Interview

Hey Chase:
Really great interview. I especially like the following advice about success.

At a reading if one person comes up to me and says that one of my poems shook them, or made them laugh, or made them cry, or reminded them of their grandfather, or some such, then it was a successful experience. You can’t measure your success by book sales, because then come to care more about the sale than the book. But you can measure success by a heartfelt email, or a thank you at a reading, and that’s how I measure it.

After I read the interview I had to look this guy up. He is really hard core for sure. I can see why your writing style reflects the same in your face feel. I went ahead and started following him as one of the writers for the twitter exercise. You’ve got me sold.

P.S. I can see why Stephanie is also a fan of Joaquin. Her poetry is also direct and hard all while utilizing a fractional amount of words.

Really good stuff. I am learning more every day.

James Lee Schmidt (J.L.S.)