How are your poetry writings related to other writers you respect and refer to in your interviews?
Relating to other writers and their works has given me greater respect and understanding for what poetry can say. Poetry seems to present greater opportunities for depth of meaning and expression for stories and writings for the listeners. It also offers a quicker and clearer focus on the subject, idea, or concept shared by the author than other forms of writings. Poetry can cut to the chase of almost any subject relating to the hearts and souls of men/women. It can quickly and so quietly embrace the heart and spirit. Poetry can instill the gifts of love and empathy. In poetry lies the rejoicing essence of all human hopes and dreams. Poetry summarizes and emotionalizes the history of great events, great men and women, and great monuments to human achievements - .
Can you give the reader specific examples of some elements you use in your writing?
Yes- Let's take a look at my free book - "Barney's Busy Day" - for a brief discussion of three important elements. The first element which I will comment on briefly is the title. Titles must obviously show strong relationship to the story being told. I believe that the title did show that relationship with busy activities of all the motley crew of characters Barney met during the day. The encounters were brief but they showed action and interaction. A second element which I have chosen to mention is humor. There were believable and sometimes humorous exchanges taking place within the story. If one applies these exchanges, verbal or otherwise, to people, we begin to see similarities to Aesop's Fables stories. This transformation or change is termed anthropomorphism, (animals taking on human traits). A third element for discussion is the flashback. This element is helpful in establishing empathy for Barney who has worked very hard all day long. These three elements then help the reader enjoy the story. There are other elements too but these comments should help the reader begin to enjoy the story a little more.
Read more of this interview.