Interview with Poet Caleb Krause

I was introduced to Caleb Krause through our mutual publication in Leaves and Flowers. I read his poems included in the first issue and was blown away by his use of words and the flow of his poetry. I’m excited to share the interview I recently had with him. Poetry is an art form I respect a lot, because it’s one of the hardest written mediums for me, personally. Caleb has a lot of good insights into the world of writing and shares them below.

You’ll also notice I’ve created an “Interviews” link at the top of the page as a place to gather all of the past interview articles. Remember, if you’re interested in participating in an interview for the blog please contact me directly at RendaDodge@gmail.com.

In personal news, I’ve finally finished the revision and cover for the 2nd edition of my novel “Inked” and sent it off to the printer today. I should see a proof in about a week, and I’ll finally be able to push the final product out to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. I’ll be sure to update the site as it becomes available. I appreciate everyone’s support so far. Now I have to prepare for the PNWA Writer’s Conference in July and get cracking on my new novel (I recently started drafting, and I’m so excited about this new project).

[Renda Dodge] First, why don’t you tell me a little about yourself?

[Caleb Krause] Sure, I’m a psychology graduate at the University of Texas at Tyler, and I am currently working on my masters for school psychology. I love writing, mostly poetry which I post on my blog and I also love art. Besides writing, I like to play music, draw, paint, and read.

[RD] How old were you when you first decided to start writing, and do you remember the first thing you wrote? Did you share it with anyone?

[CK] I started writing when I learned I could put a pencil to paper. I honestly can’t tell you what the first thing I wrote was, but my family keeps a small story I made when I was very young about some kind of biting fish, haha!

[RD] I read your poems Old Hearts and Passenger in Leaves and Flowers, and I found both very emotional in the short span of words you used. I felt like I was reading a snapshot of the moment through the feelings of the people in the poems. Where do you get your inspiration?

[CK] It depends. I would say that the style of poetry I enjoy is largely influenced by famous art forms such as Dada and surrealism. I once won a 3rd place prize in a poetry competition for a poem that I fashioned from the warranty of a Sony alarm clock. I love experimentation and challenging the popular culture poetry. As for subject matter, I tend to write about events in my life that stand out from others.

[RD] Since you have a background in both, do you often find it difficult to write poetry as opposed to prose?

[CK] It’s actually opposite of that. I find it difficult to write prose compared to poetry. I like writing with description and condensed meanings. When I do that with prose it makes for difficult, not so pleasurable reading. I do have a thing for writing dialog though. I love quick back and forth exchanges between characters.

[RD] How long does writing a single poem, from beginning to final product, usually take you?

[CK] Anywhere from 3 to 5 hours, to a few days just depending on length, subject, and energy.

[RD] How do you deal with writer’s block?

[CK] Use to I would just write about anything. I would try to think of a gross or disturbing subject and try to make it beautiful through poetry. Lately though due to time I just hold off on writing until a good block of inspiration comes.

[RD] What are your personal writing goals?

[CK] I think, if anything, I’d like to promote the more abstract forms of poetry. Despite the contributions of many great poets, the popular culture of poetry today is very one sided in style. There are a few journals that publish avant-garde, but by their nature journals tend to publish what everyone else publishes. Poetry already has such a small following when compared to other art forms. There needs to be a push for even more creativity and challenge than what we’re use to in this medium.

[RD] It sounds like you’re pretty busy with school and writing, how do you balance it all out and keep yourself on track?

[CK] Time management skills! I sometimes don’t get to write when I want to, but I try to set time out for myself away from school and work.

[RD] Why are you a writer/poet? What draws you into the craft?

[CK] I have no idea. It’s really just something I do. I love it when people take away something after reading my work, but to be honest I’d still write even if I knew no one was reading it. It’s like something in side me has to get out, and I feel anxious and awkward if it gets held in.

[RD] What kinds of books do you like to read? What are you reading currently?

[CK] I love comedies and fiction. My favorite book is Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. I also like non fictional, scientific things. For instance, right now the only thing I’m recreational reading is a small stack of Discover magazines I’m trying to catch up on!

[RD] What authors/poets/artists/musicians inspire you?

[CK] The list is too long to write them all but off my head there’s artists like Warhol, Duchamp, Kahlo, Dali, Magritte. And authors like Adams, Pullman, Dante, Cummings, Hemingway, Frost to musicians like Maynard Keenan, Trent Reznor, Bono, Chino Moreno, and Kevin Graham Ogilvie.

[RD] If you ever feel stuck and frustrated, what do you do to keep going? Have you ever been tempted to just trash an entire poem or project, what stopped you?

[CK] Haha, I’ve trashed entire phases of poetry I’ve written! Especially my earlier work just because I was having such a problem with finding a style I enjoyed writing with. I don’t trash my poetry anymore though even if I know it’ll never see publication. I figure it may be nice for family or future family to read one day. I do get frustrated a lot, but I always know that frustration will eventually fade, and I’ll pick myself up and go at it again!

[RD] What are you working on currently?

[CK] Currently I’m slowly working on a poetic story that draws inspiration from Alice in Wonderland. The idea is to introduce elements of different forms of psychology through a fantasy, child like illustrated poem/story. It’s something I’ve been slowly working on between everything else.

[RD] That sounds really neat, I love Alice. It was one of my favorites while I was growing up. Can’t wait to read more. Thank you again Caleb.

[CK] Thank you!