We had a chat with Judy Mazonowicz and spoke about her work, her process and her ways of self-expression apart from writing!
So firstly, can we have a brief introduction of your name, what you do and what you write?
Judy Mazonowicz: My name is Judy Mazonowicz. I do fundraising, I write poetry, I write various things for Windows. I haven’t been very prolific in the last couple of months, but I think started performing poetry at fifteen/sixteen, say fifty years ago.
What made you first interested in writing poetry?
JM: Well of course I was an avid reader. I read all the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe series. And then when I got onto Beat poets, I felt that this was the start of the poetry movement really, that inspired me.
Do you write prose as well or has it always just been poetry?
JM: No, I don’t write prose.
Do you prefer writing by hand or typing?
JM: I always start by hand. I probably start with notes. I get an idea and I start a list and then I’ll start writing. I’ll do three or four pages on an A4 pad. And then I’ll type it out into the computer. And I’ll read it out. I guess I’ll do that a few times and then I print it. It probably gets printed about three or four times again because I’ll just edit and edit as much as I can. And read it out to myself in my room.
So, you do loads of drafts.
JM: Yes. Yes. Yes. That’s my process.
How did you begin to first circulate your writing?
JM: Well, I’m not published, apart from occasionally with Windows. I used to perform when I was very young, I did a lot of my performance three or four years when I was young.
Do you have any fanciful or pipeline pieces of work that you want to write?
JM: Yes.
How do you deal with writer’s block?
JM: I don’t really, I just don’t write. I’m not writing as much at the moment. But if I’m asked to do a piece, and I can’t do it, I just do freeform writing until something happens.
So, you like push through the writer’s block?
JM: Yes. Push through it. But I mean, is it writers block if you’re just not going to a piece of paper?
How does writing express your thoughts more so than other mediums?
JM: Well, it’s an expression of thought that is kept, isn’t it? And my other creative output is dancing. But nobody films me dancing, my dancing is ephemeral. It’s lost as soon as it’s done. People see me dancing in the moment; I go to Five Rhythms dance which is a particular form of dancing which gets things out. And I’m also an artist but the only way I have used my art recently is to create games for the Windows Project. I have bit of an artist’s block at the minute. I am meant to be making a card for someone and a picture for something else.
Is it a different outlet with writing or is it similar?
JM: It is a different outlet but often the same subjects.
What would you hope your work provides for other people?
JM: Enjoyment! Inspiration! A laugh now and again. Focus perhaps. And understanding. Gosh it would be great if it did all those things, wouldn’t it?
I’m sure it does. What is one thing you say to your younger self as a writer?
JM: Keep up the good work! Put more time in. Stay true to yourself.
What is one piece of advice that has stuck with you until today and what you want other writers to know about?
JM: Oh that’s hard. Never throw a piece of paper away. Someone told me this - to just knock out those ifs and ands and buts, just small words. I should probably know it anyway after reading the kind of stuff I had read but it’s always good to take those little words out when you can because it gives the other words more meaning when you do. I found myself saying that to someone the other day.