John Baker’s Blog

1. Why do you blog?
Good question!! Originally I started blogging because I was bored. I was jobless and poem-less and while sometimes less really IS more, sometimes it’s just not enough. I had planned on blogging only poetry related subjects and then I quickly realized that I had as much or more interest in politics and in life situations as I had in poetry and it quickly degenerated into a free-for-all blog.

2. Which author and/or book has most influenced you?
I don’t know that there is one specific book or author. I’ve read incessantly since the age of 5 and I’ve probably forgotten more books than I remember at this point in time. One of my favorite current books is a little known one called Bringing Out the Dead by a former NYC paramedic named Joe Connelly. While I admit I am partial to the subject matter, I must also say that the entire book is sheer poetry . . . Ever since I first read it - 5 or 6 years ago - I’ve been trying to duplicate his style of prose in my poetry. It’s not worked so far, but I’ll keep trying. Another book which left a lasting impression was Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo. Great story, great author. It was the end of the war in Viet Nam when I read it and I’ve never forgotten it - nor do I ever wish to . . . it’s been a major influence on how I view (and write about) wars and death.

3. Which three blogs do you most visit?
Avoiding the Muse - C. Dale Young at: http://avoidmuse.blogspot.com/
Jewishyirishy - Laurel Snyder at http://jewishyirishy.com/
Carter’s Little Pill - Julie Carter at http://juliecarter.blogspot.com/

4. Why do you read fiction?
I worked in Emergency Medicine for 15 years - reality bites . . . too much reality makes you crazy. Fiction makes the craziness of reality go away for a while. Some people lose themselves in drugs, some people in alcohol - me, I read trashy novels until I fall asleep.

5. What makes you laugh?
Dan - Dan makes me laugh. My children make me laugh. It’s why I love them - Dan and Jason and Jeremy and Joseph - because without the four of them there would be nothing to smile for or at.

Lo blogs at Terminal Chaosity, which can be found here: www.lauraheidy.blogspot.com

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