Poetry Interview with Ellie Rose McKee

In April 2015 I did a special poetry project on my old Weebly blog for National Poetry Month. I called it “30 Days of Poetry Love” with the goal to spread a little poetry love. And featured 30 interviews by 30 poets who spent the next 30 days sharing why poetry is important.

I made the call to action on social media: Facebook and Google groups. To online writing communities and networks: She Writes, Scribophile, Insecure Writers Support Group and Book Blogs. And they answered.

Now, I hope to bring you more interviews by poets. This time all year round. And so, let’s welcome the first poet interview. Fellow Women Writers, Women’s Books Facebook group member, Ellie Rose McKee!:

1. What is your current poetry diet?

I read a poetry book maybe once a month, but I love hearing the writers themselves reading their work aloud, so I attend a lot of events where I can do just that.

2. Should a reader have to work hard to understand the meaning of a poem?

I don’t believe so, no. I think that, if a poem is good, the reader will get a sense of what it’s about generally, by the rhythm and tone of the words, even if they aren’t able to catch every single metaphor.

3. In your opinion, what makes a poorly written poem?

When it’s forced. It’s obvious to a reader when someone has fought with the words on the page, rather than let them flow, and I think it takes away from the experience.

4. How would you persuade a non-reader to read poetry?

I think it’s easier to convince someone to write poetry, because everyone’s got things they want to get off their chest. But, once you’ve tackled that hurdle, it should be easier to get them to read other people’s work, I assume.

5. Is poetry useful?

Undoubtedly. To the poet, it’s a means of expressing oneself, which is important. And to the reader, it’s about connecting with someone else via words. At least, that’s what it should be about.

6. Which poetry school, community, and/or movement do you most identify with? (Romantic, Beat, Confessional, etc.)

I’ve never really thought about poetry in terms of movements before, but I guess you could say I fall into the ‘confessional’ category.

7. What do you love most about poetry?

I’ve found a real freedom in poetry. There are things I’ve written about in verse that I would never admit under any other circumstances. Honestly? I don’t know why that is. I guess the things I write just seem necessary to me, regardless of whether they’d be typically considered appropriate or not. And less people read poetry than fiction, so maybe those people are less judgmental. Maybe that’s it.

Bonus: What prompted you to write The Love Poems?

I never set out to write a book of love poetry. It just so happened that the majority of poems I’d been inspired to write – over a long period of time – shared that theme, although not always in the same way.

Recently, when I was asked by a friend what my latest book was, and I told her it was love poems, her reaction was, “Of course!” Read into that as you will.

 

Book Bio: The Love Poems is a selection of forty poems that don’t just cover the topic of love (in all its facets), but surrounding topics, such as friendship, family, and loss.
It’s available to buy in both paperback and eBook formats, from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the iBookstore.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks 

 

 

Author Bio: Author of Still Dreaming, Wake, Four Season Summer, and The Love Poems, Ellie is a self-proclaimed lover of travel, art, and chocolate cake. She lives in Belfast, Northern Ireland, runs her own business – Ellie Rose Writing Services – and also does a great deal of charity work.

You can follow Ellie on Facebook and Twitter.