what is your name?
Robert Lee Brewer
how would you describe what you do?
I’m an editor, a poet, a blogger, a father, a husband, etc. I work from home, which means that I’m constantly plugged in and working. I’m often working late into the night (sometimes even into the next morning); but I also get to dance in the kitchen with my 1-year-old son when we have lunch together.
what are you currently working on?
For myself, I’ve been submitting poems here and there–with some acceptances, some rejections. The funny thing about acceptances, though, is that usually one or two poems are accepted, but the others are rejected–so even acceptance is a kind of rejection. But yeah, I’m also assembling a collection of poems at the moment. That’s been fun and challenging. Hopefully, 2010 is the year it all comes together. But if not, there’s always 2011.
what has had the greatest influence on your work?
I don’t want to sound silly, but living has had the greatest influence on my work. Being alive. Having good things happen to me. Having horrible things happen to me. Witnessing good and bad things happen to others. Living–and thankfully living–despite the inconveniences of living. And then, trying to figure it all out.
what is the greatest misconception about you or your work?
There is no way to misconceive my work. I write; readers will read and interpret in whichever way suits them. Hopefully, my writing is engaging and sparks further thought.
what do you see as the main strengths and weaknesses of the medium you work in?
Poetry is flexible enough that it can do about anything any other form of writing can do. I suppose that is a strength and weakness.
how has technology impacted upon the work you do?
Technology makes it easier and cheaper to submit my work. No more postage, envelopes, etc. It’s also given me the ability to blog and network with other poets easier than 10 years ago.
what’s the greatest piece of advice you would like to pass on?
Make sure you know who you are and project that into the universe. Don’t try to be someone other than who you are; not only are you fooling others, but you’re fooling yourself.
where can we find you online?
I’m the editor of www.writersmarket.com. My Poetic Asides poetry blog is at http://blog.writersdigest.com/poeticasides; my personal blog (My Name Is Not Bob) is at http://robertleebrewer.blogspot.com; my Facebook page is at http://facebook.com/robertleebrewer; my Twitter page is at http://twitter.com/robertleebrewer. I have a gmail account at robertleebrewer@gmail.com if all else fails.
what are you reading at the moment?
I’ve been going through the 2009 Best American Poetry. Some collections in front of me at this moment include Orpheus on the Red Line, by Theodore Deppe; Better With Friends, by Helen Losse; In Praise of Falling, by Cheryl Demesnil; Temper, by Beth Bachmann; Disappears in the Rain, by Matthew Thorburn; The Suburban Ecstasies, by Seth Abramson; Book Made of Forest, by Jared Stanley; and many others. Some recent faves (off the top of my head) were Patricia Fargnoli’s Then, Something and Nate Pritts’ Honorary Astronaut.
what are you listening to at the moment?
I’m always listening to a mix of some sort. Lately, I’ve been in the mood for stuff from Of Montreal, Guided By Voices, Brainiac, Frank Black, Scissor Sisters, JJ72, The Bird and The Bee, Architecture in Helsinki, anything that might belong on a soundtrack to the Austin Powers or Charlie’s Angels movies.
anything else we should know?
If you want something fun to do on Twitter, you can poetweet with me and others at the #poetweet hashtag. Otherwise, have a great day!
CONGRATULATIONS TO MY FACEBOOK FRIEND ROBERT LEE BREWER
FROM IRENE BRODSKY
excellent interview! great line up of books on you reading shelf 🙂
Good interview – glad you’re alert to living – and it helps to know you submit work, have rejections – believe people should be who they are. As I do.