Jamie Houghton–Interview

Describe your creative space. Do you work at home, in public spaces, etc.?

I write on my couch with my laptop, assisted by three large dogs and a baby.

What kind of materials do you use? Do you write by hand or type? What is your favorite writing utensil?

I write by hand in a journal every day, but I write most of my poetry on my refurbished Mac laptop.

What is your routine for writing?

I write every morning for as long as I can.

How long have you been writing? When did you start writing?

I have been writing since I was a kid and a local poet did a class at our elementary school. Her name is Verandah Porche, and she is still writing.

Who is your intended, or ideal, audience? Who do you write for?

I write for everyone.

What inspires you to write? If you are blocked, what do you do?

I am inspired by people’s stories. If I feel blocked, I forget about writing for a couple days or longer and concentrate on life.

What other things do you do besides writing? Do you dance or play golf, etc.?

I play the bass and ukelele, bake, Mt. bike, and enjoy the beauty of where I live, on the edge of the Deschutes National Forest, in Oregon.

What is your favorite part of the creative process?

The first draft, when anything is possible.

What is your advice to aspiring writers?

Be willing to be rejected over and over again. The important thing is that you are always working on something new.

Check out Jamie’s work in Volume 4, Issue 1.