Breaking down the wall with a clockworkplum
Breaking down the wall with aclockworkplum
Wolfie: hello Kate, thank you for accepting the invitation to do the interview.
I am a fan of your writing, and pretty much a fan period, so it is a great privilege to have the opportunity to exchange words on a neutral platform.
The whole purpose of doing the “breaking down the Tumblr wall" was to bring people together; writers and readers in all sorts of arrangements and without the intimidation that some very talented writers have as a shadow.
What is your take on the feeling that newer Tumblr writers feel there is a wall separating them from veteran Tumblr writers?
Kate: Hey Wolfie! Thank you and thank you and thank you. (I'm blushing, in case you're curious.)
In my year or so on Tumblr I've found everyone, more or less, really kind and supportive. I try to take people on a one-on-one basis, so the idea of a wall is, well, odd to me. Yes, there are people who have known each other longer, who have insight into each other's lives and inside jokes, but you'll find that anywhere. People are just people -- in real life, or on Tumblr.
Wolfie: That seems to be the general response in my simple observation, and not just from writers that have been here for years but also those that have been here at least three months and writing consistently.
So.... You chose a catchy and wonderful url and I must say you wear it so well. Would you be so kind as to describe the original thought behind "aclockworkplum"?
Kate: Heh, thanks! A Clockwork Orange is one of my favorite books -- I'm a sucker for a good anti-hero, and I find it fascinating the publisher thought Americans wouldn't like the 21st chapter and convinced Burgess to cut it from the version first released here. I'm softer on the outside than an orange, though. I bruise a little easier than most, but I have a solid core. Besides, who doesn't love purple?
Wolfie: Ahhhhh Burgess ! Lol
It's funny how I didn't make the connection but now it is so clear and yes ..... Purple is very likeable.
Let's see if we can get you to start wiggling in your seat with the next few questions.
Can you tell us who it is that you consider the welcome party to your Tumblring experience?
Feel free to name as many people as you wish and the reason why you feel the way you do about them.
Kate: Me? Wiggle? Naw.
Hmmm, let's see. Chris (boxofverses) was the one who suggested Tumblr to me, but it was probably Phil (p-x-r) and Shannon (calamityxjane) who I'd consider my welcome party.
Phil dragged me into CritInk, and Shannon dragged me into, well, everything. I don't know what I would have done this past year without her. (Her first born has to be named after me for my role as taxi driver in an impromptu vacation she took -- you're welcome, Wifey.) Philly actually lives less than 20 minutes from me now, and still owes me a coffee date.
Wolfie: So that basically summed up the rumors floating around about the Michigan Rowdy Bunch.
Kate, you are a wiz with formatting Greek mythology into poetry and you also do some pretty intense prose, can you share with is your motivation for writing? When you started writing and who influenced you the most into writing?
Kate: Why thank you!
I've always loved to read. I think I found every book my parents had in our house -- just sniffed around for that old book smell I adore. I'm still not sure why they had a Greek Mythology book, probably leftover from one of my dad's many random college classes, but that started my love of Greek Mythology.
Writing became the natural extension of my love of reading. I'd get angry when I read a book, and think 'it shouldn't happen like that!' It took me longer than you'd think to realize I could write my own stories, and, well, play god.
My biggest inspiration would have to be Diane Wakoski. She was my poetry professor at MSU, and ridiculously intimidating and inspiring at the same time. (She told me I have an interesting mind for categories, and it's still one of my favorite compliments, even though she felt the need to clarify that it was actually meant as a compliment.)
Wolfie: That sure sounds like some awesome motivation and I completely understand why the Prof. Felt it necessary to expand.
This is the part of the interview in which I ask you to name a few Tumblr writers you just can't live without. Can you name a few blogs that have made your experience here on Tumblr very memorable and a few new blogs you just started to follow?
Kate: Oh man, now you’re going to find out what a horrible follower I am.
Some of my favorite writers, in no particular order:
Kristen (GirlvsWhale) – Cheesy as it sounds, Kristen writes with her whole heart. She has an innate talent for drawing you in, and making you feel both heartbroken and hopeful at the same time. It’s beautiful, and cathartic.
Ruth (UnbearablySharp) – I just want to hug Ruth. All the time. Her way with metaphors is just amazing. She lets you into her brain, and her heart, with everything she writes. (I want to make a home there.)
Noelle (OrdinaryWonder) – Noelle changed the way I look at science fiction. She has a way of twisting the synthetic until it seems completely organic – that’s talent.
Stimie (HowitzerLiterarySociety) – Stimie is just the epitome of a bad ass. He has all the confidence of someone who knows they’re good, and the talent to back it up. Not only does he do his own thing, he encourages others to do the same.
Justin (Portersnotebook) – There’s a grit in Justin’s writing that I adore. His magic realism is some of my favorite writing on tumblr – the way he works in the surreal in varying degrees and how it melts into the story he’s telling is simply wonderful.
Gibson (GibsonGrand) – Gibson’s writing is down and dirty, but has a whole lot of heart underneath a good spit shine. He makes you feel at home with the junkies, and the whores, like it’s the best place in the world to be.
Jade (HookersorCake ) – I don’t even know what to say about Jade’s writing, other than how whole unique it is – it’s just good, dirty, fun.
Jen (Jayarrarr) – Who doesn’t know how great Jen is? Her stories have a lived in feeling – like slipping on your favorite pair of sweats. There’s a high level of relatability to her writing, even her fiction, that I can’t help envying.
Matty (RaiseTheCurve) – Matty would take on the world’s hurt if he could. His Sadness Series breaks my heart.
Jake (Jake501) – Jake is probably the newest writer I’ve followed. While a lot of what he writes is smut *ah-hem* erotica, his characters seem like people you know, and he’s disgustingly romantic.
Full disclosure: Every single time I’ve talked to any of these lovely writers, well deserved teasing aside, they’ve been nothing but absolute sweethearts to me. And I’m leaving out tons of people who make me smile every time I see them on my dash.
Wolfie: A very good list …. Now Kate… before we close things up here, I am going to ask you to leave us a few words. No pressure …. Okay maybe a little but can you leave something encouraging to new writers or supportive to all writers here on Tumblr in regards to how to survive the Tumblr posting and writing in general?
Kate: Hmm, words of encouragement… write because you want to, because you love it or you feel compelled to, but don’t write for praise or not write because of criticism. Mostly, my biggest advice, do what’s fun.
Wolfie: Thank you again Kate it was certainly a pleasure getting to interview you, being that you are my biggest crush even though Tumblrbot denies it.
Kate: *blushes* Thank you, Wolfie. It was an honor. *hug*
Wolfie: Thank you Kate and thanks to everyone reading and participating on the breaking down the tumblr wall project
