Also, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. You can’t just write something and wait for discovery. 

Lidy Wilks – 18 January 2015

The Back Flap

Can You Catch My Flow? is a small collection of poetry. It’s a contribution of thoughts, emotions and experiences of life lived.

About the book

What is the book about?

Can You Catch My Flow? is a poetry chapbook that focuses on the everyday progression of growing up in poetic snapshots.

When did you start writing the book?

In the fall of 2012.

How long did it take you to write it?

Three to four months.

Where did you get the idea from?

It first came to me as I was looking through some of my old poems. I wanted to compare and contrast the changes of my poetic style from the past to the present. As I looked through them, the theme of growing up bloomed in its place.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Revising and editing the poems to flow into each other. And keeping in the tone of the chapbook.

What came easily?

Organizing the chapbook in a psychological, social, emotional timeline.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I have a small library collection. Amongst the books I own is a short story collection by Ray Bradbury, whose way of words never failed to impress me. His worlds instilled varying emotions. And had a straightforward poetic narrative that draws me in and refuses to let go.  I also can’t forget the symbolism, allegory and allusion from poets like Thomas Hardy and William Butler Yeats. Then there’s the confessional style of Sylvia Plath and the stanza structures of Emily Dickinson. I follow their schools of writing but my poetry is my own. Poetry written in a balance of poignant and restrained imagery and lines.

Do you have a target reader?

Can You Catch My Flow? is for you and me. For everyone who grew up and started families of their own.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I don’t have a real writing process. When I can, I just write what comes into my mind and note it down as quickly as possible because chances are that I’ll forget it all. If not, then I’m banging my head trying to get back the words or lines that just passed through my mind. Yet, I’ve found that the best time to write is when I’m in bed before I go to sleep. And during the rare occasions I’m not slugging in but taking the bus to work.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

Every now and then I’d make lists of words or lines I want to use in a poem. Other times I just write down the words as it comes to me, scratch them out and watch the poem build itself in tercets, quatrains or prose. But most often in free verse.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I do both. Sometimes a better word or line or arrangement will pop up and I’ll make the necessary changes then and there. Afterwards, I’d take a step back and reread what I wrote and edit again until it feels and sounds right.

Did you hire a professional editor?

I relied on the critiques and feedbacks of other poets and writers for the editing process.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Yes, it’s a great source to collect lines. When the music starts to play, my pen flows to the beat and the words dance upon the page.  My genres of choice are Pop, Alternative and Pop Rock. I’d also listen to the occasional Country and a bit of Classical music. Then there’s Hip Hop, particularly from the late 1970s to the mid 2000s, R&B and Soul, Reggae, Dance Hall, Soca and Calypso.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

No. I submitted to publishing presses’ and literary journals’ poetry chapbook competitions.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

At first I was gung-ho in working with a press when it was finally accepted for publication. But I’d had already started preparations in self-publishing it as a digital and print edition. Then I started questioning myself if I want to pursue publishing through the traditional route. In the end, I felt that it was better to self-publish so I can go at my own pace.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

I found the cover on Shutterstock.com. And I tried using both Adobe Illustrator, Canva.com and other software tools to design it. It took several tutorials, trial and errors, and hair grabbing to get it just right.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I have what I like to call a wing-plan. I’m new to marketing but I’ve been doing my research and have come up with a few ideas. As for promotions, I’m blessed with befriending fellow poets and authors who’ve already mentioned my book release on their sites. As well as reviewing the chapbook. I’ve also created a promotional trailer video.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

If you’re considering becoming an Indie author, I recommend that you do your research. Find out everything you can via the web, self-publishing guides, webinars and seminars. You can learn a lot from the experts.

Also, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. You can’t just write something and wait for discovery. Form relationships with other poets and authors. Go get your reviews and blurbs, use social media, do interviews and put out press releases to your local papers. It’ll surprise you at how many supporters you’ll gain, who’d want to follow as well as help promote you.

If you build your audience, they will come.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in the Bronx (Uptown Baby!)

Where do you live now?

I now live in the suburban city of Woodbridge, Virginia.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I’m addicted to chocolate, Harry Potter and Asian dramas. Korean dramas and Thai lakorns are my #1 fave, with Taiwan and Chinese dramas coming in a close 2nd, and Japanese dramas in 3rd. I’m also addicted to anime, manga and manhwa. It is a tradition I’ve instilled unto my children and will do unto my children’s children.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on two poetry chapbooks, With My Little Eyes (work in progress,) and It’s A Poeming Thing. The manuscript for It’s A Poeming Thing is complete, but it’s still in the editing process. I’m also compiling and writing new poems to feature in my first full length poetry book. The tentative title for that collection is Triplicity. Aside from poetry, I’ve been writing two book blogs. A sword and sorcery called Harbingers of El Tinor. And a YA supernatural called Nadia, the Hidden Fire Witch. You can visit me on my blog http://iheartallstories.weebly.com.

End of Interview:

Connect with Lidy on her blog, mentioned above, or her Facebook page.

Get your copy of Can You Catch My Flow? from Smashwords.