Kira Rice is a Chicago-based writer. She is inspired by non traditional forms of love, femininity, nature, mental health and humanity. Her published works include A Lengthy List of Lovers, Love Language, and Death By You Is Beautiful: Poems all available on Amazon.
1 - How did your first book change your life? How does your most recent work compare to your previous? How does it feel different?
- The first book I ever wrote and self-published was essentially a polished version of my own diary. It was a collection of short stories, going into an embarrassing amount of detail about every boy or girl I ever thought I was in love with. Each chapter was titled with the name (or some version) of them. Going through old diary entries and revisiting all of those memories, some of them fond and some of them painful, was therapeutic. I think writing that book was a necessary part in my growing up, becoming more self-aware, and moving forward.
2 - How did you come to poetry first, as opposed to, say, fiction or non-fiction?
- Poetry has always been my first love. When I was in middle school I thought I’d be a songwriter. I don’t quite now how or when I attached myself to it, but I assume it was my love for music as a child. It’s always felt like a safety net, or a security blanket. There for me to pick up and put down when I need it.
3 - How long does it take to start any particular writing project? Does your writing initially come quickly, or is it a slow process? Do first drafts appear looking close to their final shape, or does your work come out of copious notes?
- It’s weird, because I’ll have an idea or two floating around in my head for months or years even. And then one day, I’ll have a completely new idea that I’m so excited about I get started immediately. Rather than sitting on it, and planning properly, I’ll just start feverishly working until I have some type of rough draft. And then I’ll find that the longer I take to rewrite and edit, the less I like it. So once I really get started on something, I try to get it out of my system as quickly as possible so to speak.
4 - Where does a poem or work of prose usually begin for you? Are you an author of short pieces that end up combining into a larger project, or are you working on a "book" from the very beginning?
- I’m always writing poetry just to write it. I’ll post them to social media here and there or send them as submissions. After a year or two of that I’ll realize just how many I have sitting on my desk, and I’ll try to format some sort of book out of them. Once I have a theme, I’ll rework some, or write new ones to add.
5 - Are public readings part of or counter to your creative process? Are you the sort of writer who enjoys doing readings?
- I so wish I had the guts to do spoken word poetry. The most I can conjure is to post videos online. It’s a goal of mine, definitely. But I haven’t quite crossed that bridge yet.
6 - Do you have any theoretical concerns behind your writing? What kinds of questions are you trying to answer with your work? What do you even think the current questions are?
- I think I’m always writing a poem to work out an emotion or a memory that doesn’t quite sit right with me. Poetry helps me connect the dots, and understand things about myself and my relationships. So I think the question is always, what does this mean, how do I feel about it, and why?
7 – What do you see the current role of the writer being in larger culture? Do they even have one? What do you think the role of the writer should be?
- I don’t really know. It’s hard to place that sort of responsibility on anything creative. I don’t consider it a role, but I do hope at the most my writing puts words to feelings and situations that another person may not be able to, or helps them grapple with issues that may be similar to whatever I’m writing about. Books are a tool in that way, I think.
8 - Do you find the process of working with an outside editor difficult or essential (or both)?
- So far I’ve actually never worked with an outside editor.
9 - What is the best piece of advice you've heard (not necessarily given to you directly)?
- When you’re in a creative slump or dealing with writers block, think of your project as an exciting new lover. Sneaking away at whatever hours you can manage to visit them. Seeing them with hopeful and fresh eyes.
10 - How easy has it been for you to move between genres (poetry to fiction)? What do you see as the appeal?
- I haven’t published any fiction yet. It’s been difficult for me, actually. I haven’t figured out how to make fiction feel as honest and authentic as poetry. Maybe that’s the point and I’m missing it.
11 - What kind of writing routine do you tend to keep, or do you even have one? How does a typical day (for you) begin?
- I try to write every day, and I do most of my writing late afternoon to early evening. I have a day job and a family so I try to squeeze writing in wherever I can really.
12 - When your writing gets stalled, where do you turn or return for (for lack of a better word) inspiration?
- Anything nature helps me. Going on walks, looking out windows, sitting in romantic looking coffee shops and bookstores and listening to chatter. If that doesn’t work I’ll turn to films, music, other poets for inspiration.
13 - What fragrance reminds you of home?
- I’m from a pretty rural town in the Midwest, so naturally.. Fresh cut grass and the morning after rain.
14 - David W. McFadden once said that books come from books, but are there any other forms that influence your work, whether nature, music, science or visual art?
- Nature!! And humanities collaboration with it. Film is big for me too, as well as music.
15 - What other writers or writings are important for your work, or simply your life outside of your work?
- I read a lot of intersectional feminist theory and nonfiction. I’m also drawn to books that speak to the complexities and nuances of femininity, womanhood, female friendships. I’m a sucker for a messy mother daughter story, too.
16 - What would you like to do that you haven't yet done?
- Travel more. I’ve traveled a bit but not so much out of the country.
17 - If you could pick any other occupation to attempt, what would it be? Or, alternately, what do you think you would have ended up doing had you not been a writer?
- I’ve always wanted to try acting or filmmaking. I admire both so much but the skill level and talent that takes is intimidating to me, for sure.
18 - What made you write, as opposed to doing something else?
- Writing always came naturally. I’m not the best with words out loud, and writing has always been my way of saying what I really mean.
19 - What was the last great book you read? What was the last great film?
- The last great book I read was My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante. I’m late to the party, but it was definitely worth the read. The last great film I saw was A24’s Civil War. Otherwise I’ve been rewatching a lot of my favorite horror films this season.
20 - What are you currently working on?
- I just finished my new collection of poems, Death By You Is Beautiful, and it comes out November 8th. So right now I’m just working on trying to push that out!
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