Words Left Unspoken invites readers to immerse themselves in a richly crafted poetic world that reflects diverse experiences and insights. Why was this an important collection of poetry for you to write?

​Words Left Unspoken was an important collection to write because it was the first solo poetry collection I published outside of my first self-published literary anthology, Perception, which I published a year after I graduated college with all of my artistic friends at that time. I have been studying and writing for many years between: traditional verse, free verse, prose, and Japanese haiku, senryu, and tanka. I was extremely excited my wonderful publisher, Anamcara Press, was interested in this collection which contained many diverse forms of poetry. My wife, Constance McGovern, was the first person to truly believe in our artistic journey together, the stories and messages I created, and encouraged me to take my poetry and writing out of my backpack, and start submitting to publishers aside from publishing in literary magazines and journals. For every artist, there is an: understanding, patient, compassionate, empathetic, and loving wife or husband standing by the artist’s side to cry in darkness and cheer in light, together. Connie is my inspiration who helped pull me out of dark times where my poetry reflected much of my feelings and lead me to lighter and brighter moments. Words Left Unspoken is dedicated to my wife, Constance McGovern. 

Altogether, Words Left Unspoken, took over fifteen years to write, curate, and publish from the past twenty plus years of writing poetry. Words Left Unspoken was created to help readers embark on a journey and reflection through the human experience. There are so many questions we internalize in fear of being criticized either by our peers or society who is controlling our peer’s thoughts. I wanted to raise questions and create poetic stories and journeys from many different perspectives, in hopes to help build an awareness for others to begin their own personal explorations searching for: empathy, compassion, silent moments, adventure, spirituality, wisdom, and love. These particular themes are crafted through the different pieces along with other important ones such as: anger and hatred, admiration and respect, anti-war and peaceful moments, daily mantras, truth and deceit, heartbreak and laughter, abuse and sex, alcoholism and drug abuse.

Every written piece in Words Left Unspoken weaves and intertwines into one single story after the back cover closes, to create a poetic collection which mirrors the reader to question themselves. Perhaps, personally in their life, they haven’t physically or emotionally experienced what each character(s) has within the particular piece; however, that shouldn’t stop one from reading about the message of the poem to gain insight and understanding to gain wisdom and change for the better because personal identity and how you treat the next living creature is important. 

Most of all, I created Words Left Unspoken because I have questions, many of them – similarly, as everyone else does. Not one living creature on this planet or in society has all of the answers and that’s ok, this is the magnificent beauty to life and knowing limited allocated time to understand ourselves is vital. Even though I don’t know someone’s journey, no matter if it’s challenging or easy, whatever the circumstance – I encourage all readers to participate in an open and honest dialogue with the other person, to learn it’s ok for them to not have similar thoughts and feelings, at the end we are all imperfect and that’s ok. I only hope we’re all imperfect, as human, with an open mind and an honest heart.

What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?

The vast array of people I have met along this journey, formed relationships with, over the past twenty years have made significant contributions to my writing and the stories I create. I believe personal relationships are so important and they come and go in seasons – some seasons never end and others, after a certain amount of time, come to a close. The importance is to recognize the lessons to learn from mistakes made and the positive wonderful moments shared during the particular season within the relationship. Some examples of significant impacts on my life which inspired stories within my writing: the beautiful awkwardness of late teens into slowly discovering your voice in early twenties and interacting at these specific moments in time of young love, heart break, friends going to war, comprehending different forms of sex in all its wonder, discovering cherished moments of forming one or two true friendships you will have for life and protecting them. Other significant impacts stemmed from: embarking on adventurous road trips to different towns I never heard of, everyday travels walking city streets and observing, relaxing with a drink and company in different night clubs, catching flights to new cities I always wanted to visit, and traveling to different countries to experience and converse to learn about other cultures and lifestyles.

While in college: the students, security guards, professors, even meal staff (I used to cater to make extra money while going to college, aside from studying and teaching swim lessons at the school pool because I was a water safety instructor/lifeguard) I interacted with during college had an impact with my writing and the person I am today. Each person I came in contact with, took the time to listen and exchange stories and ideals, showed me there are so many different and beautiful ways to live existence – there is not one mold and not one way of thought and how life should be. The writing groups with our school’s poetry club and other activities I’ve been involved with such as: mask and foil/theater, gospel choirs, and musical productions have provided me with the opportunity to expand my mindset and thought processes with an honest and open mind.

The different jobs I’ve worked from high school through college and after college: construction, catering, a medical call center service representative (a glorified secretary), driving a facility service truck, working as an analytical inorganic chemist – all have exposed me to various life experiences and discussions. I’ve learned so much through daily conversations and the many differences not only between hobbies and activities most people in each field like to do in their free time, but the different types of literature they consume and don’t, to the different mindsets and thought processes they contain. So many of the people I have interacted with I have formed life long memories and bonds which are sprinkled throughout my writing not only from: friends I have grown up with, friends who have immigrated to the United States in hopes of a better future, friends from high school, friends from college, friends from different work environments, and friends I write with internationally; all have had an impact with the poems I create.

The most important impact on my writing is the day I met my future wife casting her in Atlantic City for my first successfully completed independent film, “All Over Again.” Connie helped me learn not only how to stand on my own two feet, to stand strong and steadfast when standing up for what is right, and never stop walking forward even when the level of difficulty and struggles feel overwhelming and impossible; she has provided true love between us and nurturing admiration, patience, and never-ending support with our independent film work together and the books I publish. Connie has been by my side supporting me through the darkest days when I was alone, continue pushing forward through a failing film production business which derailed our lives together to come out, not only ok but an even stronger and smarter team. Through her love and support Connie helped me leave my self-destructive lifestyle behind to find my focus and work through all my personal and professional traumas to continue pursuing artistic endeavors and fulfill ambitions. 

What is one thing that people point out after reading your book that surprises you?

I’ve noticed after creating art through: writing poetry, writing novels, songwriting, and creating independent films – as a whole, in reference to my work, the audience either likes the piece or doesn’t, there’s very few thoughts in between. I don’t create for a specific audience; I always create for myself. Usually, even if someone is experiencing my work, and perhaps doesn’t like the message, they find the journey entertaining. I look at my creative endeavors as a legacy I want to be proud of, carefully constructing and building a solid foundation of work, which I will leave behind after I’m gone.

What surprises me the most with Words Left Unspoken, in particular for reactions – so far critics, competitions, and general audiences have enjoyed the collection in its entirety. I have received a couple thoughts where the collection wasn’t the readers type of book too; however, they enjoyed the writing, language, techniques, and overall respect the time, dedication, thought, and drive it took to create Words Left Unspoken. A few readers who don’t like poetry at all have expressed they love my style of writing and how I create stories where they feel they’re experiencing all the emotions the different characters are within the poems.

Overall, the feedback from reading Words Left Unspoken have been positive, many readers have asked when my next book will be released and what type of book to expect. Also, readers have been able to identify with at least one message and different characters throughout the collection; most importantly the book has generated outside discussions and thoughts after the last page is read. This is how I know I did my job as a writer – inspiring conversations between readers, from the variety of themes, who have read Words Left Unspoken or with other people who haven’t even opened it yet. In my eyes this is the greatest accomplishment I could achieve: open dialogue with my characters, messages, and themes – this is why the past fifteen to twenty years of struggle was worth it and if I’m lucky enough to have more conversations generated from my work over the next fifteen to twenty years, I would be forever grateful to my supporters.  

What is your next book, and when can your fans expect it to be out?

At the moment, I’m focused on promoting Words Left Unspoken – my publisher, Anamcara Press, has submitted this project to The National Book Award for Poetry, The Griffin Poetry Prize, The National Book Critics Circle Awards for Poetry, and The Pulitzer Prize for Poetry; along with many more upcoming competitions.

Also, I’m an independent filmmaker and will be promoting my new film “Is This the Bed We Lie In?” on the film festival circuit this coming year while I complete post-production for another film, “Inside Jonathan Fox.” My wife, Constance McGovern, and I plan on creating a spoken word album with my filmmaking sound designer, Matthew Amadio, for Words Left Unspoken to submit for consideration: Best Spoken Word Album at The Grammy’s, along with submitting a new music video, “All Over Again,” my production team created from our original award winning and critically acclaimed short film, “All Over Again.”

I have been putting together another poetry collection and I have been in discussions for publication of my novel, “Even Angels Wear Leather Jackets and Ride Motorcycles.” 

I would like to take a moment and give my love and appreciation to everyone who has taken a chance and purchased or read Words Left Unspoken. Your time and energy reading the pages is the greatest gift you could ever give me in return and I appreciate all your love and support through the years following this artistic journey. I’m eternally grateful for you and I hope you enjoyed or will enjoy this future read. 

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Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/05/28/i-have-questions/