The Greatest Poet Alive Takes Revenge
G.P.A. (Greatest Poet Alive) is the author of four books of Poetry (The Confessional Heart of a Man, The Book of 24 Orgasms, The Mind of a Poetic Unsub, and Revenge of the Orgasm), contributed to several anthologies, and has released one cd (The G.P.A. Experience). He is the winner of the Moth Storytelling Slam, Poetry Pentathlon, and Black Essence Award, as well as having been nominate Poet of the Year for three years and Book of the Year twice. Currently, G.P.A. has added acting to his resume with two movies (Persian Version and Animals) and television shows (Chicago PD, Chicago Fire, and Mind Games). G.P.A. proudly claims Chicago as his home.
Please tell us your latest news! Just appeared in a feature role in the independent movie, “Persian Version”, and Revenge of the Orgasm has gone over 73 reviews (53 five star an 20 four star).
Please describe your writing environment. My writing environment is arranged messiness.
What main genre do you write in? I am a Poet that writes in all facets of the genre.
What are your hobbies? Working out, playing video games, reading, and walking with Scooter the Beagle.
If you had to choose one person to have dinner with, who would it be? And why? I’d like to have dinner with my father. He passed away in 2000, and I’d like to bring him up to speed on everything that I have done since he has been gone. And there might be a chance that he would say, “Son, I’m proud of you.”
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? Instead of a book of Poetry, I would have made Revenge of the Orgasm a full length novel.
Do you write full time? What did you do before you became a writer? Or Still do? Now I do write full time, along with acting. So glad that I discovered both of these things because I couldn’t go on stealing government funds.
What is your writing process? Do you outline, fly by the seat of your pants or a combination of both? A combination of both are necessary for me. I write like I’m Jimmie Johnson in a NASCAR race, but then to put it into a book, I organize similar to an unsub on Criminal Minds.
Do you have a ritual when it comes to writing? Example….get coffee, blanket, paper, pen and a comfy place. I have realized that drinking Heineken and Jim Beam with Coke are great stimulants for writing. Having a beautiful woman around or interacting with one or a few is also quite helpful.
Who is your perfect hero? And why? Batman is my perfect hero because he has a steely reserve and could be anyone. He has no super powers, but if he did, that would take away from his aura.
When you have writer's block how do you break free? Writers’ Block is a myth.
Is there a genre of book you would like to write but haven't yet? I plan on writing a young adult novel. It is called Bobo’s Middle School Adventures.
What would be the best way for readers contact you? Do you have a website? Email address? MySpace site? Blog? Message Board? Group? www.iblowyourmind.net, G.P.A.(Greatest Poet Alive) on Facebook.
How can readers find out more about you and your books? Besides the above website, Amazon, Barnes and Nobles.
What is the best and worst advice you have ever received? My father to me to be the best at whatever I do. A lot f dumb people suggested I be more humble (smirks).
What's your favorite genre to read? Fiction is my favorite genre to read and a huge fan of comic books.
What type of book have you always wanted to write? I have always wanted to write a gripping novel that lasts forever, like Catcher in the Rye.
When did you first decide to submit your work? Please, tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step. In 2007, I decided to submit my Poetry based on a suggestion from my friend Elwood Pegram (RIP).
What was your first published work and when was it published? Under the name Harold Bains, I published my poem “Beautiful Ones” in Rolling Out Magazine.
Is there anyone who really mentored or inspired you to keep writing until you were finally published? I wasn’t mentored by anyone but inspired by James Livingston Elwood Pegram to get it done.
Beautiful woman is wearing a black, Donna Karan dress that was long but short enough. My thumb is short but was found to be long enough. She sat demurely like a lady would; her legs were spread wide enough. Thumb did not enter fully, yet it made geometric shapes, occasionally grazing seventh letter spot, and causing chasm to drip nectar, so I guess thumb had delved deep enough. Her moans were inaudible to all around us; however, I could hear them clearly and discern my name as she spoke it, and this told me they were loud enough.
