Poet Interview: J. Wolf
We are super stoked to present you the up and coming poet J. Wolf from Stockholm, Sweden. J. Wolf is super smart and has not only graduated in Business Administration three years ago but has also mastered a second degree in Media and Communications. This super talented poet can speak four languages and finds travel to be a necessity. Currently while traveling around, this artist is also working on a first book with the theme “Passion” which will be released next year. We for one cannot wait! See below for the full interview.
Where do you live and how does it influence your writing?
I live in Stockholm. In general, I find Europe to be romantic and that inspires me. Everything from the cobblestone streets to the grand architectures, picturesque towns with small cozy cafes are all feast for my senses. After all Romanticism originated from Europe and you can certainly feel its essence still today.
Also, as a person I'm a quite playful and Europe enables that. We are particular about enjoying life and our relationships to people, food, wine and other great pleasures in life. So you see it's easy to become a poet here ;)
When did you first become passionate about poetry and what attracted you to it?
It all started with a family friend gifting me an old Billie Holiday album, I think I was 13 years old. That was when my love affair with jazz music started and so did my writing. As I was listening to it I felt a wave of emotions hitting me and that gave me the strong urge to write, hence it came very sudden and natural to me.
What makes poetry so attractive to me is for example when you write a story you already give the reader the whole story
with details such as places, characters etc. When writing poetry you focus on the emotional part of the whole story in a short and consist way and by only putting emotions at the forefront you allow the reader to co-create the whole story.
What inspires you to write?
Passion is my greatest catalyst. I want to give life to everyday situations and things that we often overlook. I thrive off of putting words to emotions we humans express. Not so long ago I was in one of the Balearic Islands, It was 1 am, I was sitting on a cliff and moonlight was shining on the pitch black sea, you could hear nothing but the waves. On the distance I could see the silhouette of a couple dancing, when observing human interactions like that I basically start painting with words to capture the moment forever.
Do you publish your Poetry on other channels but Instagram?
As I'm fairly new to publishing my poetry online I only use Instagram @J.wolfpoetry and Pinterest @Jwolfpoetry, I also have a Goodreads account. Pinterest I mainly use as an inspiration board but I also publish my poetry and photography there.
Can you tell us a little about your writing process? How do you come up with poems and how do you edit them?
As I get inspired, I scribble down words on a piece of paper, which is the reason why I find pieces of paper in my pockets, my desk and random places in my apartment. This is because I don't enjoy writing on the computer as much.
I don't deliberately try to come up with poems and if I don't feel inspired then I don't write at all. Mostly my experiences, people and music trigger my writing and when inspiration comes to me at a certain moment I immediately start scribbling. Sometimes I don't write the whole poem on the spot but come back to it later, by then I might not be in the same state of mind which then can transform the piece into something different.
Do you support yourself through writing financially, or do you have a day job and what is it?
After graduating from university three years ago I now work as a financial controller and also do photography on the side, these are my main sources of income. I just recently started sharing my work with others, so I haven't focused on the financial part of it yet. In the future I would love to be a full time writer.
How many hours a day do you spend writing and what helps you to get into the writing mood?
It really depends on inspiration, some days I write more and other days less. I listen to music a lot, it enhances my senses and experiences.
And what’s the best moment you’ve had with your poetry so far?
The best moments are when people reach out to tell me that they love my poetry. I enjoy that poetry has that ability to connect people instantly. Once someone got a tattoo of one of my poems, that was very special. It just goes to show you how powerful words can be.
How do you respond to writer’s block or not knowing what to write?
If I get writer's block I know that I need to switch things up and do new things, meet people and travel.
What are you working on next?
I'm working on a book with the theme passion. The book will be published next year, keep an eye out for the release date on my Instagram.
Where would you like to see yourself in three years time.
I see myself living in Southern Europe, continue writing and doing photography. With that said I also do love spontaneity in life and my main focus is always feeling passionate, happy and content.
What is your strategy you to grow your audience?
I don't have a strategy for that, more than publishing what I love.
What advice would you give young poets just starting out?
I would say put focus on your work and not titles. Many times people get too caught up in chasing titles rather than putting energy into getting better at their craft. Other times titles scare people from doing what they love for example thinking “I'm not a writer and therefore I can't write a book”. Don't think that a poet or a writer is supposed to be a certain way, write a certain way or even have a certain degree just do what you love.
Do you think poetry has a greater purpose?
As any form of art, I think poetry is necessary and it's an emotional reminder. Without it how would we be able to grief what we have once had but lost, heal in order to prosper, rebel for what we believe in or love with all that we have and live life in endless passion?