About “On the day they left” & “A Scot Visits Vikingaliv Museum, Stockholm”

1. What was your motivation for writing “On the day they left” & “A Scot Visits Vikingaliv Museum, Stockholm”?

The motivation for writing “On the day they left” was twofold. First to capture the emotion of loss I felt when my son and his family left Scotland following a job transfer to England. They lived with me for three months following the sale of their house. Secondly, it was a way of coming to terms with that loss and appreciating the ‘gold’ of that close contact.

The motivation for writing “A Scot Visits Vikingaliv Museum, Stockholm” was to recognize the very limited and negative view I had received about Vikings from school history – the words ‘rape and pillage’ were ingrained on my memory. I spent a week in Sweden when I attended a conference on ‘Mathematics and the Arts’, where I was reading my poems on mathematics. By the time I left, I felt a strong association between Scotland and Sweden and understood that we had close ties in DNA and in culture.

2. What challenges—if any—did you have writing your poems?

I am unusual in that clarity in my poems is very important to me – I really want the reader to understand what I’m trying to say. It is always a challenge to say enough and not too much in trying to get across an idea.

3. What is your favourite line—if any—in “On the day they left”?

“The house turned in on itself like a self-cleaning oven”. 

4. What is your favourite line—if any—in “A Scot Visits Vikingaliv Museum, Stockholm”?

“two strands twisted in a double helix tied together with a fisherman’s rope.”

5. What do you want people to walk away with after reading “On the day they left” & “A Scot Visits Vikingaliv Museum, Stockholm”?

We should remain open to re-evaluating our experiences and beliefs. Appreciate that prolonged contact with my son’s family more rather than feel sadness when it ended. Always be open to re-evaluating our ideas about other nationalities.

6. Is there anything else you would like to talk about regarding “On the day they left” & “A Scot Visits Vikingaliv Museum, Stockholm” that hasn’t been asked?

I’ve said all I want to say.

Reading

1. What are you currently reading?

“The City and Its Uncertain Walls” by  Haruki Murakami.

2. Do you have a favourite book? If so, what is it?

“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen. The only book I can read again and again and never tire of it.

3. What is your favourite poet or author, if any?

I like the Scottish poet Liz Lochhead.

4. Do you gravitate towards reading genres outside the ones you write?

I read everything except horror. I don’t enjoy being scared.

Writing

1. Why do you write?

I spent my working life as a mathematician and later as a university lecturer. I took up writing in my forties. The creative outlet brings balance to my life.

2. What do you love about being a poet?

The ability to discover more about myself and other people.

3. What time of the day do you write, and do you have a writing routine?

Usually write after my first cup of coffee in the morning unless I have other commitments

4. Where do you get your ideas from?

From my life, experiences and sometimes from the scientific theories I study.

5. How long does it take you to write your projects?

A chapbook with 30 poems usually takes me from six months to a year. I like to go at a comfortable pace and enjoy myself.

6. What advice would you give to other authors/writers/poets?

Find a good writing group and get used to criticism.

7. What project(s) are you currently working on?

Since I finished my last chapbook, I’ve been writing flash fiction, memoir and comedy.

Eveline Pye