17Numa

Scott Thomas Outlar: Firstly, Lora, congratulations on the release of your new book, Roots to Light, and thank you for taking the time to take part in this interview. What was the inspiration for this collection’s title?

Lora Bunch Carr: The title and cover painting were inspired by the time period the book was written and the many changes that occurred inside of me and in my life in general. It was from a winter season of cold and darkness where things seemed desolate to a rebirth or spring season of blooming and growth.

STO: There are several poems in Roots to Light that delve into the concept of transformation. Can you discuss the processes of growth and evolution that you’ve personally experienced or witnessed others go through in life that influenced your interest in this topic?

LBC: The poems in this book were written during a 12–15-year span in which I underwent a lot of types of transformations. My children were growing up and moving into their own lives and my husband of many years was at the end of his health battles then he passed away and I had to find who I was outside of his wife and care giver and the children’s mother. I learned, healed, grew, transformed and eventually found love again.

STO: What type of energetic connections and insights can be found between your yoga practice and the art of writing poetry?

LBC: Yoga is like a meditation and prayer time for me. I combine yoga, reiki, prayer and meditation for a whole body and mind practice that leaves me inspired to create both paintings and poetry at times.

STO: What initially sparked your interest in poetry and when did you decide that you wanted to write a book?

LBC: I was eleven years old when I fell in love with the written forms of poetry that I was learning in a literature class, and I began my hand at writing during that year also. However, I was much younger when I found my love of music which is another form of poetry. A lot of my earlier poetry was poems that I turned into song lyrics. The book I decided on when I wanted to help others through the things I had been through by sharing my journey.

STO: Some of your paintings are also included in Roots to Light. What impact has this style of artistic expression had on your life?

LBC: Painting is more than a visual art to me. At many times in my life when things were so deeply felt in both joy and pain that I could not find words to describe it or even help me heal from it then I would paint to get it out of my head and heart. This is true for the first year after my late husband passed. I wrote off and on during that year, but I painted almost every day because the pain and healing often was just too overwhelming to find the words for.

STO: How does writing fit into your current lifestyle? Do you have a specific time of day when you find your creativity to be peaked and conducive to flowing or is it more of a random seizing of moments when they arrive? What type of rituals, routines, habits, or ceremonial activities do you have for writing?

LBC: I currently work a demanding day job, but I do make time for writing at different times. I like to write outdoors in nature or in crowded public places because both are stimulating and get my mind wandering and thinking. There is not a time I can’t write though. I have written poems while bored in training, anxious in coffee shops, relaxing on a lake or beach, and even sitting at a mall people watching. The coolest though is when a poem, word or even one sentence wakes me up at night and I must get it down so I can remember and finish it later.

STO: Do you find that the different seasons and orbits of heavenly bodies affect your creative moods and approach to the craft? What is your relationship with nature?

LBC: There are many ways these things help to mold and influence my creativity. The full moon always brings about a high creative streak for me. Sitting in nature sparks so many things within me but more especially when it is near water. I am a Pisces and water seems to be a love and spiritual connection for me. It doesn’t hurt that I feel things very deeply as well.

STO: What has been your experience while serving as the poetry editor for Best of the North Georgia Mountains?

LBC: I have been writing for that paper for about 12 years. I have done stories on many topics, music and artist interviews, and taken and edited poetry submissions. Each one of those things I have enjoyed and found growth and lessons in. I love being able to help other poets share their work and encouraging emerging writers to have the courage to share their talent.

STO: How are you feeling now that Roots to Light is in the world and officially released? What was the experience at your launch party? Are there more upcoming readings or events that have you excited at the moment?

LBC: The launch party was a lot of fun and exciting. I was very moved and touched with all the amazing people that showed up to support and love me. I will say it sure is taking some time to get used to seeing my name and picture on things everywhere, but it is exciting, and a dream come true also. I won’t lie and pretend it was easy to put my poems out into the world. I started releasing and sharing my paintings many years ago because it’s easier to hide your thoughts and emotions from others in a painting than in a poem because of the vast amount of interpretation and abstract possibilities. Poems however are a window to your soul and often very raw in emotion, so it took me longer and was harder to share those with the world. I am doing a book tour all this year. I have one in March at Phoenix and Dragon Bookstore in Sandy Springs GA on the 16^th which I am excited about and an Authors Showcase at The Crazy Book Lady in Acworth Ga on April 27^thand I will have some paintings with me as well.

STO: Thank you for your answers, Lora! I wish you all the best with your new book and will leave the floor open to you if there’s anything else that wasn’t asked about that you’d like to mention in closing…

LBC: I really hope that others who have had to survive traumas and loss can find words of healing and comfort on the pages of this book. My late husband was sick for 17 years and losing him was a moment in time that divided my life into two parts which will always be before that day and after that day and in so many ways it’s like two totally different lives and people that exist in them. I am now remarried and have a happy life full of love and joy but there will always be a love for him and a missing part of me that left with him that day. You do not get over grief and loss. You learn to build a new you and new life around the grief and pain. I just want others to know they are not alone in this and that they can survive and even thrive after it. You are never too old, broken or far down to rise again and write a new chapter of life for yourself.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to talk about Roots to Light and all that it encompasses and stands for. I appreciate your friendship and support.

Happy spring, my friends! I hope the new season is starting off on a beautiful note for everyone.

I’m pleased to share that I recently hit a cool milestone when my work was published in the 450^th different literary venue since I began this phase of my life nearly ten years ago. During that time, I’ve had more than 2,500 poems appear in various magazines, journals, anthologies, newspapers, and other publications around the world. A huge thank you to all the editors, readers, friends, and family members who have encouraged and supported me along this path.

My latest poem, “One Right After and on Top of Another,” can be read here at Dissident Voice…

https://dissidentvoice.org/2024/03/one-right-after-and-on-top-of-another