Author: poetryfest

Watch the August 2016 Poetry Reading.

FUCK UP by Keshia L. Nowden:

Performed by actor Becky Shrimpton

Get to know the poet:

1) What is the theme of your poetry collection?

That is a good question, mostly because I didn’t have a theme in mind at the time I wrote it, it was more getting something off my chest! In fact, I was surprised my poem was even selected, considering I wrote the poem in 2 hours…with a glass of wine, so the theme is one of shock! Seriously, the tone and theme of the poem is dealing with failure in life, struggling with inferiority and self-esteem.

2) How would you like people to respond when they read or watch your poetry reading?

Since poetry is subjective, I’m sure some will view this poem with anger, sadness, insight or delight. The most important thing I’d like people to take away from this is that we all screw up, it’s the process of life, but we can learn from our screw-ups, even if it takes this life or the next.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

Believe it or not, only a few months. I never saw myself as a poet, I write mostly fiction, horror, and sci-fi specifically, and, on occasion, comedy.

4) Do you have a favorite poet?

I have several: John Keats is one of my favorites, I was exposed to his work in college. I also love Maya Angelou, Amiri Baraka, Nikki Giovanni. In terms in terms of lyrical poetry, Alicia Keys, Bob Dylan, Serge Gainsbourg, and the late, great David Bowie and Prince. They’ve all been a huge influence on my writing.

5) What influenced you to submit to WILDsound and have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

I did it based on the advice of a friend of mine (whom I hope doesn’t mind me mentioning her name), Tina Thompson, who encouraged me to get my writing out there instead of sitting around waiting for success to come to me. Had Tina not told me what I already knew, yet unwilling to believe, I would still be sitting there wondering “what if?” Thank you for kicking my patootie in the right direction, Tina!
Shameless plug: you can find Tina’s talented self as @alwayswriteTina on Twitter!

6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

I am in the process of finishing revisions on four stories I’ve written for two anthologies I am going to be featured in this year. The first anthology are reboots of classic myths, folktales and legends. The second anthology, entitled “Human,” explores the human condition, and how we deal with loss, rejection, happiness, anger, etc. I am trying to work on a horror novel, one I started last November for National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo for short.

7) What is your passion in life?

I love writing, and I want my writing to reflect my successes and failures, and how each obstacle I’ve faced has only made me stronger as a result. Plus, I want to see my brilliant, if a bit Mad Hatter-esque, work brought to life as crappy film/TV adaptations! I mean, really, isn’t that what writers live for?*

*Sarcasm totally intended!