I don’t have a question. I have a thank you. Thank you for sharing your heart. For publishing your words. Last week my college sophomore son called. He told me he had to memorize a poem, was presenting it to his poetry class (a class he wasn’t thrilled to take) and wanted to practice with me. “It’s called Good Bones mom”. I quietly smiled. Listened. And when he finished said “Maggie Smith right?” He couldn’t believe I knew it. It was a beautiful moment of connection. Your words. A bridge between us. Grateful.
Every year when I prepare to teach my fifth graders poetry, I feel a bit overwhelmed. My main goal is to help them fall in love with poetry. I have a handful of my favorite poems (both past and present) I read with them. I do want them to be able to understand how to analyze a bit for rhyme scheme, meter, theme, literary elements, etc. But I never want that to dominate my instruction because I really want my students to read a ton of poems to start to develop their own tastes.
If you were designing a poetry Masterclass for kids, what would you teach? Which poems would be essential to read and understand? How would you balance introducing poetry with interpreting poetry?
Thank you so much for this space. For someone who has had poems published in journals but never put together a chapbook or full-length collection, do you recommend creating a chapbook first?
I'll take this one : ) As author of both a chapbook and a book of poems, I don't think publishing one leads to the other. As far as publishing as a whole, you have to ask yourself what your goal is. Sales? Not gonna happen, unless you're publishing with a Big 5. Prestige? Maybe among your friends. But that's it. Career? Publishing will help, if teaching poetry is your career. Love? Well, anything done for love is worth it. Much to say ask me anything on my 'stack Sarah I'm a fool for poets : )
Good morning from Colorado. First, your chapter on “Metaphor” in Dear Writer is one of the best I have read on the subject. I’ll leave it at that. My question: during your session in the “Writing About Family” online course in September, you said something like “Try doing things that call attention to the craft decisions you make” (in regard to memoir writing, in particular). Could you say more about that? Techniques / strategies? I love the idea and the intentionality of that — how do you pull it off? Thank you.
Maggie, thank you so much. As someone who is working on her debut novel, a memoir surrounding my experience with motherhood and my medical career what advice would you give as far as joining writers group, taking classes, attending workshops, getting a coach? With no formal training just having published a few narrative medicine essays before, in today's world of resources, what are musts and where would you say just write to a full time working mother?
I also am curious how to improve craft with limited writing time. My current practice includes a weekly poetry writing group (which I love), a bit of free writing and reading poetry on my own. I feel like I would benefit from having more regular formal critique of my work from someone experienced, but an MFA would be quite a stretch. Thoughts?
I second Alexandra’s questions. I’m working on a coming of age memoir set in Columbus, Ohio in the 1990s. There are varied themes/backdrops including: destructive male anger, alienation amongst provincial thinking, emotional repression, religion, and 90s alt rock.
If I’m looking for editorial help, do I seek out people and resources who have already worked with those themes?
Thank you! How do you go about your editing process for poems? Do you let them "sit" for a while before editing, show them to others, or just shape the poem based on what is written?
Dear Maggie, first of all you have beautiful handwriting! My question is how can I take a 30+ year journal practice and turn it into a collection of cohesive essays? Thanks in advance for any thoughts you may have.
Just a thank you. I've found your practical, accessible voice to be a balm, a reminder that there is a place for creativity always in our lives. I'm political, and much of my attention has been focused on Washington, DC. Your newsletters arrive and remind me that there are other flows, other rivers, each feeding each other.
Looking back at your time in the MFA program, what advice would you give to someone beginning their MFA journey? (I am beginning mine at Spalding in June!)
Would love to follow this question, as I am contemplating embarking on an MFA in poetry! Like, Is my skin thick enough ... How do I trust my mentors and still find and retain my own voice ... etc. How do I pick the right program, too!
I love this on their website — “Am I Too Old to Get an MFA?” & Other Common Questions? Right up my alley! Good luck with your studies, I signed up for the info Zoom next month. Thanks for the tip!
I’m reading Dear Reader one chapter a day to savor your words and absorb your advice. This ritual is a part of my writing practice. Thank you, especially for giving me permission to know that it’s okay to still live a creative life if I miss a day because my other responsibilities need my attention. Cheers to you!
I got your book and an extra copy. I didn’t know what to do with a second copy so I gifted it to an emerging writer who needed it. I am about half way through your book and I must say that the way you explain complex ideas are conveyed so clearly that anyone would be able to follow. My question (finally) is that you have a very good handle on revision, something I still struggle with. Did it take time to get to the point where it seemed more part of the process? Keep in mind that I started getting serious in my 40s and am now turning 61 in June. The way my brain processes information after my heart surgery (anesthesia related) changed drastically. Do you know what would help me get to where revision seems like “old hat?”
Dear Maggie,
I don’t have a question. I have a thank you. Thank you for sharing your heart. For publishing your words. Last week my college sophomore son called. He told me he had to memorize a poem, was presenting it to his poetry class (a class he wasn’t thrilled to take) and wanted to practice with me. “It’s called Good Bones mom”. I quietly smiled. Listened. And when he finished said “Maggie Smith right?” He couldn’t believe I knew it. It was a beautiful moment of connection. Your words. A bridge between us. Grateful.
Oh goodness, Sandra, thank YOU for sharing this.
You’re welcome! Now I have to share a screenshot of your response with my son. 😉 Thank you for responding Maggie!
Dear Ms. Smith,
Every year when I prepare to teach my fifth graders poetry, I feel a bit overwhelmed. My main goal is to help them fall in love with poetry. I have a handful of my favorite poems (both past and present) I read with them. I do want them to be able to understand how to analyze a bit for rhyme scheme, meter, theme, literary elements, etc. But I never want that to dominate my instruction because I really want my students to read a ton of poems to start to develop their own tastes.
If you were designing a poetry Masterclass for kids, what would you teach? Which poems would be essential to read and understand? How would you balance introducing poetry with interpreting poetry?
Thanks!
Thank you so much for this space. For someone who has had poems published in journals but never put together a chapbook or full-length collection, do you recommend creating a chapbook first?
I'll take this one : ) As author of both a chapbook and a book of poems, I don't think publishing one leads to the other. As far as publishing as a whole, you have to ask yourself what your goal is. Sales? Not gonna happen, unless you're publishing with a Big 5. Prestige? Maybe among your friends. But that's it. Career? Publishing will help, if teaching poetry is your career. Love? Well, anything done for love is worth it. Much to say ask me anything on my 'stack Sarah I'm a fool for poets : )
I’m also interested in this question! I’m starting with a self-published e-chapbook and will see where this leads me.
Good morning from Colorado. First, your chapter on “Metaphor” in Dear Writer is one of the best I have read on the subject. I’ll leave it at that. My question: during your session in the “Writing About Family” online course in September, you said something like “Try doing things that call attention to the craft decisions you make” (in regard to memoir writing, in particular). Could you say more about that? Techniques / strategies? I love the idea and the intentionality of that — how do you pull it off? Thank you.
Thank you for all of these terrific questions and comments, all! I'll start answering them in batches in new posts. Stay tuned!
Maggie, thank you so much. As someone who is working on her debut novel, a memoir surrounding my experience with motherhood and my medical career what advice would you give as far as joining writers group, taking classes, attending workshops, getting a coach? With no formal training just having published a few narrative medicine essays before, in today's world of resources, what are musts and where would you say just write to a full time working mother?
I also am curious how to improve craft with limited writing time. My current practice includes a weekly poetry writing group (which I love), a bit of free writing and reading poetry on my own. I feel like I would benefit from having more regular formal critique of my work from someone experienced, but an MFA would be quite a stretch. Thoughts?
I second Alexandra’s questions. I’m working on a coming of age memoir set in Columbus, Ohio in the 1990s. There are varied themes/backdrops including: destructive male anger, alienation amongst provincial thinking, emotional repression, religion, and 90s alt rock.
If I’m looking for editorial help, do I seek out people and resources who have already worked with those themes?
Grateful for your open heart and wise words!
Thank you, Dara.
Just started Dear Writer and reading slowly to give each idea a chance to settle in. Inspiring!
How do you get comfortable with or trust writer's block to take you to a better place creatively?
Thank you! How do you go about your editing process for poems? Do you let them "sit" for a while before editing, show them to others, or just shape the poem based on what is written?
How do you decide which ‘must be written’ post to focus on
Dear Maggie, first of all you have beautiful handwriting! My question is how can I take a 30+ year journal practice and turn it into a collection of cohesive essays? Thanks in advance for any thoughts you may have.
Stacy
Just a thank you. I've found your practical, accessible voice to be a balm, a reminder that there is a place for creativity always in our lives. I'm political, and much of my attention has been focused on Washington, DC. Your newsletters arrive and remind me that there are other flows, other rivers, each feeding each other.
This is so lovely to read--thank you so much.
Looking back at your time in the MFA program, what advice would you give to someone beginning their MFA journey? (I am beginning mine at Spalding in June!)
Would love to follow this question, as I am contemplating embarking on an MFA in poetry! Like, Is my skin thick enough ... How do I trust my mentors and still find and retain my own voice ... etc. How do I pick the right program, too!
Leslie,
I am attending Spalding University’s low residency program if you want to check it out!
I love this on their website — “Am I Too Old to Get an MFA?” & Other Common Questions? Right up my alley! Good luck with your studies, I signed up for the info Zoom next month. Thanks for the tip!
I’m reading Dear Reader one chapter a day to savor your words and absorb your advice. This ritual is a part of my writing practice. Thank you, especially for giving me permission to know that it’s okay to still live a creative life if I miss a day because my other responsibilities need my attention. Cheers to you!
I love this ritual! So validating to hear other writers count it as part of their writing practice, too.
I love hearing this--and yes, you get to build writing into your life in a way that works for YOU. Here's to that.
Dear Maggie,
I got your book and an extra copy. I didn’t know what to do with a second copy so I gifted it to an emerging writer who needed it. I am about half way through your book and I must say that the way you explain complex ideas are conveyed so clearly that anyone would be able to follow. My question (finally) is that you have a very good handle on revision, something I still struggle with. Did it take time to get to the point where it seemed more part of the process? Keep in mind that I started getting serious in my 40s and am now turning 61 in June. The way my brain processes information after my heart surgery (anesthesia related) changed drastically. Do you know what would help me get to where revision seems like “old hat?”