Colin Will started playing jazz and writing poetry in the early 1960s, as one of the Edinburgh Beats. Then he got a proper job as a librarian and wrote nothing between 1965 and 1985. Since the latter date he hasn’t been able to stop. He worked mainly in science until he retired in 2002. He has chaired the Boards of the Scottish Poetry Library, the StAnza Poetry Festival and Dunbar’s CoastWord Festival. He ran Calder Wood Press for 20 years, publishing poetry and short stories. He’s now Editor at Postbox Press, which includes editing Postbox short story magazine. His selected poems will be published by Red Squirrel Press in July 2022, to celebrate his 80th birthday. It will be his 13th book, but he isn’t superstitious.
Tell us 4 important facts about yourself:
- Jane and I have been married for 55 years so far
- I’ve never stopped learning
- I’m a lifelong Zen Buddhist
- I love people
What is your favourite age that you’ve been so far in life, and why?
My fifties. I reached the top of my profession, then took on unexpected new challenges in roles in senior management.
Who is your favourite fictional character or famous person over 60?
Sir David Attenborough, because he’s right.
You are alone in your house (no pets). You have three minutes to get out before the house collapses and burns to the ground. What one possession would you grab and take with you?
My car keys.
What’s your favourite creative pastime?
Growing fruit and vegetables for food.
Tell us something about yourself that’s surprising or unexpected.
I got my first tattoo when I was 74. I now have six.