By Liem Do
As both an accomplished poet and a Continuing Lecturer in UC Santa Barbara’s Writing Program, Robert Krut balances his career passions, finding inspiration in both his teaching and creative pursuits. He says his work with students is a source of motivation which fuels his enthusiasm for writing.
“I feel lucky to work with student writers so much, and for that to be such a motivational force in what I’m doing,” he said. “In that way, UCSB has truly contributed to my career.” For Krut, the dynamic exchange with students not only inspires him but also profoundly influences his creative process.
Krut received the prestigious Codhill Poetry Award for his fourth book, The Now Dark Sky, Setting Us All on Fire.
First published in 2019, this collection showcases Krut’s signature blend of surrealism and vivid imagery, demonstrating his ability to transform everyday moments into dreamlike narratives.
The Codhill Poetry Award, known for recognizing innovative and thought-provoking works, highlights Krut’s growing impact in contemporary poetry, following his earlier collections that also explored themes of transformation and the blurred boundaries between reality and the imagination.
In a recent conversation, Krut discussed the freedom and process involved in developing his unique artistic style.
Robert Krut, a Continuing Lecturer in UCSB’s Writing Program, received the Codhill Poetry Award for his fourth book, The Now Dark Sky, Setting Us All on Fire.
Q: How do you approach the creative process of writing poetry? Do you wait for inspiration, or do you have a disciplined routine?
A: Well, it’s a little bit of both. I try to have a disciplined routine where I write every day. The morning is usually when I’ll sit down and give myself some time to try to write. You know, I think that most writers try to follow something like that; it doesn’t always shake out that way, but that’s certainly the approach. I tend to lean into getting inspired by something, rather than planning too far out. Usually, the poems come from seeing something that stands out to me, something unusual. Sometimes you find yourself focusing on a particular image in the world, and you’re inspired by that. But then, if inspiration is not divinely bestowed upon you, you have to kind of sit down and just do the work and hopefully something comes out.
Q: In reading some pieces from The Now Dark Sky, Setting Us All on Fire, I’ve noticed that many of the poems sway away from a realistic or literal form of imagery, coming instead from more of a fantastical viewpoint. Who or what are your influences, whether literary or personal and how have these influences shaped your voice as a poet?
A: I’ve always enjoyed the idea of using surrealism in poems – constructs not existing in this natural world – to try to fit those into the world that we're in. The writer who changed my writing perspective was Dennis Johnson, who was very rooted in the concrete world, but was gifted with a visionary approach to writing.
I’ve always been fascinated by literature and movies that are firmly rooted in the concrete world, but are willing to integrate scenes behind that world, letting them come to light a bit. I love movies and music that explore surrealism, which is why I find literature that blends the real and surreal so fascinating. Whether it’s fiction grounded in reality, that reveals surreal elements, or poetry set in a surreal world that uses familiar imagery, the combination of both is always more captivating.
Q: So, you take a lot of inspiration from movies, songs, and books. Do you take away from your own life as well?
Robert Krut, a UCSB Continuing Lecturer of the Writing Program, at a poetry reading.
A: Yes, I’ve always taken life as the content and movies, literature, music, my poems as the form to express it. I think there’s a side who likes to take in and appreciate art in all of its forms, but all of us who are writers have a desire to create and share. Writing would be a way to not only express, but release emotion. Let’s say if I’m feeling overwhelmed, I would articulate its core and this would give me ignition to move forward.
Q: What does the Codhill Poetry Award mean to you? Has winning an award changed how you think about your work, or the direction you’re headed to as a poet?
A: Publishing a book of poetry is a unique process for most poets. Unlike novelists or bands, poets usually write the entire book first, then send it out to publishers they respect, hoping for acceptance. It’s just the case that many times, poetry books are published through competitions. For me, it was a vote of confidence when my work connected with a press that appreciated my style. Finding a publisher not only helped get my book out but also led to an ongoing relationship. Having this support, along with the support of UC Santa Barbara’s writing department, has taken stress out of getting my book out into the world.
Liem Do is a third-year student at UC Santa Barbara, majoring in Economics. He wrote this article for his Writing Program course Digital Journalism.