Makers Series — Robert Arnold
A Conversation with Robert Arnold
Robert Arnold is a writer, poet, speaker, and activist raised in the Mississippi Delta, whose work is shaped by the history, struggles, and persistent beauty of the South. His writing lives at the crossroads of art, politics, and memory, driven by a commitment to telling the truth—even when it is complicated or uncomfortable.
With a focus on justice and the weight of history, his mission is to achieve clarity without pretension, courage without cruelty, and truth without apology. He advocates for working people, challenges systems of oppression, and believes literature plays a crucial role in creating a more just world. His work includes essays, poetry, and prose, and he engages in speaking engagements and offers workshops and mentoring focused on helping others find their authentic voice as writers.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your journey to becoming the creator you are today?
I grew up around storytellers… the kind of people who could hold a room with nothing but a memory and a grin. I think I always knew how I wanted my own stories to sound… like they already existed somewhere, whole and waiting, just out of reach. Mrs. Garrett was the one who taught me how to pull them down from the air and put them on paper… how to make the chaos make sense. Everything since has been an odd mix of life experience, education, and the long road between knowing what you want to say and figuring out how to say it.
Is there a particular quote, piece of work, or even a specific sound/smell that ignites your creative process?
The sound of an oscillating fan helps me find that rhythm… that quiet hum that slows the world just enough for words to fall into place. And when they do, I still reach for a Blackwing. Barton Willis handed me my first one nearly a decade ago, and it felt like finding the right instrument after years of playing out of tune. Good pencils and good paper — that’s it. That’s the foundation. You don’t need much more to build a universe if you’ve got those.
Tell us about your favorite project to date. What made it so special?
If I had to choose one piece that still stops me when I think about it, it’s The Smell of Cotton. It’s raw, it’s real, and it carries the weight and scent of where I’m from. It reminds me why I write…to preserve, to honor, to remember.
What other tools are essential to your process?
Outside of pencils and paper, I’m particular about the tools that help me stay organized — my keyboard, my notebooks, the way everything has its place. Writing isn’t about luxury… it’s about ritual. And the beautiful thing is that the best tools for the job don’t cost much at all.
In a world that often celebrates speed, what does "slowing down" mean to you?
In a world obsessed with speed, slowing down is rebellion. There’s something grounding in handwriting… in seeing the story take shape in your own imperfect scrawl. It’s a connection that screens can’t offer. It’s primitive and pure — your soul translated through graphite and grain.
What message or piece of advice would you offer to fellow creators who are just starting their journeys?
If I could tell new creators anything, it would be this… invest in yourself. Buy the good pencils. Buy the good paper. Your hands will thank you. Then write — not to sound smarter, not to impress, but to be honest. The voice in your head is already enough. Don’t wait to feel ready or important. Just write something small and real. Let it live on the page, flawed and beautiful, the way it came to you. That’s where every good story begins.
Where can the Blackwing community follow and support you?