INTERVIEW SERIES - DARRELL HERBERT

INTERVIEW WITH DARRELL HERBERT

Darrell Herbert is a nationally recognized poet and author. He is a gold key recipient, as well as a recipient of a National Silver Medal, presented by the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards of 2014. He was selected as a final inclusion for the "Best Teen Writing of 2014," by Hannah Jones. He has been published twenty-three poems so far. His poetry has been featured in the likes of Writers- Black Artists Connected Blog, Yellow Chair Review, Poetic Treasures Magazine, Section 8 Magazine, Media Blast Press, as well as in HangTime Magazine and The Lemonade Stand Magazine three consecutive times respectively

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Welcome to Scarlet Leaf Review!


Q: Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

Darrell Herbert: I am a Pisces, and I write for those who feel misunderstood, ignored, bullied, unheard, etc.


Q: Do you think that your school years have had an impact in your writing career? If so, what were you like at school?

Darrell Herbert: Yeah, in school, I would often incorporate my creativity in my assignments, and/or presentations  


Q: What are your future ambitions for your writing career?

Darrell Herbert: I would love to get more recognition for my writing. However, I often times hate the attention that comes with gaining recognition for my writing because I am an introvert

Q: Which poets have inspired you and how? What was their impact on your work or your literary perspective?

Darrell Herbert: My favorite poet is Sylvia Plath. Her impact on my writing is clearly shown. She had a way of putting words together, and I could relate to her feelings of isolation, rejection, and resentment towards certain aspects of her life involving her writing 
 

Q: So, would you mind telling us what you have written so far?

Darrell Herbert: I am a nationally recognized poet and author. I am a gold key recipient, as well as a recipient of a National Silver Medal, presented by the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards of 2014. I was selected as a final inclusion for the "Best Teen Writing of 2014," by Hannah Jones. My poetry has been featured in the likes of Writers- Black Artists Connected Blog, Yellow Chair Review, Poetic Treasures Magazine, Section 8 Magazine, Woman of P.O.W.E.R. blog, Media Blast Press, as well as in HangTime Magazine and The Lemonade Stand Magazine three consecutive times respectively

Q: Where can we buy or see them?

Darrell Herbert: You can find my poetry in "Best Teen Writing of 2014," by Hannah Jones, Writers- Black Artists Connected Blog, Yellow Chair Review, Poetic Treasures Magazine, Section 8 Magazine, Woman of P.O.W.E.R. blog, Media Blast Press, as well as in HangTime Magazine and The Lemonade Stand Magazine

Q: What are you working on at the minute?  What’s it about? (*if relevant)

Darrell Herbert: I am currently working on writing more poetry, recording more songs, writing songs for other musicians, among other projects

 
Q: When did you decide to become a poet? What was the decisive factor or you just took a pen and starting writing poems?

Darrell Herbert: I decided to become a poet because I felt ignored, misunderstood, lonely, and isolated. And my decisive factor was when I wrote my first writing on my wall using black marker

Q: What makes you write? What’s the force behind taking your pen (or your keyboard) and put verses down?

Darrell Herbert: What makes me write is my experiences. Whether the focus be about relationships, societal issues, or other topics I personally write about

Q: Do you write full-time or part-time? Do you have a special time to write or do you write every day, 5 days a week or as and when?

Darrell Herbert: I write whenever I feel like it. I usually write during an emotional time in my life, or when I want to bring up certain topics 


Q: Where do your ideas come from? Or is it just the spur of the moment, a special feeling you experience or a specific conjuncture that offers you inspiration?

Darrell Herbert: My ideas come from my emotions. I am a Pisces. Therefore, I tend to be more emotional, as opposed to other people. But, that is okay because I'd rather express myself through my writings

Q: How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?

Darrell Herbert: I have evolved creatively by listening to musicians such as Revibe, Last Dinosaurs, The Drums, Rich Hil, the Live From Underground collective, Purity Ring, FTHRSN, Kali Uchis, Odd Future, Melody's Echo Chamber, The Streets, Electric Guest, Grizzly Bear, I Am Abomination, Rosangelica Lopez, King Krule, Loveable Rogues, The Crew, French K, Jon Bap, Beach Fossils, Jamee Cornella, Daisy Hamel-Buffa, Freelance Whales, Panda Bear, Animal Collective, B.R.E., Angeline Sol, AJR, Matt & Kim, MVSCLES, Local Natives, Section Boys, Kuru, Tanasia, DIIV, Siddeeq Haneef, Steve Lacy, Lo Sè, I Used To Be A Sparrow, Point Point, Useless Dave, Born Joy Dead, Soul Monsters, Havana House Party, Sol Stones, Vante, The Cads, and Suede Islands
 
Q: In your opinion, what is the hardest thing about writing?

Darrell Herbert: I believe the hardest thing about writing is word choice

Q: Now, what about the easiest thing about writing?

Darrell Herbert: I believe the easiest thing about writing is letting it out 
 
Q: Do you ever get writer’s Block and if so do you have any tips on how to get through the dreaded writer’s block?

Darrell Herbert: I do get writer's block. And just listen to other kinds of music. Broaden your horizons   
 
Q: Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors? For your own reading, do you prefer eBooks or traditional paper/hard back books?

Darrell Herbert: My favorite authors include Sylvia Plath, Ezra Pound, Staceyann Chin, Tupac Shakur, and Darrell Herbert. I am an avid reader of confessional poetry. And I prefer traditional books 

Q: What book/s are you reading at present?

Darrell Herbert: "In Pain," by Darrell Herbert

Q: Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?

Darrell Herbert: I do proofread/edit all of my books

Q: Who edited your last book and how did you select him/her?

Darrell Herbert: I edited my last book

Q: Tell us about the covers of your books. How did it/they come about?

Darrell Herbert: The cover for my book actually came from staring at the floor
 
Q: What advice would you give to your younger self?

Darrell Herbert: Speak up

Q: Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?

Darrell Herbert: Sylvia Plath and Kurt Cobain. They had a huge impact on my writing style

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Darrell Herbert: Stop worrying about what other people think. Love yourself. Love your writings

Q: How can readers discover more about you and you work?

Darrell Herbert: Readers can discover more about me by reading my poetry. Each poem is a different part of me. Therefore, more information about my experiences are constantly being updated

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