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Ask the Author: Timothy Robbins

“Hi Bill. Thanks for the question. I was just the translator. Etymologically, you're right. I think the author would say it's not possession by a specific deity but union with spiritual dimensions. ” Timothy Robbins

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I had to learn Dutch as a second language and I still don't have it down yet. After 22 years! What do you think is the hardest thing to get across to non-native speakers of English? Also how do you handle idioms? I think these are very useful to know.
Timothy Robbins My students are adults, so mastery of the aspects of English phonology that differ from the phonologies of their native languages is hard, if not impossible. Phrasal verbs are also daunting. Idioms can be a lot of fun because they're often vivid and because students like to share idioms from their own languages, which makes for lively discussion. Example: students have taught me that "when pigs fly" in English, "mules have babies" in Spanish and "crawfish whistle on the hill" in Russian.
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No question. Just wanted to tell you that the poem you entered in the contest is exquisite! Fine imagery. Thanks for posting it. Oops, I guess I need a question mark in this, so here it is. ? Sarah Russell
Timothy Robbins Thanks, Sara Russell. Someone I don't know being affected by my poem is what I consider success. And of course we all like to know when we've succeeded. So again, thanks. A great way to start a day.
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What’s the best thing about being a writer?
Timothy Robbins Just for fun, this is how I think my husband would answer this question. "Tim is a painter, a musician and a writer. I like it best when he's writing because he's quiet then and he doesn't get paint on the carpet and walls."
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What’s your advice for aspiring writers?
Timothy Robbins I doubt if there is any advice that would be appropriate for all writers. I guess that idea could be expressed as advice: Only listen to advice that you feel is appropriate for you.
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What are you currently working on?
Timothy Robbins A series of poems -- ultimately a chapbook, I hope -- that explores different kinds of mothers.
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How do you get inspired to write?
Timothy Robbins There are several ways this happens. 1. Lines drop into my mind and some of them, it's clear to me, are the beginning of something interesting. 2. The whole structure of what I want to say comes in a flash and then the real work is finding the images and the verbal music to clothes the structure. 3. Contrarian responses: I read what someone else has written -- "X is purple and hurts like hell." If X has always appeared green to me and has brought me pleasure I feel compelled to write on behalf of X. 4. Place as impetus. Being in a new place makes me want to write. Also when a place makes me nervous, writing helps me cope.
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Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?
Timothy Robbins I'd become a regular contributor to Adelaide Literary Magazine and they asked me to do a book for them. My inclination was to do a typical slender volume of poetry but my editor suggested doing something bigger. Since I've been publishing poems since I was 14 (I'm 53 now) the idea of a sizable selection of poetic memoirs made sense.
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