INTERVIEW
WITH DAVE HILL
SONGSOPTOK: Dave, do you think literature or poetry is
really essential in our life? If so why? And how does it relate to the general
history of mankind?
DAVE HILL: I think that literature and poetry plays a really
important part in our life. Looking back through the history, the poetry was
translated in to what we know as music and was passed on as stories. These
stories were also told through the medium of creative speech and writing and
without these being passed on we would have no history full stop. Poetry is
essential in all our lives as a form of expression and most people who listen
to the lyrics of their favourite songs and can relate to them are actually
hearing poetic verses.
SONGSOPTOK: Our readers would
like to know your own personal experience regarding the importance of
literature and poetry in your life. Why
does literature, or specifically poetry, interests you so much? Who were
your favourite writers during the early period of your life? And how have they
paved your early days in literature?
DAVE HILL: Poetry and creative writing played a huge part
in my life up until the age of 16 when I lost my way in life. I recall my
English teachers actually taking copies of one of my pieces home, giving it an
A+ and actually using it as an example to other students. I have a copy and I
would be happy to share this with you all at some point. My early inspirations
were Shakespeare and Carol Ann Duffy. I also loved RAP artists such as Eminem and
the Band JAMES for their poetic lyrics and rhyme.
SONG SOPTOK: Do you think society
as a whole is the key factor in shaping you up as a poet, or your poetry
altogether?
DAVE HILL: I think I had a lot of feelings, Dark, Deep,
Passionate, Evil, Sexual stuff that had to be released from within and with the
sad passing of my mom this time last year it just made me pour out all the
things that were on my mind and led me to the point that I am at now with over
200 published pieces and I’m not doing relatable quotes and short inspirational
pieces. I feel UNSTOPPABLE!
SONGSOPTOK: Now coming back to
the present time, do you think people in general actually bother about
literature in general? Do you think this
consumerist world is turning the average man away from serious literature?
DAVE HILL: Well this is the thing, I know lots of people
who do write mainly about trauma but never share it due to fear of being
‘weird’ I think that this is total crap
and all creative gifts are to be commended and nurtured, ask some of my close
friends about how I nurture their gifts. Some people are well beyond saving
though trust me! I think in the masculine culture it’s laughed upon for like a
‘tough guy’ like me to write. But you know what I don’t really care.....Haters gonna
Hate!
SONGSOPTOK: How do you relate
your own self existence with your literary life in one hand, and the present
time and the socio-political space around you, on the other.
DAVE HILL: We do not watch the news or any media other
than things we enjoy, films games etc. It is pure negativity and
scaremongering. The only thing I check is the weather (and that’s usually bad!)
J
.For me at this point it’s about experiencing things and the things I have
experienced then writing them for people to relate to and help them understand
themselves more.
SONGSOPTOK: Do you think in this
age of information and technology the dimensions of literature has largely been
extended beyond our preconceived ideas about literature in general? Now in this
changing scenario we would like to know from your own life experiences as a
poet, writer and a creative soul; how do you respond to this present time? And in this context we would like to know
your own experience with “SONGSOPTOK: THE WRITERS’ BLOG”
DAVE HILL: I think that the internet has blown open
everything in terms of public sharing. I mean the internet is a place where
people communicate with technology and then other people receive that message
that is communicated to them via technology. I think that people do plagiarise
a hell of a lot due to everything being available and some things get watered
down and lost in translation. I don’t have time for ANYONE who takes credit for
other peoples work as they have no creative skills. I have enough of these
people around me as it is and I believe everything should be based on your OWN
merit and not the merit of others. But hey that’s why I’m changing the world
one day at a time. And if it was easy then everyone would do it right????
And
on the blog, you guys are amazing and put so much effort and thought into what
you do. I really appreciate you and just seeing this getting bigger and
bigger!!!If you keep being so nice I may even write you a poem about SONGSOPTOK
(now there’s an idea)
SONGSOPTOK: Do you believe all
writers are by and large the product of their nationality? And what are the factors
which pay dividends and which become obstacles for your ultimate growth as an
international writer even beyond your time?
DAVE HILL: No. I think that creative writing is one of
the most diverse forms of expression. Some people are more religious, dark etc
but styles tend to be similar and this is a product how they have chosen to
live not their own nationality.
SONGSOPTOK: Humanity has suffered
immensely in the past, is still suffering around the world. We all know it
well. But are you hopeful about our future? How do you react when innocent
people suffer immensely in Gaza, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan or elsewhere?
Whether it is state sponsored terrorism or sponsored by individual terrorist
groups. Innocent people are the first victims.
DAVE HILL: There are no bad religions, there are only bad
people. GUNS DONT KILL PEOPLE, PEOPLE DO. I think it’s sad that hate breeds
more hate and all this is ongoing. People should not have to suffer due to
different belief systems but this is the sad world we live in I’m afraid. Me
personally none of this affects me as I do not watch the news or anything
that’s informing me of death, rape, crime, hate on a daily basis. My son will
be brought up the same also as I don’t want him to be made anxious by the
scaremongering media of today.
SONGSOPTOK: Dave, tell us; do you believe one day may be in the distant future this
world will be a safer place for every new born? When we will see each other as
an equal in dignity and embrace everybody as human being overcoming all the
differences of ethnicity, religion, nationality, racism? Bringing the world
altogether?
DAVE HILL: I think people need to swallow their pride and stop
power tripping if peace is ever going to occur. All the suffering in this world
is because people are too proud to admit they are wrong or be open to the
thoughts/ideas of others. I do not see this changing so all any of us can do is
create our own universes and try to leave a good legacy for the new generation
that follows. What will be will be, fate is fate, what we resist
persists...............
SONGSOPTOK: Many thanks Dave for spending such a wonderful time with us, we would like to conclude this interview with a personal note, are you satisfied about your own achievements in your life? What are your plans for future? And how do you evaluate your contemporaries and what are your aspirations from the younger generation?
DAVE HILL: I am not satisfied yet until I make a bigger impact on the world. I have had to suffer and grow for negative actions of the past and some people can never forgive others for their past actions. Judging a person does not define who they are it defines who THEY are! I want to spread a relatable message to people and give advice in times of trauma and need. Helping people gets me high and negative people get me low. I have got some plans at present that are pretty amazing. You will have to watch this space on these though as I am not disclosing them in the concept stages. Love and peace to you all!
DAVE HILL
[Edited by Aparajita Sen]
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