Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Flutter Digs Deep

Once, long ago, I was interviewed by the beauteous Sandra as part of a meme. Now, months later, I opted to go for another interview, and this time the interrogation came from the dark and divine Flutter. Read along as I (finally!) answer her insightful questions.

1) You talk openly about struggles with depression. If you didn't struggle with this, how do you think it would change the way you write?

Wow. You know, after a full year of dealing with depression, it's now hard to imagine life without that particular struggle. I think part of the growth I've experienced because of my depression is learning to be more aware of both myself and the world around me. My most reflective writing comes from that kind of awareness. I've also - for better or worse - pulled back a bit from life and become more of an observer, which can be seen in my increased interest in photography. I couldn't write anything related to my photos, nor could I really write as well as I do about the people around me (kids at school, etc.) if I hadn't become the passive observer I have. Of course, that's not to say I'm never living life anymore; I just pull back more than I used to.

2) Your writing is superb, do you remember what first summoned you to write?

Aw, shucks - thanks, kid. I've loved telling stories my whole life, even as a child. I admit that part of my desire to write came from various teachers telling me that I was good at it. I mean, heck, if you find something you kind of like and a bunch of people keep saying you're good at it, why not keep it up? I also have an irrational love of the power of words - the way that you can say basically the same thing in about a hundred different ways, and each one will elicit a slightly different response. And, to a certain extent, there is something in me that I can't explain, something in my head that is always writing, even when I don't realize it, and it just cries out to be shared.

3) What is beauty?

"Beauty is truth, truth beauty. That is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know." Or so says Keats. I, however, am more of the opinion that beauty is love. I think when you can see love - see it in someone's eyes, or their actions, or just the way they hold someone else in their arms - that's the most beautiful thing in the world.

4) If you were to take a look at yourself from outside your own body, with the eyes of someone else, what do you see?

I see someone strong and slightly distant from others - standoffish and cold. I see someone I'm not too keen to talk to, because she seems uninterested in meeting new people. I guess when I imagine me from the outside, I think I'm kind of scary. Huh.

5) Whose was the first blog you read with regularity and what attracted you?

Ooh, the very first? Well, let's go with the first blog of someone I don't know in person. I'm pretty sure it was Mary P. at It's Not All Mary Poppins. I loved the mix of cute kid stories and great advice for parents and/or caregivers. And I still read it today and still love that mix. :)


If you'd like to participate, leave a comment letting me know you'd like to be interviewed, and I'll email you five questions that you can answer on your own blog. Sounds fun, eh? Yeah, jump on the bandwagon and leave an "Interview me!" comment below.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

The very thought of being interviewed strikes fear in my heart, which is why I'm going to say: Let's do it!

Loved your interview! I'm sure people don't see you like you think they do... There is a warmth in you that is apparent to all who read your blog. And let me tell you, cold people don't get anywhere with kids! You are too hard on yourself!

sweetanemone said...

hi lara, hope you don't mind comments from fairly random lurkers, but feel free to interview me if you are curious! :)
amy

Big Sis said...

I think I've been that standoffish, apparently-cold person most of my life.

Carol said...

Sure!

Carol

Kennethwongsf said...

Hey, you just quoted "Ode to a Grecian Urn." Love, especially the unconditional kind, is truly beautiful, even when it's doomed. That's why "La Belle Dame Sans Merci" remains one of my all-time-favorite poems by Keats.

Standoffish? I've never met you in person, but you don't come across as such in your writing. It must mean your writing persona is different from your real-life personality.

Anonymous said...

I hope lots and lots of teachers read your answer to no. 2. And praise is like the new anti-christ.

Dee said...

I want to be interviewed! Hey, at least it will save me trying to rack my brain for another blog post idea! Besides, it is always interesting to see what other people might want to know about me.

flutter said...

I am proud of you love, and I don't find you cold by any stretch.

Thanks for answering my invasive questions :)

Lara said...

hanlie - questions will come soon. it's always good to do a little something that scares you.

sweetanemone - no, i never mind comments from lurkers. in fact, i love the delurking! i will definitely interview you.

jill b - and yet you didn't seem standoffish or cold at all when i met you!

carol - done!

kennethSF - it's funny, because i actually don't like keats that much. and yes, i think my writing is very different, but only in terms of being different from my first-impression self. if you really get to know me deep down in person, you'll see the similarities.

nutmeg - yeah, i think people are taking the non-praise movement too far.

dee - yay! will do.

flutter - thank YOU for asking them!

Anonymous said...

I've been a lurker and a reader and then I have gone away for periods of time, immersed in my crazed life, but I keep returning. Why? Because you are warm, caring, deeply feeling and not someone who strikes me as cold, either. Protective, possibly, but not cold.
Your number 2 answer struck a chord in me as well; I, too, have an irrational love of the power of words and my blog is a way of flexing writing muscles in order to work out some stylistic blockages.
I'd love to be interviewed! Please. I'm embarking on Nablopomo and I would dearly love the chance to tackle some questions!