******OUR POETRY ARCHIVE******: May 2016

WELCOME

OUR POETRY ARCHIVE

“Language is all we have to pit against death and silence”

Joyce Carol Oates.

Language communicates with people and time, nature and soul. The forms may differ but the essence remains the same and powerful if the creator can express his or her talent with proper dignity and elegance. And poetry is one of the best medium for this purpose. The primary obligation of a poet is to communicate with her inner self. To broaden the canvas of his or her vision as well as feelings for both the life as a conscious being and people and time in general. Poetry is born If and only if one can achieve this.

Some would like to argue about this primary obligation of a poet, saying that the true goal of poetry or literature or any form of art in general is to save mankind from the demons of ego, pride and the greed to rule over others to gain more and more power. We wouldn’t like to argue with their views with counter arguments, but what we would try to emphasize is that one can go forward to fulfill these obligations only when one can establish a self identity communicating with his or her inner self.

To establish this self-identity is really vital especially for a poet if he or she really wants to communicate with a wider audience across geographical locations and time. Only then he or she can make an impression in literary history without which nobody can fulfill that true obligation of an artist – that of saving mankind as many people demand from a poet.

Everybody knows with the internet revolution in this age of information and technology the dimensions of literature has largely been extended beyond our preconceived ideas about literature in general. And that is the reason why people are writing volumes. This has both a good and bad side as usual. Our Poetry Archive is trying to nourish only the good side of the spectrum bringing in poets from all over the world from different literary traditions and heritages. With the completion of the first year of web publication we have started a new section “Poet of the Month” felicitating one poet every month with an exclusive interview and publishing his or her five representative poems. With the first issue of our second year we have published the interview of Poet Ana Nedelcu of European Union which has already gained immense popularity among our readers. Our poetess of this month is “Sandra Sass” of USA. Another popular poetess Deborah Brooks Langford has done this lively interview of Sandra Sass which was edited by Author Stacia Lynn Reynolds. We convey our utmost gratitude to all these poets who are constantly enriching this web journal with both their talents and their time. We would also like to extend our thanks to Poetess Deborah Brooks Langford who has almost single handedly introduced many new poets and poetess to the readers of Our Poetry Archive. We are glad to present some of them in this current edition for the first time. So we hope our readers will enjoy this present number even more.

Those who would like to participate in our upcoming numbers, please send at least three poems and a profile picture along with the explicit confirmation of your permission for publication in OPA well before the 21^st of every month. Our mail address is ourpoetryarchive@gmail.com

With this note we would like to thank all the poets, writers, friends and all our readers to make OUR POETRY ARCHIVE an internationally renowned poetry journal.

From The Editorial Desk

OPA

WORLDWIDE WRITERS’ WEB

PRESENTATION!

PUBLISHED BY

OPA

OUR

POETRY ARCHIVE

ONLINE MONTHLY POETRY JOURNAL

http://ourpoetryarchive.blogspot.com

email us to:

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OUR POETRY ARCHIVE

PRESENTS

FEATURED POET OF THE MONTH

AUTHOR, ARTIST AND POET

SANDRA SASS

Our Poetry Archive

Is Pleased to Introduced

Sandra Sass!!!

In Her Own Words…

Introduction:

Sandra Sass an Author, Artist, as well as a wonderful and talented poet. In this special editorial edition, we will learn more about Sandra; including her achievements, passions, and goals in her career as a writer and artist.

This is Deborah Brooks Langford, from Our Poetry Archive’s, personal interview with Sandra:

Deborah: Sandy, what are some of your favorite genres to read and write about?

Sandra: I am partial to reading paranormal and fantasy books. I write in the genre of Adventure Fantasy.

Deborah: Sandy, what are the names of your published books?

Sandra: My first book is called; Into the West, The Seven of Power Volume I, by Sandra J. Sass. The book can be found on Amazon and Lulu.” Into the West took nearly a year to write, revise and edit before I felt happy with the way it flowed.

My second book is called, Southern Skies, the Seven of Power Volume II, by S. J. Sass. This book will be published, and will be available on Amazon and Lulu in March 2016.

Deborah: Sandy, do you design all your own book covers, since you are an artist and illustrator, or do you have someone else design them? If you design them yourself; what is your inspiration?

Sandra: I design my own book covers. I grew up telling stories to my brother and sisters; the more elaborate and fantasy driven the better. I started writing some of my stories down over the years, but never thought seriously of becoming a writer. Then the worst thing happened; I was laid off from work and couldn’t find a job. Instead of wallowing in misery, I decided I had to do something to keep myself busy. I had a dream, which was actually about the second book, Southern Skies, and thought, “That would make a great book!” so I began writing…It took me several days of stopping and starting to realize I needed to start in a completely different direction.

Deborah: What was your greatest criticism that has been helpful or hurtful?

Sandra: I grew up dyslexic, I can be a horrible speller and am brutal with grammar. My sisters, God Love them, were tearing out their hair trying to explain the differences. I finally told them “I write the book; editors edit it…” I was also told I put in too much description, and it bogged down the story. These criticisms helped tremendously, flowing into the second book and now into the third book of the series.

Deborah: What is the greatest compliment you have received?

Sandra: The fact that people really like what I have wrote, and are excited to read the next books.

Deborah: When you sit down to write, do you do it the old-fashion way with pen and paper, or do you use a computer?

Sandra: I use both actually. I always carry a notebook and pen with me in case something pops into my head. I have awoken many a night with an entire scene in my head and have to write it down or I will lose it. But the majority of the writing is done on the computer.

Deborah: What do you do when you are not writing?

Sandra: What do I do when I am not writing? I am working on my art. I draw and paint a wide variety of things. In actuality I drew most of the characters for my book before I started writing. New ones appeared as the introduction to new characters happened as the story progressed.

Deborah: Compared to when you first started writing, have you noticed any big changes in your writing style or how you write compared from then to now?

Sandra: Yes, there is a change in my writing style. I have to thank Deborah Brooks Langford for this, she introduced me to her wonderful poetry group, and it has opened new avenues to how I write. Also I know I have toned down the description area that made it hard for others to read. I have to laugh, because I just wanted others to see what I saw and took it a bit overboard.

Deborah: What do you look for in a book when you sit down to read for fun?

Sandra: Debbie, I want a book that has a great story line. One that makes me think and gets me excited to turn the page. A story that can capture my imagination, and suck me in; making me feel like I am a character too.

Deborah: What has been your favorite part about being an author?

Sandra: Having people come up to me who have bought the book and ask me “what is going to happen next?” and be so excited they PM or text wanting to ask questions. It is so much fun.

Deborah: When you walk into a bookstore, where do you head to first? Why?

Sandra: I usually head to the new release area. I like to check out what types of books are coming out, and what genre they are in.

Deborah: Did you get to quit your day job and become a writer and or author, or do you still have a day job and writing is something you do for fun? If you still have a day job, what is it?

Sandra: I wasn’t working when I wrote my first book. I do still work part time in retail. It gives me people time, otherwise I know I would become a hermit. Plus, it still gives me time to work on my stories and my art.

Deborah: What has been the strangest thing a reader has asked or told you about your books?

Sandra: If I was really the person who wrote the book or not. Also, someone told me I had a good imagination, but maybe I should use a ghost writer. Ouch.

Deborah: Besides writing and reading, what is you most favorite thing to do?

Sandra: Art, gardening and hiking.

Deborah: We all have our little things when it comes to reading, is there anything that bugs you when you read a novel? What is it?

Sandra: I think what bugs me the most is a bad story line. I want to be captured by the end of page one or four. If the plot is boring and I can’t get into it; I just put it away.

Deborah: What do you listen to when you write? Do you find one type of music over another that inspires you to write? Why?

Sandra: I don’t usually listen to anything when I write. I find it distracts me and I have a hard time concentrating. I do listen to music, when I am not writing, that I find fits certain situations that are going on in the book. I like movie soundtracks. I listen to the Lord of the Ring soundtrack and alternative music; it goes along with the mood of the story.

Deborah: What genre are you looking forward to exploring during your writing career? Why?

Sandra: I am looking forward to delving deeper into poetry. I like the fact you can say so much with fewer words. It also brings emotion and feelings to the foreground and the reader can become in tuned to what you are trying to convey.

Deborah: What are you currently reading?

Sandra: Lol I picked up ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ by Madeleine L’ Engle. It was one of the books I liked to read to my students.

Deborah: Who are your favorite authors?

Sandra: I love Christine Feehan, Sherlyn Kenyon, Kate O’Hearn, Rick Riordan, J K Rowlings, Stephany Meyers, Veronica Roth, Lindsey Sands, Gina Showalter.

Deborah: Sandy, what 7 words would you use to describe yourself?

Sandra: Artistic, creative, adventurous, giving, loyal, tenacious and loving.

Deborah: Sandy, Our Poetry Archive, and I, thank you for a great interview. Is there anything else that you would like to share or say to those who will read this interview?

Sandra: Yes, I do: “Don’t wait. If you have a dream, follow it. If that dream is to write enjoy it to its fullest.”

Here is one of Sandy’s poems that won 5th place in a contest in LOVE POETRY:

First Breath

When you awake

it is mine to take,

that first breath

savored as hearts elate.

The rhythm pounds as you sigh.

That first gentle kiss can make you cry.

Sweet and savory

as you rise,

To open you warm drowsy eyes.

Hands smooth and memorize

Her shape, his tone, forever locked.

She realized the power she shares with him.

As he grows steely hard, yet soft and velvet skinned.

He finds his pace

Linked as one,

As was intended

In the world of true love.

A place of heat

A place of drive,

A world where lust and desire collide.

Slowly the world comes back again.

As paradise lists away.

Within each other’s arms

Is where they want to stay.

Breath slows and mingle sweetly

to a place where they feel complete.

This is where the world makes sense

and love forever thrives darling Valentine.

Heartbeats slow.

They snuggle close,

To listens to the beat of hearts that thrive.

As they drift,

Eyes drift close,

Lips meet

to steal one last kiss,

and taste the sweetness

of their last waking breath…

Sandra Sass @ 2-13-2016

The editorial staff of this project: Deborah Brooks Langford, Stacia Lynn Reynolds ; sincerely thank you for your time and hope we shall have your continued support.