Sam Calhoun

My name is Sam Calhoun. I live with my wife Robin and dog Lulu in Elkmont, AL. I've worked as a Geospatial Analyst for fifteen years. I enjoy a range of hobbies that include gardening, hiking, camping, and photography.

Question 1: How have your past experiences influenced you as a writer?

They certainly have. I draw on a lot of events, memories and experiences. I don't drink only from my own well, as that's too limiting, but life experiences have produced a narrative thread I tend to follow along.

Question 2: What have you written that you're the most proud of?

The title poem from my chapbook 'Follow This Creek' is one of mine that I enjoy reading, though I may have changed stylistically since then. I feel this poem informs a lot about my work. I'm always looking, or looking for something larger at hand.

Question 3: What do the words “writer’s block” mean to you? 

Ten years ago I might have answered this differently. But "writer's block" is effectively getting in my own way. I'll paraphrase William Stafford and say there are days I don't write, but there are no days I can't write. If I "stagnate" in one genre, I skip to something different. It can be short stories, travel writing, song lyrics. That's usually enough to unplug the proverbial creative dam.

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

I had some early "success", if we can call it that. One of the first poems I ever wrote was selected for a Veteran's Day program when I was 9. It's technically my first published work as well. A year later I made it into an anthology for 5th graders. But it was in high school where I began to flourish and made friends with others who were writers. I was really then that I truly considered myself a writer.

Question 5: What is your writing process like? Are you more of a plotter or a pantser?

Oh, I'm definitely a pantser. I want to be open to any little idea that comes along. I don't stifle anything, and I try to write daily. Many days the ideas go nowhere, and that's fine with me. My day begins structured like this: I brew a pot of tea. I open the blinds in the study and watch the birds for a bit, often just before sunrise. Then weather permitting, I step onto the back deck and watch the sun rise over the far fields and woods. By then, usually, something has already occurred to me to write about.

Question 6: Do you play music while you write — and, if so, what’s your favorite?

No way! and I would say this falls into the category of distractions that are a kind of kryptonite for me. I don't need complete silence, and when I'm riding the proverbial creative rollercoaster writing, outside noise kind of gets tuned out, but it's too easy for me to get sidetracked doing something else than focusing on the written work at hand.

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

Write for yourself. There's a lot of quotes I could share on this, but one I come back to is "If you can get dumb enough you can write marvelous poems about things that are really close to you." It's from William Stafford's 'The Answers Are Inside the Mountains: Meditations on the Writing Life'. I think what he intends by this is be willing to write easy, accessible poems. Write poems that are meaningful to you. Don't focus on writing as a means to publication. Don't destroy your own stylistic notions for brief notoriety.

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

Read as often as you can. Read authors in all aspects of the genre, whether it appeals to you or not. Write as often as you can. Learn the literary "rules" before you break them. Read more than you write.

Question 9: Are there any books or authors that inspired you to become a writer?

There has been many influences in my writing life. My father writes prolifically, but does not publish his works. But early on it was him, and other writers like Poe, Dickinson, and Frost that were most influential. Later it was Stafford, Kooser, Oliver, Kenyon and others that really inspire and help hone my craft still today.

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

I've only written one chapbook, 'Follow This Creek', so I suppose that one is my favorite!