SpotLight - Pete_25

     Welcome back to SpotLight, I’m Damian DeadLove. Got another great episode tonight, that I hope you’ll enjoy. This interview segment is meant for the DU community, as a way to get to know about the poet/poetess behind the writes.

      Our guest tonight is a poet who lives across the pond, who happens to share a hometown with the Fab Four. That town is, Liverpool, folks. He’s been a member here since, September of 2024. He’s a brilliant writer with a rapid-fire delivery, that manages to stay silky smooth with his rhyme and flow, while charming us with clever wordplay and wit. I’m talking about the one and only, Pete_25. Round of applause for, Pete..

      Pete, first off I want to thank you for being open to let me interview you. You’re a very talented writer my friend, I enjoy your work and style. Plus, you know good music and that get’s you high marks in my book as well.

      Question 1: I tried to do my homework on your influences, but I didn’t see any listed. Although I do know you have a cat named, Amber. I’m a cat person too, by the way. What are some of your influences? And how did they inspire you in your writing style?

      I think I've touched on it before through comments, I've never ever picked up a poetry book in my life, I don't know if that's bad on my part haha, my influences have been through music and to me music is poetry with obviously John Lennon being a big influence then as years went by got into some other stuff like The Kinks (Ray Davies) again a great storyteller through his songs.

      And going back to the beginning it all started in my teens, I've always had a wild imagination so I just thought one day putting down on paper plus I love the English language and the wordplay, about 5% is personal to me, the rest is all just wordplay most of the time still based on a theme, unfortunately though I can only do rhyming stuff, I admire other writers who can write these free verse, sonnets, etc but it never reads back good to me when I've tried so I try and keep it simple for me and the reader.

      Oh yeah, I remember you saying that now through comments. About never studying poets, it came from music and lyricists. I lean more towards lyricists as well, though I’ve read some of the classic poets/poetesses before. I hear you when it comes to, John Lennon, a great wordsmith. Like the, Kinks as well. The Davies brothers, Ray and Dave couldn’t stand each other. lol.

      Started in my teens as well. I love wordplay and language too. Brother, you have killer rhymes for sure. That’s cool though, every writer has to find what works for them. I don’t have all the tools at my disposal, I don’t ever count meter at all. I have a beat in my head that I write too. That’s probably why, I occasionally have a stutter step in my rhythm.

      Question 2: Speaking of playing to strengths, I think every writer has a sweet spot. That place where your most comfortable, where you know you can bring it as a writer. Mine is in the observational realm rather it be politics, social issues, injustices, etc. My weaknesses are love and erotic writes. I second guess every line. lol. My question is what do you consider your sweet spot, and where do you second guess yourself as a writer?

      Yes the same when it comes to beats haha, my tools/sites/apps I visit, an obvious one is I use a site called 'rhymezone' then for words if I'm feeling clever lol, I'll take a look at thesaurus, discovering new words 'A word a day keeps the Doctor away' ~ Pete... an original quote by me haha.

      As touched on before when I started writing in my teens, I didn't know about or didn't know such things existed, writing groups until my 20's, so when I started attending these groups, my poetry used to read like stories... too many the's, a's, etc, too many small words, I was advised to lose them to make your pieces tighter.

      My process, I will write a batch and for example the original piece what I started off on a Monday will look a whole lot different come Friday haha, I'm always chopping and changing, never happy hence why I can never do prompts or on the spot and from those same groups, a thing what always sticks in my mind is an older experienced poet told me which I think I already know is that us poets are good observers, people watchers hence the themes we write about what's going on in the world, commentating.

      Clever quote, I like that a lot. lol. I had a similar experience in my 20’s. I went to my first poetry reading, that took place in a music studio, where my songwriting buddy worked at the time. I’m not a public person, I can’t stand big crowds. Which is why my music career was doomed from the start. lol. I was so nervous reading my work, and wouldn’t have read it at all if it wasn’t for liquid courage. But one of the people who heard me that day, said I had talent, but needed to cut down on my use of, the’s, a’s, etc. Funny, that we both got the same advice.

      Question 3: When I write, it’s therapy for me. It’s how I deal with life’s dilemma’s. Most writers I’ve known over the years claim that as well, to varying degrees of course. With me, I had addiction on top of that. It was like a Molotov Cocktail waiting to explode. I’ve quit writing  a couple of times in life, the longest being two years. Have you ever quit writing before? And if so, what always brings you back?

      Yes, it's been pretty cool and some of our experiences are similar regarding the groups and public speaking, I'm not really fussed on him but we have a singer here who lives in America now called Robbie Williams who in a interview says he takes a pill called propranolol before he went on stage for anxiety so I asked my Doc for some, so I used to pop a few of them!

      As touched on, yes we all have our reasons on why we write, I am generally a positive person in life, I do love the occasional horror, Clive Barker (Hellraiser) Stephen King, etc and when I write something dark, I say to myself, fuck, where did that come from lol but in the main I just love our language, the wordplay is like a puzzle trying to solve where the words will fit and in what order, etc.

      I’m on anxiety medicine myself, prescribed of course. It helps some, but it’s still a struggle at times. You do come off as a positive person, and it reflects in your writing. I love horror as well, I never really attempted to write that style though. I know that feeling, the where the fuck did that come from moment. lol. Couldn’t agree with you more, Pete.

      Question 4: This is the last question. First I wanna say thank you again for allowing me to interview you. You’ve been a wonderful guest, and have had some great answers. It’s been a privilege getting to know you more. People often talk about legacy, and their body of work. When the show is over and your story complete in this life. What’s the lasting impression you hope that readers will walk away with after reading your work?

      My Mother and Daughter dig my writes and as for folk in general, like life in general I try to stay positive and try to do the right things in life which relates to my writes, I may not be the best, I'm not really that religious anymore, that's another matter entirely lol but I always think of that phrase 'God loves a trier'

      And for anyone, I've met them in groups or online, folk loving writing but are down on there confidence saying 'I'm no good' I always say keep trying, practice and advise them to use the online tools I use if it helps because when you've cracked it, it does wonders for your self-esteem and empowering for folk to read and enjoy your words.

So on my headstone haha

Here lies Pete
He tried & never gave up      

      Definitely words to live by, my friend. I totally agree with you when it comes to helping other writers. I consider it as paying it forward, and showing respect to the craft. Just my humble opinion though. Thank you, Pete. For sitting down with me, It truly was a pleasure.

      That’s our show for tonight. Remember one thing my loyal DU audience, you never know who the SpotLight will shine on next. To quote Pete_25: “Love one another.” Appreciate you all. Peace, Love, & Lennon. I’m Damian DeadLove.