97-year-old writer Vergie Papalexis took a moment to answer some questions about her third book “The Hands of Time” with David Brady.

DB: You have been writing all of your life, do you remember the first poem you wrote and why?

VP: The Sun at 10 years old because I loved the warmth of the sun.

DB: Which of your poems is your favorite?

VP: Follow Your Path. It represents living.

DB: Now that you are an author of 3 books, any advice for new writers starting their first book?

VP: Let your expressions flow. Just write.

DB: What is your favorite book? Why?

VP: Doctor Zivago because of its depth.

DB: Did you study poetry or writing growing up? Was there a book or particular poet that piqued your interest in writing poetry?

VP: Khalil Gibran’s The Prophet

DB: Completing a book as you know takes time and commitment, what was the most difficult part of making The Hands of Time?

VP: Believing in myself enough to do it. Having faith.

DB: Making a book from start to finish is a collaboration. How was it working with a book designer to get your poems to the finish line?

VP: Brady Book Design was a great help.

DB: Do you have a favorite author or poet?

VP: Robert Frost

DB: Many of us need inspiration to create or write. Do you have a source of inspiration?

VP: I had my husband and now my sister.

DB: What is your process to write a poem, do you wait for inspiration or just sit and begin writing what comes out?

VP: More often it is inspiration that just comes. Sometimes I purposefully sit to write.