12 or 20 (second series) questions with Dawn Web
Dawn Web, a Dalhousie Alum (BSc, focus in Neuroscience), iscompleting their degree in Creative Writing and Inter-Arts Entrepreneurship atDalhousie University. Dawn Web was born and raised in Ottawa, ON, and comesfrom a conservative mixed-race family of six. Dawn is a published author, anaward-winning dancer, a multi-instrumentalist, a successful emerginginterdisciplinary artist, a scientist, an educator, a publisher and anentrepreneur. Dawn stumbled upon writing "by accident", seekingcreative outlets for expression, regulation and connection. Dawn’s debut poetrycollection (the first of six volumes), Red Corner: a poetry anthology,within the Colours Collection. Red Corner explores themes of identity,queer and political issues, love, growth, perseverance, and navigatingintergenerational trauma aftermath. Dawn founded Vivid Illusion CreativeStudios, a Canadian inter-arts publishing house, online art store andnetworking platform for artists to host and share their creative work. Web alsohosts Plum Poetry Night (Spoken Word Series) on Tuesdays in Halifax, whichinvolves a feature artist performance, poetry open-mic, and creative writingworkshop led by Dawn themself.
How did your first bookchange your life? How does your most recent work compare to your previous one?How does it feel different?
This is a tough questionto answer. I used to worry that I would never make anything as good as my poem “Flashbacks,” which is published in Fathom Creative WritingJournal “Growth”on pages 47-48 and Red Corner on pages 78-79. Maybe the content in “Flashbacks” because it was such a large obstacle I wasovercoming or because I felt unworthy and insecure. I had such a grandiosereaction from peers and strangers in response to this piece of work and thoughtmaybe that was the only thing people would like coming from me. But I guess, insome ways, my earlier work has a stronger focus on rhyme and free verse aroundsoul-sucking events because my poetry almost solely came from moments ofcoping. It has since evolved from poetic journal entries into writing practice,where I write about various topics with a breadth of beauty and engage in morepoetic form. I struggled to write poetry from a happy place; my poem “Snakes” on pages 214-215 of Red Corner uses imagery amongmetaphors to explore this theme in my attempts to navigate feelings of joy andlearn how to allow myself to feel happy.
How did you come topoetry first, as opposed to, say, fiction or non-fiction?
I wanted to write songs, but I was rarelysatisfied with the result. As I grewolder with more literary exposure, I realized I had been writing poetry! Thewords came easily, but I could not connect the words with melody lines to findadequate pairings. Writing poetry feels natural which gives me self-confidence.Poetry is cunning — the ability to connect with someone on an abstract ideathat can mean two very different things to two individuals and yet, bring themcloser to one another. That is beautiful. I love eliciting images and thoughtsand evoking feelings in others with something that does not always have to “makesense” and still be able to deliver an important message through play.
How long does it take tostart any particular writing project? Does your writing initially come quickly,or is it a slow process? Do first drafts appear looking close to their finalshape, or does your work come out of copious notes?
I tend to avoid editing my work as it feelsquite daunting, but the immediate transfer of literary work from pen to keyshas proven most effective in my form development and editing process (typing,printing, pen and paper, re-writing, and re-typing). I find my work comes onrather rapidly and lock-in pen to paper, typically. But ultimately, length of aproject varies drastically based on my life circumstances.
Where does a poemusually 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 have included a poemtitled “Wheredoes a poem begin”. I heard about your online journal called periodicities through Dani Spinosa, which prompted this poem surrounding my lifeexperiences. But I think to answer your question directly, it’s both!
Arepublic readings part of or counter to your creative process? Are you the sortof writer who enjoys doing readings?
I lovedoing reading, my work is meant for spoken word. Which is why I have recordedan audiobook for Red Corner, which will be released soon. However, I do notlike promoting my work, it feels icky.
Do youhave any theoretical concerns behind your writing? What kinds of questions areyou trying to answer with your work? What do you even think the currentquestions are?
Well,that is a loaded question. I am trying to better understand my world throughwriting, and hope that I can bridge the gap to bring a greater understanding ofdifferent perspectives to others through my work.
What doyou see the current role of the writer being in larger culture? Do they evenhave one? What do you think the role of the writer should be?
I thinkthat is may be different for everyone in terms of their intentions. But, for meit comes back to storytelling in the oral tradition: for entertainment, forconnection, for education, or whatever else it may be.
Do youfind the process of working with an outside editor difficult or essential (orboth)?
I thinkit can be difficult if you guys don’t gel. I think it is essential forcertain projects, where not so much for others. But there always been a mistakesomewhere, no matter how many eyes view it.
What isthe best piece of advice you've heard (not necessarily given to you directly)?
Thereis growth only outside comfort, so listen to your body especially when you don’t want to, it remembers and is trying to tell you something.Listen to what is behind the rejection, it will guide you in the rightdirection.
Whatkind of writing routine do you tend to keep, or do you even have one? How doesa typical day (for you) begin?
I gothrough phases. Routines only stick around for so long until they becomemundane and you get stuck. It is important to dedicate specific time forcreating and not wait for inspiration to come to you. Some amazing pieces comefrom routine and dedication where other strike a more spontaneous leap. It isvital to have a balance.
Whenyour writing gets stalled, where do you turn or return for (for lack of abetter word) inspiration?
Goingout and engaging with nature and putting a timer on to start some freewriting.
Whatfragrance reminds you of home?
Hmmm.Sense of smell and sense of home. I want to say, smell of the fresh salty airoff the ocean.
DavidW. McFadden once said that books come from books, but are there any other formsthat influence your work, whether nature, music, science or visual art?
Definitely,all. I find alot of my work will come from my dreams or nightmares I have aswell.
Whatother writers or writings are important for your work, or simply your lifeoutside of your work?
Idraw inspiration from Shane Koyczan’sinterdisciplinary and mixed media delivery. Whitney Hanson’s expression of vulnerability and connection to poetics. Ilove The Lumineers for their story telling among other ballads. Saeed Jones, writes “howwe fight for our lives” in such an enchanting and poetic style. Nancy Pague’sWrite Moves was assigned as a course textbookfor a class with BeccaBabcock, and it is still a book I use as reference orguide now and then. The rhythm executed by Josie Balka intertwininga classic Dr.Seuss rhyming scheme.
Whatwould you like to do that you haven't yet done?
I wouldlike to live in Spain.
If youcould pick any other occupation to attempt, what would it be? Or, alternately,what do you think you would have ended up doing had you not been a writer?
I haveworn so so many hats. I have done so many different occupations—I’m a jack of all trades, so to speak. So, I think that Iactually did the reverse. I had to try everything else before I could landhere.
Whatmade you write, as opposed to doing something else?
My momand my professor Dr. Becca Babcock, were the first people to believe in mywriting when I felt brave enough to share. Their encouragement led me tocontinue.
Whatwas the last great book you read? What was the last great film?
21things you may not know about the indian act by Bob Joseph, and Introduction toInternal Family Systems by Richard Schwartz, 101 Essays that will Change theway you think by Brianna Wiest. Movie: The Six Triple Eight
Whatare you currently working on?
You’ll just have to follow along to see. You can follow me oninstagram @dawnweb & my business @vividillusion.studio and sign-up for thestudios newsletter www.vividillusion.studio
