THOMAS DE ANGELO

OUR POETRY ARCHVE FEATURED

POET OF THE MONTH

Thomas

De Angelo

July 2016

OPA How long have you been writing Poetry? 

THOMAS I started writing in my teenage years, but it became a once in a while occurrence in the mid 1980’s; starting back up in the past five years seriously.

OPA Who is your favorite Poet? 

THOMASI I really don’t have a favorite, poetry is like a novel to me. It must hold me attention; not confuse me in order to enjoy the writer’s intent.

OPA What are some of your favorite genres to read and to write?

THOMAS History mostly, but I do like reading about people as well.

OPA If you are published please share with us your book.

THOMAS Reflections of a Life, a poetry book.

OPA Who or what was your inspiration behind it?

THOMAS Personal life events… sometimes thoughts come to mind and I write…. I just write.

OPA What has been the toughest criticism given to you as a writer? What was the biggest compliment? Did those change how or what you write?

THOMAS Not being understood would be my toughest criticism. Biggest compliment would have to be someone telling me “you can do it,” “I believe in you.” How and what I write comes from in me, not other minds.

OPA When you sit down to write, do you do it the old-fashioned way with pen and paper or do you use a computer? Do you prefer one way or the other?

THOMAS I have to say using my cell phone since it is the handiest piece of equipment that I carry with me.Yet I do use paper and pen at times.

OPA What is your favorite poem you have ever written?

THOMAS It is no longer is on paper. some years ago I had 30 years of work burn up in a fire. My favorite was a poem I wrote for a contest in 1992, I believe that was the year. it was titled “The Poet.”

OPA What do you do when you are not writing?

THOMAS I drive a Motor Coach for a living. When I am idle, I write. Otherwise when home I try to relax, watching sports on the television.

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

THOMAS Yes, I have: when I starting writing poetry I was writing poems in four stanzas. Since, I have learned to enjoy writing Haiku poems and find myself writing poems longer than four stanzas.

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

THOMAS Simply to hold me, keep my interest and to bring me within the story.

OPA What has been your favorite part of being a poet or and author? What has been your least favorite?

THOMAS My favorite would have to be the calm it gives me, along with how it keeps my mind traveling. Don’t think I have encountered a least favorite as of yet… this is something I enjoy. Wait, there is, the struggle getting my work seen.

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

THOMAS Poetry section, why?  Well, I am a poet and like to find other works from other poets. I can also be seen looking for older books. 

OPA 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?

THOMAS Have not yet quit the day job, yet want to so it may give me proper and fair time to my writing, which gives me peace of mind. Besides I have come to enjoy creating.

OPA   What has been the strangest thing that a reader has asked you?

THOMAS Don’t feel any question is a strange, only strange question is the one not asked. Don’t you think so?

OPA Besides writing and reading, what is your most favorite thing to do?

THOMAS Drive, watch a sporting event and cook. Those would be my favorite three, I could go on but that could take up too much space.

OPA Did you have any teacher in school that encouraged you to write? Did you take their advice?

THOMAS To write, mmmmm, I don’t recall ever hearing a teacher recommend writing to me. For me it happened naturally.

OPA   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?

THOMAS As I mentioned earlier, an Author not grabbing my attention, it has never been easy to hold my attention.  

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

THOMAS It doesn’t take music alone; It could be on a train ride. I think it is the rhythm in music, or the sounds around me that help.

OPA   On a typical weekend, what can we find you doing? Who are you with?

THOMAS Let me see, am I working at my “day job” or working at writing. If neither, mostly alone watching sports or just taking in life.

OPA   What genre are you most looking forward to exploring during your writing career? Why?

THOMAS My early work started with murder, yet I found myself writing a love story between an old man and a bird.

OPA   What are you currently reading?

THOMAS I don’t read much; work and writing and sleep take up the vast amount of my time. If the time finds its way in-between the things that keep me busier I might be looking at current event readings.  

OPA   Who are your favorite authors?

THOMAS I really do not have a favorite author at this time.

OPA What 7 words would you use to describe yourself?

THOMAS Simple, caring, curious, traveler, healthy, open-minded and hardworking.

OPA Is there anything else that you would like to share or say to those who will read this interview?

THOMAS The following are links to where my poetry book, “Reflections of a Life,” are available:

LULU

AMAZON

Stacia Lynn Reynolds and Deborah Brooks- Langford, of the editorial team, sincerely thank you for your time and hope we shall have your continued support.