About the book
What would life be like if you knew you were an immortal spiritual being? "It is my viewpoint that each man has his own unique magnificence regardless of race, religion, nation, tribe, station in life, customs and beliefs...," so writes poet, Louis Alan Swartz. Constructed of Magic and Other Poems on the Immortality of the Human Spirit is a refreshing collection of poems that explore the beauty of who we are as spiritual beings. Our ability to love, dream, create futures, even die with dignity are all part of who we are and why we are here. These poems don't pretend to give final answers to any of the big questions about life, but they do help us to look and come to our own understanding.
Interview with Louis
What motivates you to write and where does your inspiration come from?
I believe that each individual person is endowed with a unique, personal magnificence. My purpose is to use the medium of writing and its aesthetic to draw out that magnificence.
Your book is called Constructed of Magic and other Poems on the Immortality of the Human Spirit. Do you really believe that an individual human being is, in truth, an immortal spiritual being?
Yes!
What are your current/future projects?
I am working with a superb artist to create an illustrated book from one of my poems. I am well into a second volume of Constructed of Magic.
What opportunities have being an author presented you with? Share those memories.
Every time I get a communication from someone whom I do not know that they were emotionally moved by my writing, It blows my mind! I never tire of it. I am elated and humbled by it. One lady wrote that my poetry was making her "ridiculously happy". My feet didn't touch the ground for the rest of the day. Another person said that reading the poems had awakened a pride in the divine within her. She resolved to live a better life and not to waste the time she had here on earth. This meant a great deal to me.
How do you think you have evolved as a person/author because of your writing and do you believe your writing has helped others, how/why?
My reason for being alive is to help people. I believe I have helped others with my writing. I have gotten a lot of communication from people have been helped. Two folks were helped through the deaths of loved ones by the book. One woman, who had just gone though a painful divorce, wrote to me that the book had helped her to carry on. Several people told me of happiness they had experienced in reading the book. Each single person helped matters to me.
If you had the chance to get one message out there to reach readers all over the world, what would that message be?
That they are immortal spiritual beings possessed of a unique magnificence. That they are kind and compassionate by nature. That they have abilities far in excess of anything they have ever imagined.
What are the most important elements of good writing?
Writing is communication. Communication includes ensuring that one is understood. It is my viewpoint the most valuable tools for a writer are his ability to perceive his reader and to write in such a way as to reach that reader.
What is your most/least favorite part of the writing process? Why?
My favorite part is the first infusion of a poem. It might be a line will come to mind or I may see something that touches me. Sometimes, it may be something I have been looking at for a long time that somehow suddenly falls into place. Getting this first spark down on paper and usually immediately developing this into a poem is my favorite part of the writing process. I am also very happy with the editing process. I like all the marvelous things you can do with a good editor to make a more perfect book. I love my editor.
What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Believe in yourself. Believe in your own value and the value of your ideas, thoughts, and creations. If you don't like what you are creating then study, read, look, listen and keep on writing and writing and writing more and more. Write tens of thousands of words. You will find your writing will forge into a unique voice that is yours and worth hearing. Never take the viewpoint that it has all been said before. It hasn't. Your unique beauty needs to be heard from.
Is there anything else you'd like to share with your readers?
I have a profound respect for my readers, for their intelligence, their ability to perceive and to feel, their capacity to understand. I want the readers to know I think they are wonderful. It is my intention to help them realize the highest level of their personal ability. I wish them a life filled with beauty, accomplishment and joy.
About the author
Louis Alan Swartz has dedicated his life to helping others find their ability as immortal spiritual beings. He has traveled extensively in Africa, India, Europe, and the Middle East. He lives in Los Angeles with Connie, his wife of twenty-eight years.
No comments:
Post a Comment