JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
BuddahDesmond, author of Prevail: Poems on Life, Love, and Politics
(iUniverse)
Prevail presents a sampling of poetry I’ve written over the course of the last ten or twelve years. Varying in subject matter, voice, and tone, this work touches on the ups and downs, highs and lows, trials and tribulations, and the many facets of life, love, and politics during this time period.
These poems, prose-like at times, offer insights into BuddahDesmond’s world and the experiences of those around him. Prevail seeks to offer an underlying message of persistence, strength, and hope.
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write Prevail: Poems on Life, Love, and Politics?
BuddahDesmond: My own life experiences, the experiences of friends and family, and the social, cultural, and historical events during the last ten or twelve years inspired me to write Prevail.
JP: What sets Prevail: Poems on Life, Love, and Politics apart from other books in the same genre?
BD: My poetry is not always written in the traditional styles or forms, if you will. It can be very untraditional. At times raw, prose-like even. But the subject matter, tone, and voice are strong and makes for an intriguing reading experience.
I think Prevail will appeal to readers because the subject matter is real—it’s relatable. I write about topics that hit close to home and do it in an engaging way.
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to Prevail: Poems on Life, Love, and Politics getting out to the public?
BD: Viral marketing is crucial. Recommendations from other readers, indie writers, and bloggers will be key in getting the word out. Social media are also great tools to use to network and to share your writing with others. These are both powerful tools that can make a big difference in the impact and reach of your work.
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish Prevail: Poems on Life, Love, and Politics?
BD: It took about two or three years to finish Prevail. There was quite a bit of writing, revising, and editing during that time period. The poetry selection process was also pretty lengthy. My goal was selecting poetry that was varied and provided a good introduction to my writing.
Being relaxed and focused is key for me when writing. I also have to be in a non-cluttered space, or I’ll be easily distracted. I also find music, particularly jazz and r&b/soul to be a great aid when writing. I can write a poem in about 20-30 minutes (on average).
The revising and editing process can take as little as a few hours to a couple of sessions spread over the course of days, weeks, months, and in some cases—years. Feedback is also very important, whether it be from family, friends, other writers, or an audience at a poetry or spoken word event.
JP: What’s next for BuddahDesmond?
BD: I’ll be participating in the OutWrite 2012 Book Festival in Washington, DC at The DC Center August 3rd and 4th. For this event, I’ll be an exhibitor and will be one of the poets featured in a reading entitled, “head / heart / soul,” which celebrates Black LGBT poets. The poetry reading will take place August 4th at 6:30pm. I’m currently looking into other venues and events in the DC Metro Area and across the country for appearances, readings, and signings.
While promoting Prevail, I’ll also be working on the manuscript for my next project. My goal is to promote Prevail for the next two years with the hopes of my next project being released just before or at the end of this two-year period.
It’s such a joy to be able to share my work with the masses. I’m in it for the long haul. And I look forward to the journey this writing life will bring.
My website is currently under construction but should be launching in early August. The URL for my site will be: http://www.buddahdesmond.com/.
http://twitter.com/buddahdesmond
http://buddahdesmond.blogspot.com
http://buddahdesmond.authorsxpress.com
Writing Prevail was a labor of love. I’m extremely elated to have achieved one of my lifelong dreams. I hope people enjoy reading my book as much as I enjoyed writing it. Here’s to many more to come!
Thank you so much for the opportunity to expose my work to other readers and writers. I truly appreciate it!
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