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I would like to introduce you to scholar, poet and author, Julian Lowenfeld, author of ‘My Talisman: The Poetry and Life of Alexander Pushkin’ (bi-lingual edition Russian-English).

I had the pleasure of interviewing Julian about writing, being a poet and his book.

Please tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a poet, playwright, composer, and trial lawyer living in New York. I speak 8 languages. I am the great-grandson of Raphael Löwenfeld, the first translator of Leo Tolstoy’s works into German. (Vladimir Nabokov first began writing poems and short stories under the pseudonym V. Sirin during the year he lived in my great-grandfather’s home in Berlin). I majored in Russian literature at Harvard University and continued my studies first as an exchange student in Leningrad State University, and later independently with the renowned Pushkin scholar Nadyezhda Braginskaya. I’ve been studying Russian for about 30 years now.

What sparked your interest in Alexander Pushkin?

You can’t miss Pushkin once you begin learning about Russia. Pushkin is “the sunshine of Russian poetry”, “The Prophet” of Russian literature, the national bard, and in many ways the national hero.

Why did you choose to write/translate this book, My Talisman, The Poetry and Life of Alexander Pushkin?

Because I love Pushkin. Because his poetry is so beautiful, and because he himself had such a fascinating life, and I just wanted to share the joy of both with my friends and with readers in the general public.

How long did it take you to write/translate this book?

A few years, on and off. I’ve never really thought about it, actually.

What do you hope your readers will gain from reading your book, My Talisman?

A deep sense of joy, of reverence for life, beauty, and artistry, as well as more information about one of the greatest writers who ever lived, and someone whose impact on Russian culture was profound.

Please share one of your favorite Pushkin poems. Why is it one of your favorite?

I have too many that I love to call one a favorite, but here’s one that I consider both exquisite and deeply spiritual:

Our hermit fathers and our nuns blessèd and blameless,
To let their hearts fly up into the heavens nameless,
To keep their spirits strong in storms of wind and war
Composed a multitude of sacred hymns and lore.
But there’s not one of them which gives me so much comfort
As one prayer our priest repeats and utters
Upon the melancholy days of Lenten Fast.
Unbidden, more than other prayers does it pass
My lips, bracing my fallen soul with strength mysterious:
“Lord of my days! Keep me from sloth that hides in bleakness,
From pride, greed, arrogance, and serpents therein hid,
Let not my tongue in idle gossip slip,
But Lord, show me my own faults and transgressions,
And may my brother never hear my condemnations,
May I for grace, patience, and love forever strive,
And wisdom’s innocence within my heart revive.”

Notice Pushkin is telling us that when you are truly wise, you aren’t all cynical, and you don’t know it all, It’s not like the wisdom of Solomon: “Vanity, vanity, vanity, all is vanity.” No, Pushkin is saying that when you are truly wise, you are able to be innocent again. And virtue truly is its own reward.

Who else are your favorite poets?

In English? Shakespeare, of course, also Donne, Shelley, Keats, Byron, Whitman, G.M. Hopkins, Yeats, Wallace Stevens, and Dylan Thomas. As for foreign poets, I’ve just finished a whole anthology.

As an author yourself, what tips do you have for beginning writers or poets?

Always be a “beginning” poet…stay fresh, stay open, stay vulnerable…honor your feelings, follow wherever your heart leads you—and yet remember, great art requires restraint and discipline, and the most important part of any poem is often what is left unsaid…

What is next in the later part of 2010 for you and your writing?

I’ve just finished a book called Nonetheless – an album of love poetry, containing original verse and prose poems and meditations, as well as translated verse of Pushkin, Lermontov, Tyutchev, Blok, Mandelshtam, Tsvetayeva, Akhmatova, Yesenin, Mayakovsky, Rilke, Goethe, Heine, Machado, Martí, Pessoa, Leopardi, Ungharetti, Dante, Catullus, Ovid, and Horace,

Here is a fun question just for fun sake. What is your favorite color and why?

Silver. It’s so mysterious, so mutable, so light, yet so so poetic, majestic, yet without imposing on you. And I just love looking at clouds…I also really like crimson: you know that color of Japanese maple leaves when fall comes?

How can people purchase your book and find out more about you?

The easiest way may be to go to the website Alexander Puskin or my blog, Lowenfeld.
The book is also on Amazon.com.

Thanks so much for your time! It’s been a pleasure!

You can read and listen to more about Julian and his book on the web at the following sites:

Yona Williams posted her review of ‘My Talisman’ on her blog.

‘My Talisman’ posted on BookBuzzr.

Big Blend Radio (click on June 25th) interviewed Julian about his poetry, the Petropol Prize and his book, ‘My Talisman’.

Ron Sillman offered a listing in his weekly book review for ‘My Talisman’.

Literary Diva interviews Julian about poetry, Alexander Pushkin and his book,’My Talisman’.

Jeanette posted her review of My Talisman on her blog, Found Not Lost.

A book review of ‘My Talisman’ by Donna at her blog, Donna’s World.

About Julian:
Julian Henry Lowenfeld is the great-grandson of Raphael Löwenfeld, the first translator of Leo Tolstoy’s works into German. (Vladimir Nabokov first began writing poems and short stories under the pseudonym V. Sirin during the year he lived in Löwenfeld’s home in Berlin).

Lowenfeld majored in Russian literature at Harvard University and continued his studies first as an exchange student in Leningrad State University, and later independently with the renowned Pushkin scholar Nadyezhda Braginskaya. He has lectured to popular acclaim at the famous Pushkinsky Dom (Institute of Russian Literature), and the Museum of Pushkin’s Last Residence on Moika 12, in St. Petersburg, at Pushkin State Museum in Moscow, at the United Nations, the Pushkin House in London, England, the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., Columbia University, Lehigh University, various branches of the New York Public Library and Boston Public Library, the Donnell Arts Center, the Voice of America, BBC Russian World Service, Kanal Kultura, most of the major Russian television channels, and numerous other venues.

In November 2009, BARYSHNIKOV ARTS CENTER, New York city, featured a world premiere in English of Pushkin’s “Little Tragedies” in verse translation by Julian Henry Lowenfeld which has been praised as “brilliant” by leading authorities in both Russia and the United States, including such major scholars as V.E. Bagno, director of the Pushkin House in the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg; E.A. Bogatyrev, Director of the of the State Museum of Alexander Pushkin in Moscow; Pushkin Prize winner Professor V.S. Nepomnyashchiy; Academician S.A Fomichev; as well as professors of Columbia, Princeton, Harvard, Pennsylvania State, and Lehigh Universities.

Lowenfeld was awarded Russia’s prestigious “Petropol” and “Peacemaker” prizes for his book My Talisman, featuring translations of beloved lyrics and a lively biography of Russia’s beloved national bard.

I would like to introduce my readers to Lou Belcher, writer, photographer and author of Ready, Set, Tweet!. I hope you enjoy getting to know a bit more about her as much as I did.

Please give us a bit of background about you (where you grew up, where you were born, and if you have any siblings)

I was born in Michigan and attended Western Michigan University with a major in speech pathology and minor in English. I have one brother. He lives in Orlando and is currently involved in Transition Orlando.

I worked for years as a supervisor of therapy services before moving to Florida. Now, I am a freelance writer, editor and photographer. I have two blogs that might be of interest to readers. They are: Florida Book News at http://www.floridabooknews.com and Brevard Art News at http://www.brevardartnews.com

When did you start writing?

I guess I started taking my writing seriously in high school. I received some positive reinforcement from my English teacher. However, I didn’t do much with it until the early 80s when I co-authored a language curriculum for speech pathologists and special education teachers.

In the 90s, I co-authored another book, Footsteps: Unforgettable Walks in Southeastern Virginia. It is a walking guide to Southeastern Virginia.

For beginning writers (or those wishing to write but are apprehensive), what is your advice?

I guess I would tell them to write. So often people say they are going to write a book someday. I’d recommend that they begin writing that book now and write everyday. Many people make the mistake of writing one book and giving up when it goes nowhere. The first book or two (or four or five) are all practice. It takes a while to get your writing legs under you. However, if you have a passion for writing, I feel you should keep on writing.

Please let us know your inspiration for the book, Ready, Set, Tweet?

Ready…Set…Tweet! A Speedy Guide to Twitter is my most recent book. It just came out a couple of months ago. It grew out of comments I received from people who read my blogs. I suggested on the blogs that people follow the blogs on Twitter. Several tried and had difficulty getting up and going. So, I decided to write a book to instruct people on how to get set up and start Tweeting on Twitter.

How did you publish the book?

I published it through CreateSpace.com — a wonderful print-on-demand publisher. I chose to go this route because traditional publishing houses take so long to get books out. With Twitter, the technology changes quickly. I wanted to get the book out there quickly and be able to revise it quickly when needed. And, I chose Create Space because they are affiliated with Amazon, so it is no trouble getting the book onto Amazon from day one.

What did you find was the most rewarding part of writing this book?

Writing this book was like putting a puzzle together. I wanted it to be clear and concise, so people would have an easy time using Twitter.

What did you find to be the most challenging part of writing this book?

The most challenging part of writing Ready…Set…Tweet! was making sure that every detail was exact. I didn’t want any glitches in the book that would cause people problems.

Can you share a few tips from the book?

Yes, I have Tweets throughout the book. Here are a couple:

1. Be sure your blog or web site is looking good before you start Tweeting on Twitter. People will be visiting it.

2. Attract people to follow you by Tweeting great content. Remember: Tweets should be interesting, valuable and entertaining.

3.Tweepsearch.com is helpful in finding people to follow. It searches for Twitter users by the words in their bios.

And you also run a successful blog for Florida writers and authors, called Florida Book News. Please share a little bit about that blog.

Florida Book News at http://www.floridabooknews.com is intended to bring attention to new books by Florida authors, to make announcements about upcoming book events throughout the state, and to give writers and writing organizations a place to tell others about upcoming book festivals, conferences, workshops and events. Look at the top of the blog in the right column for instructions on how to submit announcements for publication on Florida Book News.

What is on the horizon for you and your writing?

I am currently working on a memoir (not mine). It’ll be out in the fall.

Here is a question just for fun—what is your favorite food and why?

When I was a kid, my mom made a wonderful lemon cake. Unfortunately, I don’t have the recipe.

How can others get in contact with you and purchase your book?

People can contact me through my email at Lou@LouBelcher.com

They can purchase Ready…Set…Tweet! A Speedy Guide to Twitter at http://www.readysettweet.com or through http://www.Amazon.com

Stay tuned for more great things from Lou–

I have the lovely honor of sharing with you an interview with an author who writes about history, real people and celebrities…author Linda Alexander.

When did you start writing?
I’ve been writing since I was a kid. I have files and files bursting with writing in various forms dating all the way back to grade school. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.

What would you say was your inspiration for writing?
I’d have to say my inspiration is my desire to understand the human condition, in all its glory and darkness. I am fascinated by what makes people tick and I never get tired of delving deep into the minds, hearts, and souls of mankind—both real-life people, and those who populate my imagination.

Do you have a particular “system” to your writing?
I’m a character-driven writer. I believe wholeheartedly that characters—the people in a story—drive the action, not the other way around. So with that as my starting point, I always develop my characters from the inside out before I really get into any storyline … and even then, the storyline is almost always (if fiction) psycho-drama. If I’m doing a biography, obviously it’s all factual but still I get to know that subject before I try to recreate the life on paper.

How do you pick the genre you write in?
I write both non-fiction—biographies and historical research, and fiction. I don’t really pick any of it, though. My subjects pick me. I’m fascinated by old & classic Hollywood—movies and TV, and even Victorian stage. With fiction, I end up almost always writing psychological suspense with liberal doses of romance and, frankly, R-rated sexiness. This is the material that comes to me repeatedly, so this is what I write.

How long did it take you to write your book(s)?I’ve published five books to date. It’s taken anywhere from about 6 months from beginning to end, to nearly 15 years—that was the Robert Taylor biography and the timing on that had a lot to do with market resistance to his life story.

What advice would you give to beginning writers?
Never, ever give up. I just heard a quote the other night from author J. A. Konrath that was perfect: “There’s a word for writers who don’t give up: it’s called published.” I also advise beginning writers to seriously listen to the voices in their heads … those are the voices of their characters. Seriously.

Please share with the readers about your books.The Unpromised Land: NONFICTION … BIOGRAPHY
Gary and Shirley Beresford never wanted to be heroes. A middle-aged Messianic Jewish couple from South Africa, they felt God calling them to live in Israel, the Promised Land. Wanting nothing more than to live quietly and grow old together in the country of refuge for all Jewish people, little did they suspect what events would follow to try their faith. The fight to make aliyah, to claim their rightful inheritance in the Promised Land, became a battle waged not only for themselves, but for Messianic Jews all over the world who wish to return to the Jewish homeland. Here is the true saga of the Beresford’s journey to the land of their forefathers.

Until Next Time: FICTION … DARK SEXY THRILLER
Most people, throughout their lives, walk the tightrope between pure good and unadulterated evil, never finding their way to, or even believing in, either extreme. Perry Conners, a successful businessman being groomed for politics, is one of these “middle-liners” until Evil Personified, in the form of a once-trusted woman now using sex as her tool against him, methodically steals his every sleeping and waking moment, taking him beyond reason, dignity, even self. A physical and psychological fight for his soul and his body is being waged, and Perry is, literally, the battlefield. His only true hope, also a woman, is determined to bring him through and beyond it to the Other Side … at all costs, even if it means her own sanity. Which will win this very real struggle? Good or Evil? It’s just a matter of time.

Dorothy From Kansas Meets the Wizard of X (original) NONFICTION … BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR
What if a tornado dropped Dorothy not into Oz but on the set of an X-rated film? This book tells of an odd camaraderie between a porn icon and a freelance writer. The storyteller’s curiosity took her on a journey into a sexual world about which she knew nothing. She, an awakening “Dorothy,” and Eric Edwards, a celebrated adult film star since 1969 in his own real-life “Oz,” were the least likely pair, but through interviews and day-to-day living they became friends, protective of each other. Eric tried to shield Linda from sexuality’s darker side and Linda was determined to share the light of hope with Eric. This non-pornographic look behind the X-rated camera includes voices of industry insiders to offer a non-judgmental view inside a most mysterious, misunderstood faction of film entertainment.

Weekends In New England: FICTION … DARK SEXY THRILLER

Ex-nun Hannah Jergen married the first man to look at her. Denny Lorenzo, an internationally-famous Jewish singer, is in a crumbling marriage to an overbearing publicity hound. Guilt-ridden flashbacks over a car accident that left his wife with amnesia are the only reasons he hasn’t left her. Denny’s performance schedule takes him to Boston, Hannah’s hometown, and sparks fly. How can such opposites fall in love without changing the world, theirs and that of those around them? They can’t.

Reluctant Witness: Robert Taylor, Hollywood, & Communism: NONFICTION … BIOGRAPHY
Reluctant Witness: Robert Taylor, Hollywood, & Communism is the exhaustive biography of the life of Golden Era movie star, Robert Taylor. He was called “The Man With The Perfect Profile,” and some considered him the most beautiful man to ever grace the movie world. Yet there was more to him, lots more. He was complicated. He saw history–movie history, political history, and world history–and he was a big part of it all.

What are your writing plans in the upcoming year?
I am currently under contract for 3 books in 2010 with 2 publishers … A Maverick Life: The Jack Kelly Story is the biography of TV/movie star, Jack Kelly, best known for his part on TV’s “Maverick”; Dorothy From Kansas Meets the Wizard of X is an updated reprint, a non-fiction, non-pornographic look into personalities who populate the adult film world; and It Will Happen Again, dark sexy psycho-drama set in southwest Louisiana which shows the fine line between good and evil (updated version of Until Next Time).

9) Where can the readers find out more about you and your books?

http://www.lindajalexander.net

http://www.authorsden.com/lindajalexander

http://www.facebook.com/lindajalexander

http://www.twitter.com/lindaalexander

http://www.amazong.com … plug in my name or my book’s names

… and if anyone reaches me at any of the above, please let me know you heard about me through this wonderful interview!

10) Here is a question just for fun. What is your favorite color and why?
Green … because it’s deep and mysterious and, in my opinion, the color of new life.

Thanks Linda! I was a great honor to have you a part of my blog.

Thank YOU, Teresa. I appreciate the opportunity and have really enjoyed this. I’ve enjoyed crossing paths with you in a variety of places on the ‘net for quite awhile!