A CONVERSATION WITH L.R. HATCHER (Interviewed by The RBM)
The RBM: "Art of Innocence" is the name of your book. What does that title mean to you?
L.R.: The title means to me is that you, (the readers) are reading the innocence of my work, my poems,
which is my art. Art represents my writings and the innocence of it.
The RBM: For our writers who may not be familiar with your work, will you provide a background of
what the book consists of?
L.R.: The book consists of 56 poems, majority written over the summer of 2005. I believe anyone can
connect to a poem in the book. The wording isn't complex; the poems aren't hard to understand, so anyone
can read "Art of Innocence" from teens to adults without any problem.
The RBM: As a person, who influenced you growing up and how did they?
L.R.: Well I would say the person that influenced me or someone I admire is my aunt Andrea, for her will
and ambition.
The RBM: Your story is an interesting one. You say you wrote as a child, then allowed writing to
take a back seat to other things going on in your life, then in 2005 began writing again, submitted
your work to a publisher for fun, and was published. What was your initial reaction when you got
word your manuscript was accepted?
L.R.: Well my reaction wasn't what I expected, because I really felt the same. I received the email from the
company, read it and was like "ok". Of course I was happy but I thought I would be jumping up and down
and shouting it to the world, but it was the complete opposite. I believe my family was more excited than I
was. But it is a great blessing and I am very grateful.
The RBM: You are a graphic design major in your senior year at Troy University with a successful
book currently on the market. Do you ever consider writing as a career?
L.R.: At this point, no I don't think I would consider writing as a career. For now I just look at it as a hobby
of mine.
The RBM: Outside of writing, what are your interests, what do you do for fun?
L.R.: Outside of writing, I enjoy playing billiards, golf, video games, watching movies/sports, web design,
photography... The simple things in life I guess, also I am a big fan of Art, love viewing art, and learning the
history of it.
The RBM: Who are you reading right now?
L.R.: Right now, I'm not reading one particular person, because the Bible consists of many authors. (smile)
But when I want to read some great poetry, I pick up my book of collected poems by Emily Dickinson.
The RBM: With all the success and the buzz surrounding you, how do you stay grounded, well, I
should ask ARE you grounded (smiling) and if so, how do you remain humble?
L.R.: Oh yes, we must always remain humble because it can be taken away from you in a split second. I
give glory to God for this opportunity of having my poems published for many to read and I wouldn't want
to let Him down. Plus I have a strong mother in my corner that will definitely put me in my place if I do
become too high minded. Success doesn't start with the money or the interviews but it must start within
yourself first.
The RBM: With being published, how has your writing been affected? Do you write for the same
reasons, for the same self-satisfaction, or has it changed in ways?
L.R.: No, my writing has not been affected. I feel as if I am a seasonal writer, when my season comes I
write, being inspired by many things. But when the season is over, the season is over and I have learned to
accept that and not pressure myself to write when I know nothing good will come out of it.
The RBM: Of your poems I've read, "When You Are Alone" is one of my favorites because it spoke
to me in many ways. Love, appreciation, faith in something, trust, and encouragement are all
represented in it. What about this individual piece do you enjoy most?
L.R.: I once said that I write for those that are going through things in their lives, the ones without hope and
faith and when writing this I was thinking of them. Just letting them know that there is hope out there. Even
when you feel as if you are alone in life, you’re not because there is always someone watching over you.
The RBM: Your book is described as "A book of poetry for each individual. Poetry that will touch
the hearts and minds of a soul". In your own words, how has each piece in this collection done that
for you?
L.R.: Of course each piece is close to heart or I wouldn't have included them in this collection. To me I
don't look at each poem as just one poem but the collection itself is one very long poem. Sort of like a
musical that keeps going. But when the musical is over, its time to move on.
The RBM: Finally, if you could describe yourself to those reading this interview in five words, which
ones would you use?
L.R.: The description questions of myself seems to be the most difficult for me to answer. Because what I
think of myself could be the complete opposite of what someone else think. But the five words that would
best describe me would be, and I had a little help with this: Thoughtful, Unique, Diverse, Witty, and
Generous.
I would like to (also) tell all the writers here or any that will read this to keep striving, and to never give up
on your dreams even when it seems impossible hold on to the dream. Our dream is what keeps us alive.
Never stop believing in yourself, continue to encourage yourself daily. For with God all things are possible.
You can read more about L.R. Hatcher by visiting her official website: Freewebs.com/lrhatcher
The RBM: "Art of Innocence" is the name of your book. What does that title mean to you?
L.R.: The title means to me is that you, (the readers) are reading the innocence of my work, my poems,
which is my art. Art represents my writings and the innocence of it.
The RBM: For our writers who may not be familiar with your work, will you provide a background of
what the book consists of?
L.R.: The book consists of 56 poems, majority written over the summer of 2005. I believe anyone can
connect to a poem in the book. The wording isn't complex; the poems aren't hard to understand, so anyone
can read "Art of Innocence" from teens to adults without any problem.
The RBM: As a person, who influenced you growing up and how did they?
L.R.: Well I would say the person that influenced me or someone I admire is my aunt Andrea, for her will
and ambition.
The RBM: Your story is an interesting one. You say you wrote as a child, then allowed writing to
take a back seat to other things going on in your life, then in 2005 began writing again, submitted
your work to a publisher for fun, and was published. What was your initial reaction when you got
word your manuscript was accepted?
L.R.: Well my reaction wasn't what I expected, because I really felt the same. I received the email from the
company, read it and was like "ok". Of course I was happy but I thought I would be jumping up and down
and shouting it to the world, but it was the complete opposite. I believe my family was more excited than I
was. But it is a great blessing and I am very grateful.
The RBM: You are a graphic design major in your senior year at Troy University with a successful
book currently on the market. Do you ever consider writing as a career?
L.R.: At this point, no I don't think I would consider writing as a career. For now I just look at it as a hobby
of mine.
The RBM: Outside of writing, what are your interests, what do you do for fun?
L.R.: Outside of writing, I enjoy playing billiards, golf, video games, watching movies/sports, web design,
photography... The simple things in life I guess, also I am a big fan of Art, love viewing art, and learning the
history of it.
The RBM: Who are you reading right now?
L.R.: Right now, I'm not reading one particular person, because the Bible consists of many authors. (smile)
But when I want to read some great poetry, I pick up my book of collected poems by Emily Dickinson.
The RBM: With all the success and the buzz surrounding you, how do you stay grounded, well, I
should ask ARE you grounded (smiling) and if so, how do you remain humble?
L.R.: Oh yes, we must always remain humble because it can be taken away from you in a split second. I
give glory to God for this opportunity of having my poems published for many to read and I wouldn't want
to let Him down. Plus I have a strong mother in my corner that will definitely put me in my place if I do
become too high minded. Success doesn't start with the money or the interviews but it must start within
yourself first.
The RBM: With being published, how has your writing been affected? Do you write for the same
reasons, for the same self-satisfaction, or has it changed in ways?
L.R.: No, my writing has not been affected. I feel as if I am a seasonal writer, when my season comes I
write, being inspired by many things. But when the season is over, the season is over and I have learned to
accept that and not pressure myself to write when I know nothing good will come out of it.
The RBM: Of your poems I've read, "When You Are Alone" is one of my favorites because it spoke
to me in many ways. Love, appreciation, faith in something, trust, and encouragement are all
represented in it. What about this individual piece do you enjoy most?
L.R.: I once said that I write for those that are going through things in their lives, the ones without hope and
faith and when writing this I was thinking of them. Just letting them know that there is hope out there. Even
when you feel as if you are alone in life, you’re not because there is always someone watching over you.
The RBM: Your book is described as "A book of poetry for each individual. Poetry that will touch
the hearts and minds of a soul". In your own words, how has each piece in this collection done that
for you?
L.R.: Of course each piece is close to heart or I wouldn't have included them in this collection. To me I
don't look at each poem as just one poem but the collection itself is one very long poem. Sort of like a
musical that keeps going. But when the musical is over, its time to move on.
The RBM: Finally, if you could describe yourself to those reading this interview in five words, which
ones would you use?
L.R.: The description questions of myself seems to be the most difficult for me to answer. Because what I
think of myself could be the complete opposite of what someone else think. But the five words that would
best describe me would be, and I had a little help with this: Thoughtful, Unique, Diverse, Witty, and
Generous.
I would like to (also) tell all the writers here or any that will read this to keep striving, and to never give up
on your dreams even when it seems impossible hold on to the dream. Our dream is what keeps us alive.
Never stop believing in yourself, continue to encourage yourself daily. For with God all things are possible.
You can read more about L.R. Hatcher by visiting her official website: Freewebs.com/lrhatcher
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exclusive Spotlighted
Author interviews!!
June '06
Vincent Alexandria
July '06
Mary Monroe
August '06
Cold August
September '06
L.R. Hatcher
October '06
Various
November '06
Melanie C. Jordan
December '06
Mark Goggins
January '07
San Culberson
February '07
Rhyme Cypha
March '07
Lesley S Munyuki
April '07
Joseph Phillips
May '07
Hannah Drake
June '07
Kateb Nuri Shunnar
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