David Rea
ORP: What inspired you to begin writing or creating? Has that source of inspiration changed throughout your life?
David Rea: I've been writing in one form or another since I was a teenager. The feeling of having your voice find a place in the world, even if it is on a piece of scrap paper, is quite special.
ORP: Does writing or creating energize or exhaust you? What aspects of your artistic process would you consider the most challenging or rewarding?
DR: Writing is the best legal high available. I love having a blank sheet of paper in front of me, or a luminous computer screen, the blinking cursor beckoning; I love the feeling of boundless adventure. There are always lots of challenges, but that's part of the fun. For a long time I struggled to separate the research stage from the actual writing bit. But now I don't even try. It's chaotic, but I get there eventually!
ORP: What would you say is your most interesting writing and/or artistic quirk? Do you have any habits that you believe help or hinder your creativity?
DR: What I'm always hoping for is to enter into some kind of dreamlike state, or flow state (or whatever you call it), when you let go of conscious control and, several hours later, you find you've filled several pages. It rarely happens but I've found daytime naps help me get closer to that state.
ORP: What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing or creating? What advice would you give to another writer or artist?
DR: I'm not sure I'm in the position to give writing advice! But what I've learnt over the years is you need to go over and over your writing. Then go over and over it again. Repeat enough times and something good will surface.
ORP: What do you hope readers (or your audience) will take away from your creative work?
DR: I don't really know, to be honest. If people relate to it in some way, then that's great.