Spotlight On Writers
LB Sedlacek
- Where do you originate from?
I consider myself to be from two places, really. While I am originally from western North Carolina, I lived away in Washington DC for many years before returning along with my husband to be. I lived in different cities too for college and graduate school, and then in-between school and afterwards I lived with my Uncle (or near him in an apartment) on Capitol Hill. Although I adored the big city life at the time, living right beside the Library of Congress and having a job where I could actually check books out from it, too, I missed the mountains of home. Having family still in the DC area, I visit quite frequently and find myself revisiting my favorite haunts like the Hirschhorn Museum of Modern Art, Union Station, the Avenue (aka Pennsylvania Avenue by the Capitol building), and Eastern Market.
- What do you cherish most about the place you call home?
I love the four seasons. Some, more than others. Spring and Fall are my favorite seasons with the blossoming flowers or the leaves turning beautiful colors. I also like the quiet and the mountain views. The mountain regions here are the Brushy Mountain Range, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and Grandfather Mountain just to name a few. I enjoy the slower way of life in a small town, too. Everyone indeed seems to know everyone here, and while it isn’t like one of those guaranteed happy ending movies, it is nice to know your neighbors and actually be friends with them, too.
- What ignites your creativity?
Experiencing art such as visiting art museums or seeing sculptures sparks my creativity. I’m also inspired by reading words, aka words of the day, and observing things I see or notice every day. I read a lot, so that inspires me too. Last year, I read over 300 books! Traveling also ignites my creative juices because it’s a perfect way to see so many other things or to try new things that you wouldn’t normally do. A good conversation with a friend or even making small talk with a stranger are other ways that motivate me to create. Participating in open mics is yet another because it’s a good way to hear others’ works and to learn about new resources for writing.
- Do you have a favorite word, and could you incorporate it into a poetic phrase?
One of my favorite words is Sunsets. It seems I’m always writing about them, or taking pictures of them. I wrote a whole book of poetry (“Chasing Sunsets”) on my favorite sunsets at the beaches and islands of North and South Carolina, and also in the mountains of West Virginia.
Blue Ridge Mountains Sunset
glows down the mountain
under the grandfather’s shadows
the orange yellow ball
of sunset fire
- What is your pet peeve?
People who make and cancel plans at the last minute constantly. Sure, things come up, but it’s so rude to ask someone to do something, to set their time aside, to make a reservation, to put you in their calendar, and then you come up with a lame excuse for the umpteenth time as to why you can’t make it again this time. If you don’t really want to do something, don’t waste the other person’s time. Or if you’re one of those waiting for a better offer to come along people, sit down and consider how you’d feel if someone did this to you. We all walk around with cell phones with calendar apps in them, there’s no excuse for not being able to schedule something and keep your meeting, appointment, whatever, unless an emergency comes up.
- How would you describe the essence of LB Sedlacek ?
I’m a quiet, highly observant, and introspective person. Most people describe me as intense and serious. I’m also intellectually curious and love to try new things. I never like thinking inside the box. I’m always looking for a way out. I am loyal and supportive and don’t believe in idle gossip. I like to get people to see more than what’s really there. No matter what, I try to keep that balance between resilience and vulnerability.
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