Interview with Author/Poet @Helle_Gade !! #books #poetry

If you don’t know, but you probably do, and if you really don’t, Helle Gade is one of the most legendary poets of the past decade. I can honestly say there’s nothing like her words. She has four new books (and an anthology!) out this year that you do not want to miss. My review for Dolce Amore said “she deserves a place among the stars” and that pretty much sums up everything.

Please read this wonderful interview AND stick around for a surprise at the end. Because you seriously do not want to miss the surprise.

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Please tell us a little more about the legendary Helle Gade.

I’d like to rhapsodies about chocolate.

This is my official bio:

Helle Gade lives in Denmark with her little diva dog. She is a poet, hobby photographer, nocturnal creature, avid reader and chocolate addict. She has been writing poetry since 2011.

She has now signed up with the awesome Butterdragons Publishing to share her poetry.

She has also been fortunate to work with a bunch of brilliant authors and photographers on The Mind’s Eye series.

Now that you have read the official bio I’d like to rhapsodies about chocolate, but I can’t seem to find the words, so I’m going to eat more chocolate.

What inspires you?

I love that I purge the storm in my head onto paper.

Everything inspires me. It can be a feeling, a word, a sentence from a book. My very first poem started out as a character description, but suddenly I had a poem in front of me instead. That really got the ball rolling.

I love that I purge the storm in my head onto paper. To take that chaos and find others that can relate to it.

Did you know your new collections would be this amazing while writing them?

Aw shucks. I was hoping readers would appreciate my words. If I can move just one person with my work, then I’m happy. I don’t expect everyone to like it.

What are you working on next?

I could tell you, but then I would have to kill you… just kidding, I’m planning at least one poetry collection next year.

Your style is incredibly unique. Which writers influenced you most?

I was completely surprised…

YOU! You are the first poet I read since school. I’ve always stayed far away from poetry because of the way it was taught in school. There was so many rules so I ignored all things poetry. Then I found social media and the writer community. I met you and read one of your poetry collections out of curiosity. I was completely surprised. Your poetry resonated with me and showed me poetry free of rules. I’ve since read Regina Puckett, Natasha Head, Susie Clevenger, Amber Jerome Norrgard, Maria Haskins, Rowan Thalia, Kevin Swarbrick and Saket Suryesh and more. They all write very differently, but beautifully.

How does Norse mythology continue to influence you?

Norse mythology has been a part of my life since I was a kid. My favourite comic book series was Valhalla by Peter Madsen. I constantly borrowed them from my school library.

I actually have some family members that was wed in the Viking way and I was the one to officiate the wedding. One day I’ll locate my pictures and show you.

Can you recommend any other poets from Denmark? I’m hooked on y’all.

Unfortunately no. Well not that I know of.

What’s something about you no one knows?

Ummmm… I don’t know. I’m pretty open about myself, so yeah… Well I made a rune set out of ox bone years ago. Don’t think I’ve ever shared that online. LOL
This question took forever to answer.

Helping fellow writers is something you do regularly. Would you like to share and talk about your different groups online for authors?

I have two groups where readers and authors can connect.

I have a group called Soe Book Bliss which is for ever genre out there.

I have another group called Soe Delights which is for reverse harem and ménage books. 

Can you share your favorite poetry collection you have written? Yes, it is exactly like choosing between children (muahaha)

Evil…. I think The Fighter is my new favourite.

What is a day like in the life of a super poet?

I don’t work, I’m a disability pensioner, I think that’s the right translation, because of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. So I don’t actually do much. My furbaby Lucy demands most of my time. All Hail Princess Lucy ♡

What are you reading right now?

I’m rereading The Space Merchants series by Wendie Nordgren. It’s one of my go to rereads when the brain fog is heavy. In-between I enjoy an early Christmas gift Ariake poems of love and longing by the woman courtiers of ancient Japan.

Can we have a random picture of your dog?

Which pet would you never consider getting?

Spider *shudders* or a hippopotamus. Imagine the food budget and the huge piles of steaming poo.

Do you have advice for writers struggling with chronic conditions or illness?

They have to find what works for them individually. Just because you have two people with the same issues, you’ll have two different ways how to handle those issues. So as with the rest of your life, you need to figure out where writing fits in. Follow the inspiration. Oh and never be afraid of asking for help.

Do you have advice for writers and poets starting out?

You learn best by reading a lot and writing a lot.

Just write! I doesn’t matter what you write, just write. You can always look over/edit it afterwards.

Stephen King said it best: You learn best by reading a lot and writing a lot.

Oh and if you need to sign a contract, then read the whole damn contract before signing it!!!

What is the ultimate dream for writing? Are we going on tour? Because Rupi Kaur is!

A world tour would be so awesome! We would totally rule the poetry world.

Sum up Helle Gade in three words: go!

Chocolate, books, photography.

If you had to choose between chocolate and poetry, which would it be?

Chocolate, always!

Can we finish that book we started writing forever ago? I think it had text bubbles LOL.

Oh my gods yes, I had totally forgotten about that one. We definitely need to finish it. It was such an original idea you got there.

Please share any additional links or information you would like.

I would like to thank everyone that picks up one of my books, specially you Ben, and Kim Stapf. You two have been with me since my first poem was written. I love you guys!

I have a signed swag pack and one of my ebooks for one of the lucky readers of this interview. I’ll let Ben do the choosing. 🙂

https://linktr.ee/hellegade

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Ben: Thank you so much Helle! I’m honored and will be choosing soon! I will be making a decision based on likes, comments, shares and reblogs.