James Penha

Expat New Yorker James Penha (he/him/🌈) living in Bali. I taught writing for forty years at high schools and universities. My coaching others to perfect their work according to their goals expanded my own understanding of what and how to write.

Question 1: What inspired you to start writing?

Wonderfully encouraging teachers.

Question 2: How have your past experiences influenced you as a writer?

The older I get—and I am old!—the more I remember; the more I remember, the more I want to use those recollections on my writing.

Question 3: What have you written that you're the most proud of?

It’s Been a Long Time Coming.

Question 4: When did you first call yourself a writer? 

I don’t call myself a writer. I say, I write poems. I say, I write prose. I let others call me a writer, a poet, if they see me that way.

Question 5: If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?

Ada Limón, Seán Hewitt, Patti Smith, Diane Seuss… so many more!

Question 6: What is your kryptonite as a writer?

Someone looking over my shoulder.

Question 7: What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

Don’t finish a day’s work of writing without making notes or having something to continue for the next day.

Question 8: What do you think is the best way to improve writing skills?

Put limitations on your drafts. Examples: write with no adverbs or no verbs of being; tell a story in no more than fifty words; write a sonnet, a haiku…

Question 9: If you could invite any three people for dinner, whom would you invite? 

Jacques Pepin, José Andres, Anna Olson. They do the cooking.

Question 10: How many books have you written and which is your favorite?

Six… and, of course, my favorite is my latest: American Daguerreotypes: Ekphrastic Poems