[Sarah-Jane Crowson]

I can't use Zoom as my internet connection's often a bit rubbish. But I suppose interviews could be conducted through messaging and a draft sent to the interviewee for approval. I also like the idea of a 'Desert Island Discs' approach for poems, either as an interview or for a writer to provide a list, with as much or as little explanation for their choices as they like.

With my first one I did it all by email - I close-read a poem donated by the author, and sent across five specific questions that came from the close-reading of the poem (including about technique).

The second one was better, though, because over zoom we got to discuss a bit more - it was less passive - more scope for the poet to go; 'no, that wasn't what I meant at all'. And we got to pull an audio file from the conversation.

Another thing I've seen that worked was a really simple 'ten questions' format. Lots of different poets were asked the same ten questions. The questions ranged from serious to rather silly.

That's really fun to read if you're as shallow as I am, and want to find out whether the poet in question likes buttered toast & The Psychedelic Furs for breakfast or if they're more muffins and Mahler. That kind of thing could be done over email, too.

Sarah-Jane

[Duncan Gillies MacLaurin]

My one and only interview!

Duncan

[David Anthony]

I was interested to read that, Duncan.

[Duncan Gillies MacLaurin]

Thanks, David!

Unfortunately, the e-zine only lasted a year before the editor, Robert Wilkinson (who blogs at The Solitary Walker) moved on to other things. But kudos to him for maintaining the site.

Duncan

[F.F. Teague]

Thanks, Duncan; that's great! Your responses are witty and interesting; a joy to read.

- - -
Sarah-Jane, thanks v. much for describing how you did things and for the idea of 'ten questions'; Duncan shows this can be very effective. Yes, I have my shallow moments; as a Libran, I enjoy a balance of silly and deep.

I actually tested my Desert Island Poems approach this morning and it was great. The poet who helped me is a really nice chap, being very clever and also very funny. I appreciate his belief in me :-)

I've been considering the look of the proposed blog today and I'm thinking in terms of a super-chic e-library. I'd value your thoughts on this.

Best wishes,
Fliss

[Sarah-Jane Crowson]

I've been considering the look of the proposed blog today and I'm thinking in terms of a super-chic e-library. I'd value your thoughts on this.Your clever and funny poet interview sounds lovely & I look forward to reading.

Super-chic e-library is a nice piece of word-candy. The use of super as an adverb suggest a kind of intentional use of contemporary hyperbole (one that’s often seen as an irritant) which is interesting when used with the more eurocentric traditional idea of elegance suggested by ‘chic’. Likewise, ‘library’ sounds nicely solid and traditional, but e-library less so. The idea of e-library suggests archival material, reference material. And lists of words, rather sadly, for me (real libraries are so much nicer)

The phrase doesn’t convey many specific visuals to me - or not very solid ones, but there are lots of ways it could go - it maybe sounds like it might be quite fun, lean towards a more contemporary idea of early (20 French Intellectualism/cafe culture or a deliberately self-aware popular re-imagining of existentialism. Chic library sounds fun, too.

Sorry, that’s probably not very helpful.

What platform are you building it on? And have you decided on a colour scheme and font yet, or are you going to do a mood board/find an appropriate visual/ finalise the direction of an idea of super-chic library and take it from there?


Good Luck (and if there's anything I can offer to support in terms of visuals/ideas-bouncing you only have to ask)


Sarah-Jane

[F.F. Teague]

Thanks, Sarah-Jane. Yes, the DIPs (Desert Island Poems) went very well :-)

Word-candy, yum. W.-B. is feeling peckish. I fall into hyperbole sometimes, as it's encouraged by the travel company that engages me as their copywriter, lol. I think just 'chic' would probably do and the library I'm imagining is inspired by traditional forms yet feels a little less formal; perhaps it's better described as a spacious reading room. It's very airy inside and there's a cafe for interviews and general relaxation. Your musings are very helpful; gradually I'm setting the scene.

I haven't chosen a platform yet, as I feel it would be a good idea to make sure there's enough interest before committing to the project. I have experience of WordPress and Google's Blogger, but I wouldn't mind seeking professional assistance to set things up. Blues, greens, browns, creams seem appealing at the moment, but that could change. I think I'd like a serif font that doesn't look too heavy.

Thanks again for your help; do let us know what you think of the visuals so far. I think we're going for classic/contemporary.

Best wishes,
Fliss