Welcome to “A Conversation With a Poet,” an exclusive series where we delve into the minds and musings of contemporary poets. Each session is a journey into the personal and creative realms of a poet, exploring their inspirations, processes, and the profound impact poetry has on their lives. Through these interviews, I aim to uncover the unique voices that share across stanzas and stir the soul, offering my readers a glimpse into the artistry and emotional depth that poetry embodies. Join us as we celebrate the power of words and the poets who craft them.
At 22, John Harvey picked up a pen and began to shape his thoughts into verse. Now 48 and living in Arkansas, he’s spent the past twenty-six years weaving poetry into the fabric of his life.
Poetry Background
What inspired you to begin writing poetry?
My cousin was having a hard time with a guy she was seeing. I wanted to uplift her spirit with a poem. A voice inside me told me to write it myself and I started writing poems after that.
Who are your favorite poets, and how have they influenced your work?
A few of them are Edgar Allan Poe, Shakespeare, and Dylan Thomas. They taught me how to express myself through poetry in their style of writing. I learned from Poe how to express the darker side of poetry. Shakespeare helped me with how to be witty and romantic.
Creative Process
Can you describe your writing process? How do you typically start a poem?
When a voice with a line inside my head yearns to be written I start to write. I let the poem speak for itself until I find the right words to express what my poetic side is trying to say.
Do you have any rituals or environments that enhance your creativity?
Music sometimes helps to set the stage to get my inspiration flowing. I usually let the poem come to me and don’t force it.
How often do you write, and do you have specific times of day that you find more productive?
I write when the mood strikes me and can write a lot depending on how I am feeling that day. I have wrote a few while waking up in the morning and some in the evening. It got nothing to do with the time but when I am inspire to write.
Themes and Motivation
What themes or subjects do you find yourself returning to in your poetry? Why?
I like writing about despair and other dark subject matter in life. We shouldn’t forget pain is as much a part of life as love. I am trying to balance out the light and darkness of life in my poetry.
What is the most challenging aspect of writing poetry for you?
Finding the right word to express what I am trying to say. Many words can do the job but a few can leave the right impact to makes the reader feel the proper emotions.
What do you hope to communicate or evoke in your readers?
You are not alone in what you are feeling and help them find a connected with another person.
Publication and Sharing
Have you published your poetry? If so, in what formats (books, online, magazines, etc.)?
I am in the middle of writing my first book. It has always been a dream of mine to be a published author. I can’t wait until it’s a reality.
How do you feel about sharing your poetry with the public?
It does worry me to share my poems because I don’t know if they are any good until somebody reads them.
What has been the most rewarding or memorable response to your work?
Knowing what I wrote touched someone or inspired them in some way.
Creative Challenges and Overcoming Them
Describe a time when you experienced writer’s block and how you overcame it.
I stepped away from writing and listened to some music. For me, writing is about feeling and music can make us feel things. Going outside can also help. There is a world out there full of things a person can get inspired about.
Have you ever been dissatisfied with a poem you wrote? How did you revise it or deal with the dissatisfaction?
Yes, I have. One poem I was writing needed something more and I went back to add an extra verse. I sat with it until I found the right words before being satisfied. When I am dissatisfied with something that I wrote I will rewrite it until I am happy.
Community and Collaboration
Are you part of any poetry communities or groups? How do these communities influence your work?
I have been part of Poetry Lights for a few years now. The people within the group helped me become a better poet. I learned so much through them that I owned them for all the success I had made with my writing.
Have you ever collaborated with other poets or artists? What was that experience like?
I have worked with Lisa Lamarr and the experience has been great. She wasn’t only easy to work with but also a fantastic writer.
Influence and Inspiration
Besides poets, what other sources of inspiration do you draw from? (e.g., music, art, nature)
Music has been one of the best sources of inspiration for me. I also found inspiration from movies, books, and life events.
Will you share a poem you’ve written and explain the story or inspiration behind it?
I wrote a poem about the Dozier boys who suffered abuse in a reform school. Some of them were killed and never got justice. I wanted to give them a voice so that what they went through would never be forgotten.
Future Aspirations
What are your goals as a poet for the next few years?
Keep writing has always been my goal until I have no longer have anything else to say. I would like to see myself grow as a poet by writing outside my comfort zone.
Are there new themes or styles you are interested in exploring?
I’m always interested in trying a new style of writing. I believe exploring new things as a writer is a good thing. It can keep what we write fresh and new.
Advice and Reflections
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in poetry?
Write what you know and feel deeply about. The more emotions we have about something the better we can express ourselves in the poems we are writing. Poetry is like talking to a therapist, letting out all your emotions and holding nothing back.
How has writing poetry impacted your life personally and professionally?
It helps me to see the world more beautifully. There is a poem for every thing that we experience in life. I found comfort in writing poetry through the bad and good times. Professionally nothing eventful has happen yet but that can change after my first book is released.
Memorable Quote
“When a voice with a line inside my head yearns to be written I start to write.“
Follow John on Social Media
In wrapping up another enlightening conversation, we thank our featured poet for sharing their truths and creative spirit. Each dialogue in “A Conversation With a Poet” enriches our understanding of the intricate tapestry that is poetry. We invite you to reflect on the insights shared today and to join us as we continue exploring the profound connections between words and worlds. Stay tuned for more inspiring encounters in this series.
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