Janet Lynn Davis

                                                              

Magna on Magna feature interview with Janet Lynn Davis, a writer who has lived in Texas for most of her life, with brief stints also on the U.S. East Coast and in England. Janet has written for enjoyment ever since she was a child. Professionally, she has worked extensively in the fields of communications, advertising, and publications. She took up poetry as a serious creative outlet only a few years ago, however. Her free verse can be found in a number of familiar Internet-based journals as well as in print; her tanka have appeared in many of the publications currently associated with that genre.

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Question: Why do you write poetry? 

Answer: I wonder sometimes. Because I “must” write—and everyone who writes knows what I mean by that—and I enjoy the beauty and musicality of poetry, specifically, as well as the challenge of expressing myself in a such a compressed form. Or who knows, maybe I write poetry because I have too short of an attention span, as well as limited patience, to write lengthy prose instead. Actually, I’m rather surprised I fell into it.

I dabbled with poetry writing when I was much younger—you know, came up with some pretty sappy stuff—and then didn’t touch it again for years. I began writing it with more interest and focus only a few years ago, first, at a health-related internet forum, of all places. Three of us posted some off-the-cuff verse in an attempt to reach out to a desperate member of the group; at the same time, I received a fair amount of encouragement, so I continued. After writing free verse for two or three years, I decided to try my pen at tanka, and that’s what I write exclusively. . . for now, that is.

Question: What purpose does poetry serve in today’s world?

Answer: You ask some tough questions. You must want me to think. I assume poetry serves the same purposes today that it always has—that is, no doubt, to inspire, educate and enlighten, entertain, express feelings and ideas, and/or examine and experience ourselves, this world and, if we’re lucky, maybe a touch of the divine as well. (Let’s see, have I used enough alliteration here yet?) Poetry can benefit the writer as much as the reader, if not more, would you say?

Question: Does your poetry generally have a typical theme? Is there one topic or style you’re more known for than others?      

Answer: I’m not sure there’s a typical theme for me. But I have noticed that in some of my free verse to date I tend to be fixated on grim subjects such as death. Sometimes my poetry is whimsical in tone or with a slight sarcastic bite, and other times it may be serious, with a hint of the philosophical or spiritual/metaphysical. My tanka are written on a variety of subjects, oftentimes focusing on the everyday. 

As for specifics about my style, maybe I’d prefer readers to define it instead, so you tell me! (I don’t know quite what to call it.) As for the feedback I’ve received, the word “fresh” probably comes up most often. Also, on my own I’ve noticed that for some reason I use a lot of “sounds” in my poetry—quite a bit of assonance, consonance, etc. But I don’t try to do that; it just comes out of me that way, and sometimes I have to even tone it down. 

Question:  What are your thoughts on internet publishing?

Answer: Speaking for myself, I approve of internet publishing overall—if for no other reason than it’s been helpful for me (and what are ya gonna do about it anyway?). It’s provided a relatively easy way for me to get plugged in…and I love the internet in general. You know, with a click of the mouse, you can go from one Web-based journal or other venue to another to peruse all kinds of poetry or information about poetry. You can e-mail some of your favorite online poets, as well as conveniently e-mail submissions to editors. I’ve enjoyed the sense of international community at various writers’ forums and blogs such as Magnapoets. Opportunities abound for poets to share their wares and receive encouragement (or, on the other hand, criticism).

It’s possible that online poetry venues have helped “bring poetry back to the people” to some degree. But there’s an obvious downside too, one aspect of that being that “anyone” can make him or herself an e-zine editor—though not just anyone can become a good one or a well-respected one—or the star of his or her own website. And misinformation, as well as “bad” poetry masquerading as “good” poetry, can rapidly and regularly be disseminated around the world. So much for high art sometimes! That said, I’m happy for the opportunities I’ve been afforded, and I like to at least think that more good than harm has come out of internet posting and publishing. If nothing else, I like to see so many people enjoying poetry, some form of it.

Question:  What are your future poetic goals?

Answer: My goals (or hopes) are to become better, while also continuing to enjoy the experience—better at expressing myself in an authentic but also engaging way, better at producing decent stuff more regularly, better at reaching readers. At Magnapoets, I feel kind of like a toddler poet among a good number of accomplished superstars. Maybe I hope I’ll be able to soak up some of their brilliance! 

As for specific goals, I plan to tackle converting some of my grandfather’s memoirs (which he gave to me to do with as I wish) to a poetic form; his stories are rich with possibilities. I’d like to return, at some point, to other forms of creative writing as well, such as possibly short stories. And I’d like to develop and hold classes in “therapeutic writing” someday. Are books of some sort in the future for me? I don’t much even think about that. Mostly, I want to take things as they come and, supertrite as it sounds, just relax and be myself.

Thanks for the good questions, Joseph.

Interview conducted by Joseph Armstead

Comments

[Aurora]

Very interesting interview indeed (although not as interesting as the "other" one which I plan on keeping for future blackmailing purposes, bwahahaha!:) ).

Enjoyed the exchange, Janet and Joseph. :)

[David Herrle]

I appreciate this spiel very much!

[Joseph Armstead]

I really enjoyed my exchange with Janet: she is smart, literate, talented, pleasantly self-deprecating (without being neurotic about it!) and a lot of fun!

[Janet]

thanks, you three, for reading and commenting. :)

A - i'm not sceeered...maybe you should have posted that other one here instead...bwahahaha!. D - i'm glad you read the spiel. J - sounds like I've managed to fool you.

[Bryan]

Very interesting. I enjoyed learning more about you. I think I saw a poem of yours on Poetic Voices once or twice, Janet. I never managed to get published there, but read it all the time.

[Janet]

thanks, bryan, for reading and commenting. and, v. observant of you - i did have poems at Poetic Voices a few times!