This week, I have the great pleasure of interviewing poet Lilli G. Egler, author of The Songs of My Heart.
But first, let me give you all a bit of background on my relationship with Lilli.
She is my Mama. Yes. That is how I refer to her even as an adult pushing fifty. This woman, an immigrant from Poland to the US when she was just 19 years old, has been a source of encouragement and support to me throughout my journey as a writer. And all my life I have known her to be a storyteller and a singer, making up stories for us as we went to bed, or making up songs as she worked around the house and yard. This woman is always singing something, even if it is completely made up.
Now… My Mama is not tech savvy at all. And we live thousands of miles away from each other, over 2,500 miles. So, I conducted this interview over the phone, which was a unique challenge for both of us. I tried very hard to dictate as many of her own words as I could, but… well, Mama talks fast. And rabbits… She chases rabbits. In the most delightful way, but I have had to work through these answers to make sure we stay on topic without losing any of her voice.
Also, a bit of backstory on The Songs of My Heart. Several years ago, I created two small volumes of her poetry through a book service that turned out to be entirely too expensive. I promised my Mama I would gather her two anthologies and create a single book out of them. Now, the tragic irony is this: I have absolutely zero appreciation for poetry. Zilch. I don’t get it. I don’t like it. But I love my Mama, and I wanted her poetry, prayers, and songs in a place where everyone in our family, and any of her friends, could keep them and have them as reminder of the beautiful heart that wrote them. So, I put The Songs of My Heart together. I am so thankful, and pleasantly surprised, at how this book is touching lives. I am so proud of Mama and her heart.
Now, without further ado, let’s get talking with Lilli.
•Hi, Mama. I know I caught you off guard asking you to do this interview with me. So thank you for letting me quiz you on your book and why you write poetry. First, please tell me what The Songs of My Heart is.
The book started as bits and pieces of thoughts and prayers that became songs, poems, and prayers that I sent to you to transcribe and make into a book.
Sometimes they were just things around me or ideas I had. I don’t know. Sometimes they were feelings about people, situations, or personal feelings I was trying to understand.
•What is the general inspiration behind your poetry?
I’m always inspired by my life and loved ones.
•What inspired you to write down your songs, short stories, and poetry?
I played a game with my grandchildren – a rhyming word game. Over time, that game turned into poems and stories. With my first grandchild, I recorded some of my songs and stories onto cassette tapes that I sent to him for Christmas one year. My other grandchildren inspired me to write down our rhyming game stories. Plus, my father in Poland, encouraged me to write down my short stories. I didn’t consider creating a book of poetry until you gave me the idea.
•How long have you been writing?
Since I lived in Poland. I had hoped I could recover those stories when I visited several years ago, but they’ve been long lost.
•Share a moment of inspiration that affected something you have written.
All of them. Every moment inspires short thoughts that I jot down as notes, and then later, I spend more time writing them out. Singing also inspires me a great deal. Recently, I was inspired by an experience I had as a new member of a local women’s group. I went home and began processing what it’s like to be new, feeling overwhelmed, out of the loop, overlooked. Currently, I am writing a poem for and to my dear friend who expressed appreciation for me just for being her friend. The power of friendship is great inspiration.
•Of all the poetry you have written, do you have a favorite?
::laughs:: All of them! Whatever I am writing is my favorite in the moment, because it is so deeply inspired by whatever is happening at that time. ::laughing again:: I am writing new ones now that I think are my favorite because I can relate to them right now. My poetry is to me like my children. I love you equally, but in different ways and for different reasons.
•I understand that. I don’t think I could pick a favorite of any of my writing either. They all mean different things to me for different reasons. As Indie writers, we rely on many tools (books, apps, programs, etc) to write and prepare to publish. What is the most useful tool you use when writing?
Pen and paper. ::giggles:: Really. A good writing pen. I don’t look for other tools, or devices because I don’t know how to type. Besides, I prefer paper and pen because I like to draw and doodle too.
•Have you ever stumbled on advice or a tip that you found to be useful in your writing journey?
Well, a lady I met not long ago had taken classes for poetry writing. She shared with me that when you write poetry you have to have your own style. I am not entirely certain what she meant by that, but I think about that a lot.
•Who do you hope will read The Songs of My Heart?
Everybody. ::laughing:: No. Really. I hope people who are in distress or might be looking for healing. But also people who are looking for joy, solitude, and more about God.
•What is one thing you wish to express to readers who might enjoy The Songs of My Heart?
I’d love for them to feel closer to God as they read, to maybe understand my walk with God. I wouldn’t have the confidence I have today had I not witnessed his miracles in my life.
•Do you have a favorite book or author?
The Bible. And within the Bible, the Book of Psalms. Much of my poetry, I try to mimic the sound of my favorite psalms.
•Thank you, Mama, for letting me talk to you about your poetry. I know how much joy you get in sharing your writing with others, especially those who have blessed you in some way.
Dear Reader,
Thank you for joining us this week. I invite you to get a copy of The Songs of My Heart. I know the poetry and prayers will bless you as they have so many others. I hope you join me again next time as interview MJ Krause-Chivers, author of Katarina’s Dark Journey.