I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I enjoyed doing it.
--Jason Sizemore, Apex editor-in-chief
Jason: As many people know, I just appeared out of the blue from the miasma of Myspace and made an offer to publish a collection of your poetry based solely on what I saw posted publicly on your blog. Were you harboring secret desires of a random publisher sweeping you off your feet when you created your Myspace page?
Brandy: This is an interesting question and I am going to give you an interesting answer. No. My youngest sister Ivy Ann set up this page for me, just a blank MySpace page. I had not heard of it before and I was entirely unsure whether or not I wanted to pursue it. As many friends are aware, I am a loyal recluse, rarely leaving this property unless I am called on to go out for exceptional reasons (this drives my sister crazy) and the occasions when I like to go out at night to dance. I love to dance nearly as much as I adore great literature.
Ivy Ann prompted me to do it. "Post your poetry and make a few friends." Something told me to do it and true to my nature, following instinct...I did. When You and I ended up on one another's pages, Jason~ I knew that we would be working together. I did have other publishing offers before hand, although I never submitted to anyone. But I was waiting for home and the magic situation...APEX, of course.
That's been the great thing about this whole experience, of how it sort of magically came about...does your sister give you a hard time? Like "You owe it all to me, baby!"?
What is not magical is an odd thing. That is exactly why I have not 'submitted' my work to publications. I know that must sound very strange. But I have lived my life through "What is meant to be will be and I will fight for desire only from the weaving end of it...Witchy..isn't it?" ;)
At six years old and most likely before that time 'I was the poet.' I never doubted it or thought twice. I have had such a great love and respect for this form of art that even as I child I knew that I had no intentions of standing outside of the gates to the realm of poetry. I had to be 'of' that world. Sometimes we are born knowing who we are and through time that face of proof develops. I knew that when my craft was ready, it would find a home and it did. I saw myself sitting right where I am now when I was little and I had no doubt, not ever.
My Sister- Ivy has not yet given me a hard time...I believe that she may be waiting for just the right moment...The three of us, myself, Tenille and Ivy Ann have always been sly things. All of us being considerate and loving, inseparable...Still, cunning Imps ;)
I've always heard that the number "three" holds power and sure enough, you have two sisters! I can't imagine the troubles the three sisters created.
Ah, now here we go...Three is in fact a very powerful number. My sisters and I share a very unique bond and we always have. The three of us are very different and still we are one, inseparable no matter how many miles are between us. We do tend to move around this world a great deal and we are protective of one another to no bounds. If one of us is in a particular mood, you can bet safely that all of us are in the very same state of mind. We always know when something is wrong with the other even if we have not spoken or seen one another. Not one of us would thrive without the other. My two sisters are the core of me as all three of us are of the other. "Three Strange Sisters" ~ Absolutely. We have been written about...But I won't tell you where ;)
Tenille is the middle sister, I am the eldest and Ivy Ann the youngest. We all have our own charms. Tenille can charm any creature that crosses her path, especially horses. She has ridden in some of the most prestigious competitions in the United States and Canada, highly respected for her beautiful relationship with these amazing spirits. At the moment Tenille is backpacking around Puerto Rico. She is always off on some wild adventure, fearless and gorgeous, truly. Tenille has many gifts.
Ivy Ann will charm you with one of the most beautiful, soulful singing voices that you have ever heard. She will give you goose bumps and tempt tears. She played 'Patty' in Parenthood the movie, also 'Trixy' in Problem Child 2, again 'Patty' in Parenthood the series, she has been in ice shows with some of the greatest Ice skaters in the world...Sun Valley Idaho, where we used to spend our summers. Ivy Ann is also gifted in many ways.
Parenthood the series is where I had my very first kiss...The great 'Leonardo DiCaprio' of course. But do not get a romantic idea...We were awkward young teens and dear friends, it was a spur of the moment "Why not?", after which we looked at one another, shook our heads and went back down to one of our favorite hang outs to play pool...That was that and we went about our daily swimming in the pool, playing pool in the cove at the apartments, sharing talk of literature and generally giving each other a hard time as good friends should.
No, my great love, my first swooning love was the brilliant talent, Joss Whedon (he is in the acknowledgments of my book), true to my nature I was enchanted by the writer and of course although he was older than me, he was well aware of my dizzy adore...everyone was, although I was quiet about it ;)
Joss was entirely, innocently sweet to me. I remember every Joss Whedon wink as he would walk by and every conversation that we had about writing and what not. Joss showed me the very beginnings of Toy Story on his computer, I was honored, thrilled...*swooning* always...But, I wrinkled my nose at it a bit and gave him a look (it did look odd in that stage) He laughed that genuine, amused laugh and said "You will see, it is the future" *Wink*
Soon enough, we were back home in our little seaside town, running wild on the beaches, through the woods, climbing trees and visiting the old cemetery on the back of my Grandparent's property "We are home!" and we were happy to be home, honestly. We had many wonderful adventures through the years of Hollywood...Still, we were happy to be home and skinny dipping beneath the moon and through the sea where we belong.
This is just one small moment in the strange life of my sisters and I. We have discovered many things, charmingly...
Ha! Your first kiss was Leonardo Dicaprio? I'm rather impressed. I had no idea you had a Hollywood "upbringing." That's quite a different life than your current situation of living on a ranch in Montana.
What brought about the change in geography?
But there's this one particular tree in Montana...I hear it's where you do your best work...?
If one were to try and "woo" you with poetry, what's their best bet?
Recite to me...in Italian or Latin...Jacopo Sannazaro 'Arcadia'...
I can say "Aegris Somnia" and "Gratia Placenti" in Latin, is that close enough?
Can you say it with the lush, sinister tone in the very lush and sinister moments...If so...It could be a beautiful gateway to mysterious and most passionate happenings...In particular Aegris Somnia which I look forward to discovering...Brilliant, brilliant APEX ;)
Brilliant? Thank you!
I know we've talked about this a bit in the past, but do you ever venture into other formats, such as short fiction?
You are entirely welcome, Jason. I do venture into short fiction...However, my symbolic and poetic voice is a power that wants to take over all that I create. As I mentioned in my interview with my sweet and talented friend, Louise...Poetry is an entity of it's own and it is a strong creature with a sublime, territorial roar. When this form of creation has made a home in a soul, it is very difficult to deny it. Poetry stalks around inside of me waiting to pounce upon every tempting prey to devour what is not of the lyric, symbolism cadence...The rise and fall. I most recently wrote a short fiction story that I am performing a bit of an exorcism on called 'The Black Bath's Of Cruelty'...I 'will' win this one over. Such a demon poetry can be...
Demons. Devils. Evil looking poppet heads. All play a role in your work.
Does all this frighten the rural folks in Montana?
#####################
I'd like to think Brandy for taking the time to do the interview. You can find a bit more about this interesting writer at her website: http://www.myspace.com/grimtrixter
Also, you can buy her first published collection of poetry through us, Apex Publications, at http://apexdigest.myshopify.com/products/g
Ha! Your first kiss was Leonardo Dicaprio? I'm rather impressed. I had no idea you had a Hollywood "upbringing." That's quite a different life than your current situation of living on a ranch in Montana.
What brought about the change in geography?
Yes, it was. I have seen a few of his movies of course...He is much better at the kissing..Then again, so am I ;)
Hollywood, I could tell you many stories of those years. It was an odd but wonderful experience for us. You have to remember, although we had a very curious life, we were not used to 'such' a big place as LA. We came from a tiny seaside town where we spent our time on the rocky beaches and in the woods. We lived in an old Victorian home with a wood stove for heat and cooking. It was/is a glamorous home, lush with the finest decor from heritage. But still, it was not 'Hollywood' glitz and pampering (our home was more like Rose Red). My mothers home/our home is rich with shadows and sultry colors, vintage inspiration and sinister undertones...The perfect place for a poet like myself to grow up in and the perfect family for such inspirations of an otherworldly, mysterious nature.
While discovering the entertainment business, we were treated like family and taken in beautifully by curious friends. Curious about our very different life. I still have good friends from those days.
My life in Montana is entirely different 'yes' - I feel a bit lost here from time to time, although it is very beautiful. I do not live on a ranch actually...Just a little house at the end of a long road, by the river and surrounded by trees and Lilac bushes. I have a wood stove for cooking and heat of course. There is no washer or dryer here, or dishwasher, nothing like that. I am perfectly at home with that aspect of it. I do miss the family, woods and the sea. I get very melancholy for our little seaside town.
What brought me here? That is a secret~
But there's this one particular tree in Montana...I hear it's where you do your best work...?
'The Tree' I do love to write in the tree. I have always been a tree climber. If you think about it, who is going to bug me in a tree!? Of course there are other reasons why I write in that tree..But a woman has to keep her secrets, you know-
During the spring and summer that is where I like to do my writing. Fall and winter I cozy up next to the old wood stove, move through memories, desire, present mysteries and I create....Confess, weave~
If one were to try and "woo" you with poetry, what's their best bet?
Recite to me...in Italian or Latin...Jacopo Sannazaro 'Arcadia'...
I can say "Aegris Somnia" and "Gratia Placenti" in Latin, is that close enough?
Can you say it with the lush, sinister tone in the very lush and sinister moments...If so...It could be a beautiful gateway to mysterious and most passionate happenings...In particular Aegris Somnia which I look forward to discovering...Brilliant, brilliant APEX ;)
Brilliant? Thank you!
I know we've talked about this a bit in the past, but do you ever venture into other formats, such as short fiction?
You are entirely welcome, Jason. I do venture into short fiction...However, my symbolic and poetic voice is a power that wants to take over all that I create. As I mentioned in my interview with my sweet and talented friend, Louise...Poetry is an entity of it's own and it is a strong creature with a sublime, territorial roar. When this form of creation has made a home in a soul, it is very difficult to deny it. Poetry stalks around inside of me waiting to pounce upon every tempting prey to devour what is not of the lyric, symbolism cadence...The rise and fall. I most recently wrote a short fiction story that I am performing a bit of an exorcism on called 'The Black Bath's Of Cruelty'...I 'will' win this one over. Such a demon poetry can be...
Demons. Devils. Evil looking poppet heads. All play a role in your work.
Does all this frighten the rural folks in Montana?
Oh, too funny, Jason. Good question...Even without their knowledge of my work, I do find that I am quite often looked at from many corners of many eyes. I am certainly not your Montana homespun woman. Not in character or dress. Although I am handy with an axe...My wood stove you know. I am feminine and also hearty. Not to suggest that the women of Montana are not feminine. But I am a bit of a slinky, seductress sort, you know...Throw an axe into that scenario and my collecting of knives, high heels, cunning appearance and I suppose I then become a bit of a darker curiosity...Not to mention my reclusive ways combined with a mysterious past. Still, when I am out...People show me their palms and consistently feel the need for a reading and when out dancing I am never sitting in wait for a dance partner...On that note I am fortunate that I can go dancing in places that do not focus on country music. I am not much of a fan of the 'two step and what not' ~
My strange little poppets do sell very well here however ;)
What would be the first thing a person would think to themselves when seeing you for the first time?
I suppose that would depend on who we are talking about...Man, woman, passions preferences (a devious laugh would be most appropriate here). I suppose I exude a bit of a sly and dangerous, intelligent and cunning, incredibly confident impression (what is that woman up to)? People do tend to show a great curiosity for me and it has been that way always. Even when I was little I was quiet and observant, watching and discovering, looking inward both into myself and others (because I 'care' to). Family, friends, acquaintances and even strangers have forever sought out my thoughts and that is a lovely compliment. When we are sultry and silent, we are always a mysterious draw. What is loud and blunt leaves shallow pools to flounder. I prefer myself to swim the depths of moody seas...I adore what is not so easily available to me, what I might drown to find as a forgotten or hidden treasure~
What would be the first thing a person would think to themselves when seeing you for the first time?
I suppose that would depend on who we are talking about...Man, woman, passions preferences (a devious laugh would be most appropriate here). I suppose I exude a bit of a sly and dangerous, intelligent and cunning, incredibly confident impression (what is that woman up to)? People do tend to show a great curiosity for me and it has been that way always. Even when I was little I was quiet and observant, watching and discovering, looking inward both into myself and others (because I 'care' to). Family, friends, acquaintances and even strangers have forever sought out my thoughts and that is a lovely compliment. When we are sultry and silent, we are always a mysterious draw. What is loud and blunt leaves shallow pools to flounder. I prefer myself to swim the depths of moody seas...I adore what is not so easily available to me, what I might drown to find as a forgotten or hidden treasure~
#####################
I'd like to think Brandy for taking the time to do the interview. You can find a bit more about this interesting writer at her website: http://www.myspace.com/grimtrixter
Also, you can buy her first published collection of poetry through us, Apex Publications, at http://apexdigest.myshopify.com/products/g
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