Featured Poet: Samuel Piscitelli
We had the opportunity to interview Samuel Piscitelli about his creative process and approach to the craft.
Thank you for participating in our interview! How did you become a poet?
Ever since I was a kid I always turned to writing as a therapeutic outlet. It was a way to learn about myself, my emotions and the world around me. One day, in middle school, I came across Maya Angelou’s “And Still I Rise.” For me, reading that poem changed my perspective on what writing could be and the form it could take. From then on, I was continuously writing poem after poem. Trying to capture little moments in big ways. In short, reading Maya Angelou’s poetry is how I became a poet myself.
Can you describe your creative process?
My creative process is pretty hard to explain. Sometimes certain words or phrases will grab hold of my attention and an idea will be born from that or sometimes a song I’m listening to will generate a whole phrase or line out of nowhere. It’s never a straight-forward process. It’s different every time.
What does your workspace look like?
Right now my workspace is a small, sleek black desk tucked away in the corner of my bedroom.
What is your motivation for writing?
My motivation for writing is the freedom I receive when a pen hits paper. I’ve never been able to accurately or thoroughly express myself while speaking to others. Even now, at twenty-four, I feel that the way I represent myself is watered down in some way, shape or form. On paper though, I feel I’m able to fully express myself and articulate my thoughts and feelings properly without minimizing myself in the process.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic changed how you approach your craft?
Yes, it has made me re-think how I write and why I write. While it stalled me for a while I’m confident in saying that I feel more reassured in my love for poetry and in my voice as a poet since then.
What does literary success look like to you?
Literary success to me is being recognized for my work in a myriad of different ways. For example, after having my poem “A Pocket In Time” published I felt I had accomplished literary success in some facet. I felt more of that when I was offered this interview as well as when that same piece was read aloud on the U.K. Podcast Between The Poets. To be honest, I’m just proud to have been recognized for my words and as a poet. It’s a blessing I never thought I’d receive.
What are you looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to writing my first book proposal that I’ll be handing into Train River Publishing a year from now.
Where can readers read more of your work?
Readers can read more of my work on my Instagram account @pennedbypiscitelli. I will be uploading new poems monthly starting September 1st.
