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Today, Norm Goldman, Editor& Publisher of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, Linda Majorie Charles author of a book of poetry entitled In The Depths Of A Diva: Volume I.

Good day Linda and thanks for participating in our interview.

Norm:

Linda, I read where you were born in Roseau, Dominica and began writing at the age of seven. When did you leave Dominica and how if any did your place of birth influence any of your poetry?

Linda:

Norm, I actually began writing poetry in the seventh grade. My family and I left Dominica for Montreal, Quebec, Canada when I was three years old. In all honesty, my birthplace did not have much influence on my poetic expression over the years.

Norm:

What inspired you to write poetry at the early age of twelve? Were you a reader of poetry in your pre-teens? Were there any poets who influenced you?

Linda:

The only thing I can recall is my enjoyment of English lessons in elementary school and high school. I remember receiving a book of poetry by Robert Service, in my teen years I believe. Other than that, I wasn’t an avid reader of poetry.

Norm:

In your poem the “Pros of Life” which you composed at thirteen, you talk about charity being helpful. Have you experienced poverty and if so how did this influence your poetry?

Linda:

I can’t say I have experienced poverty, however one defines that term. I do recall that our birthday and Christmas presents were “modest”. I’m not sure if that was more to teach my sisters and I humility or a matter of my parents being frugal.

Norm:

Your last poems of the collection deal with the ugliness of racism. Have you experienced racism, if so, when and how did you react?

Linda:

Luckily, in my formative years, I didn’t experience racism to a large degree. I do recall my second eldest sister and I, when we were elementary school age, having sand thrown on us in the local mall by two teenage Caucasian girls. Though they didn’t say anything, I suspect it was racially motivated. We were too little to physically or emotionally defend ourselves. In recent years, the racism I have experienced has been more covert and mainly in the workplace. It’s a difficult beast to battle when others don’t use racial slurs directly. One has to then rely on one’s own confidence and belief in “reaping what you sow” to get through it.

Norm:

What makes poetry come alive in a classroom? How can teachers foster a love of poetry, rather than a fear of it, in their students?

Linda:

Norm, that has a lot to do with the English teacher and how he or she conveys a love for poetry. For myself, what was inspiring was having the opportunity, though not with poetry, to perform excerpts from literary works. As I indicated on the back cover of my book, I consider poetry to be music on paper. It has to be “sung” in context and with feeling.

Norm:

What has been your overall experience as a published author of poetry?

Linda:

It was a bit nerve-wracking, as I’m not the best at self-promotion. I just thought it would be nice to put all my poems into a volume.

Norm:

What did you enjoy most about writing about your book of poetry?

Linda:

When I first wrote the poems in my early years, it was more of an escape – a means of self-expression. In terms of production of the collection, I thoroughly enjoyed the publishing process, especially preparing the foreword, dedication, and text for the back cover, and working with the design team at the publishing house.

Norm:

Do you have a writing mentor?

Linda:

Unfortunately I don’t, but wish I did. My favourite author is Toni Morrison and I consider her writing style to be very poetic.

Norm:

How do you come up with ideas for your poems?

Linda:

The book is mostly biographical, so most of the poems give readers an idea of my feelings about various topics like being in love, dealing with insecurity, and racism. My frame of mind at particular ages is evident in many of the poems.

Norm:

Have you ever written prose or is poetry the only genre you have dabbled in?

Linda:

I once entered a short story writing contest (in grade 10, if I remember correctly) and I once wrote a semi-biographical short piece about being labeled a “brain”. Other than that, in the realm of journalism, I have had several newspaper and magazine articles published.

Norm:

Is there anything else you wish to add and what is next for Linda Marjorie Charles?

Linda:

I hope a “Volume II” is next, at some point in my life. In recent years, much has occurred to inspire me to write and I’d love to get my poetic muscle back in gear. I hope whoever decides to pick up a copy of my book enjoys the contents and is inspired to express themselves creatively.

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors.

 The above interview was contributed by:  NORM GOLDMAN:  Retired Title Attorney: Editor & Publisher of Bookpleasures. Here are  Norm Goldman's Reviews   

To read Norm's Review of In The Depths Of A Diva: Volume I CLICK HERE    

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