Interview with Irene Brodsky
I am a 71 year old retired Professor of Philosophy. I have been writing books since 2001. Born and raised in Brooklyn New York, I used to sing in nightclubs, but I always loved libraries and bookstores. My books are my babies.
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: Tell us about you and your background.
Irene Brodsky: I am a 71 year old retired Professor of Philosophy. I have been writing books since 2001. Born and raised in Brooklyn New York, I used to sing in nightclubs, but I always loved libraries and bookstores. My books are my babies. I hope they are welome everywhere.
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: What inspires you to write poetry?
Irene Brodsky: On 9/11/2001, I was inspired to write about the World Trade Center. My Birthday was the same day. It took 6 years to write my book and one year to find a publisher. The biggest problem was finding an honest publisher. My one and only favorite Poet is John Burroughs, Poet Laureat of Ohio.
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: When did you start writing poetry?
Irene Brodsky: My best accomplishment as a poet was the publication of my graduation day poem in the yearbook.
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: What is the measure of success as a poet?
Irene Brodsky: The measure of success as a poet is when you get nice reviews. During my college years I was invited to be in a college poetry group that put on shows twice a year. With a live audience !!!!!!
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Irene Brodsky: The BIGGEST trap for any writer is when they promise you will be on TV OR they offer to write the Book for you.
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: Which contemporary poets do you personally believe will be remembered in the coming years and why?
Irene Brodsky: I am devoted to the poetry of John Burroughs, poet laureate of Ohio. He has a poetry theatre to showcase new poets, and he archived my work, in his Crisis Chronicles Journal. He will surely be remembered for his kindness and for being a gentleman!!!
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: Fiction or non-fiction? Which is easier?
Irene Brodsky: Libraries say I write non fiction and freestyle. I also wrote one play about a Bachelor and Old maid and his mother !!! A very bossy mother !!!
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: Your poems are based on your personal experience or other things such as facts?
Irene Brodsky: My poems are based on experiences which can be very emotional My heart is in this precious Book.
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: What is your greatest fear?
Irene Brodsky: My greatest fear is that we are losing too many book stores.
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: Poetry Unplugged features many good poems. I want to know which one is your best and why?
Irene Brodsky: My best poem is about the World Trade Center. I called it The Tallest Twins In memory of the World Trade Center buildings 1 and 2.
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: What is your favourite journey?
Irene Brodsky: My favorite journey was to The Catskill Mountains. Beauty beyond belief to take your breath away. I went every summer and then I went to the POCONO MOUNTAINS, Delaware Water Gap !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Must be heaven. Seeing is believing. Never forget. Always go back.
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: What is your motivation for writing more?
Irene Brodsky: I have to keep writing. I am too old to give up. My next book is a children's book.
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: Your experience of writing the poem "The Tallest Twins". Please express your feelings.
Irene Brodsky: My feeling about the World Trade Center on my birthday was that I must speak for those who could no longer speak. I wanted to create a new World Trade Center up in heaven where we could have that birthday party.!!!!!!!!
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: Thank you very much Irene Brodsky.
Irene Brodsky: A pleasure to talk about my baby...... Poetry Unplugged, my first book. Always in my heart.