I live in a small town in New York. I have my own small bookkeeping business, but I have been writing since I was in high school and that’s my passion. I mainly write historical romance novels as I love to learn about history and escape to another place and time. I have self-published six novels so far and working on others. My father was an artist, painter and sculptor. While I did not inherit his talent, he always encouraged me to follow my dreams for the love and passion of it.
Was your creativity affected in anyway during the lockdown? Did being lockdown make you feel inspired or deflated?
I work from home for my bookkeeping business, so I was lucky in that I could continue working for the businesses still open. As for writing, while I had more time to write since there was little else to do, I did feel distracted by the events going on, worrying about the effects on our family and friends and how long it would all continue. So probably more deflated than inspired.
Was it therapeutic doing creative work during lockdown?
In a way, it was. As distracting as events are, it certainly allowed me to escape it!
What was the main thinking behind your poem submitted to Together Behind Four Walls ?
Actually, I took a creative writing course and the instructor asked us to write a poem finishing the phrase, “I am…” What inspires most of your poems, I haven’t written a lot of poetry, but I have ‘gifted’ poems to close friends…writing about a fun or scary experience that we shared together. I would frame them and they all have them hanging in their homes somewhere
Do you have any favourite poems, from all the poems you have written?
This one was a favorite as it pretty much sums up every person’s personality. Another favorite of mine was to an elderly friend many years ago, a fun summary of all the scary things that happened after I stayed the weekend at her ‘haunted house’ on Hudson river. She has since passed away, but her son still has the poem.
Do you remember the first poem you ever wrote or one of the first?
My haunted house poem was my first one. I believe I am color was next. Do you ever think of poems before going to sleep or just after waking up?
As I’m far more involved in my novel writing, I don’t. But still, I believe creative writers and poets never stop thinking about their ideas.
Do you hand write poems or go directly on to your computer?
With my writing, usually the computer…unless I’m not home and an idea strikes me. I always keep pen and paper handy…and I’ve even used my cell phone, speaking in a video to record my idea.
Do you ever give up on poems you have started?
Not poems, but I’m currently working on four novels simultaneously. I haven’t given up on any yet, but I’m thinking about scrapping one of them. It would be a first.
Do you do any other creative activities?
Outside of writing – my young grandchildren. We have story-hour whenever I see them, but I never read any books to them. We make up a new story together every time.
Do your poems ever have strong messages?
I have a poem about animals that was published in the US Humane Society newsletter. It had a very strong message about what animals have done for us through the years and why we should treat every animal kindly.
How would you describe the tone of your poems?
All over the place. Few are serious. Most are written to make the other person laugh.
If you had to write a poem about yourself, how would it start?