FanStory.com - A Sandra Nelms-Ludwig Interviewby Terry Broxson

This interview is with FanStory member Sandra Nelms-Ludwig. Previous interviews have been with Lyenochka, Jay Squires, RG Star, Humpwhistle, Giraffmang, Ric Myworld, and Gary Maclean.

The intent of the interviews is to learn about the writer and their writing.

Sandra is a relatively new member of FanStory. She is an accomplished poet. Her book of poetry on Amazon is titled Literal Life Lessons. It is a very good read.

Sandra writes mostly free verse poetry that sounds like you are having a good conversation with an insightful best friend.

YOU JOINED FANSTORY A FEW MONTHS AGO. WHAT WERE YOUR EXPECTATIONS AND EXPERIENCES?

My expectations were to meet other poets and writers. I live in a rural area, and I do not have many writing peers. I have had a mixed bag of experiences. I have met numerous talented writers. I have met some I think should already be famous in the poetry/writing field.

There’s a clique like everywhere else in life. Some of the same poets win most of the contests. If one can pay to promote his or her writing to page 1, they will get more readers and have a better chance of winning. Those unable to promote to this degree may struggle to get recognized. However, there are a lot of gems that never make it to page 1 or 2. Overall, I have accomplished my first goal of meeting some great writers.

IN ONLY A SHORT TIME, YOU HAVE RECEIVED TWELVE FIRST, SECOND, OR THIRD PLACES IN CONTESTS. ARE YOU HAVING FUN?

Who doesn't like to win?

YOU HAVE HAD A DIVERSE CAREER PATH FULL OF EXPERIENCES. WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THOSE?

Veteran:

I was a 91S Army Health Inspector stationed behind the Berlin Wall in the American Sector. I inspected all mess halls, NCO and officer clubs, field kitchens, motor pools, testing water for Ecoli …etc. I received a European separation and remained in Berlin as a civilian and German hausfrau. My husband was a 3rd generation, Berliner.

Park Ranger:

I worked 17 summers at Peaks of Otter National Park as an interpretative ranger, giving nature talks, demonstrations, and leading hikes. It’s how I paid for my master’s degree.

Educator:

I taught in the public school system for 28 years. I was an English teacher at the high school level for nine years and 19 years at the middle school level. On the MS level, I also taught a variety of subjects, including world cultures, World History I, and American History. However, most of my years were as an English teacher.

Activist:

As an activist, I advocate for those who are less fortunate. I am the manager of the household and clothing departments at a non-profit. I tutor remedial reading students. I organize and train others how to conduct voters’ registration drives. I advocate and help those who are trying to get Restoration of Voting Rights. I also complete postcard writing campaigns.

YOU STARTED WRITING AT 12. HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?

I started writing in my 7th grade English class. I was asked to write my first poem. If one reads the poem “My Teacher” in my portfolio, one can more fully understand how my writing began.

DID YOU HAVE ANY FORMAL WRITING TRAINING OR MAJOR
INFLUENCES?

I have a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Humanities. As for influences, I read a diverse selection of writers. I love Emily Dickinson, Poe, and of course, one needs a bit of Sylvia Plath. The Harlem Renaissance writers are a treasure to anyone reading American literature.

YOU PARTICIPATED IN POETRY SLAMS IN AMERICA AND EUROPE. WHAT IS THAT?

A poetry slam is like an open mic where various spoken word artists/poets read in an open forum with other poets. It may be competitive or just reading or sharing for the pure pleasure. In Europe, because of the various languages, one may read more slowly or select pieces in which the message may not be so obscured by poetic devices.

YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL VOCABULARY THAT WORKS GREAT IN YOUR POETRY. HOW DID YOU DEVELOP THAT?

In 7th grade I started reading with a dictionary nearby. Words I did not know in a text I would look up. There were words I could not pronounce, but I could tell you what they meant. I continue that practice to this day.

A LOT OF YOUR WRITING IS FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, BUT NOT ALL. CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR INSPIRATION AND HOW YOU USE IT?

I think most poets write from the well of their experiences. I do the same. However, I “people watch” also. I watch and note social interactions and body language. Therefore, some of my poems are observational. My undergrad degree is psychology, LOL. On my way to finding me, I found others. Basically, people are more alike than different if one gets beyond the packaging; the superficial.

YOU DO A LOT OF REVIEWS. HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHEN TO GIVE A 6?

I give a 6 when I feel an emotional connection to the piece. Be it joy or sadness. I have read numerous pieces and said damn, I wish that was penned by me. Those pieces for sure get 6’s.

YOU HAVE A PET PEEVE THAT IS SHARED WITH A LOT OF MEMBERS. IT CONCERNS PRESENTATION AND FONT SIZE. THE PULPIT IS YOURS.

I feel presentation is important when sharing your writing with others. It adds an additional layer of one’s personality to the written text. Like food, we eat most things with our eyes first. That's why great illustrations help sell books. The visual draws one in and the words glue one to the page.

The font size is related to me having poor vision. I have worn glasses all of my life and the lens have not gotten thinner as I have aged. Lastly, there are many senior writers on this site. People are more apt to engage with your text if they do not need to strain to read it.

THESE ARE SOME SPECIFIC POEMS AND PHRASES THAT STAND OUT IN YOUR WORK. PLEASE GIVE US YOUR THOUGHTS.

BE KIND AND BLOSSOM

It simply means be considerate of others and watch how your actions increase your own blessings.

FREE(ME)DOM

We all want to be our authentic selves. Sometimes life does not allow the space for one to be.

FATHER DIED/ DADDY NEVER LIVED

I didn’t have a loving relationship with my father. I do not recognize him as being a strong daddy figure in my life.

FRACTURED FAITH

A long narrative poem about the killing of a preteen black boy by white cops because a toy gun was mistaken as a real gun. It’s based on the incident that happened to Tamar Rice in Cleveland, Ohio.

TRADING PLACES

A poem about walking in my shoes as a double minority and then telling me how it feels. Never think you know, as an observer how someone really feels in a situation. Only through open and honest dialogue may that be learned. It’s a poem about empathy.

YOU HAVE A VERY POWERFUL POEM, “BACK FROM THE BRINK.” WOULD YOU TELL US ABOUT IT?

It’s a poem about the month following the death of my only child. It’s a poem about the heartbreak of my loss.

INTERVIEWER'S NOTE: This poem is found in Sandra's portfolio. This reviewer describes it as a profound poem on loss, survival, and the love of a dear friend. I highly recommend it.

LOOKING BACK ON YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD CAUSE YOU TO SAY, I AM PROUD OF THAT?

I am proud of earning my degrees. I am the only one in a family of eight, six children and two parents that attended college. With little emotional or financial support, I was a dean’s list student every semester and I finished my master’s with a 4.0 GPA.

IT IS THE END OF A PERFECT DAY. YOU HAVE A GLASS OF PEACH WINE. SIR DUKE IS CURLED BY YOUR SIDE. WHAT ARE YOU READING, LISTENING TO, OR WATCHING?

Presently, I am reading Theodore McDowell’s two books, Wrestling a Blessing from God and Yearning for Human Touch. They are fantastic books.

I’m listening to Jazz, that’s my favorite music, however, I have an eclectic taste with music as with most things in my life. Variety is the ultimate seasoning.

When watching TV, I like news, documentaries, home improvement, cooking or games shows and even some reality TV shows.