Wombwell Rainbow Interviews

I am honoured and privileged that the following poets, local, national and international have agreed to be interviewed by me. I gave the writers two options: an emailed list of questions or a more fluid interview via messenger.
The usual ground is covered about motivation, daily routines and work ethic, but some surprises too. Some of these poets you may know, others may be new to you. I hope you enjoy the experience as much as I do.

Daginne appears in this anthology

Daginne Aignend

According to Creative Talents Unleashed “Daginne Aignende is a pseudonym for the Dutch poetess Inge Wesdijk. She started to write English poetry four years ago and posted some of her poems on her Facebook page and on her website. She likes hardrock music, photography and fantasy books. Daginne is a vegetarian and spends a lot of time with her animals.”

She’s the Poetry Editor of Whispers.

The Interview

1. What were the circumstances under which you began to write poetry?

A teenager who noticed the changes in her life, became aware of the world around her, fell in love for the first time. A lot of questions and uncertainties, slowly growing into the responsibilities of adulthood.

2. Who introduced you to poetry?

Poetry found me but if you mean who introduced me to the world of published (online) poetry then Ken Allan Dronsfield and Michael Lee Johnson really helped me.

3. How aware were you of the dominating presence of older poets?

To be honest, I wasn’t impressed. At first, I just wanted some publications of my work, call it recognition, and since I have achieved that I just write for fun. I think older established poets and new temporary poets can easily exist together in poetry world.

4. What is your daily writing routine?

I don’t have a writing routine when I feel like writing I start a poem or story.

5. What motivates you to write?

A feeling, an article in a magazine,  the scent of a flower, a singing bird. In short: impressions.

6. What is your work ethic?

I don’t write about the adoration of brutality, violence, abuse and gross sex. Erotica can be ok when written in a subtle way. Personally, I don’t write about erotica, somehow I think it’s too private.

7. How do the writers you read when you were young influence you today?

I don’t think I’m influenced by one of them. I just write how I write.

8. Who of today’s writers do you admire the most and why?

I’m not the admiring type, I like poetry or I don’t. Of course, it’s a matter of personal taste.

9. Why do you write?

It’s an urge, I have to.

10. What would you say to someone who asked you “How do you become a writer?”

That question isn’t easy to answer. You need the skills to trust your feelings, meanings in words on the paper but I think that is logical. Perhaps for some writers, writing groups can help to get inspired and for some self-confidence. Most of all, believe in yourself and don’t get discouraged when your submissions are rejected.

11. Tell me about the writing projects you have on at the moment.

At the moment I have no plans at all due to health problems. In the future, I might like to do  some collaborations with other poets perhaps in combination with my art photography