Interview with Wendy E. Slater author of Into the Hearth, Poems-Volume 14
Q:When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?:
A:When I was about eight years old, my father gifted me a book of poetry by David McCord. I was hooked and began dabbling in poetry even at that early age in my childlike way.
Q:How long does it take you to write a book?:
A:The time for writing a volume of poetry can vary from weeks to months and, of course, it also depends on other factors in my life, but typically it would take several months. Many people write a random poem here or there and finally compile them into a volume. When I sit down to write, which is the easy part for me, I complete that volume.
Q:What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?:
A:A lot of Tequila…no, really, it’s pretty crazy and erratic and sometimes I’m hard to find. Other times, I work in public places, observing the passersbys and noticing the world around me.
Q:What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?:
A:I’m very fastidious and particular, perhaps one would call it obsessive, about the formatting of my poetry as presented on the page. Just ask those around me – they will testify to my passion for perfection.
Q:How do books get published?:
A:How the heck would I know – I’m just a poet. But, really, it requires a lot of hard work, endless editing, a great team and many gray hairs that weren’t there during the previous volume.
Q:What do you like to do when you’re not writing?:
A:I like to think about writing. Doesn’t every poet or author? I cannot prevent myself from seeing a poem in every leaf and raindrop, in every child’s face and in the wind that changes the world with its invisible power.
Q:When did you write your first book and how old were you?:
A:I was in the fourth grade. It was called “Lippy and Oozle”. It was, of course, self-published. It was an assignment for school and the book itself had a beautiful Marimekko purple print with white circles on it. I was also the illustrator and now, I include my photography in my books of poetry.
Q:Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?:
A:From the world around me and often I feel inspired by the very simple things in life that tend to go unnoticed.
Q:What does your family think of your writing?:
A:My greatest support comes from my family of friends. My family has been aware of my poetry and artwork throughout my life and they see me as the artist.
Q:What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?:
A:That it was equivalent to birthing 20 children in ten year’s time and every bit as painful and beautiful
Q:How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?:
A:Twenty-one including “Lippy and Oozle”. These span a lifetime, of course. My least favorite book is the one I am editing at any given time because I must put on my editor’s hat and grab a microscope which takes the spontaneity out of the work for the moment. However, when I’m finished editing, I’m overwhelmed by the expression before me and feel such gratitude that I can share it with the world. So, clearly, when the editing is complete, then it is also becomes my favorite book. The stages of writing are each amazing unto themselves, and I find it fascinating that I end up where I began. It goes full circle. And “Full Circle” is the title of my first book of poetry!
Q:Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?:
A:Study the craft. Burn the midnight oil. I sit late into the night with a passion, striving to put every word on paper lest it should slip away temporarily into the ethers.
Q:Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?:
A:I am publishing my first volume, but I have shared my poetry throughout the years. I get a variety of responses depending upon the person and the topics, but mostly my work is received with the same love from which my poems were created.
Q:Do you like to create books for kids or adults? and Why?:
A:So far, my books, besides “Lippy and Oozle”, have been written on an adult level, but I have always wanted to write for children and someday I’ll make that vision come true.
Q:What do you think makes a good story?:
A:Every poem actually tells a story. There is a story in everything we see and feel, so creating a poem that reflects that story is the outcome.
Q:As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?:
A:I think I just wanted to be me, to allow myself to unfold and bloom as a uniquely individual person. But I was enormously fascinated with Ancient Egypt, Ancient Sumeria, and Archaeology.
Connect with Wendy E. Slater
Website : www.traduka.com
Facebook: Wendy E. Slater, Poetess, Quantum Healer
About your book:
ABOUT “Into the Hearth”:
“Into the Hearth, Poems-Volume 14” by Wendy E. Slater will be published on September 15, 2015. To date, Wendy has composed 20 volumes of spiritual poetry. It will be the first in the series of her spiritual poetry or “vision quest poetry” to be published. The poetry awakens one to the Truth within as we walk the path, the journey, and wake from the slumber of separation from parts of self and divinity. The resulting self-forgiveness allows one to step forward into wholeness without the false archetype of perfection. When blame and self-judgment are transformed, healed, and cease to be, we have reawakened from the myth, “the mythos” of separation. We are One.