A DOZEN QUESTIONS - 8 OF 12
SPECIAL GUEST: GAYNOR KANE
Gaynor Kane is a Northern Irish poet from Belfast. She has two poetry pamphlets, and a full collection, from Hedgehog Poetry Press, they are Circling the Sun, Memory Forest and Venus in pink marble (2018, 2019 and Summer 2020 respectively). She is co-author, along with Karen Mooney, of Penned In a poetry pamphlet written in response to the pandemic and due for release 30th November 2020. In 2019, Gaynor Kane was the winner of the Bangor Poetry Competition.
Site: www.gaynorkane.com
Follow: Twitter - @gaynorkane; Facebook - @gaynorkanepoet; Instagram - @gaynorkanepoet
(Gaynor's book covers are at the end)
and some encouraging words in conclusion.
Q: What is your favourite word?
A: It’s really hard to narrow it down to just one, so I’m going to be greedy and give you my top three.
1. Synchronicity – meaningful coincidences
2. Serendipity – happy accidents
3. Taradiddle – a small fib
Synchronicity and serendipity both strengthen my belief in fate, that things happen for a reason and that your destiny is mapped out. I like taradiddle because it doesn’t give the meaning of itself away and because my favourite person in the world is my daughter, Tara. All three words have a wonderful musicality to them and they make me smile.
Q: What is your least favourite word?
A: I really don’t like the ‘C’ word. It makes me feel uneasy.
Q: What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
A: Poetry, painting, pleasant people.
Q: What turns you off?
A: Insincerity and lies
Q: What is your favourite song?
A: From This Moment by Shania Twain – it’s the song my husband and I had our first dance to.
Q: What is your favourite film?
A: I’m going to be greedy again…
1. Dancin’ Thru the Dark – probably less well known than my number 2 choice, the screenplay was written by Willy Russell, who also composed the music. I quite like Con O’Neill in it. It also stars Julia Deakin, Mark Womack and Simon O’Brien. I love the humour and the music. My favourite part is in the disco and this tall guy comes up to dance with Maureen and he says “d’you wanna come back to mine for a f*ck and a pizza?” and she replies “Is it a wholemeal pizza?”. The fillum can be found on YouTube.
2. Dirty Dancing – I love the dancing and the soundtrack (and Patrick Swayze was very easy on the eye). There might be a recurring theme here…
Q: What is your favourite curse word?
A: Shite. I say it a lot and often use it to describe my writing.
Q: What sound or noise do you love?
A: The sound of laughter, particularly a baby laughing. It’s a cliché but it really is the best medicine.
Q: What sound or noise do you hate?
A: The sound of a vehicle reversing at speed.
Q: What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
A: I’ve used a career break and my free time to have a go at other jobs I’ve thought that I’d like. The biggest one being Property Developer and I bought a little house and refurbished it doing a lot of the jobs myself, including demolition, joinery, and tiling.
Q: What profession would you not like to do?
A: Any job which requires a lot of patience, like teacher or nurse.
Q: If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
A: Your Nanny is still flirting with all the men.
Q: Any words of encouragement for writers and writing?
A: If you enjoy doing it keep on doing it - don’t let anyone make you stop. I was at a workshop recently facilitated by Anne Tannam and the key point I took away with me was this: “Give yourself permission to aim low”. I’m full of self-doubt and often won’t write because I think it won’t be any good. In future, I’m going to aim low and then I’ll have more drafts to work on.
******
Thank you Gaynor for your dozen answers
and words of encouragement.
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