• Natalie Nider

Uncooked and Undignified, an interview with Eddie Black

Uncooked and Undignified is the debut collection of poetry from author Eddie Black.

Black has shown readers his talent in the genre and style of dirty realism. His style is reminiscent of some of the best authors in dirty realism and has quickly became a favorite of mine as well as hundreds of others.

I have had the privilege of picking his brain for a bit.

A novel in the form of poetry, written from the road. For the hard loving, hard living, and hard nosed. Poetry for those who love the genre and those who hate it.

Uncooked and Undignified

Uncooked and Undignified is a phenomenal piece of dirty realism. Do you think that the influence of the genre was intentional or something that you just fell into?

Everyone calls the genre “Dirty Realism” which I have always found funny. I didn’t know there was any other kind. I never was seeking to be a part of any genre, but it’s all that comes out when I write. I’ve been that way since I was very young.

What authors or figures would you describe as being the most influential to you as a writer?

There are a few writers that really influenced and influence me every time I read their work, but I take so much from musicians like Leonard Cohen, John Prine, and Warren Zevon.

Tell us a little bit about your writing life. I understand that you have a background in screenwriting. How did that propel you to begin writing poetry?

I have only been writing for about a year and a half now, starting with screenplays and then halfway finishing two novels, which are my next projects. I was never an enormous fan of poetry. Even still, there are very few poets who I like. Somewhere along the road, poetry is just what started coming out.

What does the Eddie Black writing process look like? Take us behind the scenes.

I’m not an organized person. I’m a bit of a tornado really. My writing process isn’t so much of a process as it is a hastily made sandwich.

Much of your poetry is written via typewriter I have noticed. What is it, in your opinion, about typewriters that you make them your writing outlet?

There is just something intimate between writers and their machines. A dependency and fondness for them.

I can't seem to hardly write on anything else. Carmelita has seen me through some strange days and some trying times and I probably owe my life to her.

You have a devout following of readers on Instagram from posting your poetry. I'm curious to know, do you think that posting your poems online motivates you to write more or would you say that it does the opposite?

My followers and readers have been amazing. I always love hearing from them. I’m not much of a modern man. I’m not much for social media, or Farmer’s Only. I started posting on social media, simply because I had things to say and I didn’t know how else to broadcast it.

How much of your personal life inspires your writing would you say?

All of it. There's not much fiction to my poetry.

Was there a particular poem that was the most mentally straining to write?

I'm not sure about mentally straining so much as emotionally. If the words aren't coming out, I don't force them. Or sit at my desk for hours. I'm lucky though to be a very fast writer. If I had to strain or wait, my laziness would take over and I don't think I could do it.

Picking a favorite I am sure is the hardest to do, but if you had to pick a favorite poem from Uncooked and Undignified which one would it be?

I love "whores and ladies" from a writing standpoint, but "palm springs" is one that tears me apart.

If you had to describe Uncooked and Undignified in one word, how would you describe it?


Buy Uncooked and Undignified here.

136 views0 comments