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BN: One thing I wanted to ask you -- this is more of a process question -- is just how, what your writing process is. I mean, are you more of an opportunistic, "Oh, I have this idea, let me write this," or are you more of a, okay, from nine to twelve tomorrow, I'm going to sit down? And then how, if any, has that process sort of changed over time?

AU: My style is kind of more random/"good student." When I was in workshops and knew I had an assignment due every week, I would be sure to have something. So I always produced at least one new poem if not more. I seem to respond well to deadlines. But otherwise, I'm completely undisciplined at sort of a random, as you said, opportunistic. A lot of times I might see a topic or hear a line or see something visually, and it will stick with me, and I know it's going to turn into a poem. Sometimes it's that strong. Sometimes words will come into my head, and if they do, as soon as I can get close to just a little piece of paper or something, a napkin, something to scribble on, I'll write it down in case I forget. Like a lot of times I might get ideas while I'm walking which isn't that good. I guess maybe there are ways you could keep it on your phone, but I don't, so I try to remember it. It sounds kind of random, huh, the process? [Laughs] As to whether it's changed over the years, I don't think so. I'm still... yeah, I don't think so.

<End Segment 14> - Copyright © 2022 Densho. All Rights Reserved.