Glenn Marchand
Oyster River Pages: Why do you write and/or create?
Glenn Marchand: I write about the human condition and how this condition is inclusive of the entire human race, because various levels of sadness haunts humanity. During development each person undergoes a level of stress and pain. In this condition, we find one another, relate to each other, and find connectivity and commonality. By realizing this condition, we are able to relate to each other, care for each other, and understand one another.
ORP: What do you think is the best way to improve writing and/or artistic skills?
GM: The best way to improve one’s writing skills is to compose, read, and formulate ideas daily. The writer must engage his or her mind by thinking of metaphors and similes that speak to a given genre (e.g., romance, horror, freestyle, or all the above). Most important to this process, is feeding the mind and spirit, in order to have balance.
ORP: Who do you consider to be your creative ancestors and contemporaries for your art and/or writing? How does your creative work converse with theirs?
GM: I would like to believe that my creative ancestors are both Frederick Douglass and Kierkegaard. My contemporary, as guiding me through her literature would be, Maya Angelou. These three authors exhibit character, suffering, and triumph on various levels. As an Existentialist, I am drawn to the poetic anguish in each person here mentioned. When creating, each person comes to mind, either the writing style, content, or struggle they underwent.
ORP: What does vulnerability mean to you as an artist and/or writer?
GM: Vulnerability is tricky. Most often, we are on our guard, unless associated with others we have an extended rapport with, and even then, many have things they cannot share, for fear of being judged. In dealing with others, we seem to sense them in an intimate way, before we are allowed to make closeness with them; if they are genuine, we will know it, and this allows for vulnerability. In saying this, vulnerability means I can trust the other person, and love that person freely.
