In Conversation with BlackWords - Lionel G. Fogarty

In Conversation with BlackWords

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Lionel G. Fogarty In Conversation with BlackWords
Image courtesy of Lionel Fogarty

In the tenth of this series of interviews, Anita speaks to Lionel G. Fogarty.
Lionel G. Fogarty is one of Australia's most prolific and well-known Aboriginal poets. He was born in south-east Queensland and since he released his first collection of poetry - Kargun - in 1980, Lionel has continued to write with passion about issues close to his heart, including land rights, identity, black deaths in custody and the ongoing consequences of colonisation. He has been defined as a 'guerrilla poet'.
Who’s your mob? Where did you grow up?

Munaldjali, Yoogum Yoogum. Cherbourg, south-east Queensland.
What was your favourite book growing up?

Comics and Readers' Digest.
What book has had an impact on your life and why?

The Autobiography of Malcolm X opened up my mind to the power of militancy and the power of narration.
What’s the last book you read?

Ali Cobby Eckermann's Too Afraid to Cry.
Is there a book you just couldn’t finish?

My own book!
What book have you read more than once?

New and Selected Poems : Munaldjali, Mutuerjaraera by Lionel Fogarty

Collections of Aboriginal stories and poetry such as This Country Anytime Anywhere: An Anthology of New Indigenous Writing from the Northern Territory.
What book do you think every Australian should read?

Indigenous-authored books such as those by Anita Heiss.
Of all art forms, why literature?

It is political, but poetically it becomes story.
How did you start writing?

From community and protest rallies, and as a result of being on charges by the government and hearing stories by old people.
Did you do anything to help you learn to write or did it just come naturally?

I copycatted words from newspapers – Aboriginal newspapers. It took a lot of mind work.
What do you love about writing?

Conquering of English!
What’s your aim as a writer?

To have Aboriginal people, literate and illiterate, become creative to tell their story and to use that as a tool.
Who do you write for?

First and foremost for first Australians and secondly for all Australians and universally beyond.
What do you think makes a 'good writer' and who are some of your favourite authors?

A good writer is a good speaker, singer of songs, dancer and knows true stories and how to correct history for the betterment of the future. Kim Scott, any Aboriginal authors and writers, published and unpublished, those having a go.
Do you have a writing role model or inspiration?

Traditional song and storytelling will always be my role model, for inspiration my present de-tribalised experiences, and the present-day fighters for justice.
What’s your writing process?

I think in pictures, then when thoughts arise, and repetition occurs, I progress with new stories over the old ones. Sometimes I just listen.
Is it difficult to move between genres?

Booyooburra : A Story of the Wakka Murri by Lionel Forgarty and illustrated by Sharon Hodgson.

I found poetry is the spear and the shield over all direction of reading and writing but the difficult thing for me is trying to sequence my memoirs of my early years to the present time.
What’s the best tip you were ever given in relation to writing?

To keep my own original feel, and my identity, in the struggle to produce.
Do you have any advice you could offer on writing and publishing?

Stay strong to your story, try not to let others edit and take away your true story, and keep your spirit to the dreamtime, not letting religious or government or politics distort what is necessary to write down today. Make sure you have a contract and good lawyers to cover you.
What are you working on right now?

Memoir trying to include family, personal relationships in the sequence of political activity over the last forty-five years, and also hopefully trying to develop it to a theatre/dramatic production. Also working on attracting sponsorship to financially benefit my project.

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