Interview with J.R. Graham

Published 2014-05-19.
Are there any particular pieces of music that you listened to while writing, or that inspired these poems? - Elizabeth Love
Not in paticular. But for "Sevenling," the idea of an orchestra and it's director was envisioned, and the metaphors therein.
What was your inspiration for putting together this collection of pieces? Was there a common theme you wanted to express throughout the works? - Elizabeth Love
I was mostly trying to incorporate the theme of "change" within people's lives... the differences we may overcome or avoid in one's existence; however some of the poems were re-written from ideas I had pieced together from my years in high school and junior college (such as "A castle in the sky" and "The fidelity express"), therefore, those works were more adaptable to one's imagination.
What instrument do you play/sing as a musician? I noticed a variety of images invoking musical references - Elizabeth Love
I have played the guitar for over 15 years, and have also delved into the world of art (sketches, drawings, ect. If one is curious, they may visit "from the sketchbook" page on my blog at: jbirds830.wordpress.com, for a variety of samples). The two passions are perhaps the fuel for inspiration, which ignite the blank pages before me.
I noticed that you included the name of the poetry form with some pieces, and used quite a variety. Were some forms more difficult to work with than others? - Elizabeth Love
Undoubtedly so. The few that come to mind are; "The unstrung marionette, and Ms. Anne Quin and the Medicine Man." (A hidden innuendo in the first half of the title: drop the "s" and you have Mannequin). Respectively, they are the sestina and the paradelle forms. The formats I present in this collection were not only the most difficult to write (comparing freestyle), they were also the most enjoyable to write, and for that reason, I loved to see them progress, in the same way I love to be challenged as a writer. But most importantly, within that challenge, lies the pure desire to produce the best work I can possibly squeeze out of every story. That will forever be my greatest challenge of all.
Which piece in this collection is your personal favorite? And why? - Elizabeth Love
There are many, of course, but if I had to choose one, it would be "Never a bird cry sorrow." This piece was published in both the "Eclectic Muse Journal" and "Bell's letters poets." It became a general favorite of others and was inspired by my love of birds. I'm sure many of us, in one time or another, have wondered what it would be like to exist as another species of our world, but in addition to my answer, I gave the reasons for my choice; my wish to have wings.
What is your next writing project? - Elizabeth Love
I am currently working on a short story collection of 4 pieces; it is currently untitled, but readers can find updates on my blog, at jbirds830.wordpress.com. After that, I will hope to begin my next novel, a fiction of satirical drama / suspense; an idea that expounded from my father's request.
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Books by This Author

Forever Nightfall
Price: $7.00 USD. Words: 15,550. Language: English. Published: December 22, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Psychological thriller
Part one of a short story e-book collection, by J.R. Graham.
Changes
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 3,750. Language: English. Published: April 14, 2014 . Categories: Poetry » Contemporary Poetry
A Collection of 12 poems, including both freestyle and formatted verse.