Blast Furnace Press Interview: "lavender & honey"
1.) When did you start to write poetry/what is your earliest recollection of writing? Who encouraged you? Who discouraged you, if anyone? What were some "words of wisdom" bestowed upon you about writing (pro and con)? Embarassingly, I started writing poems in junior high to get the attention of a boy I had a huge crush on. But early on the importance of the arts and history was impressed upon me by my grandparents. They were the ones to buy me my first book of poetry and always encouraged me to do what made me happy. 2.) Who are your literary/artistic/creative influences? Whose work do you admire? I am influenced a great deal by music and the visual arts. Overall, I think my greatest influences are the everyday occurrences of life. I find that my creativity is driven by the domestic. I admire writers and artists who focus on the life of ordinary people as well. Julia Alvarez and Billy Collins are my strongest influences but I also enjoy Jane Kenyon, Saul Williams, an...