Feb 17, 2009

Part 2 of My Interview with Poet Arlene Ang

Welcome to Part 2 of my interview with Arlene Ang.

I was reading over her answers to the second part of our interview, and it donned on me where else I had heard of Arlene, and it was Poems Niederngasse, which published a poem of mine in 2004. Check out Sacrifice if you are interested.

However, this is not about me, it's about Arlene, so without further ado, let me welcome Arlene back to Savvy Verse & Wit


4. Have you edited for other magazines? And are the processes and atmospheres similar at those magazines to those at Pedestal?

Before coming to Pedestal Magazine, I was editor of Niederngasse Italian for some years. Presently, I'm also one of the Press 1 editors -- more webmistress than editor actually since Valerie Fox and Phyllis Wat do most of the paper/legwork.

Editing for Pedestal is certainly different pace-wise. I find that I have to read submissions every day or get behind. When I was editor for Niederngasse Italian, I remember having to solicit poems for every issue because otherwise there wouldn't have been any issue. Pedestal has a sleek, businesslike atmosphere. I love the database, sorting out the submissions like a postal worker (one of my dream jobs). When I'm on duty, it feels like a real job behind a real cubicle. No chitchat with co-workers, just 100% concentration.

With Press 1, we're pretty lax. We discuss the poems we receive and take votes. Oftentimes we're late, too. The only time, I think, that a Pedestal issue came out late was because the server got hacked.

5. If you were to describe your writing what 5 buzzwords would you choose? And could you elaborate on what those buzzwords mean to you and why they describe your work?

Difficult question. Like standing in front of the mirror and wondering which shoes go better with your dress.

Versatile is the first word that comes to mind. A friend said that, not me, because I like to try different genres from traditional forms to prose poems to photoetry. Photoetry is just how I coined the marriage of photography and poetry. There's probably an official literary term for it. I did a couple ages ago: Like Turned Tables and Like Electricity.

Evolving. At least that's how it feels. At some point I broke off from the straight narrative road and entered the Twilight Zone.

Godless. After thirteen years in a Catholic school, it's hard not to be. It probably shows in my writing.

Experimental. Sometimes I actually imagine myself putting on a lab coat when I write and start poking into bodies and language that shouldn't concern me.

Inventive. Maybe. I like to think of ways on how to lure in the reader.


6. Do you have any obsessions you would like to share?

Obsessions are my passion. My updated list includes (in alphabetical order) computer games, death, drink, food, mutation, Sims 3, and Tom Waits.

I also get obsessed with words or ideas. This month is eye-patch month and hermit crabs. Last year was amputation, gorilla suit, and shipwreck year. Like with songs I love, I just keep repeating the words or concepts in my writing until I get bored and move on to another subject. I'm worse than a virus.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

I LOVE the answers to #5. Maybe the difficult questions always get the most interesting answers?

gautami tripathy said...

Thoughtful answers. Loved the interview. Thanks.

Serena said...

Care: I love asking hard questions, but you have to mix them in with some easier ones.

Gautami: Thanks for stopping by...did you check out part 1?

Carolyn Crane said...

Great interview! I love the five buzzwords and the photetry concept! Wonderful.

Serena said...

Carolyn: The buzzwords she came up with were great. I love the photoetry!

Iliana said...

I really like her term, Photoetry. I haven't checked her poems yet but that reminds me about how in one of my poetry writing classes we were given a photograph and try to use it as a springboard for a poem.

Oh and thank you for sharing your poem. Will check it out!

Jenners said...

Love Part 2 as much as Part 1. She is so interesting! And I find it amusing that poet's dream job would be in a post office (but I think I know what she means). I very much enjoyed this glimpse into her world! wonderful interview! : )

Serena said...

Iliana: I'm glad you are enjoying the interview. I hope you enjoy my poem and Arlene's.

Jenners: I can't wait to see her answers to Part 3

Mari said...

Can't wait for Part 3!
Great interview!

The Bookworm said...

great questions serena and interesting answers :)

http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

Anna said...

I love your question about obsessions. It always gets interesting answers.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Serena said...

Mari: That will be coming soon.

Naida: Glad you like the interview

Anna: I love the obsession question...It's one of my favorites.

Shana said...

What an interesting interview ... I love the unique answers and underlying sense of humor that shows through

Shana
Literarily in this interview.

Serena said...

Shana: I'm glad that you like the interview...there is more to come.

Wendi said...

What a fun interview - I love it when non-normal questions are asked!! :)

Your interview has been added to About the Author - An Author Interview Index! ~ Wendi

Serena said...

Wendi: I'm glad that you like the non-normal questions. I like to keep things interesting.