Oranmore, also known as Dominick Mereworth, is a poet and playwright. He has had numerous anthologies previously published including The Glory of Glories: Inspirational Poetry (Arcturus Press 2005) and has had a number of plays produced on Fringe Theatre London including Seal of Rome in Belfast and I married Madeline as well as others produced in Belfast and Cork. Over the years Dominick has also had short stories published to wide acclaim in national magazines. In addition, he continues to work extensively in the voluntary and charity sector including: Kent Refugee Action Network and Rapid Ireland, he is the president of Celtic Vision and Vice-President for both Veterans in Europe and Montecassino Federation for Remembrance and Reconciliation. His father, 4th Lord Oranmore and Browne, was to date the longest serving member of The House of Lords and Dominick succeeded him in 2002 to become the 5th Baron. Today he lives in London with his family. He drops by to talk about his book Sparkling Fountain:
Where do you get the inspiration for your poetry?
“1% Inspiration and 9% Perspiration.” My ideas come from something I have seen or someone I have been speaking to or very often a Muse, but also from prayer and spiritual understanding. My poems on the whole come from an unknown source call it the subconscious or spiritual dimension not usually conscious reasoning is implemented but after that going through the poem will see how it balances.
Were you a big reader as a child?
I was a deep thinker and inquiring into existence but was not an avid reader, on the whole, but with philosophy, and Biographies. Everyone expected me to be, and so and my Godmother always sent me a book token for Christmas
What is your writing process?
If I get a line in my head I will write it down somewhere but my general writing process is, if I decide to write a poem I will do it on my computer and after it is finished, work at it, and try to balance the poem
What are your top tips for aspiring poets?
(a). To make up your mind, you would want to write:
(b). get out some paper, pen or your computer and write. I know many people go on and on talking about wanting to write but they never actually do it.
(c). you must decide if you want to, do the suggested and write without fear.
(d). Change your writing where needed.
Describe a typical writing day?
I like to get out my laptop and start writing poetry, having an idea of what poem should be about sometime, the idea or the form will change
Have you joined any writing groups?
I used to be a member of the Byron Society.
When did you know you wanted to become a poet?
I experimented with writing for some time and I was in various professions/jobs. Really what changed me is when I had my hand writing professionals forecast and it said that I was poet. This encouraged me to write.