings. Life is what you make it, we choose our own adventure every day. I have always held an awe for creators of word art. Discipline was the one thing I envied in my favorite book authors. I wanted to be just like them. I knew I had it in me to be just like them. Writing was something I liked from the moment pen and paper and me, met in the third grade.

How do you research markets for your work, perhaps as some advice for not-yet-published poets?

Social media is big in this day and age. I began from a poetry site as an admin on Facebook. It was during this time that I reached out to my favorite poets from that site and the questions began. I learned that each poet had their own style, technique, and desire. I knew my desires and what I wanted. I knew what type of energy I had. I took those three things and began searching for doors, hoping for angels in disguise to guide me and lead me. “You never know unless you ask,” is the motto I lived by. With each door that opened, another one opened, and then another. I had found my niche.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I like to write when I am going through emotions. I have learned a lot from life by paying attention to my emotions, with the goal being complete control of them.  

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a New York Times Best-Selling Author. I wanted to be a Stephen King.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

As a filmmaker, I have found ways to share my most prized poetry through visual media. Found on YouTube by searching Darrah J. Perez, poetry names such as, Eagle is My Name, Women Making Life Happen, Grandfather Bless Me with Unity, & Dancing with the Spirits are just a few of my short videos that can be found there.

As a poet and an author, I’m always looking forward to inspire more through my books, videos, and presentations. I am Darrah J. Perez. I am proud to admit, “life happens the way life happens, with it, comes a purpose.”

Links:

YouTube | Blog | Facebook

Thanks for being here today, Darrah.

Interview with poet Ginny Lowe Connors

I’m winding up this week with Ginny Lowe Connors who is talking about her collection of poems called, Toward the Hanging Tree: Poems of Salem Village (Antrim House Books, 2016).

Bio:

Ginny Lowe Connors is the author of three poetry collections: The Unparalleled Beauty of a Crooked Line, Barbarians in the Kitchen, and most recently, Toward the Hanging Tree: Poems of Salem Village. Her chapbook, Under the Porch, won the Sunken Garden Poetry Prize. She is on the executive boards of the Connecticut Poetry Society and of the Connecticut Coalition of Poets Laureate. She served as the Poet Laureate of West Hartford, Connecticut from 2013-2015. Connors also runs a small poetry press, Grayson Books.

Welcome, Ginny. Please tell us about your current release.

Toward the Hanging Tree is lyric history; a book of poetry that looks into the heart of the Salem witchcraft mania of 1692, telling the story from multiple points of view.

What inspired you to write this book?

The topic fascinates me! The answers are not all clear, and that is always fruitful for poetry. When I was in Salem for the Mass Poetry festival a couple of years ago, it was clear that the town was capitalizing on the tourist-angle of this incredible event (even though the main events took place in the town now known as Danvers), but my thought was: There needs to be a poetry collection about this! The era of the witch hunt was rich with mystery, fear, and well—just all the human emotions. That’s poetic territory. I investigated and found nonfiction books and a few novels, but nothing much in the way of a poetry collection. So I set out to write one.

It also happens that my birthday is on Halloween, a day associated in some people’s minds with witches and deviltry. And at age eleven I acted in a college production of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. They needed some young girls for the production. When I visited Salem, I remembered that brief acting experience and wanted to find out more about what actually happened in 1692. Miller took some liberties with his script, but his implied commentary on the way people scapegoat others and attack them was right on target. Of course, the McCarthy hearings were going on when he wrote his play, but the same kind of fearful turning against others in very hateful ways is still quite evident in our country today, as anyone who pays the slightest attention to political events is aware. Toward the Hanging Tree takes place in the seventeenth century, yet its theme and relevance are timeless.

What do you enjoy most about writing poems?

To name something seems to make it more knowable, and yet so much of what we experience is hard to name and hard to comprehend. Poems try to find the words for those feelings that can’t otherwise be captured. I love that effort. Poetry helps us pause, notice, and reflect. In our busy, distracting world, that is a wonderful thing.

I loved working on Toward the Hanging Tree; it allowed me to explore a fascinating historical event and give voice to some of the people who were involved. The subject matter is a little mysterious and highly emotional—which works well for poetry.

I told the story from a variety of perspectives. Everyone has a story to tell, and everyone living through a traumatic event or series of events has a different way of seeing or understanding it. That interests me! Ultimately, I don’t believe that there is ever just one truth. The more facets one can examine, the more the complexity of a situation is revealed.

What form are you inspired to write in the most? Why?

I generally write in free verse, but have been known to write pantoums, triolets, some other forms and invented forms. My latest book contains poems in a variety of forms, some invented. The needs of the poem ultimately dictate the form used.

What type of project are you working on next?

I have been editing an anthology called Forgotten Women, which should be in print in the beginning of 2017. It includes poems about underappreciated women, some who were part of history, and some who represent ordinary women whose contributions are mostly unnoticed. Meanwhile I am writing various poems of my own, but not working on a book of my own poetry.

When did you first consider yourself a writer / poet?

I have always liked to write, including poetry. Calling oneself a poet doesn’t change the practice much. But it’s true that I have become more intensely involved in the poetry world during the past ten years. My children are grown now and I have just recently retired from teaching. That frees me to spend more time on writing projects.

How do you research markets for your work, perhaps as some advice for not-yet-published poets?

I read several journals and look at postings online. Poets and Writers Magazine is a wonderful resource. They also have an online presence. In addition, I am part of a writing community in Connecticut and we tend to share ideas and information.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I have difficulty coming up with good titles for my poems. That is usually the last part of my revision practice.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

At various times I wanted to be a clown, a teacher, a cowgirl, a veterinarian, and a writer.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Reading one poem a day is a practice that can quiet the mind and enliven the spirit. Of course, poetry addicts will need to read more than one a day, but even people who don’t see poetry as part of their world can find that they enjoy this practice.

Thank you for being here today, Ginny. And Happy (a little early) Birthday!

Interview with inspirational writer Robert Chomany

Today’s guest is inspirational writer Robert (BawB) Chomany. He’s talking a bit about his newest compilation titled, BawB’s Raven Feathers.

Bio:

Robert (BawB) Chomany is the author of the BawB’s Raven Feathers award-winning series, which are pure and simple inspirational books. He was born in Calgary, Alberta, with a clear view of the mountains to the west. These mountains eventually drew BawB in, and he spent many years living in the company of nature, exploring his spiritual side.

Welcome, BawB, please tell us about your current release.

The current release is Vol V of a five volume series, Series One is now a boxed set.

What inspired you to write this book?

The Universe was becoming too full of negative energy, I felt a need to throw in some smiles and inspiration to help people look forward to their tomorrows.

Excerpt:

Are you prepared each day for what life brings,

or do you wait with bated breath?

Are you calm enough to let things slide,

or do they turn into life and death?

It’s so much easier to just put on a smile

and accept what we cannot control.

Life is short, but when the days seem long,

it’s better to let things roll.

What exciting story are you working on next?

Series Two, Vol VI

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

After Vol I my editor called me a writer, I am still not comfortable with the title, its like a wool sweater, it fits, but it’s itchy.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I write an inspirational rhyming quote every morning (Mon to Fri) and a blog page every couple of weeks, I am up each morning at 0500 and have a routine; I put the coffee on, let my dog Levi out then share a morning smile. The rest of my day is spent on marketing follow ups, creating new contacts, and physically popping in to the stores that carry my books, it means the world to me to share a smile with the people that have welcomed me into their stores.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I can’t play an instrument but I am concerned with the flow of my rhymes, it’s like they have a “beat” from start to finish and I drive my editor crazy trying to keep it flowing.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Older… and now that I am, I still don’t know what I want to b.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Never give up on your dreams, keep your goals real and obtainable and you will always meet with success.

Thank you, BawB!