The Window to The World on Life of A Poet Week 3

Can you tell us about yourself?

I am a struggling writer, fledgling illustrator, and also a lawyer, meaning that I spend a lot of time practicing things--writing, drawing and law.  I have published one book of poetry called "Going on Somewhere" (available on Amazon), and a children's counting book, which I wrote and illustrated called "1 Mississippi." 

Which country do you live in now? What’s your profession? be general, no need to specify your location... 

I primarily live and work in New York City. 

We’re happy that you have been part of Poets Rally as a participant, what has driven you to where you are in this particular community?

I've been incredibly impressed by the energy and kindness of the organizers of Poets Rally.  You guys really work hard to get people involved and are very supportive of a wide variety of poetry.  (There is not much support of poetry in the culture in general, so you are quite unusual and really terrific.) 

How long have you been blogging? Do you think being part of a poetry community contributes to your creative writing?

I have been blogging for a little over two years.  I do think being part of an online poetry community is supportive, as it is lovely to see what other people are doing and to get feedback for your own work.  Blogging can feel very lonely!  

Why poetry? Do you write fiction too?

I write poetry because I like the words and language and nuances and music and odd connections and juxtapositions that poetry allows; writing poetry allows you to discover meaning and connections that you had hardly even guessed at before you set pen to page or fingers to computer.  But frankly, although I write a lot of poetry, I consider myself primarily a fiction writer.  I am about to publish my first novel, a comic teenage mystery, called NOSE DIVE.   (Please look for it on Amazon.  It should be coming out in about a month.)  

Please share 3 to 5 blog links you enjoy reading most, give 1 or 2 sentences to tell why you love their creative process.

I have to confess that I do not follow many blogs regularly.  I go to the links of Promising Poets read individual poems, but I am just too busy to follow many on an ongoing basis.   

How do you know when a poem is done? your own experiences need to be shared here...

For me, the best way to work on a poem is to read it aloud.  If it reads well, if it is something that you might even be able or willing to memorize, it is getting close to finished.

How do you decide when a poem is "good"? Do you redo your own poems after they’re posted? it could be poem someone else written...

It is difficult for a writer to judge his or her own work, particularly when in the throes of creation.  Writing is so engaging, that I almost automatically like something when it is fresh.  Afterwards, I am sometimes appalled that I couldn't see all the flaws.  One problem with blogging poetry is that one tends to post things quite quickly, and it is hard to have the distance to judge whether they need re-working.  Often, I will call a freshly written poem that I post a "Draft Poem" just to clarify that this really may not be finished.  And yes, I do rewrite poems after posting them.  My advice though is that it is better not to post something if you do not think it is close to finished.  I, at least, can feel very embarrassed when I expose something that really wasn't ready, and this can interfere with re-working.

Do you think music and poetry are related? Why?

Absolutely!  My interest is sound in poetry is a reason why I write a lot of formal poetry, such as villanelles, sonnets, sestinas, pantoums as they have a built-in music due to the form.   

What issues are closed to your heart? Women’s rights, child abuses, etc.…name one…

Many issues are close to my heart!  I am very concerned about poverty, women's rights (mainly overseas), education, the degradation of the planet. 

What’s your other hobbies besides writing? Do you have pets? Give us a picture if you own a pet.

Yes.  I have a very old dog named Pearl who is one of my favorite subjects for illustration. (Other than elephants.) 

Please list your blog links below, share 1 or 2 poems that represents best of your poetry talent…

Here is the link to my first book of poems GOING ON SOMEWHERE, written by me (Karin Gustafson), illustrated by Diana Barco, and cover by Jason Martin.

Here is the link to my children's counting book:  1 MISSISSIPPI (words and pictures by Karin Gustafson). 

Particular post links:  Here's a funny poem - children's "villainelle" with my own illustrations.   http://manicddaily.wordpress.com/2011/04/13/national-poetry-month-day-13-villain-elle-with-elephants/

Here's a serious poem about a hospital visit/friend with cancer:  http://manicddaily.wordpress.com/2009/12/08/sonnet-in-winter/

Here's poem about loving dog (dog is what spelled backwards) :  http://manicddaily.wordpress.com/2010/02/05/truest-love-poem-dog-is-what-spelled-backwards/

Thanks again so so much for your attention to my work, and most of all, for your loving support of online poetry.  

Karin Gustafson a/k/a Manicddaily http://Manicddaily.wordpress.com