BWW Interviews: Poet Carly Weiser

Buffalo, New York's Carly Weiser talks about her poetry and what's happening in town.

MCL:How did you get into poetry?

CW: As cliché as it sounds, I didn't choose poetry, it chose me. I was invited to attend the first College Street Art Gallery Open Mic in 2013, which was a stomping ground for unknown and under-appreciated artists. These were every day people, just trying to get a few words off their chest every Thursday between drinks on Allen. I was instantly hooked and starting writing. I discovered early on that I was a fan favorite because of my subject material. When I started to have women coming up to me after the reading saying, "I wish I had the courage to say what you do up there," I knew I had a voice worth pursuing.

MCL: Some poetry influences?

CW: I draw my influences from TV and film. The Walking Dead and House of Cards have an interesting look on the human condition, and I dig into these tropes and apply them to my writing. I also appreciate Sylvia Plath for her sound images coming from a not so sound mind-I can relate at times.

MCL: What is it about those poets you find interesting?

CW: Like every poet probably ever, I'm interested in human behavior. I'm interested how such a beautiful, talented poet could stick her head in an oven. I want to know why people stay in relationships that have had SOS flags for months, why girls with pretty faces wear makeup, etc. There's nothing more fascinating to me than dissecting conversations I hear from regular people spending their almost non existent paychecks on overpriced wine on a Friday night.

MCL: Describe your poetry?

CW: Anti-feminist feminism. I started writing sex poems a few years ago, not so much erotica, but blunt honest truths when it comes to sex. These gave me a reputation, which I didn't like, but they also founded my voice. Someone could read my poem and they would say, "Yep. That's a Carly poem." I've evolved as a writer to be slightly more sophisticated when it comes to my subject matter of choice, but I still sprinkle in those lines that make you cringe. I like to begin and end my poetry with a sucker punch, I won't let people forget me.

MCL: What's the Buffalo, New York scene like?

CW: Honestly? Oversaturated. There's a lot of poets, and a lot of disconnect. There are multiple groups within the poetry scene, all doing unique and interesting things: spoken word, prose, flash fiction, writers focusing on publishing, but we don't communicate. As a whole, I think we could be stronger as a poetic community.

MCL: Any local poets who helped you grow?

CW: 80% of my poems are about my boyfriend-so I would have to say him by default. But in reality, his poems inspire a call and response, and I respond. I also have deep admiration for Jeffery Charles Nash, Jen Skeleton, Ian Be, and Megan Kemple.

MCL: Some of your favorite venues and why?

CW: College Street Art Gallery Open Mic, which now has been moved to Queen Street Gallery has been my home for over three years. Mike Mulley gave myself and other new artists the chance to grow, and for that I am ever grateful. I also want to send special thanks for ART of WNY and Sweet_Ness 7 for having me as a featured reader.

MCL: If you could go back in time and be a poet when would it be and why?

CW: I would like to go back to any time where I could sit at a café and write and smoke indoors.

MCL: Finally, promote yourself. What's going on in 2015 for you?

CW: I am working on a series of short poems entitled "The Motel Memory Series." A few of them have been published this year and I hope that continues. During the Buffalo Infringement Festival I will be doing a poetry/music collaboration piece with Jen Whit featuring her original songs with my poetry. I also participate in Buffalo Theatre and will be stage-managing the upcoming production of "Rust Belt Grotesque" featuring 4 new

More about Carly Weiser:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1585961648283947/

http://vendingmachinepress.com/tag/carly-weiser/

Carly will be Directing Justin Karcher's MOST OF AMERICA'S WATER COMES THROUGH RUST BELT EYES at American Repertory Thetaer of WNY

http://mlachiusa.wix.com/artofwny#!home/mainPage

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