Ladyaslan presents Charles Banks, Jr's Exclusive
Interview~
Welcome to Ladyaslan's interview of a Poet, Aspiring
Novelist and Screenwriter, Charles Banks Jr. Writing since the age of nine,
Charles has found great pleasure in expressing himself through gentle and often
times bone-chilling poetry. "I am definitely on two sides of the
spectrum," says Banks Jr. on his diverse writing tones. "There is a
tender side I reveal, one that is hopeful and endlessly romantic and
sensual," he says with a smile. "But there is THAT other side. You
know, the one where I can conspire to kill my own mother on the paper, and then
actually write the murder scene," he concludes with a serious tone and the
arch of his brow.
Beginning his writing career officially in 2008, at the age of 19, he
self-published his first collection of poetry A Rose in the Name of Love,
featuring Poet/Songwriter Jocelyn Him. Eight months later Charles followed with
his second collection, Angel's Passion, writing as Black Angel, a candid, more
outspoken side of himself. "If there is one distinction between Curiosity
and Black Angel, that is it. As Black Angel, I force myself to say exactly what
is on my mind. I never bite my tongue. As Curiosity, I tend to be a tad
reserved, with the exception of 'The Inevitable.' That piece is really more of
a Black Angel piece. It certainly has the elements I utilize as Black
Angel."
Just after Christmas of last year (2009) PublishAmerica published Charles'
third collection of poetry, The Flower That Wasn't Meant to Blossom,
essentially an ode to his adolescence. Revealing his first encounter with love
and becoming an adult, Charles paints wonderful images of admiration and
optimism for the future. "It took three years to officially write that
book. But unofficially, it took seven, as the material in that collection
ranges from when I was 13, until I graduated high school." The book was
set to release in the fall of 2007 but creative differences with the publishing
agency doomed the project. Then, released as a Lulu.com
project in 2008, Charles pulled the book off the shelves in just two weeks,
citing that it was hastily put together and hurried. "I definitely learned
a lot during that whole phase. I have to take my time when writing. Also, I had
many more choices creatively to choose from. The first two books, I left myself
with little wiggle room to create. But with T.F.T.W.M.T.B I had many directions
to go in, as I had 120 pieces of material to choose from."
Now Charles is back officially, with his fourth collection of poetry, Room for
Improvement. "This picks off where A Rose in the Name of Love left off. I
am writing as Curiosity and Black Angel. There are two parts to this book with
two very different tones but they compliment each other extremely well.
Addiction is the catalyst for this collection."
Ladyaslan Presents Charles Banks, Jr:
LadyaslanDDTTRH:
Do you think Duran Duran deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Charles
Banks, Jr: ? I think the Hall of Fame is biased to begin with. I mean, what
does it really mean to be inducted into the Hall of Fame? Is it a moment of
validation? I don't know. Duran Duran definitely deserves recognition for their
body of work. Anytime someone sells over 100 million records worldwide, the
impression is strong.
LadyaslanDDTTRH:
Tell the fans why you decided poetry to be the way you express your soul? Tell
us about yourself and your writing?
Charles
Banks, Jr:
Well, I
began writing when I was nine, but I started writing poetry when I was
thirteen. I had my first girlfriend when I was thirteen and she actually
inspired a lot of my poetry early on. Most poets would say that poetry is
therapeutic, and I'd concur with that. I write some of my best work when I'm
angered or saddened. I'm just a normal guy, really. I like reading and watching
movies on the weekends. My television is always stuck to Lifetime. Nothing like
a good Lifetime movie, right? I'm a huge baseball fan, college football, and
basketball. Though I don't have much time to go out and get into many
endeavors. I'm always working on a project.
LadyaslanDDTTRH:
What is your favorite Duran Duran song and video?
Charles Banks, Jr: Night Versions: The Essential Duran Duran. The
whole album I can play. It's one of the few albums I can stand playing through.
LadyaslanDDTTRH:
What contributions do you feel Duran Duran has made to the world of music and
fashion and their philanthropist efforts in the past 30 yrs?
Charles
Banks, Jr: They have encouraged raciness. They seem not to be afraid to hold
back in their art, which is something inspirational to all artists. It
coincides with my philosophy. I believe that if an artist is holding back then
the artist is not, and should not be called an artist. An artist to me is
someone who has total command over his or her art—meaning, they aren't afraid
of challenging one's "comfortability."
LadyaslanDDTTRH:
How would you describe your style of writing to new fans who have never heard
your poems before?
Charles
Banks, Jr:
Honest.
I try as best I can to be honest. I draw so much from my personal life, that it
becomes a bit unnerving at times. I've tried, on occasion, to distance myself
from each poem. But it never works quite the way I expect. So now, I've learned
to just accept who I am as an artist and navigate my progression through that
wide hallway. There is a wide spectrum of themes and tones in my poetry: from
romance poems to more candid, some would say spiteful, literary assaults on
those who are on my "shit list." Yes, I can kill my own mother on the
paper and have no conscious about it. But there's a purpose to my literary
madness.
LadyaslanDDTTRH:
Could you briefly describe your writing process….How long have you been
writing? What did you all do prior to being a word artist?
Charles
Banks, Jr:
That's
a tough one. With each book I've written, the process changes. I remember when
I was writing my first book a few years ago, I would write a poem a day. I
would come to class two hours prior and I'd scribble on the blackboard. During
the writing of my second book, I found myself going to a nearby park, sitting
at a picnic table, and I'd admire the small pond and the ducks swimming. One of
my favorite poems I wrote there, "The Ducks at the Lake." I'd also
find myself writing lines on my forearm because I didn't have any paper nearby.
I'd have Sharpie scribbles up and down my forearm. I do remember getting a
couple of perplexed glances on the bus trips home. Good times, though.
LadyaslanDDTTRH:
If you could have a sit down with any member of Duran Duran today who would it
be and what would be topic of discussion?
Charles
Banks, Jr: I'd probably have a sit down with Warren Cuccurullo. Just
because I really like the guitar! I'd probably inquire about some of his
inspirations.
LadyaslanDDTTRH:
If you could have your pick of artists to collaborate with who would you all
pick to write with?
Charles
Banks, Jr: I'm not sure. For now, I'd like to explore myself as an artist. But
I am certainly open to the idea of doing collaboration. I mean, James Patterson
always does it!
LadyaslanDDTTRH:
Anything you would like to share with the fans?
Charles
Banks, Jr: Not too much. My ultimate goal in life is to place a relatable
book in the hands of every reader. A good book can do wonders to the reader—it
can be orgasmic! It's really a beautiful thing, ART! I hope people can embrace
mine.
FOLLOW CHARLES BANKS JR AT:
Facebook.com:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001119248973&sk=wall
WordPress.com:
http://charlesbanksjr.wordpress.com/
Interview done by Anitra DeLorenzo AKA Ladyaslan
More information on her is available at:
http://www.facebook.com/witchpot23?sk=wall
