Amber Tamblyn

Amber Tamblyn

Amber Tamblyn was raised by beatniks and bohemians, which might explain why the TV and film star insists on spending her free time buried in books. From her earliest published poems and stories, it was clear that she takes the power of words seriously, crafting poetry and prose that is dramatic, emotionally raw, and always cliché-free. This week, she celebrates not only the launch of her much-anticipated new volume, Bang Ditto, but also the anticipated theatrical release of her new film, a remake of the classic Fritz Lang thriller Beyond a Reasonable Doubt, in which she lays down the law to Michael Douglas and Jesse Metcalfe.

Amber Tamblyn: One of my biggest influences has been poet Laureate of San Francisco, Jack Hirschman. He is responsible for getting my first poem published at the age of 12. I remember the first time I saw my own words in print. It was a magical feeling… even though they spelled my name wrong. Some poets I really admire are Derrick Brown, Noelle Kocot, Mindy Nettifee, Jeffrey McDaniel, Sherman Alexi, Diane Di Prima, Kate Braverman. The list could go on forever.

AT: They are intrigued by it like anyone else. They are certainly more open to me writing about my life living amongst them than people who aren’t Hollywood colleagues. There is a lot of initial judgment that goes up when an actress tries to do something other than acting, let alone poetry. It is indeed a hard sell. But so was the ShamWow at first, let us not forget this. Post-Script: what the fuck is a Hollywood colleague?! This makes it sound like a club. It’s really more like a shooting range, Shana. Some days I’m the gun, others I’m the empty beer bottle waiting to be shattered.