Today, I’m happy to welcome Lisa Hurley Downer, a writer and performing artist who combines her passion for writing, music and performing. She’s also my sister and is about to publish her first book, Caribbean Love.
Hi Lisa, Welcome to Sharon’s Writing Lab. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hey Sharon. I am a writer and performance poet. I really enjoy being able to express both sides of my personality: the hermit and the “attention-seeker”, if you will.
What inspires your poetry?
I usually write when I am very moved about something – it expresses some extreme emotion. Most of my poems are about love in one way or another. Romantic love, (good and bad), love between sisters, love between friends, self-love, spiritual love…I am inspired by that search for or experience of connection.
There are times, though when I am in a playful mood and will just write for the joy of exploring a particular poetic form. I love haiku, for example. I am naturally a bit verbose, so I enjoy the discipline of limiting myself in order to achieve fullest expression.
I am also a songwriter, which of course feeds naturally into my poetry. Sometimes I hear a rhythm in my head and write a poem to the beat.
Tell us a bit about your book.
My book, Caribbean Love, is a poetry-novel that describes my love-journey through life. It starts with poems about the relationship between me and my Dad (serious “daddy issues”) in order to establish the foundation for all of my romantic missteps. Beats therapy, I guess. 
From there, it traces my passage from an unhealthy obsession with finding “the one”, through a process of self-discovery and self-acceptance, and finally achieving a healthy, happy relationship…with myself.
What makes it unique is that instead of merely including my poems, I also provide the back story and context for them, so that readers get immediate insight into the “why” of the work. I have read many poetry collections and loved the work, but always wondered where the author’s head (or heart) was at when writing. What were they going through? Why are rotting apples, or whatever, a recurring motif? By creating a framework on which the poems stand, I answer those questions and make it easier for readers to connect with the poetry.
Where did you come up with your title?
While the title is not yet final, I came up with Caribbean Love because it captures my theme (Love) and my origins, both of which are vitally important to me. It’s the title of one of my favourite poems as well, and captures a time of joy, self-acceptance and connection to family.
Do you have a favourite poem or series of poems from your book?
I recently started a blog, on which I’ve posted a few of my favourites. If I had to pick just one, though, it would probably be “The Feast”, because it crystallizes the moment when I see and accept the truth about the relationships I’ve been involved in, and the men I’ve attracted. More importantly, it is a warning to other women for what to look out for, or avoid. So it’s basically a “community service” poem. Most importantly, it has edge. Some love poems can be a bit too sappy. This one has a bite to it.
Are you planning more books?
Definitely! I have a book planned with my sister, who is an excellent writer and poet herself. We have written a few poems together, and actually wrote oodles of limericks together when were growing up. I am really looking forward to that project. I also have a stage play in the works, as well as a novel and another book of poetry. So it’s going to be a busy, but very creatively fulfilling time.
When and how do you write? What’s your process and when’s your best writing time?
I often get random snippets coming to me in the middle of the day, kind of out of nowhere. Sometimes I will see something on TV, read a book, or hear a song that touches me…and I’m off and running. So I can write at any time. However, my best writing time is between 2:00 and 6:00 a.m. I’ll just jump up out of bed with the words kind of rushing out of my head and my hand trying to keep up. These poems tend to be my most resonant and truthful. They often come out fully formed with little revising needed. It’s actually a beautiful, spiritual and intensely satisfying process.
Who or what is your best source of inspiration or advice when writing?
Life – either mine or my friends’. People do some crazy stuff to each other in the name of love.
What’s the best advice you have received about writing or publishing?
Two things. The first was from my Dad, who told me “Do not self-edit. Just write and get something down on the page.” That has really helped… Another poet also recently advised me to be true to my vision for my work and never, never waver from it.
Tell us one thing about yourself that you haven’t yet revealed in an interview.
Even though I am a performer and love being on stage, I have a very shy, quiet side.
