Greenville Magazine - July 2008 - (Page 14)

my greenville BY ALISON STORM Kwame Alexander PHOTO COURTESY OF KWAME ALEXANDER PROfile wame Alexander calls his relationship with words an arranged marriage. Forced to read the dictionary as a child, Alexander gradually discovered his talent for poetry. The author of 11 books, the awardwinning producer, publisher and poet spoke in front of a crowd of about 30 at the Hughes Main Library in downtown Greenville. “Very few poets get paid to do what they do,” he explained. “When I began, I was pleased to get $25 for a poem.” Now Alexander is considered one of the most successful writers in contemporary American literature. Among Alexander’s list of published works are the best-selling books “Do the Write Thing: 7 Steps to Publishing Success,” “Dancing Naked on the Floor: Poems and Essays” and “Tough Love: The Life and Death of Tupac Shakur.” While Alexander is an accomplished author himself, he also has guided other authors through the process of becoming published. He founded two publishing companies: BlackWords Press and Do The Write Thing. According to his Web site, Alexander has published over forty authors in a variety of genres. K Alexander visited Greenville as a part of the library’s National Poetry Month celebration. Alexander told the audience “love” would be the theme for the reading. Perhaps because his most recent book to be introduced to the public is “Crush: Love Poems.” “I tend to write a lot about love. My wife often asks, ‘is that all you write about? Write a poem that does the dishes. Write a poem that fires up lame democrats’,” laughed Alexander. “I do write poems about other topics than love, but that’s a big thing for me.” During his Greenville reading, he presented works by other poets but mostly read his own, sharing poems with titles like “10 Reasons Fathers Cry at Night” and “Why Black People Don’t Tip.” Alexander says inspiration strikes him in very unusual places. “Inspiration comes anywhere and everywhere,” he explained. “Part of our job [as poets] is to pay attention. We have to allow that energy into our lives.” He said ideas can come from convenience store signs or the sight of a striking woman in a crowd, admitting that inspiration could even come from the people that had gathered in the Greenville library. “There may be a poem about you,” Alexander joked. “Beware.” n community highlights > Tony Award-winner Avenue Q takes the stage at the Peace Center July 15-20. The show features a cast of people and puppets, but don’t be mistaken, it’s not for kids. Tickets range from $45 to $65. > It may be summer, but Hootie and the Blowfish are thinking about school. They’re planning a concert for July 31 at the Bi-Lo Center and spearheading an effort to collect school supplies for disadvantaged schools in the community. Fans are asked to donate school supplies at the concert. The show starts at 7:30 and tickets are $34. 14 GreenviLLe MaGazine | JULY 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Greenville Magazine - July 2008

Greenville Magazine - July 2008 Contents Editor's Letter My Greenville Alone At Last Watercooler Romance Greenwood Tourist in Your Own Town One-Tank Trips In The Lead Keeping Students In-State After Hours From the Pros A Look Back Walk this Way If These Walls Could Talk Viewpoints Attorneys The Bulletin Around Town Parting Words

Greenville Magazine - July 2008

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