The Road and Other Liars is a collection of poems and vignettes, some like whispers, others like bruises, all orbiting the themes of wandering, memory, aging, and the aching hope for meaning. ​What inspired you to write this particular collection of poems?

I did not begin with the idea of compiling a poetry collection. All the poems began as single line or an undeveloped thought that seemed to promise a vein of ore worth mining. These notions were all hastily scratched into notepads and developed later into poems. 

How did you decide on the themes that run throughout your poetry book?

I did not intend to focus on a narrow theme. A poetry book devoted to one specific topic or theme would, for me, become tiresome and I assumed it would be so for many other readers. As I gathered and reviewed my poems, I realized the title for my poem “The Road and Other Liars” served well as the title for this collection as it hints at the varied and often unexpected events, destinations, and experiences of life.

Do you think there is a particular mindset or environment that a reader should be in to fully appreciate your work?

I think my poetry would most appeal to readers who possess a broad interest in life and are naturally curious about the significance of what may at first seem insignificant. Pop culture has blunted this ability in so many of us. Some people never seem to have possessed this ability, many others have allowed it to fall dormant within them, but it can be resurrected by tuning out the devolving modern culture and nourishing your mind with the same devotion as you nourish your body to keep it strong and whole. 

How has this poetry book changed you as a writer, or what did you learn about yourself through writing it?

I don’t think it changed me as writer except perhaps by forcing me to exercise and strengthen my underdeveloped self-discipline muscles. One thing of value I learned was that even on days when the words don’t come easily and much time is spent with little to show for it, progress is cumulative. Do what you can do during each session and you’ll get there.

Author Link: Amazon | GoodReads