Interview with the Editors — Viraji Ogodapola
By: Zay Pareltheon
Tags: Interview, Scrittura, Poiesis News, Prose

October 23, 2020

Image credits to Uditha De Silva

What drives you to write poetry?

It’s the magic of being able to subtly capture fleeting thoughts, moments, anything. The art of rendering something we grasp itself is what drives me to poetry. To be able to deliver it in proper structure, flow and coherence is a complex art calling for fine skills, infinite imagination, sublime creativity and much patience. It’s a pursuit few take on, but a discipline with many ardent followers as readers. I like to be on both sides there.

2. How do you know you’re reading a good poem, or a good poet?

A good poem makes an impact, an impression on me. So does the poet then. However, I always take every poem independent of its author, so as not to be biased by previous experience. Good poetry is an experience that takes you through some facet of life with rhythm. More often than not, it leaves me with something more to ponder on and think about.

3. Do you have any particularly “unique” habits as a writer?

I doubt writers’ habits are unique! They all seem to chase their muse in erratic ways from time immemorial*!

Habitually, I try to make way for myself at the quietest hours when the world shuts down. I also tend to jot down thoughts sometimes, in a journal of sorts. And when the moment is right, when that chatter in the head gets so intense and dense making itself form into something workable, I move those scribbles around like the pieces of a puzzle until it materializes into something I like.

*Ever come across Sophia Tolstaya memoirs? (You’d get to know how great masterpieces like Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace came into being, directly from the wife’s mouth, so to speak.)

4. As you are working as an editor, what kinds of traits do you look for in submitted poetry?

I’m always on the search for a “good read!” So if the submission does justice to itself in terms of authenticity, ingenuity and effort, it’s always a go under my watch. However, I do pay attention to structure, grammar, punctuation, coherence and even formatting styles and images, here on Medium.com. I therefore tend to do adjustments in these areas to submissions, trying my best not to offend the authors, because I know how important one’s work is to oneself.

5. What kinds of events or reflections prompt you to write?

Feelings, emotions, nature, solitude, situations — anything that has had a deep impact on me or on those close to me. I guess it sums up back again to something that “moves” me much. I tend to linger on and ponder around much on melancholic subjects, I see beauty in sadness — I just happen to be very pessimistic by nature! :)

6. Do you have any advice for the fledgling writer?

Continue to read and write. Never stop at either. Although as readers we tend to pick and choose, if you’re aspiring to be a good writer, it’s imperative that you read a variety, covering a wide scope. Also, continuous writing helps to establish routine practice, (writer’s block or not), and helps you identify and improve upon your weaknesses. This doesn’t have to be published always, it’s for yourself. In any case, you should primarily write for yourself and be able to fall in love with your piece before you think of taking it anywhere — that strategy tends to get the best out of you, every time.