AN INTERVIEW SERIES WITH CONTEMPORARY POETS
Lawrence Moore
Our next poet in the Interview Series LET’S KNOW OUR POETS BETTER in celebration of National Poetry Month, is Lawrence Moore, the author of THE BREADCRUMB TRAIL. A few weeks ago, I listened to Lawrence read five of the poems from the full-length collection on YouTube. I was instantly mesmerized. The poems have a rich, haunting quality to them, staying with the reader and echoing about long after. I loved the magical and musical touch in them, like something near-at-hand and still lost. I am glad Lawrence agreed to answer a few brief question for my blog. Here’s what he shared:
Congratulations on THE BRADCRUMB TRAIL. I love the cover. Tell us a little about your latest collection.
As I said to Jane Cornwell in my pitch to her, The Breadcrumb Trail is a collection of ‘adventure and misadventure, forest and wilderness, love and fantasy.’ Perhaps love most of all; I drew heavily on past and ongoing experiences with my husband Matt. It has, I hope, a strong and cohesive narrative arc running through it, taking the reader on a meandering odyssey through numerous pitfalls and pleasures before they reach the homeward journey’s end. Jane’s many beautiful illustrations really help to fortify the atmosphere and the meaning of the book.
What themes/motifs/symbols appear most commonly in your work? Do you think there’s a reason (or reasons) behind?
I think this two-part question is the most incisive I’ve been asked as a writer. You will find fantasy, hope, flight, aspiration and allusion in my writing. Were I eager to analyse the interplay of the first four, perhaps I wouldn’t need the fifth.
When did you start writing? Can you name poets who absolutely inspire you?
I wrote my first couple of lines of poetry in infant school, aged 7ish. They went something like ‘Moving swiftly from the ground, water swiftly round and round’. I had an affinity for John Donne and also for Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ as a youth. I get most of my poetry fix from the online community and count Sadie Maskery, Carrie Danaher Hoyt, Samantha Terrell and Susan Richardson amongst my favourites.
How did the collection happen? How did you find your publisher?
I move in similar circles to Jane Cornwell (and Jane’s Studio Press). Susan Richardson – a friend, fellow poet and keen supporter of my work – gave my debut chapbook Aerial Sweetshop to Jane, who loved it. I was drawn to Jane’s warm personality, artistic flair and hands on approach to publishing, so I offered her first refusal on my debut full collection. Happily, I got the nod!
Please let us know where we can purchase your collection.
The Breadcrumb Trail is available on Amazon, here’s some links:
UK: https://amazon.co.uk/dp/1738496007
US: https://amazon.com/dp/1738496007
CA: https://amazon.ca/dp/1738496007
AU: https://amazon.com.au/dp/1738496007
How would you describe yourself as a poet?
I’m a poet who gives high priority to the sounds and musicalities of my poems, sometimes choosing words initially curious in their meanings chiefly for the way they roll off my tongue. I love both my reading and my writing to be atmospheric and transportive.
Anything else you’d like to share with our readers? Let us know where we can find you. (website/social media)
I’m attempting to be active on three sites now, so you can find me on Twitter: @LawrenceMooreUK Instagram: @lawrencem1978 and Bluesky: @lawrencemoore.bsky.social
Thank you so much, Lawrence, for a delightful interview. All the very best!
GENTLE REMINDER: My craft essays, posted month-end and usually focused on flash fiction, will resume in May, because here we take a break, and celebrate these amazing poets and their art throughout the month of April.
FURTHER READING FROM THE BLOG:
