Poet Interview: Kaci Skiles Laws
Kaci Skiles Laws is a closet cat-lady and creative writer who reads and writes voraciously in the quiet moments between motherhood and managing Crohn's Disease. She grew up on a small farm in a Texas town alongside many furry friends, two sisters, and a brother. She has known tragic loss too well, and her writing is a reflection of the shadows lurking in her psyche.
When did you become a poet? How did you know it was the right medium for your stories?
I first became interested in poetry in third grade, around the age of seven. My teacher had us illustrate pages of poetry to hang in the room every week, so by the end of the year, I had a forty-page book of poetry to take home, which I still have today. It is really special to me, and I feel it helped me figure out who I am. Later I felt it was the right medium for my writing because I liked the opportunity for open-ended formatting and choice of how long or short. Sometimes writing a poem versus a non-fiction or fiction piece is less of a commitment which is nice when I’m busy.
What inspires you to write, and why?
I’ve always been highly intuitive and sensitive by nature, so writing allows me to channel my feelings in a creative and productive way. Without writing, I feel my destructive tendencies are without a leash.
Who are some of your literary or artistic crushes or influences, and why?
As a kid, I was really into Dr. Seuss and the Shel Silverstein then later on it was R.L. Stine and Betty and Veronica comics. In high school, I got into Edgar Allan Poe and Emily Dickinson. I think their work resonated because I had some early experiences with death that were really traumatic. I tend to gravitate towards mystery, horror, and supernatural genres. Currently, I can’t get enough of Shirley Jackson, Truman Capote, Alice Munro, Chuck Palahniuk, David Sedaris, Joyce Carol Oates, and Carmen Machado. They all go pretty dark in their writing, which is my go-to. I can’t seem to look away.
What are you currently reading and is it a good read?
I actually have a few books I’m reading right now. I jump around a lot especially with short story collections as I’m trying to write more creative non-fiction and fiction these days.
I’m reading Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk, Pet Cemetery by Stephen King, We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson, Hell House by Richard Matheson, and Joe Hill’s 20th Century Ghosts. I had to put Pet Cemetery down after the cat came back from the dead. The whole book is just wrong, but again, I’m having a hard time looking away. I like Joe Hill’s (Stephen King’s son) stories and the sci-fi/horror aspects. Shirley Jackson is also amazing. Her writing is so haunting and poetic, like nothing I’ve ever come across. Chuck Palahniuk will shock you, sometimes in a good way. If you’re brave and like disturbing things, read his short story, Guts.
I also have a healthy collection of psychology and child/human development books I like to peruse at any given time. I don’t know if that’s normal for people, maybe it is for writers. Writers don’t really count as people, though.
What are you working on next/what was your last project, and can you tell us a little about it?
I am working on a children’s book called, The Boogerman, about an intrusive booger dude that harasses a sick kid. It’s weird but so fun. I write poetry almost daily and put it up on Open Arts Forum for feedback. It’s a nice community consisting of some very talented writers and artists. I also do some writing on guitar and have an acoustic song I’m getting around to recording soon to put up on YouTube on my and my husband's channel, Kaci and Bryant.
Tag three of your favourite IG poets we should read and why should we read them:
@ danielj.floreiii Daniel has many collections of poetry that I would consider indie, with a running theme of melancholy musings. He never disappoints.
@laurenscharhag Lauren posts updates on her poetry and shares new writing often which is always intriguing. I feel, as a woman, she is very relatable. I love everything she writes.
@ jaygandhi_9 Jay has a refreshing, witty style that will make you laugh more often than not. His writing always offers up great insights and depth.
What are some common themes you see in your own work?
Death, family dysfunction related to codependency and emotional abuse, mental health, suicide, and nature themes mostly. I feel like these themes have been pretty consistent background noise in my life. Writing is my way of making sense of things and trying to understand them better, while also allowing others to understand me better. I never felt seen or heard as a child. My childhood was extremely lonely and lacked compassion.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
I do. I actually wrote a blog about it on my website called A Remedy for the Mean Reds AKA Writer’s Block. and a song called Writer’s Block that’s up on my YouTube channel. To me, writer's block stems from self-doubt and fear, and the only way to get past it is to keep writing or by finding something new to read. Some of my best writing comes out of writer's block.
Do you feel that sharing your poetry is a vulnerable process, and why do you feel that way?
It always is but it’s gotten easier. I’ve been ridiculed in the past for my writing, taken too seriously, misunderstood, so there is always some hesitation when sharing. Not so much anymore.
How many unfinished or unpublished books do you have, and tell us about them?
I have a collection of poetry called, Strange Beauty, I am currently trying to get published, and I’m still working on my children’s book, The Boogerman. Most of the poems I’ve written can be viewed online via my website, which consists of what will be in Strange Beauty.
Do family and "real life" friends read your work, and how does that make you feel?
Mostly just a few close family members, my sister, brother, husband, and cousin, read my writing which is enough for me. I don’t like to share with certain people and have even used a pen name in the past when getting published.
What is your writing process like?
I try to think of catchy first lines, then I go from there. Some of my favourites I’ve written are:
A baby is born from a witch light.
Something wasn’t right about Eugene.
I remember thinking, where’s Mom?
The ghost in my house is me…
Then I read and reread and reread until I can’t anymore.