An Interview with Poet Curtis L. Crisler

"(F)ind your voice, your voice on the page, and hone and develop it, no matter what."

Curtis L. Crisler is an award-winning poet/author, born and raised in Gary, Indiana. He received a BA in English, with a minor in Theatre, from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW, now PFW), and he received his MFA from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He’s an activist for literacy, and a creator of things. Learn more about Curtis at www.poetcrisler.com 

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How long have you been writing?
Basically, since the fourth grade. That’s where I wrote a poem for Black History Month about Jackie Robinson that my mother helped me with. Although, it wasn’t until the 90’s that I took writing seriously and wanted to publish. So, I’d say officially, the last 30 years or so. 

What has been your biggest inspiration as a writer?
There have been so many, but I think the biggest inspiration as a writer would be Cave Canem, Inc.—who has retreats for African American poets every summer. It was there I became a Cave Canem Fellow and got to meet many of the contemporary poets I was reading and so many more that would become Pulitzer Prize Winners, U.S. Poet Laureates, state and city poet laureates, winners of major awards, professors/teachers, entrepreneurs, musicians, playwrights, directors, coaches, and creative advocates to name some of the things they’ve accomplished.

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