Let's Talk Writing: Issue 22

I'm publishing early this week because the article has been in hiatus and I was eager to get started again.

Let's Talk Writing is my news article featuring five different writers that I've discovered here on deviantArt. It will be published every Friday. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to note me. I will take them into consideration (which means I'll most likely accept them.) You can find a past list of interviewees here. Now, let's talk writing!



Writer #1: QuirkyCuriousBex
we will never take the skythe sun throws his arms into the air like an open wound pitching sultry liquid rays everywhere— busting at the seams of the sky wrenching the clouds apart and sending them off to faraway lands as if off to war but mostly off into nonexistenceor the closest thing to it because all we know of nonexistence is that which we have not validated for ourselves— that which as no plight or suffering and does not reach out to us in need of celebration I never cry in the daylight MessageOn the tear-stained pillow I once cried my prayers into, I found a note:    I'm sorry.        - God Popularity ContestI think fame is an unworthy dream because like a candle it only lasts until the wind blows and then it’s off for quieter pastures for younger and more desperate hearts and you’re left in the cold hollowed out wondering what you did wrong and if you should have seen it coming

What inspired you to start writing?

This is a difficult question. I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. I think my love for it started out as a fascination with words and putting them together. As a child, I lived mainly in my head—in my own little world—and I realized early on that I could use writing as a means to bring that world out of my head and into reality.

How much do you feel you've improved in the last few years?

By leaps and bounds, and I don’t just say that because it’s expected of me. Looking back at work I did three, four, and five years ago, I’m astounded by how much I’ve grown as a writer.

Why do you post your writing to deviantArt?

For much the same reason other aspiring writers do: it’s a good way to get exposure and feedback. (It’s also a good platform to make friends with similar artistic interests, and that’s always a plus.)

Do you write with pen and paper or do you type on a word processor?

I go back and forth on this. Generally I like to use pen and paper for first drafts because I find that my ideas flow better when I’m not staring at a computer screen, but I’m not opposed to drafting on Word.

What was the first piece you ever wrote?

If I could only remember. I wrote tons of short stories as a kid, most of them silly and forgettable. When I was around the age of twelve, I started to take my writing more seriously. I wrote one story about these four friends, all girls, who start out as childish and unaware of the world but who, through a series of events, each grow up. It was a formulaic story, but it was very important to me because it was the first story I wrote that I used as an outlet. It was the story that taught me that writing could be an outlet. Up until then, all of my stories had been impersonal. They were fun to write, but they weren’t really specific to me. I wrote that story during a dark time in my life, and the more I worked on it, the more relevant to me it became—the more I saw myself in the characters, the plot, the details. It was also the first story that really hurt to write, which gives it a special place in my heart.

What room is your favorite to write in?

My bedroom, definitely.

What is your favorite place for thinking?

I don’t really have a favorite place, more like a favorite time, and that’s when I’m moving. I can be anywhere, so long as I’m moving. I do some of my most prominent thinking during long walks.

How do you beat out your writers block?

Read, mostly. Or sleep. I find that a lot of the time, when I feel like I can’t write, I’m really just tired.

Do you listen to music when you write?

I listen to music before I write. When I write I like it to be quiet, but I turn some music on before getting started, just to get all my creative juices pumping.



Writer #2: ssleep
on skeletonsthey're all here, buried in slightly shallow graves to plague me when i'm just waking i thought i crushed them inside my trash-compactor chest, dear, but you know i've been lingering and they've been rotting away inside me, just eating, the greedy little bastards, and you know it will never stop this cycle of bones, walking talking skeletons; and matthew i will tell you that you are the only one but there are always more-- matthew, you are the only one; i suffered through your wordless accusations in silence, dozens of them, and i will suffer through dozens more, i promise you, before these years are over but there is a gap between my memo... the raven that refused to singi'm losing ground. the circles from the half-empty wineglasses stain every available surface.your teeth are so red& your cigarette is still smoldering in the ashtray, along with a dozen others, remnants of your last anxious night.don't lie to me; you won't lie to me, not as the darkness closes in, parting the air, everything torn apart, & i know how you woke up at 4AM, a bloody nose cupped in your hands.your teeth were so redthe last time you took a wrong turn & fell away, away, holding your breath in silence, & it was the last time i told you how you violate symphonies when you can't see where you're going.trip, fall down into the distant... slayeri. it was tangled in your tongue, and as your mouth moved silently, you blessed me in the outwash of your static. i take your songs in my hands, fists up, look, boy, this is what i'm made of.break the skin, subtract the blood from my bruises, listen, metalheart, i will try my best to catch you;if falling is all i'm good at, just leave me in the middleand wrap your hands around my hands.your steel string tendons were not made for crushing.ii. red, dear, this is where i was born, you were there as i sunk my feet into the floor, for the first time, and you didn't know me but i breathed you in anyway.i want you to remain oblivious because i am... keep calm and don't blink1.  right between the eyes beware of flying iphones and crashing police boxes and bright blue suits. every friday finds the physics room whispering tonight's the night, and your brother always looks exactly like you but you manage to be similar and different at the same time, and you steal his shorts even though you hate him-- that is absurd.we all had happy childhoods didn't we, and this is when we're supposed to be growing up isn't it ? we have conversations in panera about the mechanics of lucid dreams and cloning mammoths but we run from stone angels and we run through car dealership parking lots and we make scenes in public places a...

What inspired you to start writing?
I was in the advanced English track throughout middle school, and in eighth grade we learned about poetry and had the option to write poems instead of essays for a project we had to do. I thought poetry was kind of lame at first but after doing the assignments i realized i enjoyed it and started writing for myself after that.

How much do you feel you've improved in the last few years?

I can pinpoint the exact date that i feel i started writing well consistently. After that, it's been more of a process of change and growth. My poems have gotten longer, and I’ve gotten better at expressing my thoughts clearly. I’ve started working with rhyme again and my projects have gotten more ambitious (i.e. truth & poetry series). I think I’ve definitely improved in some areas, but there's always room for more.

Why do you post your writing to deviantArt?

I started posting to dA five or so years ago, in an account separate from the one I have now. I posted (rather poor) photo manipulation in addition to writing, and participated in more social aspects of the site (chat rooms, etc). I deactivated that account for personal reasons, and remained absent from the site for a good year or so. Now, I’m not really trying to gain recognition or praise for my writing. It’s a lot more casual; I post things here, and if I get feedback, that's great! While there are a lot of negative aspects to the site that I won't go into here, I think the writing community is strong and full of rad, talented people, and I’ve come to trust and appreciate their feedback more than any other people on the internet.

Do you write with pen and paper or do you type on a word processor?

Both. I shift back and forth between the two, but rough drafts are usually written on paper first, then typed up and edited digitally.

What was the first piece you ever wrote?

Wow. Talk about going in the way, way back machine. The first poem i wrote was called "spring day," and described, oddly enough, a spring day. This was written for the school assignment I mentioned in question 1.

What room is your favorite to write in?

I don't have a "favorite room" or a place where I feel I create better than any other. A dark, quiet place works well enough for me.

What is your favorite place for thinking?

Again; quiet and darkness.

How do you beat out your writers block?

I don't actively try to write through writer's block, I just ride it out until I can produce something of worth again.

Do you listen to music when you write?

Sometimes, it depends on the situation. The truth & poetry series was heavily inspired by the music of porcupine tree and Steven Wilson, so I listened to a lot of that and other progressive rock while writing and editing.



Writer #3: HippieHebe
ReincarnateI imagine that I’ll come back as a librarian, a man and somewherein Borneo or Edinburgh,trying to make sense of the things I left behind,and maybewe’ll find each other, again -they say souls travel in the same circles, and we’ll rememberover words, poetry and the music you made;the keys to Freon playing behind us.I suppose, it may be a poignant reunionof once weary souls,filtering through the universe time and time again.I’ll tell you we were lovers in a past life and you’ll roll your eyesas you did once before –a firm scientist and open cynic.I’ll shrug, as always, and show you how we unravelled ourselvesonce before. 8.11.12 astronomerswhen we're together dusk is containable; the moon in my palms and the stars on your ceiling.we lull the city to sleep with our theories of life; my tongue curling into speech.do you remember, when Jupiter was a silver wick, lighting its countless moons?that night, you balanced a cigarette off your lips, and I watched the vermillion flame burn life as a newborn sun;stars forming, planets moulding and constellations snaked above our eyes.i imagined what it would be like to be curled inside the embers – creator and destroyer of worlds, so close to your lips. unspoken languageAs the Venetian simplicity of romance wilts; we shift, like light.There are no nouns for what we call 'it' in minds auto-trained to forget, we kiss -the unspoken language caught between our lips.As it happens I am a coward, disguising emotion with envoi's, andsomewhere between my tongue and your lower lip 'it' lingers.

What inspired you to start writing?

I've been writing since I was a child, so I can't really remember, but I'm pretty sure it was my love for reading that got me into writing. I love how you can escape to another world when reading and wanted to create that myself. Although I don't write stories anymore, a lot of my poetry has other worldly and dreamlike settings.

How much do you feel you've improved in the last few years?

I think I've improved quite a bit since I started posting on dA and reading the works of so many great artists. My writing prior to dA... makes me cringe.

Why do you post your writing to deviantArt?

For several reasons, really. One, it's a way to backup your work, lol. Two, it's great way to get feedback from other writers and Three, you're getting your work out there.

Do you write with pen and paper or do you type on a word processor?

I write on word and deviant stash writer. But, if I'm on the goand inspiration strikes, I go for a pen and any scrap of paper.

What was the first piece you ever wrote?

I honestly don't remember. It was so long ago.

What room is your favorite to write in?

The living room, when I have it to myself. I can't write with people about. Does that make me anti-social? Not that it matters - I am a poet, lol.

What is your favorite place for thinking?

I don't know if I have one. I like thinking in bed, the library, whilst walking at night, in the shower... at night in general. I don't think well during the day (aesthetically), the world is too hectic and noisy.

How do you beat out your writers block?

Ah, this is a tough one because I don't think I do. I just wait it out and get really depressed when I have it. But, if people have suggestions, I'd be happy to hear them! Writers block is the ultimate evil! Well, and twerking.

Do you listen to music when you write?

Yes.



Writer #4: Ravenshymn
Burning Velvet"They know nothing of the meaning of Paradise."   I remember those words, soft as lead feathers whispered in my ears, his breath as warm as the cold flames that flicker and bite at my ankles.    "They will never understand me."   I remember the fire that flowed though a river of blood setting fire to the veins flowing though my shaking body, frozen wind blowing kisses to my transparent skin.   "All I have ever known is darkness."   I remember the gentle silk dripping crimson staining the pale snow beneath the surface of my skin, charcoal and embers aflame in the depths of endless nights of his eyes   "I have never known of love un... InnocenceMy wings beat against the rubied muscles of my back, clawing at the bones that cage them in their ivory bars. Oh how I wish my fragile fingers were mighty claws, sharp and deadly, so that they might tear open this bitter flesh and separate the muscle and bone so that my wings would unfold, pure as virgin snow. The Unforgettable Circus    A small town is where we begin our story.  It's not on a map, if you're wondering.  Believe me, I've checked.  Now you may be wondering what's so special about this particular small town and I'll tell you, but before I do, there's something you need to know: not everything is as it's seems.  The story I'm about to tell you is no different.     In this particular town, like any, there were groups.  In this town's case, the groups were divided in an interesting way: those who would engage in out-of-house activities weekly, and those who did it monthly.  It may not seem like much to an outsider like yourself, but in this littl... Pomegranates    The cold winter breeze danced through the snow-covered streets, cutting through even the thickest threads to bite at the skin of all who braved its frozen embrace.  Yet as the world fought against this frozen nightmare, one lone figure walked through the streets without notice of the cold.     What once was the color of elm trees falling down her back had been cut so as to caress her face and colored to a shade of soft burgundy so as to hide her nature and the almond leaves of her eyes.  Armed with a long grey sweater, a purple wool cap, black pants and boots, and a scarf of cheerful yarn, the young female seemed to glide over...

What inspired you to start writing?

Books. Lots of them. Almost as soon as I could read I was hooked for life. If I had a book in my hand, I was content until I was finished with it and needed another one. In a world with internet and games it's dulled a bit but books will always be my first love. They were what took me to new worlds and strange creatures and people who could do anything. I guess I should say they're the reason I dream of being a published novelist.

How much do you feel you've improved in the last few years?

My writing's gotten better than it was, say, five years ago, and definitely better than when I was 13. The plots are more realistic than when I was working on crazy fantasy-related stuff with ridiculous plots, my characters are no longer of the Mary Sue variety, and I've found a writing style that I feel comfortable with and I feel is my own.

I guess I have my Creative Writing class to thank for all that. The feedback I got from my fellow students and my teacher helped me with my severely low amount of confidence when it came to my work. Back then I still felt like that teenager writing in a notebook who wasn't happy with the plot or felt that the way something was written wasn't good enough. I know I'm not perfect, but I don't have to let that kill my creative spirit.

Why do you post your writing to deviantArt?

It's a mixture of wanting feedback and seeing what people think of my work. I appreciate it when I post a poem or short story at night and when I log on in the morning there are faves or comments on them. Sometimes it's what makes me feel better when I've had a bad day.

Do you write with pen and paper or do you type on a word processor?

I have Microsoft Word on my computer and that's where I go between working on a story or copying something I wrote in one of my notebooks. Most of the time I use a pencil and a notebook for a specific writing project
or for separate pieces. Recently I've been working with blue or red pens when writing poems on the unwritten backs of my lecture notes. I guess I've missed color.

What was the first piece you ever wrote?

I was in elementary school when I worked on my first story. I had this album-sized notebook and the teacher had told us to create a story. I drew these two cats and made up this story about them being friends and one of them helping the other when they got hurt. My writing style has changed since then, since I was clearly not into the tragedies, mysteries, and plot-twists that interest me today, but I had fun when it was finished.

What room is your favorite to write in?

Since my laptop is in my room that's where I tend to gravitate towards. More often than not I have my team of furry cheerleaders somewhere near or on me.

What is your favorite place for thinking?

Outdoors, usually. My college campus is pretty open so I rarely have a shortage of places where I can sit down an write. For me, colors and fresh air are better for the creative process.

How do you beat out your writers block?

After mentally raging at my muse for being so sadistic and unhelpful, I calm down and take a break by reading a book or browsing DA. You never know when or how inspiration will strike.

Do you listen to music when you write?

Almost always. Sometimes a particular song or artist will fit with a poem, character, or story perfectly, which then leads to me adding songs to a playlist for that particular piece. Since my taste in music has no strict limit (Flyleaf, Skillet, RED, Demon Hunter, Icon for Hire, We As Human, etc.) there's rarely a shortage of "theme songs."



Writer #5: HaveTales-WillTell
A Clockwork GoldbergThe flashing, thrumming device was almost mesmerizing in its futuristic simplicity. Pulses of violet light chased each other, seemingly at random, across its front panel, while brilliant blue-white electric arcs surged upward from its central coil via a Jacob's Ladder: two tapered copper antennae reaching nearly to the ceiling. The combination cast an eerie and ever-changing series of shadows across the figures of the two men observing it.The older of the pair was a dignified, gray-haired gentleman with a silk bow tie and bowler hat. His straining waistcoat, however, recalled slimmer days long since past; while his measured silence and sli... A Garden Trampled: Sandy Hook, 14 Dec. 2012

Mature Content

By Fifty,

What inspired you to start writing?

I can't remember a time when I wasn't writing, any more than I can remember a time when I wasn't reading. But I started taking it more seriously around age 11 or so, when the storytelling bug bit me. Hard. I still have the scars.

And, no, you may not see them.

How much do you feel you've improved in the last few years?

A surprising amount, given that I've now had over four decades of experience. During my school years, my teachers and professors tended to tell me that my writing was already good; they didn't press me to get any better, and I somewhat lacked the motivation to press myself.

Why do you post your writing to deviantArt?

One day I decided to stop being a lurker, and post some of what I considered to be my best work. (Many of them are now in Scraps, by the way; I've learned since then. )

Seven-plus years ago, the writing community was tolerated, but hardly embraced. Daily Deviations were few and far between, and the CVs at the time (we called them GMs, gallery moderators, back then) didn't seem that approachable.

But I found an appreciative and like-minded audience of fellow wordsmiths. We learned from each other, challenged each other — can you believe I once had a terrible aversion to very short stories? And open verse? — and those of us that stayed, grew along with each other. A new crop of GMs came on board, and proactively reached out engage the ever-expanding literature community.

Now (my recent sabbatical aside) I wouldn't give up this place for the world. My philosophy has always been that the best way to learn is to teach; and as I interact with online friends and help to encourage new talent, I continue to find fresh inspiration within myself.

Plus, y'know, they promised me cookies.

Do you write with pen and paper or do you type on a word processor?

Both. It's often easier for me to start a poem longhand, or to use pen and paper to block out story ideas. Then at some point I get tired of trying to read around what I've scratched out, and transfer the whole thing over.

What was the first piece you ever wrote?

I put together a book of poetry when I was seven; and by "put together" I mean folded and stapled some 8½" x 11" papers and filled them with my scribblings. The book itself has been long since lost, but to this day I can still remember a single two-line poem:

Time flies quickly, time flies fast.
Before you know it, the present is the past.

Ah, from such humble beginnings. . . .

What room is your favorite to write in?

That's a tricky question. I usually write in my bedroom out of necessity — it's where the computer is — but given the choice, I'm often inspired by new locations, or places I haven't been to in a while: a park, the beach, even the food court at the mall.

What is your favorite place for thinking?

In bed, eyes closed, right before falling asleep or just after waking up. It's gotten so bad that I've learned to keep a pad and pen within relatively easy reach.

How do you beat out your writers block?

I believe the law says I'm allowed to use a stick no thicker than my thumb.

In all honesty, I don't get writer's block. Instead, I tend to get lazy to where I just can't be bothered to write. Get me started, however, and the process tends to feed itself.

Do you listen to music when you write?

Actually, no I don't; it tends to drown out the voice in my head. In fact, whenever listening to something does spark an idea, I have to pause the song while I'm working out the concept.

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