Ask the Author: Mickey Kulp
Answered Questions (3)
Mickey Kulp
I have several glowing irons in the fire right now:
1. My second book of poetry, featuring longer, more involved explorations into my twisted mind, is undergoing the painful cycle of scrutiny by publishers. I hope to make an announcement soon.
2. My third book of poetry is in the early stages of fermentation.
3. A book of short stories.
4. A nonfiction book about the kinds of news articles 18th century Americans were reading during the revolution.
1. My second book of poetry, featuring longer, more involved explorations into my twisted mind, is undergoing the painful cycle of scrutiny by publishers. I hope to make an announcement soon.
2. My third book of poetry is in the early stages of fermentation.
3. A book of short stories.
4. A nonfiction book about the kinds of news articles 18th century Americans were reading during the revolution.
Mickey Kulp
It's the old, boring answer that everyone gives: keep writing. Write a lot. Polish it and submit it to peers or publishers. Fail. A lot. Repeat.
And watch this video from Ira Glass: https://vimeo.com/24715531
And write some more.
And watch this video from Ira Glass: https://vimeo.com/24715531
And write some more.
Mickey Kulp
My answer is shaped by a simple(ish) philosophy relevant to any kind of creativity: poetry, fiction, software, gardening, whatever.
William S. Burroughs summed up my technique perfectly by saying, "Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer."
Having confidence that "the answer" will come takes time. Also, being open to "the answer" coming from unexpected directions also works for me.
A good example is found on Twitter. Many Tweeters offer daily writing prompts. Frequently, those prompts allow me to roam off into the weeds of my imagination where I sometimes stumble on unexpected solutions to writing problems.
William S. Burroughs summed up my technique perfectly by saying, "Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer."
Having confidence that "the answer" will come takes time. Also, being open to "the answer" coming from unexpected directions also works for me.
A good example is found on Twitter. Many Tweeters offer daily writing prompts. Frequently, those prompts allow me to roam off into the weeds of my imagination where I sometimes stumble on unexpected solutions to writing problems.
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