Note: MUG passed away last night (June 25th, 2006) at 10:57 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. As you know, it was sick for a while. It helped a lot of people in a lot of ways during it's hey-day, though. Anyway, before I get too teary eyed, I'm gonna end this little goodbye to MUG. Just thought you should know why it's kinda glazed over. The poetry will stay here so people can view it. So long, though, and thanks for all the fish. MUG is dead. Long live poetry. Signed, kpaul (luap) mallasch
kpaul: what was the first poem you remember writing?
Chloe Ryan: My Safe Way ( I think it is on file at MUG- I was 15).
kpaul: where did you grow up?
I was born in Muncie, IN; home of MUG. I lived there
until age 10 (except for about 8 months in Ft. Meyers,
FL when I was 3). Moved to Fort Wayne for a year, then
on to a suburb of Houston for 4.5 years, then back to
Muncie from age 15-18 then off and on between Muncie
and Austin, Texas as I worked my way through college.
Also during the college years, I spent a year in CO
working for a ski resort, then back down to Austin
after graduating college- Texas 6 years that time,
then 4 in WA state, now 1/2 year in NY. Wow. I guess I
get around.
kpaul: what's been your favorite place to live so far?
Hmmmm. That is a hard one. It's a toss up between
Austin and NYC- I think. My time in the mountains of
CO were great too. Can I just say that I loved them
all and my least favorite was Muncie? Though now that
I am older, being back close to family does seem a bit
more appealing. I am exploring the possibility now of
expanding my career internationally for a couple of
years- probably in the London area.
kpaul: when (and how) did you find MUG?
I found MUG a couple of years ago when doing a search
on poetry zines online. Looked up submission criteria
and noted the BSU email addy which clued me in to the
fact that this was HQ in my home town...that and
during that time I think it was called "The Muncie
Underground Zine" or something to that effect. I was
shocked and elated to find something so "cool" coming
out of my lame ass hometown.
kpaul: who is a poet you admire (and why)
I admire Robert Frost because of his positive
disposition and eloquence of expressing emotions about
common every day living themes. I also love Charles
Bukowski for giving a more raw expression of life as
it can be quite beautiful while ugly.
kpaul: where do you like to find undiscovered poets? the internet or in
print magazines?
On the internet mostly, though I
found a great printed zine called "The Whirligig" that
I really enjoy. I found QR Maber in there.
kpaul: last poet read?
Last poet I've been reading is Alan Dugan who is
quite excellent. My undiscovered favorite poet is QR
Maber. Look him up. He rocks.
kpaul: your thoughts on rhyme?
Generally, I no longer have a tolerance for ryhming
poetry, unless it is very subtle. I used to rhyme in
all my writing and be more metered and formal but when
I discovered free verse, I found my voice. That sounds
cheesy. You know what I mean.
kpaul: how long have you been writing poetry?
Since I
was 15. So that is, um- a long time! 21 years. UGH.
How is that possible? I've still got it. I've still
got it (trying to convince myself).
kpaul: been published anywhere?
At Mug, at Nirvana Flats, Penmen Writings,The Dream
People, published monthly at the-hold.com, Published
20 poems in a book called "Dark Knights" and had my
own poetry book "Leaving Yesterday" published a couple
of years ago. The two book publications were by a
young publishing company called "Crazy Horse
Publication", and soon will have a poem coming out in
a book by Bryant H. McGill that will be available for
purchase in Barnes&Noble and Amazon.com. More to come
as the publication nears. Nothing major,but I keep
working it.
kpaul: anything else you'd like to add?
I like writing at the MUG and have so many favorite
poets whom I love to read on this site. Being able to
vent my poetry here and have such a laid back and
interactive forum has really been inspirational- no
lie. I really love it here. So, thanks to our gracious
host. The site has a real "home town flair"- oh, wait,
could it be that it IS HOSTED IN MY HOME TOWN- that
was lame. Anyway. I've tried to be witty here in this
interview. I fear I am lacking. I welcome emails for
poetry or just to shoot the breeze any time from
anyone at MUG. Hope to hear from you people!
frost42_24@yahoo.com
cool interview. love bukowski and frost. good luck with your writing in the future. it's awesome to learn you've been published and everything--it gives me some hope in the future.
Hey, I didn't know we could comment on interviews. Guess I wasn't looking down the interview far enough. Interesting info, too. And maybe I'll look up that undiscovered poet. 21 years of poetry...wow, you must really be dedicated. Hey, if it's what you like, you should keep on doing it. Besides, I like your stuff.
I just re read my ramble. How many times can I use the word relate in one paragraph? according to my above entry...apparently FOUR TIMES in various variations. OK, IT'S official; RELATE is the word of the day. lol. damn. where is the "Modify" button when you need it? hehe.
klaus, thanks for the comments. Yeah, I agree, it takes a certain personality to relate to Bukowski. I grew up reading Frost and relating to the views he related, but as I got older, and went through some @#$% of my own, I began to relate to Bukowski more. But, I haven't lost my appreciation for the more innocent perspective...if it's really innocence. I think it was probably more by choice that Frost looked at things the way he did. I see both sides and all that's in between and really enjoy the contrast. WOW. I am babbling. Enough of this. Thanks for reading and commenting.
I noticed that you mentioned Charles Bukowski and, surprisingly, not in a derogatory manner. Bukowski can be a quite raw writer and, even though he's one of my favourite writers, it's not impossible for me to see why many dislike him.
Just something that caught my attention and felt like mentioning.
Keep up the good work.
