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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Oneal Walters, author of The Age Begins

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Oneal Walters, author of The Age Begins
(The Age Begins Books)

(One of the first ten people to comment on Oneal Walters’ author interview will win a FREE copy of The Age Begins poetry collection!)

Oneal Walters writes about the intimacy between women and men. In vivid detail, he shows the problems and pain that he faces in separate relationships. His motto, “to truly love, you have to be a willing giver”, fits this collection of poems brilliantly.

Each relationship poem depicts a deeper and more engaging aspect of him. As the search for love matures, his understanding and feelings ripen and as he understands and changes how he responses to women, it is clear that he is on the verge of defining love for all.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write The Age Begins?

Oneal Walters: The Age Begins was the birth of multiple ideas. I think readers appreciate my book after they read it, but I don’t think they really understand what I tried to accomplish with the cover of the book.

The back cover shows a boiling world and the ground is cracked; this world is not a livable place. The front cover shows footprints to a castle. The footprints represent a journey that leads away from a dying, boiling world, or a world in a state of recession, to a place of prosperity and life, hence the title The Age Begins.

Life is shown in the grass, trees and brushes. The two camels are a symbol of love. The back and front cover illustrates what you are going to get inside the book.

The idea for this book is that we have to transition from what is dying to get to what is life. Continuing on this thought, we begin in a dying state and must move towards what is most beneficial for us. The title, The Age Begins, is statement for everyone. We have to begin to move in the direction that is life.

As to the situations in the poems, I am glad to meet wonderful people who have touched me emotionally and mentally. The vividness of these experiences printed within this book is a gift for all who relate to my reflections on love and life. My first collection of poetry, Frozen Stare, was an intimate look inside my life. The Age Begins does have an intimate look inside me but has also taken on universal themes.

Joey Pinkney: In the book industry, poets are usually as self-motivated as they come. You discuss this in The Age Begins. What did you learn about yourself in completing this collection of poetry?

Oneal Walters: I realized that poets are singular. I had a negative experience, I can share that with other poets so that they don’t have to discover the same disappointment. I realized that there needs to be a concept to creating a book.

I read many poetry books before making The Age Begins, and there was no after-taste, no experience to hold onto. This book has experiences that you will hold onto and will relate to. It’s not just a collection of poems; it’s a voice speaking directly to you while you are reading.

I realized that all my poems are about people and that I didn’t like poems that were solely about trees and birds chirping. I learned that the elements that I enjoyed most about poetry were narration and people.

I realize that my favourite writers are Irving Layton and Maya Angelou, and that it was perfectly fine to say, “I’m a poet. These words make more sense once people see that you have a second collection of poems that is selling. The art comes before the sales, but the sales is just an explanation of how many people the art has reached.

I also came to realise that I am competitive because I wanted the Love and the Mis-justice sections of The Age Begins to have the same impact after it is read. I realized that success comes twice, once when you accomplish the desired effect and twice when everyone else sees it.

Joey Pinkney: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to The Age Begins getting out to the public?

Oneal Walters: The first key to success is to write what you want to say, then make sure an editor reads your work to ensure you said it effectively. The second key is to be persistent in staying true to you. In other words, write about what you enjoy the most. This makes writing enjoyable, especially when you have to create a book.

The third key is adaptability. Writing a book is much more than forming a collection of poems and giving it a title. You have to know your audience. Know how to build your audience. Know how to remain visible. Know what publications are beneficial to you and what is wasting your time. Not everyone that wants to publish your poems will project your work in the right ‘light’.

Joey Pinkney: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish The Age Begins?

Oneal Walters: This is a good question. The length of time isn’t really the issue; it’s the time it takes to complete the book to the time the book is released that is tricky.

Let’s first comment on the writing itself. There are hot times when I have many thoughts and experiences that I want to explore, and they flow beautifully through me and on to the screen. There are times when I spend two to three days trying to perfect a stanza or a line because it doesn’t match my sense of excellence.

Then there are those moments when I look at poems that I wrote years ago. Inspiration comes, and I write the topic in a different way. From a writing perspective, The Age Begins took many months. This includes writing, editing, grouping and then master order.

Joey Pinkney: What’s next for Oneal Walters?

Oneal Walters: I am very blessed to have my two annual poetry contests: Women Inspirational Poetry Contest and, Love Poem Poetry Contest. Here is where I recognise and celebrate talented poets. Full details are at www.onealwalters.com/contests.html.

There is OW News, which is a monthly newsletter emailed to my readers. In 2010, Sheila B. Roark’s poetry book, Shattered Hearts, will be published by The Age Begins Books. Also, my third book will be published around fall-winter.

http://www.onealwalters.com/
http://www.myspace.com/onealwalters
http://www.facebook.com/onealwalters
http://www.twitter.com/onealwalters

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24 thoughts on “5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Oneal Walters, author of The Age Begins”

  1. I wish O’Neal well.. The more doors we open for our craft the better it will be for everyone.. May God Bless your words.. From one Poet to another be well my brother..

  2. Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of The Age Begins by Oneal Walters.

    1) KL Belvin
    2) ???
    3) ???
    4) ???
    5) ???
    6) ???
    7) ???
    8) ???
    9) ???
    10) ???

    Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview. One of the first ten people to comment will win a FREE copy of this book.

  3. Oneal Walters is right when he explains his keys to success. He says he first key to success is write what you want to say. Every authors power comes from their own thoughts and perspectives and their ability to express these. Persistence is vital in this business and it’s so important to be able to adapt as you may have to change things in order to satisfy publishers and the public if you want to sell your book. MJ Warlow

  4. Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of The Age Begins by Oneal Walters.

    1) KL Belvin
    2) mj
    3) ???
    4) ???
    5) ???
    6) ???
    7) ???
    8) ???
    9) ???
    10) ???

    Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview. One of the first ten people to comment will win a FREE copy of this book.

  5. Poetry to me will forever be the literary music that is joyous to read !…Kinda like music for your eyes !!..I love poetry and the interesting spin it adds to reading a book…Sounds like another great read and of course,,another great Joey Pinkney review…!!..Good Luck All !!

  6. I think this author is talented and he has a lot going for himself. He know the insides and outs of being published. It does take a long time to write a book. He mention so much about why he started writing in the first place. My wishes goes to Oneal Walters and keep on writing, my brother!

  7. Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of The Age Begins by Oneal Walters.

    1) KL Belvin
    2) mj
    3) Asia
    4) Daniel Williams
    5) ???
    6) ???
    7) ???
    8) ???
    9) ???
    10) ???

    Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview. One of the first ten people to comment will win a FREE copy of this book.

    1. Wishing Oneal Walters success with his poetry book. Reading how he describes and paints the picture of what he was try to accomplish before evening opening up to explore his words, is an invitation in itself.

      Good Luck and blessings!

  8. Joey Pinkney
    November 8th, 2009

    Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of The Age Begins by Oneal Walters.

    1) KL Belvin
    2) mj
    3) Asia
    4) Daniel Williams
    5) Loni
    6) ???
    7) ???
    8) ???
    9) ???
    10) ???

    Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview. One of the first ten people to comment will win a FREE copy of this book.

  10. Add me in. I thought this was a children’s book with cover. I love poetry! I am a poet too. Have two poetry books out. Put the other books on hold.

    Dream Yours,
    Adrienna.

  11. Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of The Age Begins by Oneal Walters.

    1) KL Belvin
    2) mj
    3) Asia
    4) Daniel Williams
    5) Loni
    6) Kenya
    7) Adrienna
    8) ???
    9) ???
    10) ???

    Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview. One of the first ten people to comment will win a FREE copy of this book.

  13. Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of The Age Begins by Oneal Walters.

    1) KL Belvin
    2) mj
    3) Asia
    4) Daniel Williams
    5) Loni
    6) Kenya
    7) Adrienna
    8) Kisha Green
    9) ???
    10) ???

    Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview. One of the first ten people to comment will win a FREE copy of this book.

  14. I love poetry…I must have this book! I love his use of the term “sense of excellence” Because excellence is my favorite word…I strive for excellence, not perfection. Great interview…I just sent Mr. Walters a facebook friend request.

  15. I’ve read The Age Begins. It shows how every moment of life can be poetry. I’m looking forward to Oneal’s third book.

  16. Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of The Age Begins by Oneal Walters.

    1) KL Belvin
    2) mj
    3) Asia
    4) Daniel Williams
    5) Loni
    6) Kenya
    7) Adrienna
    8) Kisha Green
    9) Natalyne
    10) Susan Martin

    I will pick a winner shortly.

  20. Congrats to Lonni, I hope that my book can inspire and build up you in areas of your life that needs improvement and growth. All the best to you.

    Thanks Joey, this blessed experience has be rewarding and promising and your readers have been open, passionate and honest.

  21. WHat a wonderful interview. Thank you for exploring the ideas behind your book! I truly an inspired by them and do want to get a copy now. Sounds amazing!
    Thank you!

    Lynda

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