Author Interview: Clarence Brown

One of the benefits to being the writer liaison for Farpoint's 20th Anniversary convention back in February was that I had the chance not only to work with writers that I'd known for many years, but also to extend invitations to writers that had never attended Farpoint.   We doubled the number of writer guests, bringing in both veteran and new writers alike.    In the coming weeks, some will be interviewed here.

One such new writer is Clarence Brown.  Clarence had come to us highly recommended by veteran writer guest Bob Jones who had been unable to attend Farpoint.   Clarence is a poet who had just recently published his first novella, NEEDS, through Baltimore-based small press, Brickhouse Books.   He is also a former heroin addict who, in addition to writing, helps other recovering addicts get their lives back on track.   Clarence is very open about his past and it is his experiences that lend true depth, power and wisdom to his words.

At Farpoint, Clarence's first ever SF convention, he not only attended discussion panels on the craft, he also shared a reading session with veteran writer Marianne Petrino-Schaad.   As the audience was almost completely comprised of Marianne's friends who knew her work, she sat back and gave up her time to Clarence--who absolutely captivated everyone with his poetry.   On Sunday, Marianne made it a point to talk to me about this, calling Clarence "a master."

So let's talk with Clarence about life, poetry and NEEDS.





What attracted you to poetry and when did you start writing it?  What inspired the themes of your poetry?   

When I was younger, I always loved Robert Frost and William Shakespeare. I loved the pictures they painted with words and the tricks they could make words do. There was a mastery I admired. I got started around sixteen, piecing together stuff to impress girls. It was terrible, I was too innocent. After 27 years of active addiction, living in the street, I’d collected so much beauty and trauma, violence and blessing- I then had something to write about, a need to empty myself and share these experiences so people would be less judgmental.




How did your novella, NEEDS (Brickhouse Books, January 2012) come about? 

I was a couple months clean and, as any addict can tell you, experiencing a new sense of confidence and being overwhelmed with emotions I hadn’t experienced in many years. I was going in and out of Health Care for the Homeless for diabetic medicine and I saw a door with a sign that said, "Writers Group." I had written several poems having to do with addiction and I think I just wanted to be heard. I went in with a superior attitude and was surprised by some of the talent I ran into. Neil Hertz, a former professor of English at Johns Hopkins, along with Bob Jones, who recently gave me his seat on the panels at the Farpoint Convention.  Both read my poetry and said that I had a book in my poetry. After some hemming and hawing, I finally sat down to write NEEDS -- originally planned as an action/cop/thriller -- which turned into what it is quite magically. I felt directed to say what was said in NEEDS, and at times when I was writing it, felt compelled to finish it and get it out there, though I had no idea what that would entail. NEEDS is a biography of sorts. All five of my sisters are represented in the female characters and the male characters. I am every one of them



What can readers expect next from you?  What projects do you have on the horizon? 

Next? I don’t know. I’ve finished the sequel to NEEDS which remains untitled. Brenda has grown and the other characters have, too. I expect that, like any writer, I’ll get better as I go. I will write more poetry. The whole Farpoint experience introduced me to people who’ve inspired me, made me want to go back to basics and to see more where my original writings came from. When NEEDS first got published, there was a lot of talk about movies. After that settled down, I was even more determined to get the rest of this story out-you, Phil, and Marianne Petrino gave me such encouragement that a new fire has started to burn in me. I want even more to speak to the world about addiction and how it is shaping our communities. There is hardly a spot in Baltimore where drug use hasn’t marred life, but the answers aren’t in jails. I believe they’re in understanding. I think that’s where I’m going with this.


What does Clarence Brown do when he isn’t writing (hobbies, etc)?

I love movies! Especially animated features. Disney movies are great but I’m really more into the super hero stuff. I love to read, of course. Since writing NEEDS and its sequel, I’ve been a little afraid to read as I thought it might filter into my own writing but lately I’ve discovered that this is where new ideas come from. Work and home life don’t give me nearly as much time as I would like but I believe I’m here, on this planet, to write.


Would you mind sharing a poem with us?   

I would appreciate another chance to share what I’ve written. This one is called I ONCE FLEW- a study in arrogance and redemption, which I believe came out of my addiction. I’d like to thank you, Phil, for once again boosting my confidence.


I Once Flew

We were ancient, my brothers and I, the first of Gods beautiful sons
And as time passed we learned our powers, we learned that we were one
With the might our father gave to us, with the universe he’d created
With the beauty of stars and moons upon our brows, still, I was not sated

Drifting upon the solar winds with no other purpose than my own pleasure
Swooping at treetops, looking down from great heights gave me joys beyond Human measure

Somber Apollyon, bringer of destruction, with everlasting apology upon his face
Did at least try to speak of humility, of the fleeting nature of living without grace

Given the power to destroy, he alone of us understood the power of pain
Understood that his dark wings could bear him up or cover the earth in dark rain

All of us knew our own importance, performed duties for which each had been made
It was me who laughed at the new creatures- a thing by my father forbade

Wind-lord and master of distances was I- more swift than my brother Ariel
With Clarion voice I raised the sun, like the eldest of us, Gabriel
But my pride and joy was in myself: nothing greater, I thought was created
I knew not then that I would soon fall and walk the dusty places

Walking, seeing a distance too far, for the first time I knew separation
I learned that there existed such things as bloodied hands and foul defecations
You, an afterthought of my father, cast your spear and fed me gross matter
A lesser being in stitched animal skins, moldy and stinking and tattered

But you never laughed at my tales of flight, never thought to make me rescind
Even, when leaping, no wings caught air and I fell without soaring on wind
You bandaged my hurts without saying a word, your eyes scanning for food and for danger
You dried the tears of an arrogant child who was, to you, a burden, a stranger

When the pit opened up and the beast did crawl out with strong and evil intention
With malevolent, hungry and greed filled, red eyes beyond my imaginings invention
Your spear flew straight and your sling did spin true- you allowed no harm for me
I, a selfish and ungrateful child- you, falling, bleeding at my feet

Before ever the cold had caressed your limbs I saw you step from behind the veil
Great, golden wings did sprout from your shoulders, moving with the force of the gale
You looked at me with kindness and sadness but before you leapt up and were Gone
A smile did spread across your features and I heard you shout, “FATHER, I COME!”

My movements are slower, I am worn and my shoulders are now bent with care
I seek the beast for revenge or forgiveness, for passage to where you went in the air
I would show you the cast of my spear and the skill in the spin of my sling

I would cherish you as I should have, my sister, and share with you the breadth of my wings.

© 2008 Clarence A Brown