Summary

Lori Carlson is a multifaceted writer, artist, and dreamer with a background in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, influenced by a wide array of renowned poets and authors.

Abstract

Lori Carlson, an author with a diverse portfolio, began her writing journey at a young age, crafting myths and poetry. Her work, which has evolved over time, spans various genres including Horror, Mystery, and Science Fiction. Despite her early success in publishing and contests, Carlson prefers to focus on writing and online publication rather than seeking traditional publishing avenues. Her poetry themes have shifted from darker subjects like loss and abuse to lighter topics such as spirituality and nature. Carlson's writing is deeply personal, reflecting her life experiences and the influence of an extensive list of literary figures. She holds degrees in English and Liberal Studies from Hollins University and continues to write full-time, living in Northern Oklahoma with her spouse and two cats.

Opinions

Carlson values the privacy and personal expression afforded by poetry, which she used to keep her diary private from her brother.
She acknowledges the growth in her writing, from "horrendous" early work to a more mature and nuanced style, indicating a continuous journey of self-improvement and learning.
Carlson's preference for writing and online publishing suggests a belief in the accessibility and immediacy of digital media for sharing her work.
The evolution of her poetry from dark to light themes reflects a personal transformation and a broadening of her perspective on life.
Her extensive list of influential poets and authors showcases the diverse literary traditions that have shaped her writing style and thematic choices.
The mention of her deceased parents and sibling hints at the profound impact of family and loss on her creative output.
Carlson's enjoyment in writing about supernatural creatures like vampires and witches indicates a fascination with the fantastical and its potential for exploring human themes.

AUTHOR’S BIO

The Enigmatic Lori Carlson

An Introduction

And so this is me, the face behind the enigmatic author. Not what you expected? Well, me either. Nonetheless, it’s true.

WHO IS LORI CARLSON?

I am a poet, fiction and creative nonfiction writer, essayist, artist, and dreamer.

I began my writing career at the tender age of ten by creating my own myth stories and delighting my 5th grade English teacher with my tales. She encouraged me to write and would keep a box of writing ideas on her desk for me to choose from after I’d finished my classwork for the day. By my teens, I began crafting poetry as a means to keep a diary that discouraged my brother from reading it. I can only imagine his face the first time he picked up my journal and saw poetry scribbled in it. His words were probably, “Ew, poetry!” It worked though. He never read my diary again after that.

By the time I finished High School, I had at least a dozen notebooks filled with poetry and short fiction. Most of it was horrendous! I can say that now, not that my ego suggests that I am an amazing writer. I still have much to learn. I would go on to college at Hollins University in Roanoke, VA where I earned a BA in English and a MA in Liberal Studies. I put myself through college publishing erotica in a few British rags and entering poetry contests; I won several contests, but only amassed a total of $500 for my efforts. I’ve been published in anthologies, small press literary magazines, and a few online magazines. I discovered that I would rather be writing than entering contests or trying to get work published. And then I discovered blogs! I’ve been publishing my work online ever since.

I was born and raised in Southwestern Virginia in a small town. My parents never encouraged me to write, but writing is in my blood. Both of my parents are now deceased. I have two siblings — an older sister and a younger brother who is also deceased. Growing up in a small, nosy town filled with bullies and harassers helped create the writer I am today. I developed a lot of angst and it shows in much of my poetry.

Currently, I live in Northern Oklahoma with my spouse and two cats — Mr. Shugs McGroo and Rascal. They are both ginger tabbies. I am a full-time writer, editor, and artist.

WHAT THEMES DO I USE IN MY POETRY?

In most of my older poetry, the themes are lost love, darkness, death, and bad relationships. My favorite metaphor is bones as a means to describe abuse. While I still write mournful poetry sometimes, I have been writing lighter-themed poetry this past year — spirituality, life lessons, self-care, nature, and building relationships.

WHICH POETS INFLUENCE MY POETRY?

I could probably make a list longer than anyone would care to read, but I will name just a few — Edgar Allan Poe, Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, Robert Lowell, John Berryman, Dylan Thomas, e.e. cummings, William Shakespeare, Rita Dove, Maya Angelou, Margaret Gibson, Mary Oliver, Rupi Kaur, Sappho, Emily Dickinson, Margaret Atwood, Walt Whitman, John Keats, Rumi, and Kofi Awoonor. And that, my lovelies, is merely the tip of a very deep iceberg of favorite, influential poets.

WHAT GENRES OF FICTION DO I ENJOY WRITING?

My three favorite genres are Horror, Mystery/Detective/Thriller, and Science Fiction. Since I mostly write short fiction, my stories are often Horror and Science Fiction, but I have written one mystery novella. I also enjoy writing about vampires, witches, and werewolves which are considered Fantasy, Horror, and Science Fiction.

WHAT AUTHORS INFLUENCE MY FICTION?

Again, my lists would create a tome if I were to list everyone. Below are my all-time favorites, those authors that I go back to again and again.

In the Horror genre, my favorite authors are Bram Stoker, Shirley Jackson, Stephen King, Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelley, Clive Barker, Ramsey Campbell, and Anne Rice.

In the Science Fiction genre, my favorite authors are Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, Arthur C. Clarke, Philip K. Dick, Ursula K. Le Guin, Orson Scott Card, and Kim Stanley Robinson.

In the Mystery/Detective/Thriller genre, my favorite authors are Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle, Dashiell Hammett, Mickey Spillane, Ngaio Marsh, Lisa Jewell, Gillian Flynn, Tana French, Dennis Lehane, Robert Ludlum, and Walter Mosley.