Poetry has made Don Paterson a respected figure in the literary world, but verse doesn’t come easy for the writer, finds Colin Waters
A Challenging Craft
Renowned poet Don Paterson admits that writing poetry is a daunting task. He describes how the process of delving into one's subconscious can be destabilizing, leading to the high amount of stress and mental health issues prevalent among artists, especially writers. Despite these difficulties, Paterson continues to be involved in the world of poetry through his teaching role at St Andrews University and his position as Picador's poetry editor.
The Amateur Pursuit
Paterson believes that to maintain sanity, poetry should remain an amateur pursuit. He underlines the importance of poetry as a means of self-expression but cautions against falling into the trap of self-censorship and restriction. Instead, Paterson promotes the idea that poets should experiment with different voices and styles, avoiding the pressure of conforming to a single identity.
A Mad Decade
Reflecting on the past decade, Paterson acknowledges his own level of productivity, or lack thereof. He considers himself "for the most part totally inarticulate" and believes he could have accomplished more. Paterson explains that it takes him around a year and countless drafts to complete a single poem. Despite his self-criticism, his work has been highly acclaimed, winning him several prestigious literary prizes.
Outside Distractions
In an effort to eliminate distractions, Paterson relocated to Kirriemuir. He admits that he has been slacking and views turning 40 as a wake-up call to increase his productivity. He reflects on the evolution of his approach to writing poetry, shifting from considering it an act of self-expression to understanding its intrinsic value as a separate entity from the poet.
A Polyphonic Poet
Paterson strives to avoid repetition and constantly explore new avenues within his poetry. He believes that self-censorship and falling into patterns stifles creativity. Paterson draws inspiration from various sources and voices, vehemently advocating for the separation of the poet from their work. He is a critic of judges who discredit a writer based on their personal life rather than the quality of their work.
A Touch of Music
In addition to his poetry, Paterson is also a talented musician. Though he considers himself a better poet, he acknowledges the allure and the shame of not being a musician. His passion for free improvisation led him to London in 1984, where he formed the jazz-folk band, Lammas. Despite his musical talent, Paterson returned to Scotland because he grew weary of hearing his own accent and wanted to further pursue poetry.
New Heading: Hotels
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