Featured Interview With D.L. Lang
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Germany. I moved around a lot, spending the first half of my childhood in Texas and Louisiana, and fourth grade through university in Oklahoma. As an adult I’ve lived in California for almost 15 years now. Growing up I had many dogs, a few cats, a couple fish, and a hamster, but as an adult I just care for my plants. I have two cacti, a fern, a palm, sunflowers, and petunias.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I loved to read as soon as I learned how. I used to devour entire series like the Boxcar Children or Bad News Ballet. As a teenager I developed an interest in biographies, reading about my favorite musicians and comedians; for example, the Beatles, the Monkees, the Three Stooges and Monty Python. I began writing for fun around age 10, making up stories and trying to write song lyrics. Writing poetry is a hobby that has stuck with me throughout my life, helping me to process the world, and ultimately, it landed me with the honor of serving as Vallejo, California’s poet laureate.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
As an adult I mainly read non-fiction books. I enjoy learning about the world, reading about history and sociology. I also read a lot of poetry books by my contemporaries. I enjoy reading and writing social justice poetry, spiritual poetry, and nature poetry. Anything can inspire me. If I get really into a band, have a powerful experience, or research a subject I will want to write about it.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest poetry book is called This Festival of Dreams. I wrote many poems during the first part of quarantine during National Poetry Month, serving as exercises in gratitude as the world changes all around us. There are also some ekphrastic poems, social justice poems, and those I premiered at performances during the final four months of my poet laureateship.
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