Today our Reader Spotlight shines on Clifford Brooks who is currently touring/promoting his book of poetry, The Draw of Broken Eyes & Whirling Metaphysics, released last year by John Gosslee Books. It was nominated for both the Pulitzer and Georgia Author of the Year. Find out more at http://www.cliffbrooks.com/. Clifford also works as an SEO writer, freelances for a magazine, and is a voracious reader.
Clifford Brooks, reading Carve since 2011. What first attracted you to Carve magazine?
There’s never a bad apple when it comes to Carve. Each story, as different as it may be in subject matter, voice, location, and/or tone — there is one thing they all have in common: Every story is really, really good.
What characteristics do you look for in a good story?
As a writer of prose and poetry, I look for short story writers who mix a more melodic use of language over the sparse, Hemingway-esque variety. A writer of prose has to be wary not to go overboard with the florid colors they use to make dialogue/scenery pop. It can get deep quickly. To curb my desire to spruce up every line of prose, coming back to the Hemingway-esque sense of sparse is a good thing. Carve delivers both of these flavors.
What Carve story do you recommend to new readers?
Carnival by Scott Atkinson.
We appreciate Cliff taking the time to let us shine the spotlight on him. Follow him on Twitter to stay connected to the Carve community.
Reader Spotlight is a chance for us to turn the spotlight on you. Whether a new fan or a longtime reader, we want to hear from you. Email us at readerspotlight@carvezine.com to be featured.
