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Interview by Andrew Angus, Editor in Chief, Manila Review
1. Andrew: Is this (Tears rolling down the heartstring) your first poetry book?
Randy: No.
2. Andrew: If no, what are the titles of your previous poetry books or poetry chapbooks?
Randy: I started a series of chapbooks (each 20-30 pages) called "Poems Never Read Together" Part 1 called "Over the Years" in 1997, Part 2 called "Don't be Sad in Love" in 1998, Part 3 called "From that Third of My Heart in 2001 and Part 4 called "The Discovery " in (2002) but they were never officially published. I made as many copies as I could afford at the time, sold and gave them to anyone who would read them.
3. Andrew: At what age did you start writing poems seriously?
Randy: I would say at 31 when I started the first book but the poem that kept me writing (A Flash of Memories) was written when (I) was 32.
4. Andrew: Who encouraged you to write poetry?
Randy: My mom and grandmother in last few years. But I think my boss, she read some poems I had written back in 1991 and showed everyone she knew the poems and told me how her daughter-in-law loved how I wrote. It was even nice just to have one fan.
5. Andrew: Some of your poems combine free verse and rhymed verse in one poem. Why do you write some poems combining free verse and rhymed verse instead of separating free verse poems from rhymed verse poems?
Randy: When I first started writing a lot of what I wrote came from enjoying music so you may see musical lyric style in what I write from time to time. I consider my change of styles similar to a bridge in a song, a change of pace to take the reader in a different direction and then I bring you back in the end.
6. Andrew: Who are your favorite dead poets and why?
Randy: William Stafford. He combines something scenic or beautiful with loss or sadness. He also makes a statement without the reader directly knowing he has.
7. Andrew: Do you have a favorite living poet? If you have , can you name the living poet?
Randy: Dana Gioia.
8. Andrew: Why do you like this particular poet?
Randy: He writes in patterns that are similar to mine.
9. Andrew: Who among the poets (dead/living) influenced you?
Randy: Poets that write about beauty and sadness are at the top but aslo when I see young people writing on poetry sites. They keep well poetry alive.
10. Andrew: Aside from writing poetry, what are your favorite hobbies/recreation?
Randy: I enjoy cooking, listening to music, playing and watching sporting events, watching the birds feed by the creek behind my house and learning about medieval, European and US histories. I do a little bit of everything.
11 . AA: Where were you born?
RR: Mnticello, Illinois
12. AA: What course did you take in college?
RR: Banking
13. AA: Can you name at least 5 of your favorite poems in you book (Tears rolling down the heartstring)?
RR: "A Flash of Memories", "Caretaker", "Paint the Picture" because these 3 are personal. "Old Child", "No Home" for what it says and "Silent Parts of Love" because it is simple.
End of Interview.
Note: Randy L. Redmond will be featured in Muses Review in Summer 2005. A longer interview will be posted.
Manila Review - Winter 2005 - Poetry Section.
You can buy Randy L. Redmond's book at:
a. Author House
b. Email Randy at: ran66man@mchsi.com