Getting to Know More About Helena Harper

Fall continues to spread its magnificent colors across my home state of Michigan, and, as promised, today on the 3rd of October, I have another special treat for you – as enchanting as the view across the lake from my terrace. Two days ago I had the pleasure of introducing many of you to the poet, children’s book writer and educator, Helena Harper. The feature was very well received. If you missed it, just scroll down or click here.

Part two of the monthly Yahoo Group VBT-Writers on the Move feature I do, I’d like to start off with this from Helena-

“THE WRITER”

The blank page calls,
the heart responds,
imagination spreads wide its wings
and launches into infinity…
Fingers dance,
words flow,
the page fills,
the soul takes flight
and the spirit sings.

Copyright © Helena Harper

Nice, eh? I thought so. I went to Helena’s website and found the following – a most interesting Q&A segment that gives come insight into Mrs. Harper the woman, poet, children’s book writer, educator, and life artist.

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Have you always been interested in writing poetry? 
Actually, no! I’ve always loved to write, but my first love has always been writing fantasy stories for young children. I wrote poetry at school, of course, and every so often when I was on holiday, but it wasn’t a regular thing.

So, what prompted you to write your first book, It’s a Teacher’s Life?
Well, I’ve been a teacher for 20 years and about three years ago, when I was having a lovely holiday at a beautiful place in the country, I was inspired to write some poetry, and when I came home, I then had the idea to write some more poems about my life as a teacher. Each poem would concentrate on a different aspect of school life, such as the lessons, what went on in the staffroom, school trips, exams, report writing, and so on. I also wanted to pay tribute to some of the support staff who do so much to keep a school running, but are often forgotten about e.g. the cook, the caretaker/janitor, the nurse, the school secretary – the unsung heroes of life is what I call them.

Do you have a favorite poem? 
No, I can’t say I’ve got a favourite …

(Old Silly’s note: See the way she spells ‘favourite’? She’s British – a native of the original English speaking country. Take note, English majors. Okay, let me shut up. Please continue, Helena)

… each one is written from the heart and it’s impossible for me to single one out in particular. 

What prompted you to write your book, Family and More – (Enemies or Friends)?
I had the idea one day whilst driving to work. I was just thinking about my family and other people in my life who’ve had a big influence on me, one way or the other, and suddenly the idea popped into my head that I could write a second collection of poems about them and the lessons I’ve learnt from them. 

Why is it sub-titled, “Enemies or Friends?”
That’s got a lot to do with the fact that my mother is German and my father was English, and I just couldn’t get my head round the fact that, had I been born a few years earlier, all my German relatives would have been my ‘enemies’. To me they could never have been ‘enemies’, just ‘family’. It got me thinking about how futile it is to talk about so-called national divisions.

What did you find the hardest about writing your books?
Finding the time to finish them and then the editing, the endless checking and re-reading – it drove me crazy!

What was the easiest part? 
Just writing the poems – I was totally absorbed by the process and really enjoyed it.

How do you describe your style of poetry? 
Easy-to-read, easily accessible free verse. I want people to be able to read and understand what I’m writing about from the word go. I don’t like things to be hidden in obscurity. I write simply as I’m inspired to write. The poems I’ve had published in my two collections are really stories and character sketches that just happen to be in verse. One of the reviews on Amazon talks about me developing a new form of poetry, called the ‘anecdotal poem’, and I think that describes my style of poetry very well. (If readers would like to find out more about free verse, then I recommend this article Free Verse Poetry – An Art Form, written by Angela Saunders, poetry editor of Bella Online)

What’s the attraction of writing poetry as opposed to writing children’s stories? 
When I write poetry, I can concentrate on the rhythm and sound of the words and use vocabulary I wouldn’t be able to use in my children’s stories. It’s a marvellous linguistic challenge – the sound of words has always been something that’s fascinated me. It’s one of the reasons I studied modern languages. When I write my children’s stories, it’s more about escaping into a wonderful world of fantasy, leaving the mundane ‘real’ world behind – I find it wonderfully exciting and liberating.

When you’re not writing, what are you doing? Tutoring, translating, reading, walking, playing tennis or dancing, doing Pilates, spending time with my niece and nephew.

What are your future writing goals?
The illustrations for my first children’s picture book are being done at the moment and I then want to get the illustrations done for my second picture book. I’m really looking forward to having my children’s books published and going into schools to talk about them. Having been a school teacher for 20 years, I’m no stranger to the school environment, although it will perhaps be a little strange that I’ll be going into schools first and foremost as a writer rather than a teacher, although I hope everyone can learn something useful from my stories.

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Last Thursday I called attention to her book, It’s a Teacher’s Life. Today the featured book of hers is Family and More (Enemies or Friends?)

Here’s a taste of what the book is about-

Who influences us in our lives? How do they influence us? Whom do we call an enemy? Whom do we call a friend? And why? Why do we have relationships at all?  These are the questions I’m exploring in this collection of poems (written in free verse) that examines the relationships in my own life. I have had to rethink my definition of ‘enemy’, not least because my father was English and my mother German and they met in the aftermath of World War II in Germany. I have also been forced to rethink my definition of ‘friend’, because if we learn something from someone that helps us to grow and develop as human beings, becoming more understanding and compassionate in the process, then surely most people we meet in life will be our ‘friends’?  Through the memories and experiences of the people in my life, others can hopefully reflect on their own and maybe come to understand themselves and their relationships better.

~~~~~

To read the blurb about and full cast of characters in this book click here, for some great excerpts, click here, and to get your copy, click here.

Helena likes to hear from her fans and readers – here’s her contact info:

Email: webmaster@helenaharper.com

 Author’s website: http://www.helenaharper.com

 Authorsden website: http://www.authorsden.com/helenaharper

 Her blog: http://helenaharpersblog.blogspot.com

 Twitter her at: http://www.twitter.com/helenaharper

So that about wraps it up, I’d like to thank Helena for allowing me the privilege of having her and her literary contributions here on the Old Silly’s Free Spirit blog. Let’s all show Helena some love in the comments gallery – oh – she wanted me to let everyone know that she is traveling and without wifi this weekend, so please be patient if your comment asks a question or begs for interaction. On Monday and Tuesday she’ll be checking in to read and respond to y’all, so make sure and come back to read her replies.

And, before clicking off into the Blue Nowhere, make a note to drop in at Harry Gilleland’s blog today, he’s doing his part two feature on Yours Truly – it’s a good one, with a brand spanking new interview with me and also an interview with Louis Seiffer – the big meanie Satan wannabe character from my novel, Owen Fiddler.

Chow gang, love ya, toodles & bye bye!

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