Poetry Grrrowl: On the Count of None + Allison Chisholm

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Interview with the Poet

All Lit Up: Tell us about your collection. Allison Chisholm: On the Count of None is my first full-length book of poetry. It is an eclectic collection of poems that could be described as surreal. These poems explore the relationship between the serious and absurd and borrow inspiration from familiar constructions in our popular culture: horoscopes, obituaries, birth notices and guidebooks. There is a narrative thread that weaves throughout the book which involves a character named Ellen, Hendrik Ibsen, and a dollhouse. ALU: What is your process for beginning a poem? Has it changed since you began writing?AC: My writing is often inspired by what I overhear. I keep a bank of words, expressions, and phrases that appeal to me. I like to arrange and disjoint ideas and I usually make a passable attempt to bind cohesion. I am also comfortable when cohesion is not achieved. I enjoy incongruence.Through the writing of this book my process has changed. Stuart Ross, who edited the book, was an incredible resource and challenged me to explore new writers and styles. In turn, I feel like my craft has expanded.ALU: What sparked your initial love of poetry?AC: My husband is a writer and I always admired his art. Early in our relationship he introduced me to various writers and also encouraged me to write myself. We would write together, as well as with friends, in a collaborative format. In this way, writing became accessible to me. It was a playful way to be introduced to the craft. Over the years I have worked to develop my own voice.ALU: Who are some of your fave women poets? AC: So many wonderful woman poets inspire me: Jaime Forsythe, Alice Burdick, Tara Azzoparti and Lisa Jarnot are among my favourites.ALU: What do you find most informs and inspires your writing?AC: Before anything else, I am interested in the tone of a poem. I like to borrow from a style or voice that is integrated into our popular psyche (on the radio, in a book, dialogue in a movie) and adapt this cadence in a way that is familiar yet incongruent. ALU: If you had one superpower, what would it be? Could you describe it in a haiku?AC: My superpower would be the ability to blend into any environment. On the forestageOr along a fine lineI am right here* * *

A Poem from On the Count of None

“My Unravelling”    [Pee break.] * * *

Allison Chisholm lives and writes in Kingston, Ontario. Her poetry has appeared in The Northern Testicle Review, the Puddles of Sky chap-poem The Dollhouse, The Week Shall Inherit The Verse, and the Proper Tales Press chapbook On the Count of One. She played glockenspiel in the Hawaiian-dream-pop band SCUB. Her photography has been exhibited in the Tiniest Gallery.* * *During the month of April, you can buy On the Count of None as well as  any of our featured Poetry Grrrowl books for 15% off (+ we’ll send you a stack of our exclusive temporary tattoos and stickers to show off your woman pride!)Keep up with us all month on  Twitter,  Instagram, and  Facebook with the hashtag #poetrygrrrowl.BONUS: Test your knowledge of all the rad women of poetry with our  Poetry Grrrowl quiz!