Please welcome Roland in an interview like none other!
Meilori's was empty for once: everyone was out Christmas shopping. What do ghosts give one another? Don't ask. You'll sleep easier.
Alex sat opposite me, toying with his Romulan Ale.
Alex:
You know, Roland. After our "Hangover" adventure with Mark Twain, I don't touch this stuff.
Roland:
Mark wanted to show you Asgard next ... with Jamie Alexander ... as his date.
Alex (rolling his eyes):
Of course as HIS date. Your blog always offers words of wisdom. Was it hard matching letters to your topics?
Roland:
With as varied a place as Meilori's and as populated as my linked novels are, it was fun. Sort of like bobbing for ideas.
In fact, some of my literary friends fought for some topics. Some letters were challenges, of course -- like Q or X or Z. That's what makes the A to Z Challenge fun.
Alex (sipping at his Romulan Ale):
Hey! This is Ginger Ale!
Roland:
I didn't want to risk you with Loki.
Alex:
Thanks for having my back.
Roland:
This way I get to accompany Jamie Alexander to Asgard.
Oh, it was Jamie's back you were interested in. I should have figured. Your F post was on Frost. Do you really think poetry is dead? And just how important is poetry anyway to a prose writer?
Roland:
If poetry is dead, we prose writers are in the next ward over, wheezing noisily, with our family gathered around looking concerned and asking about our DVD's.
There are about six people who buy new poetry, but they are not feeling very well. I joke, of course. But poetry is becoming a lost taste in reading. A shame really.
Ernest Hemingway said that the best writing was poetry in prose. Read some of the early Stephen King and you will see what Hemingway meant.
Was that Carl Jung who just strolled by?
Roland:
Yes, and we writers can learn alot from him.
Carl Jung was a “spiritual thinker” who offered Western culture a way back to religion that places no shame on being human.
He said: "As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being." And isn't that what fiction is meant to do as well?
Alex:
What are some of the keys to writing success, do you think?
Well, Mark Twain had some keys:
#1 - Write without pay until someone pays you to do it.
#2 - Don't say the old lady screamed. Drag her out on the stage and have her caterwaul herself.
#3 - Do not hoard.
Give each paragraph all the dynamite you possess. Do not save "a good bit" for later. Your reader may become bored and wander off before your novel explodes.
Alex:
Which post was your favorite and which one was the readers' favorite?
Roland:
The post I am working on is always my favorite, for everything seems possible and the only limits are my imagination and my skill -- so I constantly push myself.
The readers' favorite is WHY FRIENDSHIP? (A RETURN VISIT) See it HERE.
In this digital age, we have never been so connected, yet so alone. Yvette Vickers, star of ATTACK OF THE 50 FOOT WOMAN, was found mummified sitting in front of her computer, having lived the last tragic days of her life, touching people only digitally.
So tragic. But enough gloom. My favorite post was our Galactic Hangover adventure. How much fun was that for you?
Roland:
Immense fun. You got the hangover. I got the laughs. Flying through space in Ming the Merciless's space ship was a hoot. And I hope it got people to read about Gordon R Dickson's HOKA. :-)
Alex:
If you do tackle the A to Z Challenge again, what do you think might be your focus?
The world is changing so, especially the publishing one. I might write on CHANGE.
You can't stop the future. You can't rewind the past.
The only way to learn the secret of life is to press "Play."
Thank you, Roland!
Co-host Ninja Captain Alex is the author of Amazon Best Sellers CassaStar, CassaFire and CassaStorm, and his blog can be found HERE
138 comments:
Thanks again for doing the interview, Roland!
I have several of his books on my reading list. Now, just to get to them.
Alex:
It was fun -- and no hangovers this time!
Sorry that I am late to the game. A robber in my parking lot has me in stitches. Only one stab wound - not so wide as the ocean or deep as a well, but it will do.
Andrew:
I hope you enjoy HER BONES ARE IN THE BADLANDS that I sent you -- it's short which is one of its best merits. :-)
Gee. Seems I have turned visitors away. Sorry, Alex. I should have brought Jamie Alexander with me! :-)
Alex and Roland,
Here's hoping that what Poetry might have lost in popularity among readers, it may be able to gain in viewers as live poetry continues to be an outlet for poets, especially during the live showcases, talent shows and open mic nights. There is huge surge of live poetry performances and readings among the youth and arts communities in the city. Maybe these live events can help to spark some curiosity in audiences who will then seek out written works to read.
The closing of this interview kinds puts into perspective how these things might not die per se but evolve and live on through other forms. It's all about the writer and his or her efforts in keeping a type of work alive and on the radar of readers, listeners and/or viewing audiences.
Me being a filmmaker and all, I like what you describe as the secret to dealing with the changes of life in the publishing world, as it can be applied to so many facets of life such as publishing, arts, facing fears, health, fitness and so on.
This is one of the most fun and light interviews I've read in a long time. Cheers to you both!
~Nicole @ The Madlab Post
Poetry is NOT dead. I write a lot myself, just not lately. If you go back a couple of years there were several months with almost only poetry. One of my best blogging buddies, Brian Miller of WaystationOne has an amazing and unique way with poetry. He even made Alex's daily read list! (I think they met in my comments actually, but this has not been confirmed.) Brian also helps run a virtual pub for poets called dVerse (isn't that an AWESOME name?) They offer poetry lessons, open mike night, and encouragement for poets of all abilities. Phew. Had to say all that because don't go scaring me like that, OK? POETRY IS NOT DEAD.
This was a very entertaining interview! Thanks to both of you. Poor Alex got the hangover...but I didn't think you could from ginger ale...but you never know with those Romulans.
Roland, I own two of your books, but I have not read them yet. My to be read pile is taller than the empire state building...well, virtually anyway. It's on my Kindle, thankfully.
Change seems like a great theme for the A-Z. I'm getting excited about it already!
Thanks again guys. I've had a tough day, and this made me giggle. Giggles are good.
Tina @ Life is Good
OOPS. Forgot the links:
http://dversepoets.com/
Brian Miller's blog:
http://www.waystationone.com/
Tina @ Life is Good
Poetry is tough, because so many write it. When I began writing, I didn't even call it poetry. I was writing song lyrics. I always had a melody in mind when I wrote the words.
Nicole:
It seems only poets read poetry any more. Sad. Students see poetry as drudgery in their studies. When I use the phrase "Where love and need are one" no one recognizes it, much less that Robert Frost penned it.
Thank you so much for your nice words about my interview. It was fun to do! :-) Alex should have gone to Asgard with me!!
Tina:
Thanks for the links. Poetry in prose makes it lasting I think. But I believe your average reader no longer reads poetry. Only poets seem to read poetry today. Sigh.
I am glad you have two of my books! You made my sore evening.
I am so sorry you had a lousy day. :-(
L. Diane:
I think all good poets write to a melody in their heads. Poetry is a tough sale these days.
Thanks for visiting. I'm glad you enjoyed Alex's interview with me! :-)
I'll have to check out the reader's favorite, not sure I saw it last year in the A to Z. Hi Roland and Alex!
An interview always seems to reveal one or two things we didn't know about the interview guest.
I like Roland's writing tips coming as they do from literary lips.
Nicely done you two pass the ale will ya! Poetry is a tough gig... I might be stitching mine into a quilt. Yes, words do keep us warm-"this isn't gingerale?!"
I look forward to seeing what Roland comes up with~
D.G.:
I am not wise enough to hand out writerly wisdom on my own. I have to rely on my ghost author friends!
I'm a mystery even to myself. :-)
Ella:
It's Romulan Ginger Ale -- and it packs quite a kick! :-)
I look forward to what I will come up with to -- as I say: I am a mystery to myself!! LOL.
Roland, great post. As a fan of Mark Twain from a youth, I reread that part three times.
"Give each paragraph all the dynamite you possess. Do not save "a good bit" for later. Your reader may become bored and wander off before your novel explodes."
I will be going over the last read through edit of my MS later this month and will be taking Mr. Twain's advice.
Stephen:
I wish you luck in the last read through edit of your MS.
Since you like Mark Twain, you might want to read his critique of 50 SHADES OF GREY on my blog:
http://rolandyeomans.blogspot.com/2012/12/mark-twain-critiques-50-shades-of-grey.html
Loved this interview! I think there's still a place for poetry, but you're right, things have changed. I enjoyed the literary advice. I like the thought of fiction kindling a light in the darkness. :D
I'm glad you're okay (well, as okay as you can be) after the attack you mentioned above. Stay safe!
The Warrior Muse
Loved this interview! Roland, you are amazing in the way that you weave writerly wisdom from great thinkers, poets, and prose writers into your posts with such a sense of fun! Thank you. :)
Hey Roland, happy blitz day! Heard about the attack near your home recently, and hope you feel better soon!
Shannon:
The additional lights the owner added since the attack and me being more mindful of my surroundings will help.
We poetry lovers are becoming an extinct species I am afraid. But the pendulum swings eventually.
Thanks for being concerned. :-)
Tyrean:
Mark Twain would haunt me in a bad way if I quoted him a way that bored! And thank you for such a nice comment.
Petre Pan:
I am sore and the stitches pull when I breathe -- which reminds me to be thankful I still am! Thanks for visiting and chatting with me. :-)
I love poetry, as long as it's crunchy. The smooth stuff has no personality.
You also have to be careful about which "play" button you press.
Happy Blitz day!
Lauren:
I like all kinds of poetry, smooth and crunchy -- just like with peanut butter. :-)
Better to hit the Play button than just stare at the machine. LOL.
Thanks for your great comment.
The thing I remember most about Jung is that idea of meeting your alter ego when you bump into someone you dislike from the get go. That always stuck with me. Don't know how it relates to writing, but...
Very interesting post - happy Blitz!
Elizabeth:
When we run into a version of our own Shadow (his concept of it) we recognize the things we detest in ourselves. You can use it in your dynamic between your protagonist and your antagonist.
The antagonist seemingly hates the heroine for no reason -- but if in the heroine she sees the person she once was, the person with weaknesses she detested, she would lash out at the heroine -- in a sense lashing out at what she hates or hated about herself.
Thanks, K! :-)
Roland is always so creative! Well done, gents.
Matthew:
The ghosts of Mark Twain and Robert Frost would never let me "live" it down if I didn't make them interesting!! :-) Thanks for the kind words.
The post I'm working on is always my favorite…gotta love it!
M.J.:
The post I'm working is on is still able to be sculpted, to be made fun and fresh. What I've done is dry cement. :-) I'm glad you liked that bit.
Hi Alex and Roland .. sitting in Meliori's with you two would be entertaining to say the least .. I'd be happily absorbing the pearls of literary information you chat about - before they become historically set in stone.
Change - there's so much going on .. and I think that would be an excellent topic ... an entertaining read, with a wide ranging degree of ideas for us to think about.
Friends are so important - in all walks of life, and we most certainly don't want to forget our real ones, in the scheme of tweetering ... but we can develop some interesting relationships in the blogosphere ... helpful in many ways.
Heal on to a full recovery .. cheers with some Romulan Ale as it's gingery and not alchiefied ... Hilary
Happy Blitz Day, Roland! Nasty, business being attacked. Hope you pull through. All the best.
Roland is absolutely dripping with wisdom, and it comes thru in his writing. LOVE the interview Alex, you brought out the best in him!
BTW...we decided you deserved a BLITZ today Roland. Enjoy!! :)
Here's to pushing the play button! Happy blitz!
Here's to pushing the play button! Happy blitz!
Visiting from the Blitz! Glad to hear you're doing okay and hanging in there. Take care!
Happy Blitz Day, Roland!
I like seeing Alex interviewed here. I've been a terrible blogger lately, so I'm a bit behind checking posts.
Happy Blog Blitz Day! Sorry your Romulan Ale turned out to be ginger ale.
Thanks for the interview! You've been blitzed!
Here to blitz Rolland! Have a great day!
Delightful post! And Happy Blitz Day!
Happy Blitz Day! Change is King!
Hilary:
You would have fun at Meilori's -- only non-alcohol Romulan Ale for you!
:-)
Carolyn:
The wound is long but not deep. And good seeing you here.
D.L.:
Thanks for the Blitz Day. I had a Blitz night Sunday! Thanks for the nice words.
Wow, Roland, sorry to read about your encounter with the robber, but I'm glad you're alive and well. Your advice and witticism is very encouraging.
Happy Blitz Day!
Sorry to read about your misfortune Roland! Hope you get better soon!
Happy Blog Blitz Day!
Oh, and the topic of CHANGE sounds like a very interesting one to use for the A to Z.
Donna:
Double thanks. :-)
Connie:
I get into enough trouble sober! :-)
Madeline & Theresa:
Thanks for visiting and giving me a smile.
Michele:
I hope change can come to my rescue. :-)
I loved this! Ginger ale is certainly a safer option than Romulan Ale. I also quite enjoyed Mark Twain's writing tips.
Happy Blitz Day!
Fantastic interview! Roland always has wise words, and his writing is immensely fun. Happy Blitz day!
This was awesome! Great Mark Twain advice ;)
Happy Blitz Day!
Roland, I do hope you are recovering! What an awful thing to happen. Happy Blitz Day, anyway!
Loved the writing tips.
Happy Blitz day, Roland!
Definitely an interesting and entertaining post. Nicely done.
Happy (late!) blitz day! And thanks for the interview, esp. the very fun Mark Twain comments.
Happy Blitz Day, Roland!
Great interview guys! As Shakespeare wrote, "The play's the thing." I always thought it referred to capturing the attention of the king, but maybe I was wrong. ;)
BTW: How do I get some of that ale?
VR Barkowski
Hi, Roland! I hope you are well and feeling better. Happy Blitz Day!
Happy reading and writing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines
So many truisms here Roland! And I fear our fast-paced action society just doesn't show poetry the attention it deserves. :(
Hope you're feeling better Roland!
Awesome stuff, guys! Happy Blitz!
~MPL
PepperWords
Hi guys...*strolls over to the table to sniff a glass* what were you two drinking?
I like Mark twains thought about dragging the fat lady to the stage and making her caterwaul. Yep, it's better than telling someone she screamed. :-)
What's this I'm hearing about stitches and knives? Sheesh Roland.
Sia McKye Over Coffee
Awesome post. Seems like only yesterday.
I hope things are going better for you.
BAZINGA! You've been blitzed!
Enjoy your day!
Heather
LOL what a fun interview. I loved the banter about Jamie Alexander.
And love that theme idea for the A-Z Roland!
Happy Blitz Day to you! :)
Mark Twain always has great advise! Sorry to hear about the stitches! So unpleasant! Hope you recover soon!
Woo! Happy Blitz day Roland!
Great theme idea for the A-Z challenge
Nice tips, and glad you've survived and will keep surviving the trials along the way!
Happy blitz day to you Roland! Writer’s Mark
Happy Blitz Day!!
Happy blitz day Roland! So sorry to hear about the assault - hope you're healing well. We've just had a discussion with one of our boys about history and change, he couldn't get that you need to learn from the past to move forward.
Suzanne @ Suzannes Tribe
xx
cool interview... I have to go in search of your book... on my way... happy blitz day.
Happy blitz day, Roland!!!!
Hi, happy Blitz Day. Sorry to hear about the attack. Hope you are mending. I love Mark Twain, but don't like the idea of working without pay. Change is happening and can't be stopped. Love your advice. :)
Mary-andering Creatively
Mary-andering Among the Pages
Hope you are having a fabulous blitz day! So sorry to hear about the attack, Roland, that must have been frightening. Best wishes to you :)
Very wise words, Roland, thanks for sharing!
I think most artists do what they love without pay, often since childhood, before they get paid for it. Before I could write I believe I just spoke my stories and before that, dreamed them... so... well, good ol' Mark Twain.
Love the interview. Especially the part about your current post being your favorite, and how that ties in with not saving all the great writing for later. How rich your writing must be, all in the present moment. Happy blitz day.
Faith at pentozen.com
Great interview. Happy Blitz Day!
glad to hear your indomitable spirit wasn't injured in the attack and wishing you a full speedy recovery, Roland.
Happy blitz day day and I am delighted to hear that I am following Mark Twain's number one rule :-)
Loved the interview! Happy Blitz Day!
Great interview! Happy Blitz Day, Roland!
Nice to get your acquaintance through this great interview. Life brings many unexpected challenges. All we can do is keep sidestepping them and move forward. Good luck with your future writing endeavors and Happy Blitz day
Consider me overwhelmed with wonderful wisdom, Roland! This was great.
Happy BLITZ day, by the way!
Happy Blitz Day, Roland. Hope your wounds are healing nicely. So sorry for the ordeal you endured.
My friend and fellow author, Janice Spina, is a very talented poet, so she will perk the interest in poetry, I think.
Roland you are one of the most amazing writers/bloggers I have ever encountered. I'm a firm believer that 'attitude is everything' and your attitude is incredible. I'm sorry I don't get around to your space more often, you never fail to entertain. It is my prayer for you at this Christmas time that you never stop reaching out and touching us. It may only be digitally, but your attitude, words and spirit reach right into my heart.
May the ghosts always remain real. I hope they enjoy this 'blitz' right along with you.
Great interview guys! Lately I've been reading more poetry and it has really helped my prose writing too. :)
My dwarves are wondering now what the Romulan Ale tastes like. They will bug me until I get them some. Where will I find it?
Nice interview and Happy Blitz Day!
Haha this made me giggle. Was nice to stop by A-Z again too - it's been awhile!
Happy Blitz Day, Roland!
This comment is for the blitz...and a prayer that the your stitches are healing!
Great interview, you guys! I love that Ernest Hemingway quote!
yay for roland! fun & informative & always close w/a great quote!
A great interview! Hope your stitches heal soon, Roland.
Happy Blog Blitz :)
Dropping by with the Blitz, but I feel a little out of place. I don't even know who Jamie Alexander is (note to self...google Jamie Alexander) I hope you make a quick recovery from your attack and then can use the experience in your writing. Now you know what it really feels like, no imagination necessary!
Happy Blitz day!
Roland, I am always impressed by how well you handle tough situations. I am, though, sorry about the pain you endured.
As far as poetry in writing goes, I am always a little saddened when prose doesn't contain poetry--to jump off the Hemingway quote. I think it needs to be present in narrative writing in order for it to be considered beautiful. But maybe that's my literature background talking. I enjoyed the interview.
Great interview! Happy Blitz Day!
Fun interview, gentlemen!
How ya feeling, Roland? A little woozy, maybe? You should, because you've gonna be blitzed all day long! (But no hangover involved.)
Enjoy!
Roland and Alex:
Great interview! I've now decided I need to read a lot more poetry =)
Roland:
I'm sorry to hear about your encounter with a robber. Sending healing thoughts your way!
Have a wonderful Blitz day=)
Happy Blitzer!! Enjoy your ginger ale!!!!
Enjoyed the interview. I agree that poetry is undervalued and personal communication beyond the computer keys is joining that in becoming a lost experience. Now I am off to see the post most liked. God bless, Maria
This is great!
Happy Blitz Day.
Happy blitz day!
Thanks for sharing Twain's tips.
Excellent interview! Happy Blitz Day!
Hi Roland and Alex. The Yeo-man always has such a great way of mixing fun with wisdom and he does it yet again here. Change would be an awesome topic for the next A to Z!
Happy Blitz Day!!
Hi, Roland! Happy Blitz Day! I really enjoyed your post. Good humor is hard to write, especially when it's leavened with sharp insights and useful info. I wish you much success!
Really enjoyed the interview. Happy Blitz Day, Roland!
Nice interview, guys. Sadly, I can't remember the last time I read any poetry (not counting the occasional haiku). I don't know why.
Happy Blitz Day.
This wa sa truly great interview Roland and Alex. You guys rocked it.
Happy blitx day Roland.
~Summer
Awesome post, Roland.
Everyone should try Romulan ale at least once. I like Twain's tips too. I should probably dabble a bit more with poetry, reading and writing it. Great interview!
Happy Blitz day, Roland! Hope you've on your way to recovery now-- take care of you.
Stopping by to say Happy Blitz Day! Wishing you a fast recovery as well :)
Roland, this was concise advice from you :)
Enjoyed this, thanks.
......dhole
Fun inter(action) :) The A to Z is always such a blast even if it's exhausting as well!
Poetry is difficult because there is so much bad stuff to wade through before you get to the poems that can be wonderous and life changing.
Happy Blitz Day!
Happy Blitz Day! Great interview!
Hi Roland, I like your advice to give each paragraph all the dynamite you possess! Happy blitz day!
What a fun interview! Now I just have to figure out who Jamie Alexander is....
Happy Blitz Day!
That was hilarious! Hope you've had a wonderful Blitz Day!
HAPPY BLITZ DAY!!!!!
Fun interview with two of MY FAVORITE people!!!!
Hope you are doing well, Roland…
Take care of yourself!!!
Roland what a fun way to talk about your blogging experience. Dramatization always seems to make it appear so much more real. I am here with the Blog Blitz from DL Hammons. I hear you are dealing with an unexpected time of adversity and I hope this day and the comments help you to overcome the experience.
Happy Blitz Day, Roland! I hope it's been a fabulous day! :)
THANK YOU EVERYONE!
I needed this as this was my first day back to work -- I was weak and the stitches hurt worse as the day wore on. But I am back home now. Thanks you, guys.
As for the mysterious Jamie Alexander -- she was the gorgeous actress who played Sif in THOR 2. She almost wore a gown at the premiere of that movie. The ghost of Mark Twain threw up his hand before his eyes at the photos. But he was peeking through his fingers! :-)
So sorry to hear about the scumbag who attacked you. Thank heaven you escaped... despite the wound. Get well soon and congrats on a great interview with Alex. :) X
http:/shahwharton.com
Fantastic and fun interview! Sorry about the attack, and happy (late) blitz day.
Thanks, Shah:
At least he got a faceful of pepper spray out of the deal. :-) Thanks again for caring.
Rhonda:
Better late than never! Thanks for visiting and commenting. :-)
Hi Roland, I heard about what happened, how terrible, I hope you are ok and glad you had the spray. Change would be an excellent theme for A-Z, I'm still not sure if I'll participate next year, still waiting inspiration. Have a good one and happy belated blitz day! ((Hugs))
Happy Blitz Day!
Elise:
Thanks for the kind thoughts. Inspiration comes easy for me -- it's the perspiration that follows that is a pain! Have a lovely holiday season.
J Keith:
Thanks! :-)
HAPPY belated BLITZ DAY to you Roland!
Cheers! Great interview!
Sending all my compassion to this guy who doesn't know better...
All my empathy and love to you in clearing this painful event from you body, mind and soul. Shine your light!
Happy belated Blog blitz!
With great respect!
Ambrozya
Nice interview! I hope you enjoyed your Blitz Day, and that you have a speedy recovery.
Susanne:
Thanks for joining those who said HI to me and my stitches!
Ambroyza:
With great gratitude to you for your wishes for me and my misguided attacker. Thanks.
Carrie-Anne:
I'm glad you enjoyed our interview. And I was humbled by all those who visited and said HI.
Hey Alex, I just wanted to let you know, that I haven't been able to comment on your regular blog. It always says "Page Cannot Be Displayed." Obviously others are commenting, so there just must be some problem with my connection. Anyway, my comments this week would've been that my kids and I saw Frozen and enjoyed it, and that Cassan would be a pretty neat place to visit - except I wouldn't want to get caught in any battles!
I especially love Mark Twain's advice. I'm REALLY late, but here as part of the blitz. Happy (late) blitz day!
Happy Belated Blog Blitz Day!
Chippy
Crystal:
That Mark Twain is a card all right. I am loving writing him as a character in my book, DEATH IN THE HOUSE OF LIFE! Better late than never to say HI. :-)
Chippy:
Thanks! :-)
A good conversation on poetry in here. Good to see that.
Thanks, Tony:
People keep trying to revive poetry but like the Western, it seems to stay comatose. Sad really. Perhaps Rap is the new poetry -- which would be frightening! :-)
Hi Alex and Roland,
Lovely conversation!
Of course CHANGE is
a wonderful subject
to talk about and
write about.
Sorry for the delay
in joining here.
Have a wonderful time
ahead to both of you
as well as all our
dear friends here at
A to Z
Best
Phil
Thanks, P V:
Looking forward to reading your A to Z posts. :-)
Happy belated blitz!
That was a really fun interview *clinks glass*
"If poetry is dead, we prose writers are in the next ward over, wheezing noisily, with our family gathered around looking concerned and asking about our DVD's."
Such a great line! But I agree with you, it's a shame that more people don't read poetry...
Thanks, Deniz:
First people will stop reading poetry, and then stop reading books -- just their short texts and tweets!
Ouch! :-)
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