And Now a Poetic Interview with Amber Jerome~Norrgard!

Amber Jerome~Norrgard is one of the coolest writers you will ever meet. She is also one of the best and most bad-ass people on the planet. And if that isn’t enough, she writes incredible fiction, nonfiction and poetry. An amazing friend and philanthropist, she teaches and supports charities on a regular basis. But don’t let me tell you everything. I’m here to introduce: the woman, the myth, the legend (and reverend) Amber Jerome~Norrgard.

Amber Jerome~Norrgard is the bestselling author of more than twenty books including The Eve of Leaving, The Allegory of Dusk, Interpretations and In the Gloaming. She is the Executive Director of the non-profit organization The Quillective Project, the President of 629 Publications and a professor at Collin County College. Amber is a coffee addict who currently resides in Dallas, Texas with her family.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m a mom to three amazing kids, a publisher, an author and a professor at a local
college. In other words? Exhausted.

2. When did you start writing poetry?
I started writing around the time I was thirteen or so as a way to work through what
I was going through.

3. Do you have a favorite poet/poem?
My favorite poetry always changes depending on my mood.

4. Does music inspire you? What kind?
Very much. If writing is my first great creative love, music is the second. And again,
It very much depends on my mood what I’m going to want to listen to.

5. Do you write on the computer or in a notebook?
For my short story fiction, I write on my computer. But since my poetry is so personal,
I do that long hand in a notebook

6. If you could write a poem anywhere, where would it be?
I had the excitement of seeing the Cadillac Ranch on a recent road trip. If you haven’t seen it, it’s a ranch in West Texas with several cadillac’s buried nose down that has become a type of every changing artistic experience; you’re actually encouraged to use spray paint to leave your mark on the vehicles. I had the luck of being able to write the favorite poem I’ve written on one of the cars. It’s probably long since been covered by a can of spray paint, but I love that I placed it there.

7. What do you enjoy most about writing poetry?
I can’t always say with my lips what I’m feeling. Poetry allows me to express myself in a way nothing else ever has

8. If you could hang out with any poet, who would it be?
Rob Thomas. While he’s not a poet technically, songs are really just poetry set to music.
So he qualifies in my mind.

9. If you could physically fight a fellow poet, from any point in time, who would they be?
I’m a lover not a fighter Ben!

10. Have you read or performed poetry live at slams or open mic?
The closest I’ve come is reading my work at signings.

11. Why does nothing rhyme with orange?
So you’d ask that question

12. Do you post your poetry online?
Yes, I certainly do!

13. Do you put your writing into pictures to share on Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook?
Yes. I find this is an excellent way to get my readers excited about upcoming book releases.

14. What is the most difficult poetry to write? Are there any forms you dislike?
For me, its Haiku. I have a hard time following rules.

15. Do you believe anyone can learn to write poetry? Do you think anyone can enjoy reading it?
I think you can if you’re open minded enough.

16. Where do vanishing objects go? Remember to phrase your answer in the form of a riddle.
I was not told this was a test!

17. What project(s) are you currently working on, poetry or otherwise?
The Quillective Project’s 2015 book, a new poetry collection, a non-fiction, and a new
Erotica collection

18. Would you like to share a poem with us today?
Certainly:

And You

And you
You promised me more compassion
More welcome
Less pain…

You lied.

Bio:

Amber Jerome~Norrgard was first published in her hometown’s paper at the age of seventeen. Since then, she’s used writing as a free form of therapy to celebrate the best parts of her life, and to work through the rough experiences. She is author of the bestselling collections of poetry, The Color of Dawn, and In the Gloaming, as well as 4 a.m., a poetry and essay collection, Wanting, a collection of short erotic stories, My Beautiful Jewel (Book One of the Miracles Trilogy), The Allegory of Dusk, a short story fiction collection, 11:59 p.m., a poetry collection, Waxing Poetic: The 2012 Collected Poetic Works of Amber Jerome~Norrgard, 9:17 a.m., a collection, Longing for 3 a.m., a poetry collection, Slipping into Evening, a poetry collection, Yearning, a collection of short erotic stories, Midnight Musings, a poetry collection, Six Hundred and Twenty-Nine Miles to Sanity: The 2013 Collected Poetic Works of Amber Jerome~Norrgard, Volume One, Autumn Dreams (Book Two of the Miracles Trilogy), The Cusp of Nightfall’s Caress, a poetry collection, Under the Moonlight, a poetry collection, Interpretations, a short story and poetry pairing, Daybreak, a poetry collection, Six Hundred and Twenty-Nine Miles to Sanity: The 2013 Collected Poetic Works of Amber Jerome~Norrgard, Volume Two, The Eve of Leaving, a poetry collection and the northbound path, a poetry collection. Amber is also one of the founding members and Executive Director of The Quillective Project, a literary collective designed to annually benefit one nonprofit or not-for-profit organization through the power (and sale) of the written word. Amber is the president of 629 Publications and FireFlower Promotions, and an adjunct professor for Collin County Community College and currently lives in Dallas, Texas, with her family.

Other Work by Amber Jerome~Norrgard:

The Color of Dawn: Poetry by a Member of Generation X

4 a.m., a collection

In the Gloaming, a poetry collection

The Wanting Collection
James
Jeffrey
David
Estella
Bruce

My Beautiful Jewel (Book One of the Miracles Trilogy)

The Allegory of Dusk, a short story fiction collection

11:59 p.m., a poetry collection

Waxing Poetic: The 2012 Collected Poetry Works of Amber Jerome~Norrgard

9:17 a.m., a collection

Longing for 3 a.m., a poetry collection

Slipping into Evening, a poetry collection