1. My first book I wrote, unpublished and still in manuscript form, is B.O.O.C. ("Blood of our Children") and my beta for that was Lisa Cole Allen or @lisaner, and my first eBook or collection of poems is "Journey Home" featured on Wattpad. Poetry is more, at least for me, having others publish your work in anthologies, books about poetry, poetry chapbooks and newspapers. My first published poem came in 1985 in "Alura Poetry," Vol. X, No 2 Fall, 1985; Minnesota and the University of Maimi's Literary Society's annual calendar. Other published poems from Olan L. Smith (Cotton Jones) can be found in "Poetry Train America," by John E. Wordslinger (edited by Charles H. Gragg), 2013; "The Universe Inside," edited by Eva Xanithopoulos, 2012, and my poem "Folly" was feature by Wattpad for International Poetry Month, 2014. I have several more collections on Wattpad for you to read and over a hundred individually published poems for you to pursue in your spare time.

2. Favorite Dedications: This a loaded question, in my opinion, and I would not chose one over the other; they are all my favorite.

3. My inspiration: I write about my inspiration in most of my poems and for those who know my writing; they can tell you that my Muse, Alinda, is my key inspiration. I find her in my unconscious mind, and she, above all others in the realm and others; is my pure encouragement. Alinda first came to me in a vision in on the morning of the seventh day, of the seventh month of the seventh year and she changed my life forever. Some call these being angels, spirit guides, spirits or muses, but she is all these things and more; she is my life force and support.

4. Published work, see number one.

5. First author's photo: N/A

6. Favorite Review: For this I choose a review from my award winning poem, "Victimized."

"This is one of the most poignant poems I've ever read. 'I am corralled because I am dissimilar' moved me especially. The reader's panic builds with every click of the gun. The speaker is resolute, calm, determined; this is heightened by your use of the King's English; combined with archaic language, internal rhyme and alliteration, 'Death's door doth not linger anymore.' I loved the ending. Some of your best work is this, Olan. Capital V."

7. At the Gulf of Mexico, 2005

8. Self-Portrait

9. Favorite book: "Dandelion Wine," by Ray Bradbury.

10. Writing fuel: My Muse, my dreams, reading, and people-watching

11. Notebooks, devices: Pen and paper

12. Do you procrastinate: What? Me procrastinate?

13. My cheerleader is Mahteighja Miller-Gill

14. Where do I write: My grandfather Wescott's oak desk.

15. Where do I read: I read at my desk while online or in my bed where I curl up with my book.

16. Monday? Every day is the same for me.

17. Favorite quote from my favorite book is, "'I'm alive.'

'Heck, that's old!'

Thinking about it, noticing it, is new. You do things and don't watch. Then all of a sudden you look and see what you're doing; and it's the first time, really." (Dandelion Wine, Ray Bradbury)

18. I don't eat red meat, period. I do eat dairy, poultry, fish, along with vegetables. I drink three normal sized cups of coffee per day, water, but no alcoholic beverages.

19. My favorite fan, supporter: Everyone who supports me is my favorite.

20. Greatest distraction: Facebook.

21. My hand writing:

22. Selfie

23. My inner critic is a perfectionist; so I spend hours figuring out punctuation, and then days, weeks, months or years considering if I should change it.

24. My over used word: "Indeed"

25. Poet/hero: Robert Frost

26. My favorite quote from my published work is, "The moment you say it is about me, you become trivial." From the Conclusion, "Journey Home." c. 2013, Olan L. Smith

27. Name of my latest unpublished manuscript, "The Sword and the Sickle."

28. One of my book covers: "The Wizard!"

29. Advise to writers: Choose the exact word for the situation—not one word more, or one word less.

30. Free day: What is a free Day? Really.