1. What inspired you to write the prose poem/microfiction which will appear in Writing To The Edge?
My poem “moth words” is a series of thoughts, maxims, images and philosophical whims. I try to write in a style that is open to a number of interpretations. I very much like writing to suggest as much as impose, and to this end, often use deliberately unusual combinations of maths, philosophy and nature. A good poem is a case of blending text and ponder.
2. Tell us about your process. (Do you start sparse and widen out, or do you write down every possible association and cut back? Do you research the subject matter you are writing about? Is it pure intuition?) Take us through an example if you want.
Poetical process is an ongoing and never-ending pursuit. It involves tracing ideas and thoughts from scientists, religious advocates, philosophers, nature writers and others. These are then blended with my own ideas and shaped so as to create a rhythmic and semi-prose like journey. My first journal entries are free flowing and written without thought of form or narrative logic. Once I have collated a number of entries about a certain topic or idea the search for themes begins and editing is completed with an eye to form.
3. What advice do you have for other writers? (About the first or last line? About how to choose the title? Do you follow any rules?)
Write every thought down. Read widely. Listen to radio programs involving people with passion and purpose. Join a writing group. Keep a writing journal for a daily out-pouring. Read modern Australian fiction to support other writers and generate ideas.
4. Who or what inspires your writing?
Reading modern Australian fiction (e.g. Richard Flanagan and Tim Winton), also attending poetry readings. Subscribing to and receiving literary journals is also essential to understanding trends and seeking opportunities.
5. Tell us what you do if you haven’t written anything in a while and you want to get started writing again? Could you share your favourite writing exercise with our readers?
Try to write a sentence using all one syllable words and without full stops. Begin with “so I walked out the door and…” or “so he sought at the beach and”. This exercise encourages both a playfulness and depth in tone as well as being relatively easy to edit and shape into some sort of form.
