Spotlight On Writers
G. Lynn Brown
@GLBrown_Writer
- Where, do you hail from?
- What is the greatest thing about the place you call home?
This will be a two part reply since I have two homes.
1. The greatest things about where I come from in New Jersey are the food (there’s no pizza or bread like it anywhere, and I miss it, among other things, such as “real” diners), the shore (love and miss the ocean), the rich colonial history, the charming folklore, and the fresh pine air of the Pine Barrens. My Brown ancestry dates back to the mid-1600’s in the Browns Mills/Pinelands area, and I am extremely proud of my Piney heritage.
2. The greatest thing about Tennessee is, without a doubt, the scenery. There are some very breathtaking vistas in Middle Tennessee, with all the mountains and valleys and remarkable waterfalls. The wildlife here is pretty awesome, too. My own yard is chock-full of raccoons, possums, deer, foxes, weasels, bobcats, coyotes and more…even the occasional cow from a nearby farm will wander in for greener grasses.
- What turns you on creatively?
When it comes to poetry, without a doubt, my emotions serve as my muse. They dictate the subject matter, the mood, even the style. Some feelings must rhyme, other times they come out almost frantic, sometimes they’re poignant, and, sometimes, I don’t even understand what I wrote or where the words came from, and those tend to be my favorites. I like to say my poetry is written by my heart and soul, my hand is just the tool that transcribes what they have to say. When it comes to my stories, like most writers, I write a bit of myself – my experiences, my memories, people I’ve known, etc. – into the plots. And while many of my short stories are based on some degree of truth, there are others that simply spring from my overactive imagination and the influence of writers like Edgar Allan Poe, Ambrose Bierce, and the like.
- What is your favorite word, and can you use it in a poetic sentence?
Wow! This is actually a difficult one for me, as there isn’t any one word I can think of that dominates my speech or writing or that I appreciate more than others. But after reading these interview questions and trying to thrash out my replies, the first word that popped in my head was “serendipitous.” I’m not sure why, but I will say that it is a fun word to say and is difficult to speak without smiling. And, as cliched as it sounds, I guess when I really stop and think about it, any word that denotes ideas of fate and destiny and love are my favorites…give me “kismet”…give me “synchronicity”…give me kindred spirits…
In him I found
a kindred soul
I didn’t expect
to recognize…
But his resemblance
to all the passions
I hold most dear
was undeniable.
- What is your pet peeve?
There isn’t enough space here to list them all, but, if I must pick one or two, I’d say people who make noises as they eat. I’m not talking about sounds that are organic to the texture of foods, like the crunch of a potato chip, but any extra slurps, smacks or other such added noises are like nails down a chalkboard to me. I also hate it when someone engages me in conversation, but then repeatedly cuts me off, talks over me, or otherwise dominates the conversation.
- What defines G. Lynn Brown?
Wow! Another difficult question – for me, anyway. It reminds me of a job interview when I’m asked to tell a little about myself and go completely blank. I hate talking about myself, much preferring to listen to and learn about others. But, again, in previewing these questions and wrestling with how to reply, the first thing that came to my mind was my faith. And, in regard to spiritual definition, that is very true. Without getting too involved in specifics, I lean heavily on my belief in and worship of God and my faith in Christ. But, generally speaking, as I imagine most writers would say, it is my writing that defines me. For me, an introvert to the nth degree, writing – whether written letters in my younger years, or texts and DMs these days – is my preferred method of communication. And, of course, my creative writing also serves as an outlet for expressing myself in ways I’m not normally comfortable doing, as it is more of an anonymous way to reveal myself. As I mentioned in a previous answer, my emotions very much inspire my poetry and without my poetry, the only other choice would be to internalize my feelings, which isn’t much of a choice…so, I’m thankful for being able to get my thoughts out in a way that, not only benefits me, but may be relatable to and helpful to others who may read my poems and stories.
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