Spotlight On Writers
Eric Danhoff
@troubled_sleep
- Where, do you hail from?
I was born in Chicago, Illinois and lived on the South Side until I turned 18 and moved to Rockford with my family. In Chicago, I soaked up all kinds of culture and literature both in the neighborhood and downtown. I owe a lot to my 4th grade teacher Ms Sorrell for putting me on this path of exploring storytelling. I spent a lot of time reading books and playing video games after school. I started writing my own stories around the age of seven after reading “The Vice Principal from the Black Lagoon” by Mike Thaler.
- What is the greatest thing about the place you call home?
Rockford has its own places for art and music but they are separate little islands that I tend to bounce in between. There are some amazing restaurants here that I love. My closest family is here. I was fortunate enough to make friends with some unique and creative characters after wandering alone for a few years in a new town and they have been instrumental to my growth as a person and my writing over time.
- What turns you on creatively?
I’ve been obsessed with time travel and science fiction shows. I’m constantly looking for shows that can grab me in the first few minutes. The dialogue and the visuals of a show have to have style and a certain language that can draw me in right at the start. It’s like the first page of a story and a great song, there has to be a rhythm and a punch to it. Shows like Fleabag, Devs and Legion have been great forms of escape. Musically, I’ve been getting tons of inspiration from a lot of different artists like Yves Tumor, Sudan Archives and Rina Sawayama.
- What is your favorite word, and can you use it in a poetic sentence?
Silence (always a good go-to for me)
“Every room is a glass, silence fills to the top. Drink it down and order another.” – from a poem of mine.
- What is your pet peeve?
Laziness, especially my own, and people who pass you on the road even if you’re going 5-10 miles over the speed limit.
- What defines Eric Danhoff?
I’m a father and husband first. My daughter and my wife keep me focused. They are the source of my will, my lighthouse. Writing stories and poems have been the best way to document my demons. In many ways, putting these things to paper has helped me move past a lot of mental blocks and push forward. My mother and father both instilled in me work ethic, the drive to accomplish my goals and a deep love for all kinds of music. My words carry every one of their lessons. Guitar playing fits in there somewhere too, near the back of the line.
- The Language of Archangels - November 21, 2022
- You Could Disappear Tonight - March 2, 2022
- What I Could Never Say - July 26, 2021
