“In a 1994 interview with Folio Weekly, Jacksonville’s Poet Laureate Alan Justiss made reference to the following, a quote by Sylvia Plath: “The moment we have expectations, we are guaranteed disappointment.” Twelve years, 15 residences, and thousands of pages of poetry later, Justiss puts a positive spin on the decidedly depressing notion, adding with a laugh, “Without any [expectations], I’m a pretty lucky man.” In talking about his writing style, one that has generated interest for more that 40 years, Justiss maintains that he gives it little thought. “It just so happens that when I put a sheet of paper into my typewriter, I don’t know what I’m going to write. But, by the time I get to the end of the page I know it,” he explains. To highlight the organic nature of his method (or, perhaps, anti-method), “Raw” has been printed at 8 ½ by 11 and comprises electronic scans of Justiss’ typewritten pages." - Gwynedd Stuart...More >< Less