Melora Walters: The TNB Self-Interview

Who changed your life?

Mr. Entwhistle, Mrs. Loenning, Barron Storey, David Brunn Perry, Frank Corsaro, Paul Thomas Anderson, Dr. Greenwald, Carolyn Conger, Kim Calder, Chiwan Choi, my children.

Who had a profound influence on you?

Ingmar Bergman, Federico Fellini, Ernest Hemingway, Jose Saramago, Joseph Campbell, Marie Louise von Franz, Vincent van Gogh, Sylvia Plath, John and Pauline Borking, Francisco Goya, the cave paintings.

Recently, I saw one of Cy Twombly’s “Leda and the Swan” paintings at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. It is a recent acquisition. as you ride up the escalator, there it is. It was one of those experiences, where suddenly everything makes sense.

What’s wrong?

There are so many people, things, situations that have inspired me, who made a difference. It is really not fair to have to narrow it down to just a few.

Get over it, this is an interview, please, just answer the questions.

Do you regret anything?

No.

No?

No.

Really?

Yes.

“Non, je ne regretted rien”?

Exactly.

I am not sure that is the truth.

(silence)

What do you love besides the obvious?

I like to watch the light change. I love watching it get dark.
I like watching shadows move. I like listening to the night.

What makes you laugh?

Lots of things.

Name one,

Silly things.

Like?

I don’t know? silly songs? my kids doing impersonations, especially of me.
Jack Black in “Nacho Libre”, cats jumping in the air, my dogs.

Ok, that’s enough.

How would you like to end this interview?

I would like to say that it was a pleasure.

But, that’s not really true is it?

I would like to say I look forward to the next interview,
when we live in Paris.

or Rome?

TAGS: Melora Walters, Poetry, TNB Self-Interview

MELORA WALTERS was born in Saudi Arabia. She grew up there, as well as in Holland. She is a graduate of Pratt Institute in New York City. Melora is also an actress. She has collaborated with such filmmakers as Paul Thomas Anderson, Taylor Hackford, John McNaughton, and Anthony Minghella to create memorable characters and performances. She most recently starred in HBO’s critically acclaimed series Big Love and this year she was seen in the independent features Case 219 and Missing Pieces. She has studied writing with Kim Calder and Chiwan Choi. Last year, Finishing Line Press published her first book of poetry Sonnets and Failures with some of her wood block prints.

On June 21, 2011 Writ Large Press published her two books entitled In the Painting Heraclitus Wrings His Hands Above the World and Appears to be Crying and The Siren. In July Launch LA presented a show that included the original art shown in the books, Lying Chicken Man and the Muse. The Lying Chicken Man series of paintings will accompany her next book, The Man and the Woman.

She lives in Los Angeles with her two children, Tom and Joanna.