An Interview with Poet Walt Page

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Profile of the Poet: Walt Page

A Brief Bio: “The Tennessee Poet”, Walt Page, is a romantic old rock drummer, musician, USAF veteran and an open heart surgery survivor. He has been published on Vita Brevis, Visual Verse and Slasher Monster Magazine. Walt lives in the Tennessee country with his wife Susan, 2 horses, and 9 rescue dogs.

Don’t miss my interview with poet Mehga Sood!

https://vitabrevisliterature.wordpress.com/interviews/interview-poet-megha-sood/

Tell me about your blog, Walt’s Writings:

WP: I started Walt’s Writings On Life in 2017 after going through several months of recovery and cardiac rehab after my open heart surgery. I was limited in what the doctors would let me do, so I decided to start writing again. My friend Google pointed me to WordPress, and after I read more about it, I decided to use it for a blog about the things going on in my life. At first, I wasn’t writing much poetry, but once I discovered that the poems I posted earlier were doing much better than my other posts, I decided to write more.

I see that it’s amassed quite the following–how does that feel?

WP: I am still amazed at the number of followers I have, Brian. It was never my intention to write poems or posts just to get more followers. I cherish the fact that people think enough about my work to read it, and I value my followers and the comments they leave on my posts.

I received this recently: “…know that your writing/poetry speaks to many of us, and helps us. You have a purpose!” Comments like that keep me writing my poetry.

It becomes almost addictive though, and I have to be careful to continue to write what I feel, what comes from my heart, and not write just to get more followers. I have seen some bloggers use giveaways to get people to like and follow their blog which seems kind of artificial to me. I have liked and followed other blogs, and I guess that their followers have seen my comments and decided to check out my work. I hate to see new bloggers (or established bloggers for that matter) ask someone to read their work in comments on a post. I always check the work of someone when I receive notification that they have followed me and if I like it then I usually will follow them. I also always thank every follower and thank every comment I receive. I don’t follow someone only because they followed me. I guess the basics work for me.

How would you describe your own poetry?

WP: My poetry is, well, my poetry. I write whatever I am feeling at the time. It may be about chronic pain, the love I have for my wife, or about a song title that intrigued me. I have never had any training or taken any courses, although I have read articles on advice to writers. I don’t know much about all the different types of poetry. Some of my poems rhyme, some don’t. As a musician and old rock drummer, I seem to focus more on the rhythm of my words. I read everything I write out loud to see if it flows well. I try to create images with my words and phrases.

I want myself to be able to see, feel, smell and hear what I have written. I don’t follow “the rules”, and I don’t really know what they are except for some Japanese forms like Haiku. I try and keep my poetry simple. I have read many poems that bewilder me, and that I have no idea what they are trying to say.

If you aren’t writing, what are you typically doing?

WP: I live out in the country, on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee. We call our six acres the Highland Acres Ranch, and it is home to my wife Susan and I, our two horses, and our nine rescue dogs. My wife works at a local hospital, and I spend my days with the animals, taking care of lawns, trees, barns, and equipment. I read a lot of other blogs and listen to all kinds of music. As a musician, I enjoy all types of music, but I am partial to Classic Rock from the 50s – 80s. I check out the latest photos of our three grandsons on Facebook and Instagram. I enjoy reading different types of books and enjoy anything by Dan Brown, Hemingway, Carl Hiaasen, and Dean Koontz.

What factors in your life most inform your poetry?

WP: Many different things become the basis of my poetry. My love of life, my chronic pain and health issues, my memories, and the romantic side of me all contribute. I am a PK, a Preacher’s Kid, and that has given me a firm foundation of respect, admiration, and compassion.

I am inspired by simple things – a song title, a quote I may have read, other poets I follow, a walk in the woods, or the nicker of our horses. It can come at any time, anywhere I am. I always keep a pen and notebook handy. I have lived a long and eventful life, so I have a deep well to draw from.

What do you consider the most difficult part of writing poetry?

WP: That’s an easy one – writing poetry. No type of writing is easy, but poetry seems to be more difficult when you try too hard. Words don’t always come easily, and the pressure I put on myself to “do better” can cause stress. I have to remind myself that doing better is a matter of perception. During difficult times, when words won’t come or I keep drawing a blank, I force myself to remember why I started writing, why I enjoy writing poetry and why my followers enjoy my work. Writing is a creative art and creativity is always difficult.

Walk me through the life cycle of a typical poem for you?

My poems usually happen very quickly. A thought occurs, my mind kicks into gear and words start to flow. If it happens that way, then it is meant to be. If the words don’t flow, I put it in my ideas folder.

The actual writing of my poetry usually takes less than an hour from idea to paper. I write everything by hand, using a pen and a notebook. I then type it out as a document, find an appropriate image to use and copy and paste it into WordPress with whatever categories and tags I decide to use, and then schedule it. If any editing occurs, it is during any of these steps.

If you could let our readers know one thing, what would it be?

WP: I would tell the Vita Brevis readers that you and this Poetry Magazine are a blessing to them and to new and established poets. I would ask them to always comment on poems you publish, to thank the poets for their poems included here, and to thank you, Brian, for your efforts in bringing quality poetry to everyone. If they happen to be poets or writers themselves, I would encourage them to submit their work to Vita Brevis and other online journals and magazines.

What’s next for The Tennessee Poet?

WP: I will continue to write my poetry and submit my work to various journals and contests. I hope to start soon on self-publishing a collection of my poetry, and I plan to start reciting my poems on Soundcloud.

Don’t miss my interview with poet Ann Christine Tabaka

https://vitabrevisliterature.wordpress.com/interviews/interview-with-poet-ann-christine-tabaka/

66 thoughts

  11. Pingback: Poet Profile: An Interview with Walt Page | goffjamesart

  12. Congratulations Walt, great interview, Brian and the Via Brevis do poets a great service and writers in general it must be said. Now we know a little more about the life and times of The Tennessee Poet.

    Reply

  13. A wonderful interview with the Tennessee Poet, a sincere and honest poet who writes from the heart, and is a person of integrity and depth of character.

    Reply

  15. This is a great interview with meaningful questions that helped us to get to know a wonderful poet at a deeper level.

    I just read one of Walt’s haikus on Vita Brevis’ most recent haiku contest and immediately fell in love with Walt’s honesty and his real spirit that shines through his words.

    I was moved to go onto his blog and read many more of his wonderful poems and am very grateful to Brian for providing a quality blog and means to meet high quality poets.

    Walt you are an inspiration with your heart felt and meaningful words that warm all of our hearts.

    Praise be, PK! 💗

    Jordan

    Reply

  16. This is an interview from the heart.I have always admired Walt’s writing and he has nothing but super encouraging to my works.It always a pleasure to know about the fellow blogger and I feel so close to his writing style and the way his inspiration works.Thanks Brian for welcoming Walt to this interview series

    Reply

    1. Megha, I just found this comment and I am so sorry I didn’t see it sooner. Thank you so much dear friend, for you kind comments and support. You know I love your work and how we support and encourage each other. I am honored to be your friend and humbled by your comments. ☺

      Reply

  18. I had already hit the “follow” button because I was very impressed with the “Just a Blank White Page” Post but then to read your interview here, wow. You are my kind of people! I’m looking forward to getting your work in my mailbox when you post next. 🙂

    Reply
  21. Pingback: How to Start a Poetry Blog | Get Connected | The Poetry About Us
  22. Pingback: An Interview with Poet Sarah Law | Vita Brevis Poetry Magazine

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