Janet Caldwell [derailedpoet] WRITING   What did you first read? How did you begin to write? Who were the first to read what you wrote? Before elementary school I read the King James version of the Bible. It has always been a comfort to me and my ability to read was expanded due to that. I started reading poetry at an early age. I would guess around 10 yrs old. At that time my sister-in-law presented me with the complete works of Edgar Allen Poe and I was hooked. I began to write in my diary about my life in the best poetry form that I could muster and it wasn't that great. In the 90's I started publishing my poetry online at Themestream and several other places. Currently you can find it here http://www.authorsden.com/visit/author.asp?authorid=2906 (...) and a few other places. As for who first read my works, I'd say it was my brother, sister-in-law and close friends. They encouraged me to continue.   What is your favorite genre? Can you provide a link to a site where we can read some of your work or learn something about it? Yes, my favorite genre is definitely poetry but I love reading history, any history. Again, you can find me at http://www.authorsden.com/visit/author.asp?authorid=2906 (...) , also some interviews are located here http://greenteethmm.com/intjanny.html and I have been interviewed by Poetry Life and Times twice. When my book came out http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewwork.asp?AuthorID=2906 (...) I was interviwed on Radio by Roger Vizi here http://www.podcastdirectory.com/podcasts/2846 and it is now a podcast. My friend Ian Thorpe has been kind enough to post my work as well. One of the sites is http://www.scribd.com/ianrthorpe. Google me.   What is your creative process like? What happens before sitting down to write? That's a tough question. Being bi-polar it's easy to write when I am manic but having that under a bit of control now is much harder. The best thing for me is to read other poets. Once I do that I can start to feel that burn and produce. I am working on a new poem now that is almost ready for publication.   What type of reading inspires you to write? Confessional poetry and something a bit mystical. Reading Anne Sexton, Sylvia Plath, listening to Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd and the Moody Blues are a great inspiration to me. Also my nephew M. Dillon Edwards is a great inspiration and one of my favorite poets.   What do you think are the basic ingredients of a story? Definitely the character, a good plot, very descriptive in surroundings and an ending that makes sense, even if you don't like it.   What voice do you find most to your liking: first person or third person? I write a lot in third person. I have a lot of painful history and it's easier that way. See my poem Dancing through the madness. It's actually me talking to me and some didn't get that. http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewpoetry.asp?AuthorID=29 (...)   What well known writers do you admire most? Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton   What is required for a character to be believable? How do you create yours? My characters come from life, it did happen and truth is sometimes stranger than fiction.   Are you equally good at telling stories orally? No! :)   Deep down inside, who do you write for? For myself and others who have been abused.   Is writing a form of personal therapy? Are internal conflicts a creative force? Writing has been cathartic for me and internal conflicts bring a wealth of creativity. See my poem Weep for the child. http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewpoetry.asp?AuthorID=29 (...)   Does reader feed-back help you? Rarely though I do appreciate it immensely.   Do you participate in competitions? Have you received any awards? I have been in only a couple of competitions and won first, second and third places. Due to high volume of readers I did win an opportunity to have my book published through authorsden.com.   Do you share rough drafts of your writings with someone whose opinion you trust? Yes, my nephew Dillon and my husband Alan Phillips who is a great poet.   Do you believe you have already found "your voice" or is that something one is always searching for? I once believed that I had found my voice but I am reevaluating that at this time.   What discipline do you impose on yourself regarding schedules, goals, etc.? I am completely undisciplined at the moment.   What do you surround yourself with in your work area in order to help your concentrate? Music and notes scribbled on anything and everything.   Do you write on a computer? Do you print frequently? Do you correct on paper? What is your process? I write on anything paper, even card board but then I take those ideas to the computer. I don't print frequently, I correct on the computer until it is the way that I want it.   What sites do you frequent on-line to share experiences or information? I am on http://www.authorsden.com/visit/author.asp?AuthorID=2906 (...) , http://www.facebook.com/srch.php?nm=Janet%20Caldwell%20Phi (...) http://janetakaderailedpoet.blogspot.com/ and I have one of my poems recited here, not my voice. http://odeo.com/episodes/19107043-Disarray-by-Janet-P-Cald (...)   What has been your experience with publishers? I have only dealt with authorsden and Matt was great. I will venture into that world at a later date. So far, so good.   What are you working on now? More poetry. My husband and I have written together in the past and may do a collaboration of poetry in a book.   What do you recommend I do with all those things I wrote years ago but have never been able to bring myself to show anyone? Put them on the computer in a writing program and re-work them. If they are to your liking blog.

© Janet Caldwell
Web address for this interview: http://www.whohub.com/derailedpoet