How do writing non-fiction, fiction prose, and poetry — the challenges and rewards — differ?
DA: The reward of journalism is the reward of putting together a jigsaw puzzle. It’s not my first love, by any means, but taking a look at all the quotes and data and information I’ve gathered and working that into an engaging, informative piece is deeply rewarding, much like solving one of those brain-teaser challenges where you have to twist and pull until you get the metal ring past the string. It’s also a good way to learn things, and like Kipling’s elephant baby, I have a ‘satiable curiosity. Poetry is pure play, which doesn’t mean frivolous. I consider play a high calling, an essential part of being alive. Fiction is my first love, and what I spend most time on these days. Here too there’s an element of play, of discovery and imagination. And I can satisfy my curiosity on the most random of subjects and pass it off as something that will be useful for a story. I tend to agonize over it longer than with my poetry, but the rewards are much the same as for poetry. EDP: How do you kn
