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"I want to write a book!"

Did you know that this is one of the most popular resolutions for 2016? There are a lot of great articles popping up out there with advice for putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboards) and finally getting your book written. The most valuable advice, though, is advice that comes directly from those who have successfully accomplished what you're aiming for. Today we bring you just that - an in-depth interview with author Craig Gilliam who gathered up years of scattered notes on napkins, note pads, and such to finally publish his first book, Where Wild Things Grow.

We hope his thoughts inspire your own goals for writing and publishing a book in 2016. We've been publishing books for decades and are here to help you make your dreams of becoming an author come true. Go for it - we know you can do it! We'll be here rooting for you every step of the way.
 

Author Interview: Craig Gilliam

Dr. W. Craig Gilliam has a deep love of poetry and the poetic life. He has written poetry since the early 90's. Through his debut book of poetry entitled, Where Wild Things Grow, he is making 40 of his poems available to the public. Professionally, he is a consultant, facilitator and educator in leadership development and coaching, conflict transformation (specializing in large group conflict transformation) and facilitating courageous conversations. Dr. Gilliam makes his home in Shreveport, Louisiana.
 
Q: Tell us a little about your book and why you chose to create it. What was your inspiration?
 
Where Wild Things Grow is a debut collection of poetry. The poetry grows out of my work and life experiences. It is composed of 40 poems and an introduction. For those who are more visual, I also included some color photographs. Several were taken by my sons and one a friend and professional photographer. In fact, the cover is an art piece by an artist in San Francisco.  The cover, in and of itself, is poetic.
 
Several nudgings were behind writing Where Wild Things Grow. The obvious reason is that clients appreciate having something in hand by the facilitator, educator, consultant or leader with whom they are working.  It is a way to serve or be helpful to the client.
 
While the first reason is true, it does not include the deeper, more intuitive reasons for writing. The deeper invitations are hinted at in the introduction of Where Wild Things Grow.
 
As I committed to sharing my own poetic voice, the journey led to another revelation.  Since the early 90’s, I have been writing poetry. My poetry was on napkins, in crevasses, in books, on shelves, in the cupboard, on notepads, but I had no common collection. I realized that if I were to die tomorrow, my sons would never know this poetic part of me. Humbled by this daunting thought, I began collecting, selecting and harvesting these scraps of misbegotten poems that were hiding in strange places.
 
After collecting as many poems as I could locate, our group had another session with poet David Whyte on Whidbey Island outside of Seattle, Washington. After one of our sessions, one of the facilitators asked me, “Why don’t you publish your poetry?” I hemmed and hawed and said that I would think about it. She emphatically stated, “You are a poet! . . . Don’t think about it too much, just do it.”
 
Out of these experiences, this book emerged. Its title was selected because my experience confirms that on the edge, in the dissonance, in the discordant elements, in that space and non-space, our most creative possibilities reside. . . . .  (Where Wild Things Grow, p. 13)
 
One additional reason for writing the book is that it was the next step I knew I needed to take. Sometimes, one has to follow the intuition and nudgings.
 
Why poetry?
 
The best response to this question is directly from Where Wild Things Grow. It says:
 

"I see poetry as an incarnation. It gives our creative spirits form and body.  It gives outer expression to the deep source or wellspring within us. At its best, poetry invites us to a deep place of under-neathness, a sacred non-space from which creativity flows. Human kind has had a thousand names for this inner place. I refer to it as soul, a ghost-like, far horizon from which our deepest Self makes appearances, shows its face(s) and calls us deeper into the world."
 
"Professionally, part of my work includes working with corporations/organizations, communities, non-profits and congregations of various faith traditions that are caught in anxiety and conflict.  Poetry is an important ingredient of conflict transformation work for it helps open and sustain space for individuals and groups to have courageous conversations. Poetry helps lower anxiety and reactivity in individuals and groups and is an important practice in helping to create a safe, strong container that can hold the heat necessary for transformation, which often includes courageous conversations. Poetry also helps keep us grounded and invites a different mindset from just the strategic mind. As important as the strategic mind is in our personal and professional lives, without the creative, poetic mind, we miss out on some of the greatest and most profound creative resources."  (Where Wild Things Grow, pp. 15-16)

Q: How has your book affected your professional life?
 
Professionally, I am a consultant, facilitator and educator in leadership development, conflict transformation and facilitating courageous conversations. The book has invited clients to a different kind of conversation and in many instances invited them and myself to a different perspective about one another, about self, issues, challenges and opportunities. It has changed the conversation for some, and invited the strategic and the creative mind to the table. In the complex world in which we live, the creative imagination and the arts are as important as is the strategic mind.
 
In addition, it has helped introduce an important question into the work place—How does our art and artistry inform our work?  Clients have expressed appreciation for the work—my willingness to put this side of myself “out there.” This has been my way of modeling such a way in the world and for clients.
 
Q:  Anything you would have done differently?
 
I would be careful to take time and space and not rush the publication. Working at your own rhythm and not allowing circumstances to make you feel anxious or rushed is a word of wisdom I learned. Quality is the focus. The published item presents an important image of you and your company. The quality of the publication is an extension of your image. Take the time for quality layout, design and editing. Let it ripen. Both the content of the resource and the process of writing are to be nurtured and given attention.
 
Also, make certain to have a good editor and have your manuscript in as close to final form as possible before sending it to Vervante. Editorial services can be costly, but they are worth the value if you get a good one. The more work you have done, the less Vervante has to do in the critical points of interpretation.
 
Q:  Any wisdom you would share with other authors and entrepreneurs who are thinking about adding books or other products to their business?
           
Depending on the business, adding quality books and multimedia products is an important, worthwhile process and endeavor.  How to market and raise awareness is a concern for most organizations, companies and individuals and to do so in a way that is congruent with you and your organization’s values. Printed material assists in that process.
 
In addition, after doing a presentation or work with a group, the written material helps reinforce what is taught, thus, they can take it with them to ponder.
 
Published materials serve as a quality calling card and give people a glimpse into who you are and how you work. It offers a window into what makes you unique in your given field.
 
Q:  Can you give us a peek into the design and production process?
 
When talking to Cindy Tyler (Vervante’s CEO) in the beginning, she said, “Let’s make the book playful, so instead of people reading it then sitting it on the bookshelf, people might put it on their coffee tables, on their desks and on end tables. It will be out to be seen.” She suggested they make it a different size than a normal book as another way to make it playful. What she described, they did--size, layout and design. I was also fascinated by the way they used the white space in the book, which is always the challenge and indicator of an artist. I am very pleased.
 
The Vervante Team was excellent. They were personable and professional. When I had questions, they were prompt to respond. They offered guidance from their wisdom and expertise, while honoring my wishes, requests, hopes and concerns. I am very satisfied and appreciate the Vervante Team. I do plan on using them in the future as well! They are good people who provide highly professional services. I recommend them without hesitation.
 
A closing quote from Where Wild Things Grow:
Living is our call.
                        To this grand adventure
                                    our mere being says that we are invited . . .
                                                to a place of unknown hopes,
                                                            unrealized possibilities.  (p. 70)

Fun Facts about Dr. Gilliam
 
1. Favorite books or authors? Some of my favorite writers include: David Whyte Rainer M. Rilke, William Stafford, Mary Oliver, Lucille Clifton, Seamus Heaney, Rumi, John Paul Lederach, Paulo Coelho, Pueblo Neruda, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, T. S. Eliot, Wallace Stevens, William Blake, William Wordsworth, Howard Thurman to name some . . .
 
2. What are you reading right now? Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age by Sherry Turkle
 
3. Personal motto/ words you live by? Life always finds a way.
 
4. Hobbies, ways you relax, fun things you like to do away from work? Weight lifting/exercise, karate, reading and writing poetry, good food and music, quiet spaces and having a nice glass of wine with my beautiful wife and two grown sons, family and friends.
 
5. One thing about you that would surprise people: I have a 4th degree black belt in traditional Japanese karate (Shotokan) and write poetry.
 
6. What makes you happy?  
a) Being with my wife, my two grown sons, family and friends;
b) A good glass of wine while basking in the pondering presence of a powerful poem under a full, round moon.
c) When I see individuals, communities, congregations and organizations with whom I work get “it,” find their rhythm and become artists in their field, yielding positive outcomes and creating space for new horizons to emerge;
d) When people can disagree and still honor the humanity of another; when they can stand at a different place while staying in conversation/relationship, when people can have what David Whyte calls, the courageous conversation, while honoring the dignity of the other(s) listening for the third way, for a way beyond the impasse.
 
You can learn more about Dr. Gilliam and his book at Amazon or Vervante Press. If you would like to make a connection and learn more about Gilliam, his poetry and work with organizations, please contact him at wcraiggilliam@hotmail.com.