The 40 But 10 Interview Series: Matthew Freeman

 

I had decided to retire the literary Would You Rather series, but didn't want to stop interviews on the site all together. Instead, I've pulled together 40ish questions - some bookish, some silly - and have asked authors to limit themselves to answering only 10 of them. That way, it keeps the interviews fresh and connectable for all of us!

Today we are joined by Matthew Freeman, who's seventh book, I Think I'd Rather Roar, is soon to be published by Cerasus Poetry. Other titles can be found with Coffeetown Press. Much of his work deals with his experiences in his recovery from schizophrenia and his time spent at Parkview Place. He holds an MFA from the University of Missouri-St Louis and can be found on Twitter @FreemanPoet 

Why Do You Write?

Thanks so much for asking! Well, for a really long time I’ve been the type who feels like nothing really happens until it’s written down. I have this instinct to record all the fabulous things I’ve seen and learned. I remember driving around in high school and telling my friend a story when he suggested I start writing things down. It just sort of took off from there.

 

What Made You Start Writing?

Back in high school I didn’t have too much of an idea of who I was or what I really wanted to do. I had a friend who was really into Jim Morrison and the Doors; I didn’t know too much about them at the time. One day I was skipping class and having a few of my dad’s beers and decided to go see that new movie about the band that Oliver Stone made. I don’t know exactly what happened but I walked out of there a poet, like some huge transformation had taken shape.

 

How Do You Celebrate When You Finish a New Book?

These days I mostly do my celebrating with a good cup of coffee. I suppose if I’m really glad I might turn on the stereo really loud and blast some old rock song.

 

What Are You Currently Reading?

 For my novel I’m really getting into the latest Michael Connelly. He’s just the best, as far as I’m concerned. But I also read some books with my friends at Starbucks every morning. I bring some poetry and some philosophy—right now the philosophy is a short book about the consciousness written by this really cool monk. I’m learning a lot!

 

What’s On Your Literary Bucket List?

Maybe I could see Westminster Abbey! Or walk around where Keats and Wordsworth did! As far as my own career, I’d love to publish a super long book, like 200 pages or so.

 

If You Were On Death Row What Would Your Last Meal Be?

That’s such a tough question. Maybe surf and turf—a steak medium rare with a lobster tail. But I’d have to have some good mashed potatoes too.

 

What’s The Weirdest Gift You’ve Received?

I have a really good friend who’s a found artist—he makes cool sculptures out of the interesting things he comes across. He gave me this metal device that looks like it could be an old thermostat from the 1950s—and the company that made it was called “Freeman.”

 

What Songs Would Be On The Soundtrack Of Your Life?

 I’ll date myself here for sure! Definitely “Sleepwalker” and “I’ve Been Delivered” by The Wallflowers and “Nowhere Man” by The Beatles. “Lonesome Town” by Ricky Nelson. Oh, and “Somebody’s Cryin’’” by Chris Isaac. “Lovesong” by The Cure—I listen to them almost every day.

 

What’s The One Thing You Wish You Knew When You Were Younger?

That life is long and there’s no hurry! I wish I had taken things slower and enjoyed myself rather than rushing around and trying to fit all this experience in that at the time I thought I must gather about me. My dad always said to go with the flow—but I never did listen.

 

What’s Your Favorite Book From Childhood?

Oh, I’d have to go with A Wrinkle in Time, no doubt about that. My fourth grade teacher—whom I had a huge crush on—introduced me to the book. At that time I was really into science, I was just starting to try and make sense of things, and that book really fueled my imagination. And I still have the same copy of it after all these years!

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The basic conflict in the poems is the poet fighting what is real and what is not real in his brain. We see him going around St Louis struggling to come up with a language that would make sense of his experiences. While somewhat confused, he takes great pleasure in words and the characters he meets on his way.

Matthew Freeman discovered he was a poet when he was ruined with love as a teenager. So began a cross-country journey that would leave him expelled from school and committed to an asylum, diagnosed with schizophrenia. After several years he was able to begin his recovery and finish his degree at Saint Louis University, where he was awarded the Montesi Prize. He is now an MFA candidate at the University of Missouri and was recently honored with their graduate prize in poetry. He continues to be poet in residence at Adapt, Missouri.

buy the book: 

https://www.amazon.com/Ideas-Reference-at-Jesuit-Hall/dp/1603812377