My Interview: “Spotlight on Writers” at Spillwords Press

On By Mike U.In Poetry

Hey, folks. Spillwords Press has decided to feature me in its “Spotlight on Writers” interview series today, a thrilling and humbling experience for me. I want to thank Dagmara K. and her team for this opportunity to share a bit about myself, my background and what inspires me to create. If you’d like to read the interview, you can find it by clicking this link:

“Spotlight on Writers — Michael L. Utley” at Spillwords Press

It’s truly an honor to have my poetry and this interview published at Spillwords Press, and I’m delighted and grateful for the chance to connect with readers in this way. I hope you enjoy the interview, and please check out the incredibly talented writers at Spillwords Press, where you’ll find some of the best thought-provoking and moving writing anywhere.

57 thoughts on “My Interview: “Spotlight on Writers” at Spillwords Press”

  1. Congratulations my dear friend. Mike I can’t think of anyone more interesting to interview and I would be hard pressed to find a better poet on-line as well. I am not only deeply moved by your poetry but find your honesty, vivid description when writing, and what I call “raw writing,” heartrendingly exquisite. Congratulations on being featured in a “Spotlight On Writers,” and I am headed there now to read what you shared with your audience. Many blessings my friend and sending you much love. ❤️

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    1. You’re very kind, Joni. Thank you so much for your constant support and friendship. I’m truly grateful to you, my friend. I hope you enjoy the interview. It was definitely an honor to be asked to participate in the “Spotlight on Writers” feature. I view myself as a rather nondescript dude, quite boring, actually, so it’s sort of awkward to do this sort of thing, but it’s exciting as well to be recognized for my writing (a life-long dream, for sure).

      Thanks again, dear friend. Blessings and lots of love right back at you. 😊🙏❤

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  3. I’ve just “come back” from reading your open, honest, and moving interview, Mike. It makes me want to hug you, both for emotional support and also as a congratulations for giving such a fine interview and producing such wonderfully expressive poetry. Btw, you live in an incredibly beautiful part of the world. Too bad about the politics.

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    1. Thank you kindly, Jane. Hugs are always welcome! 😊 Thank you for your wonderful comment. Your words really touched me, my friend, and I thank you for that. I’m glad to know you enjoyed the interview. It was a fun experience, although I’m always thinking, “Why would anyone want to interview me?” It’s a nice gesture on the part of Spillwords Press, for sure.

      I appreciate your support and encouragement so much, and I’m so glad you’re part of this WP community. All the best from Colorado! 😊

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  8. Loved reading it! I think your philosophy on life always aligns with mine. People just need to get along because it’s the only way any of us will ever survive. ❤️

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    1. Thanks, Michelle. Yep, you said it: we just need to learn to get along with each other. I think we all have a lot more in common with one another than what separates us. If only we could see it and practice acceptance and tolerance. Imagine what this world would be like then…

      Always grateful for you, Michelle. Thanks for visiting, my friend. 😊

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    1. Many thanks, Darlene. I agree–I always enjoy learning more about the writers here on WordPress, their personalities, motivations, creative techniques, etc. It’s a lot of fun making that human connection, you know? 😊

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    1. Kindest thanks, Aditi. This is such a nice comment, and it brought a smile to my face. I’m so glad you enjoyed the interview. It was an honor for me, for sure, and I was happy to share some of my background with readers, This writing community of ours is such a wonderful place, filled with genuinely good people. Thanks again for your kindness. It means a lot to me. 😊

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    1. Thanks, Bruce. It was an honor to participate in the interview. I always feel weird when I’m asked to do this, however, as I feel like I’m the most boring dude in the world! 😆 It was a fun experience, though, and I was glad to share some of my background and my love for the natural world. I’m pleased to know you enjoyed it my friend. Here’s wishing you a good week ahead. 😊

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    1. Kindest thanks, Aaysid. It was surprising to be interviewed by Spillwords, and I enjoyed it, although the introvert side of me was like, “You want to interview me?” 😆 I’m glad to know you enjoyed the interview. Yep, my haiku place is sort of special–a contemplative, meditative place where everything is okay and I’m no longer deaf and I can just enjoy being alive. When I’m going through writer’s block, it’s much more difficult to get to that special place. At this moment, it feels far away, but I hope to find my way back soon and return to writing.

      I appreciate you, my friend. Thanks for being here. 😊🌸

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    1. Thanks, Peggy. Your enthusiam has me grinning! 😄 I’m happy to know you found this interview inspiring. It was a pleasant surprise to be asked to take part in it, and it’s another way to connect with people, you know? I couldn’t help but talk about my love for nature (a lot), which reminds me–I was excited to see your waterfall on your recent blog post! (Can’t find a waterfall emoji, so please accept this pizza emoji instead: 🍕) 😃

      Anyway, thanks for your constant support, dear friend. I’m super-glad you’re a part of this community, and I’m always delighted to see you stop by! 😊🌸

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    1. Many thanks, Cindy. Yes, I saw your wonderful comment over on Spillwords and left a reply there for you. Your support is invaluable to me, dear friend, and I thank you for stopping by to say hello. Hope your week goes well! 😊

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  22. A lovely interview, Mike. I enjoyed your vision of your haiku place, a inner world that you’ve mentioned before, but that I don’t remember you describing. And there’s no question, after reading so much of your poetry, that nature continues to play a vital role in your well being.

    It was wonderful to learn more about how creativity enhances your life, how it helps you find balance as well as build connections with others. I been reading your work for a while, and maybe it’s just me, but you seem a little “lighter” than you did a year or so ago, as if you’re letting go of a little of your burden. I hope that’s true and not just my wishful thinking. 🙂 Hugs, my friend.

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    1. Thanks, Diana. Some days are better than others, of course. Some days I feel like I’m making some progress in the right direction, and then I’ll tumble three steps backwards. I think having a blog and writing about my burdens helps a lot. Lancing wounds sometimes takes repeated tries to remove all the infection before they can fully heal, and even then, they’ll leave scars. Each of my poems is a lancing of old wounds. My goal is to “write it all out” so there will be nothing left to say about the past. A fool’s errand, perhaps, but sometimes it feels like it’s a real possibility.

      A huge part that helps is the wonderful reception my poetry and photos and essays have received in our little community. So much support and compassion, things I didn’t have growing up. It’s given me a little traction to make some strides towards healing and positivity.

      Also, when I post my nature images, I’m like a completely different person. How can I possibly feel sad and depressed when writing about wild flowers and forests and mountains and waterfalls, right? I wish I had more images to post, and I wish I could return to photography (the joy to my poetry’s sorrow). Maybe I can someday.

      So, I just renewed my blog for another year. Hopefully, good things will be forthcoming this November and we can all breathe a sigh of relief and focus on the goodness in this world. It’s there, and it’s healing, and we all deserve some goodness and healing right about now. 😊🌸

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      1. “Writing it all out” is an effective way to work through trauma, Mike. Not a fool’s errand at all. I’ve used writing to leapt a few hurdles myself. And I like that bit of hope about finding a way to take photos again. 🙂 🙂 Instead of “I can’t” you’ve moved on to “Maybe someday.” ❤

        This community is an exquisite gem in a world that seems to have gone insane. It makes me consider that if there are kind, supportive, generous people here, they're everywhere. They just live quietly, and don't grab the headlines. And Nov? I'm sure you can guess my opinion on the election. I certainly need a break from the ugly craziness. We all do (even those who think they don't). Here's to goodness and healing. 🙂

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