INTERVIEW SERIES - KEN ALLAN DRONSFIELD

Ken Allan Dronsfield is a published poet who has recently been nominated for The Best of the Net and 2 Pushcart Awards for Poetry in 2016. His poetry has been published world-wide in various publications throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. Ken loves thunderstorms, walking in the woods at night, and spending time with his cat Willa. Ken's new book, "The Cellaring", a collection of haunting, paranormal, weird and wonderful poems, has been released and is available through Amazon.com. He is the co-editor of the poetry anthology titled, Moonlight Dreamers of Yellow Haze available at Amazon.com. A second anthology, Dandelion in a Vase of Roses will be released around the first of the new year.

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INTERVIEW WITH KEN ALLAN DRONSFIELD

Welcome to Scarlet Leaf Review!
 
Q: Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

I was born in the ‘50s in the Northeast corner of the US. I was brought up in the small town of Hampton New Hampshire, the oldest of 6 kids.
 
Q: Do you think that your school years have had an impact in your writing career? If so, what were you like at school?

I believe that ALL experiences, whether school in the ‘60s, work, or play, parental support, all contribute to my writing as a career.
 
Q: Were you good at English or like Einstein you excel now in a field that was a nightmare for you as a student?

I was basically ‘invisible’ during my school years. I was pretty shy and didn’t say much. English was a pretty good subject although, at the time, I had NO idea I would decide to fall back upon it and make it a huge part of my life today.
 
Q: What are your future ambitions for your writing career?

I want to continue writing poetry and short stories, and strive to keep those reading my work fully entertained and wanting more…..to be recognized by my peers with my recent Nomination for “Best of the Net” Poetry is a dream come true and I look forward to what tomorrow might bring!
 
Q: Which poets have inspired you and how? What was their impact on your work or your literary perspective?

I would have to say, Edgar Allan Poe, Sylvia Plath, Leonard Cohen, Shakespeare and as writers go it would be Stephen King.
 
Q: So, would you mind telling us what you have written so far?

I am the co editor for the recent anthology, “Moonlight Dreamers of Yellow Haze” available at Amazon.com
I have been seeking publication of my Poetry and Short Stories since 13 November 2015 and have thus far had 280 officially published pieces all over the Internet and in Print/Anthology venues.
 
Q: Where can we buy or see them?

Amazon.com for the Anthology, Moonlight Dreamers of Yellow Haze, priced @ $13.95
 
Q: What are you working on at the minute?  What’s it about? (*if relevant)

I’m now co-editor on the new Anthology, “Dandelion in a Vase of Rose”, with my dear friend and Editor Michael Lee Johnson.
I’m working on my own book titled, “The Cellaring” which will be available through Amazon just before Halloween.
 
Q: What genre are your books and what draws you to this genre?


I’ve always enjoyed horror, dark work, paranormal, etc….although I also write many poems on Nature.
 
 
Q: When did you decide to become a poet? What was the decisive factor or you just took a pen and starting writing poems?

I started writing at about 13 years old. I had a guitar, learned to play and decided to write my own lyrics for songs….it blossomed into poetry and after 40 years, I’ve decided to write full time.
 
 
Q: What makes you write? What’s the force behind taking your pen (or your keyboard) and put verses down?

This is a good question, I would say I have a lot to express, something inside gives me the love of the written word that I share it with everyone.The force, I would say, is a blessing.
 
 
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?

I write full time.
 
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?

My ideas come from experiences in my past, and everything from television, movies, books, conversations with people and, yes, even conversations with myself, my cats or dog….
 
Q: How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?

I’ve work very long and hard to branch my creativity from simple rhyming poetry to special formatted free verse work.
 
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?

Yes, every writer will experience ‘writer’s block’. I use art to help me work through it. I find a picture, and starting from left to right, I write short observations of what I see in the picture, ie: the birds on the branch, snow along the creek, sun behind the pines…..etc….and then I put it all together, fill in areas that need it and work my way out of the block and into a nice poem.
 
Q: Tell us about the covers of your books. How did it/they come about?

“The Moonlight Dreamers of Yellow Haze”, ‘Dandelion in a Vase of Roses” and my own book, “The Cellaring” covers were made by me and my Digital Art program.
 
Yes, it can make or break the book. The old adage, “a picture is worth a thousand words” is the truth, the potential buyer looks at the cover first….imagination kicks in, and they’re ready to buy the book if that cover ‘catches’ their eye….
 
Q: How do you relax?

I relax by going outside and sitting under the tree with a cold drink. I love walking in the woods at night and find great peace watching Thunderstorms.
 
Q: What is your favorite motivational phrase? What is your favorite positive saying?

My own quote has always been my favorite:  “When the Mind has Left; then go Write” written and copyrighted in 2011.
 
Q: What is your favorite quote?

“Freedom is being yourself without needing anyone’s permission”. Ken Allan Dronsfield, 2012
 

Q: Where can you see yourself in 5 years-time?

Perhaps looking at a nomination for the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry.
 
 
Q: Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
Poe, I would LOVE to meet him and just listen to him talk over a drink.
 
Q: How can readers discover more about you and you work?

Website: arevnantpoet@wordpress.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kend1
Twitter: @KenKadfield
Lnkedin: Ken Allan Dronsfield

Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.