An interview with Raegan Blair (she/her), author of “Icecream in time”

You can read “Icecream in time” here.

JOSH: Thanks for agreeing to do this interview. My first question is: what first got you into writing?

RAEGAN: I’ve loved to write since I was little—especially around middle school. I forgot about it a bit through high school, but my senior year high school teacher reignited my love of it.

JOSH: I love that. I think the best teachers ignite the passions of their students.

JOSH: Ok, next question. What kind of things are important for you to present in your own writing? 

RAEGAN: Emotion is the biggest thing, I think. With poetry specifically, I typically write about my own experiences and how I’m processing different things. But really it varies on what I’m writing—with this poem, I just wanted to have fun with it!

JOSH: I often feel the same way about poetry, but I too value more lighthearted stuff.

JOSH: I often ask this, but what made you choose to send “Icecream in time” to the Grotto?

RAEGAN: I wanted to write something a bit more fun and lighthearted than I normally do, and this magazine felt like the perfectly place for a bit of ice cream themed poetry.

JOSH: You were certainly right about that hahaha. We definitely appreciate it!

JOSH: Ok, now to talk a bit more about the actual poem. It strikes a very interesting tone, somewhere between wistful and whimsical. Did you have a specific tone in mind when writing this?

RAEGAN: Not necessarily—honestly, I more had the punchline in mind as I was writing the rest of the poem. I wanted the majority of the poem to feel as though the “deeper meaning” was something thought provoking, when really its just about ice cream, haha.

JOSH: That’s pretty funny. We’re mostly taught to overanalyze poetry, haha.

JOSH: So as I mentioned, the poem seems very metaphorical and could refer to a great deal of things. Do you appreciate this sort of “vague specificity,” or is intended meaning more important?

RAEGAN: Kind of going along with the last question, I wanted to keep it a bit vague up until the end—for added punch in the punch line.

JOSH: That’s fair. I think it succeeds in its effect.

JOSH: I wanted to ask, I know that you usually write longer stories. How does the writing process differ for you when you write poetry?

RAEGAN: Poetry is a lot more ingrained in my personal experiences and emotions—not to say my longer pieces aren’t, but when it comes to poetry, I generally get an idea or some inspiration for a line and write a poem that way. My longer pieces generally take a lot more forethought and planning.

JOSH: I see. That makes a lot of sense.

JOSH: Alright, one last question about the poem. The final stanza is my favorite and I especially like the line “less ice, more cream.” Is there any particular inspiration for that line?

RAEGAN: Not necessarily—just some sad experiences with melted ice cream…

JOSH: I get that. I tend to read very deeply into poetry, but I appreciate a poem that’s more straightforward as well.

JOSH: Ok, just a few more questions. Are there any things you would like to see more of in the literary world?

RAEGAN: As someone who grew up on dystopian stories, I think now more than ever (especially in the political climate we find ourselves in) that genre of story is especially valuable. I think drawing connections between the stories we read and the lives we live help us learn how to be better people.

JOSH: I completely agree. So often fiction is devalued, but humans have been teaching morals thorugh stories for a very long time. For any religious folk, Jesus himself used parables.

JOSH: Anyway, back to the questions. As a developing writer, what are your biggest goals for the next five years?

RAEGAN: I want to publish a novella! Still a work in progress, though.

JOSH: Same here. Same here.

JOSH: Alright, one last question. If you are able to eat it, what’s your favorite kind of ice cream/gelato?

RAEGAN: Cookies and cream!

JOSH: Same!

JOSH: Thank you so much for the interview!

RAEGAN: Thank you! Sorry for the late response :)

JOSH: No worries! I appreciate you finding time for it! Good luck with your novella!

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Raegan Blair is currently pursuing a bachelors in English with an emphasis in creative writing; she is also double majoring in game design. She has been published in Lindenwood University’s literary journal Arrow Rock. Outside of writing, Raegan loves all things horror: whether that be video games, movies, or books.