Meet Linda Ellis, Author of "The Dash" Poem
The following is an interview between Linda Ellis, author of ‘The Dash’ poem and writer Jeff Slaughter. Hear what she has to say about how she was inspired to write ‘The Dash’ and what she thought when she first heard her lyrics set to Kirk’s music!
Jeff: You wrote ‘The Dash’ some 12 years ago. What inspired you to write this poem?
Linda: Well, I was working for the top executives of a major corporation and I began to notice how the priorities there had become what I considered, "misaligned." There were far too many people worrying far too much about that which was inconsequential in the scope of life. Also, there was a letter that had been routed around our office which was written by the wife of an employee who knew that she was dying. Her heartfelt words had a profound effect on me, for she realized too late what is really important, as well as what is not.
Jeff: What happened with the poem after you wrote it? How did it get out to the public?
Linda: My poetry had been shared regularly on a syndicated radio show in the years prior to writing "The Dash." So after I'd finished writing it, I sent it via fax to the popular radio personality, "Moby in the Morning." He read it on the air shortly afterwards during his morning show and it snowballed from that point.
Jeff: How did the poem grow into a book?
Linda: Many years after Moby shared the poem, I was contacted by Mac Anderson, founder of Successories, after he'd received the poem from a colleague. Having been a Succesories customer in the past, I was familiar with the high quality products they offered and was eager to begin the project.
Jeff: How have you seen The Dash impact people over the years?
Linda: I've received thousands of email letters and calls about The Dash poem and I still receive them daily. Those stories continue to touch my heart every day. One story that comes to mind is of a young mother who postponed her promising career in the corporate world to spend more time with her children after reading the poem. One couple who was contemplating divorce after 18 years of marriage, credits their reunion to the poem. Yet another young gentleman has had the poem concept made into a tattoo and applied to 50% percent of his arm because of the way the words have changed the direction of his life! Also, there are those who have had the entire poem etched upon a loved one's tombstone.
But my favorite story is from the songwriter, Kirk Dearman who heard The Dash recited at a funeral and wrote a beautiful song for it the very next day.
Jeff: When you first heard Kirk's song, what was your first impression? How did it affect you?
Linda: Well, there were a number of musicians along the way who had sent to me their musical renditions of The Dash poem on CD in hopes of gaining permission to record the song version of The Dash. When I listened to their recordings however, there wasn't one that went straight to my heart like Kirk's version did. It was funny to shed tears while listening to words that I had written and recited from memory hundreds of times, as though they were new to me. After recently meeting Kirk and Deby in person, I know it was just "meant to be" that Kirk record the song.
Jeff: What do you hope that the song will do for the dash message?
Linda: The Dash song adds another level to the message that the words of the poem convey. The beautiful music and the mellow tones of Kirk's voice are a wonderful combination and just set a mood which is emotional, yet powerful and insightful at the same time.
Jeff: When you talk to people about the Dash, what do you leave them with? In other words, if you had to summarize the message of the Dash in just a few words, what would those words be?
Linda: The dash represents all the days you'll spend on earth and you never know how long your dash will be, so make every day count.
Jeff: Describe your love for poetry and how you began to write it.
Linda: My grandmother left Ireland when she was 17 years old planning to return someday. She never was given that opportunity and never saw her mother, her father or her native land again. Subsequently, she wrote beautiful, heartfelt poetry about her longing to return to the Emerald Isle. The words of her poetry stayed in my mind, such as this line from her poem titled, The Lonely Exile:
I pray God will help me, my promise to keep
to go back and visit where my dear parents sleep.
I will kneel by their graves on that hillside so grand
and I'll kiss the soil of my dear native land.
And if I can't go, then I'll wait for the day
when the dear Lord wishes to take me away.
And my soul in passing to that great above,
might pass through Old Ireland, the land that I Iove.
My mother would often turn to writing poetry also in times of sadness and sometimes she'd even write silly poems, which were great fun. She always wrote poems, as my grandmother did, about her own life's experiences. That's what I find myself doing with most of my writing.
Jeff: After having met Kirk and Deby, what do you think of them?
Linda: If I were to describe them in two words, I would choose "genuine" and "real." They are just nice people. That sounds cliche', but it's true. They are, as my publisher said when he met them, "the salt of the earth." I truly am looking forward to a long and lasting friendship and business relationship with them. 
You can find out more about Linda and her poetry on her website: www.lindaslyrics.com
The Dash Book & Song Gift Set
Contains:
The Dash Book — The life-changing poem from Linda Ellis, 12 profound stories from Mac Anderson, and awe inspiring photographs. Autographed by Kirk & Deby Dearman.
The Dash Song — Set to music and sung by Kirk Dearman, it will bring tears to your eyes, an ache to your heart and inspiration to your life!