Wombwell Rainbow Interviews

I am honoured and privileged that the following writers 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.

 

Paul Dyson

Born in Sheffield, Paul Dyson sees himself as an ‘Arts Activist’. A member of a number of creative groups in South Yorkshire, he found the Arts later in life and has a passion for writing and performing poetry and a love of avant-garde painting. He is currently working on a selection of poems for publication early next year.

The Interview

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

I’d started to write a few years ago for personal amusement – vignettes on daily life based on experiences and observations, these soon developed into poetic prose without me realising.

Who introduced you to poetry?

Having found writing to be exciting and fun I visited local Open Mics to hear other local writer’s work and poems. Realising that poetry was a form I wanted to pursue I joined writers’ groups in Mexborough – Read to Write led by poet Ian Parks and Write on Mexborough with Steve Ely.

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

I had very little knowledge of poets and literature when I began to write – I never took the arts at college.

What is your daily writing routine?

I usually write in a notebook observations, feelings, overheard conversations, thoughts on music, the arts, anything that stimulates a conversation. These are collated and often are building blocks for a completed work.

What motivates you to write?

Anything that moves me emotionally and I need to get it down immediately before the moment is lost – it’s like getting that perfect photograph.
What is your work ethic?
Poems don’t write themselves, divine inspiration is rare and I am easily distracted by life’s temptations – so oftentimes I write through the wee hours when distractions are fewer.

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

I read Hemingway when I was young – enjoyed his terse minimalist robust style.

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

I have an eclectic taste in writers as with music – I read and write for the moment – my taste is endless.

Why do you write?

Writing feeds my soul, if I didn’t I would starve.

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

Write down just one thing you know and make it interesting – take it from there.

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

I have many poems started, or on a to do poetry list and many pages of scribbles in notebooks that require development into poems. I hope to publish a pamphlet, a selection of my work in 2019.