12 or 20 (second series) questions with Kira Rice
Kira Rice is a Chicago-based writer. She is inspired by non traditionalforms of love, femininity, nature, mental health and humanity. Her publishedworks include A Lengthy List of Lovers, Love Language, and DeathBy You Is Beautiful: Poems all available on Amazon.
1 - How did your first book change yourlife? How does your most recent work compare to your previous? How does it feeldifferent?
- The first book I ever wrote and self-published was essentially apolished version of my own diary. It was a collection of short stories, goinginto an embarrassing amount of detail about every boy or girl I ever thought Iwas in love with. Each chapter was titled with the name (or some version) ofthem. Going through old diary entries and revisiting all of those memories,some of them fond and some of them painful, was therapeutic. I think writingthat book was a necessary part in my growing up, becoming more self-aware, andmoving forward.
2 - How did you come to poetry first, asopposed to, say, fiction or non-fiction?
- Poetry has always been myfirst love. When I was in middle school I thought I’d be a songwriter. I don’tquite now how or when I attached myself to it, but I assume it was my love formusic as a child. It’s always felt like a safety net, or a security blanket.There for me to pick up and put down when I need it.
3 - How long does it take to start anyparticular writing project? Does your writing initially come quickly, or is ita slow process? Do first drafts appear looking close to their final shape, ordoes your work come out of copious notes?
- It’s weird, because I’ll have an idea or two floating around inmy head for months or years even. And then one day, I’ll have a completely newidea that I’m so excited about I get started immediately. Rather than sittingon it, and planning properly, I’ll just start feverishly working until I havesome type of rough draft. And then I’ll find that the longer I take to rewriteand edit, the less I like it. So once I really get started on something, I tryto get it out of my system as quickly as possible so to speak.
4 - Where does a poem or work of proseusually begin for you? Are you an author of short pieces that end up combininginto a larger project, or are you working on a "book" from the verybeginning?
- I’m always writing poetryjust to write it. I’ll post them to social media here and there or send them assubmissions. After a year or two of that I’ll realize just how many I havesitting on my desk, and I’ll try to format some sort of book out of them. OnceI have a theme, I’ll rework some, or write new ones to add.
5 - Are public readings part of or counterto your creative process? Are you the sort of writer who enjoys doing readings?
- I so wish I had the gutsto do spoken word poetry. The most I can conjure is to post videos online. It’sa goal of mine, definitely. But I haven’t quite crossed that bridge yet.
6 - Do you have any theoretical concernsbehind your writing? What kinds of questions are you trying to answer with yourwork? What do you even think the current questions are?
- I think I’m always writing a poem to work outan emotion or a memory that doesn’t quite sit right with me. Poetry helps meconnect the dots, and understand things about myself and my relationships. So Ithink the question is always, what does this mean, how do I feel about it, andwhy?
7 – What do you see the current role of thewriter being in larger culture? Do they even have one? What do you think therole of the writer should be?
- I don’t really know. It’shard to place that sort of responsibility on anything creative. I don’tconsider it a role, but I do hope at the most my writing puts words to feelingsand situations that another person may not be able to, or helps them grapplewith issues that may be similar to whatever I’m writing about. Books are a toolin that way, I think.
8 - Do you find the process of working withan outside editor difficult or essential (or both)?
- So far I’ve actually neverworked with an outside editor.
9 - What is the best piece of advice you'veheard (not necessarily given to you directly)?
- When you’re in a creativeslump or dealing with writers block, think of your project as an exciting newlover. Sneaking away at whatever hours you can manage to visit them. Seeingthem with hopeful and fresh eyes.
10 - How easy has it been for you to movebetween genres (poetry to fiction)? What do you see as the appeal?
- I haven’t published any fiction yet. It’s beendifficult for me, actually. I haven’t figured out how to make fiction feel ashonest and authentic as poetry. Maybe that’s the point and I’m missing it.
11 - What kind of writing routine do youtend to keep, or do you even have one? How does a typical day (for you) begin?
- I try to write every day,and I do most of my writing late afternoon to early evening. I have a day joband a family so I try to squeeze writing in wherever I can really.
12 - When your writing gets stalled, wheredo you turn or return for (for lack of a better word) inspiration?
- Anything nature helps me.Going on walks, looking out windows, sitting in romantic looking coffee shopsand bookstores and listening to chatter. If that doesn’t work I’ll turn tofilms, music, other poets for inspiration.
13 - What fragrance reminds you of home?
- I’m from a pretty ruraltown in the Midwest, so naturally.. Fresh cut grass and the morning after rain.
14 - David W. McFadden once said that bookscome from books, but are there any other forms that influence your work,whether nature, music, science or visual art?
- Nature!! And humanitiescollaboration with it. Film is big for me too, as well as music.
15 - What other writers or writings areimportant for your work, or simply your life outside of your work?
- I read a lot of intersectional feminist theoryand nonfiction. I’m also drawn to books that speak to the complexities andnuances of femininity, womanhood, female friendships. I’m a sucker for a messymother daughter story, too.
16 - What would you like to do that youhaven't yet done?
- Travel more. I’ve traveleda bit but not so much out of the country.
17 - If you could pick any other occupationto attempt, what would it be? Or, alternately, what do you think you would haveended up doing had you not been a writer?
- I’ve always wanted to tryacting or filmmaking. I admire both so much but the skill level and talent thattakes is intimidating to me, for sure.
18 - What made you write, as opposed todoing something else?
- Writing always camenaturally. I’m not the best with words out loud, and writing has always been myway of saying what I really mean.
19 - What was the last great book you read?What was the last great film?
- The last great book I readwas My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante. I’m late to the party, but itwas definitely worth the read. The last great film I saw was A24’s Civil War.Otherwise I’ve been rewatching a lot of my favorite horror films this season.
20 - What are you currently working on?
- I just finished my newcollection of poems, Death By You Is Beautiful, and it comes outNovember 8th. So right now I’m just working on trying to push that out!
