Attention friends and fans of Aaron Tucker: check out rob mclennan's blog for a newly posted interview with the talented NHT! Writer-in-Residence and local poet!
In 12 or 20 questions: with Aaron Tucker, mclennan asks the author about the big questions that motivate his writing ("How do people live in cities and not go crazy?" was the starting point for his forthcoming poetry project, apartments, for example.) Also up for discussion are the intricacies of his writing process and the authors he's inspired by (Lisa Robertson, Nathalie Stephens, Margaret Christakos, angela rawlings, Jordan Scott, Charles Olsen, Gertrude Stein, Rem Koolhaas and Jane Jacobs make his shortlist).
For more from the interview, read on!
Tucker stresses two points: the importance of reading widely and the importance of good editing. Scary as it may be, asking for feedback is crucial: "An outside editor is essential," he says — "At least half of what I write the first time through is trash and I really value the people who have looked through my work and given me feedback. I'm such a sloppy first draft person that most of my time is spent editing."
His words should bring relief to aspiring writers that get brave, put their words on paper, and then despair. His success as a poet, reviewer (for publications like Broken Pencil, Matrix and The Danforth Review) and teacher indicate that within the "everyday writing" he says is mostly "garbage" there is still plenty of gold. Take apartments — a portion of of the text is already enjoying tons of success in chapbook form, including a shortlist nomination for the bpNichol Chapbook Award!
For details on the chapbook, check out Emergency Response Unit and above/ground press. And for writer's block? Tucker says an Ipod and a walk through Kensington Market can help.
