ChicagoPostmodernPoetry.Com

Poetic Profile

Joel Craig

Interview Questions for Joel Craig 

General Questions

1) Where did you grow up? Was poetry and writing part of that mix?

 I grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, where my only formidable artistic involvement was as a classical singer, and that came late in high school. I had next to no knowledge of poetry, though I remember being curious about it via, say, Morrisey lyrics.

 2) Who are your poetic influences, favorite poets, writers, artwork, other things that inform your work?

 The poets that made me initially excited about poetry were John Berryman, Richard Hugo, Stevens & Bishop, which of course led to Ashbery, Tate, Simic, Creeley, etc.  I've been a fan of Denis Johnson for a long time & wish he would write more poetry.  Lewis Warsh has been kicking my butt since he read at Discrete Series.  Chelsey Minnis, Joyelle McSweeney, Dean Young.  I could list many more.  I love Nabokov, DeLillo, Cormac McCarthy, crime fiction.  Joseph Cornell.  Early Butthole Surfers.  The Kinks. Brian Eno.  Love &  Rockets (the comic!) Berlin Dada...my southern gothic family history--all have or continue to inform my work.

 3) When did you 'become' a poet when did poety become part of your everyday life?

 Somewhere in my early twenties.

4) Where were you educated? Was this important?

 No answer

5) You were educated at Iowa did this color your poetic choices?

I was very fortunate to have both excellent teachers and talented peers, so I was easily motivated.  There were always wonderful (and awful) conversations to be had & I was always being turned on to  new work & ideas.  With hindsight, it was a luxury to have such an immediate, intelligent community available so early in my writing experience.   It wasn't always easy, but I'm grateful for it.  As for choices, my experience there certainly have enabled me to make them.

6) What is your favorite food?

Just about anything French.

 7) Sports Team?

I grew up a Cardinals fan.  I followed the Pistons this year & was rewarded.  I'm an avid cyclist, so I pay attention to a few European teams. 

8) Vacation Spot?

San Francisco

9) Curse Word?

Blows.

10) It has been a year since Danny's transitioned from you and Greg to you and John, what do you think of this change? What else do you want to do with the series?

Greg & I worked together & tinkered for two years to get the format right & we really bonded on that.  I miss him & what his personality brought. John & I have been close for a long time.  We have a lot in common aesthetically, plus he was probably our most committed supporter, so the transition was pretty seamless.  I want to continue bringing excellent readers to Chicago, both known and unknown.  There are certain writers I'd like to host, so hopefully we'll get them someday.  We'll try to surprise you pleasantly.

Craft Questions

1) How do you form a poem?

I try to go in with guns blazing--write really long drafts without too much expectation, then revise repeatedly with a scalpel & try to remove all of the scaffolding.

2) Do you use collage, found language?

Found language, from time to time.  Most of my poems sound like collage to me, but it rarely is.

3) Is poetry an organic or synthetic process for you?

Is this a trick question?  I don't think of it in either way.

4) Where do you write? Is Ambiance important? Do you have rituals or habits when you write?

I write in my dining room with the door to my sun porch open.  Sometimes with coffee or music.  I sound out my lines a lot, so I prefer silence usually.

5) In the balance between found language and created language where does your work fall? Do you use many sources?

Certainly the latter.   I have no qualms with found language & definitely keep my ears open, but I'm terrible at keeping a notebook.  Anything is a source.