What’s your relationship with poetry? You may have read or written some back in school. Perhaps you think poetry is obtuse and intellectual and not for you.
I love poetry for how essential it is. Every word matters in a poem. A writer has no place to hide; their truth and emotions are right there in the sparseness of the lines. The very first writing class I taught was a poetry class. The things I learned from that class inform all the writing I do. Whatever your relationship with poetry, I think you’ll love the conversation I had with poet and poetry lover Mark McGuinness. Writers of all genres will benefit from the things he shared about bringing his love for poetry to life in his podcast, A Mouthful of Air.
Mark and I talk about what it’s like to create something from your passion, to finally have a place for all the enthusiasm he has for poetry.
“This is the most complicated thing I’ve ever created,” he confessed. As an introverted Brit, learning how to read poetry with emotion and his true voice was a challenge. Mark shares the story of how he broke out of his self-consciousness and into his true voice.
Voice is one of the most important elements of writing. Somehow, even though our voice is right there within us all the time, it’s oddly elusive when it comes to expressing ourselves. Mark shares some surprising perspectives on voice that gave me new ways of thinking about voice and how to access it.
Even though Mark is a seasoned podcast host and producer, A Mouthful of Air gave him new challenges. He was able to break away from traditional podcast formats in order to shape an experience he wanted people to have of poetry.
Our conversation was energizing to me and gave me a renewed sense of hope and vitality. I feel emboldened to return to poetry myself, both reading and writing it.
Enjoy this episode of Stumbling Toward Genius, getting insight from Mark’s stumbles and how he recovered with grace and commitment.
Find A Mouthful of Air here:
Twitter @amouthfulofair
Mentioned in the episode:
Kristin Linklater Voice Center
I’d be so grateful for your help with a review of the podcast Stumbling Toward Genius on iTunes.
what a great conversation
Glad you liked it! I did, too.
I loved this podcast’s direct dive into challenges: though specific to the dynamics of each creator+creation, the discussion offers avenues for facing them which can apply to all.
I found it most inspiring, and profoundly true, to hear Cynthia and Mark voice their shared belief that every obstacle faced offers a hundred-fold payback in kind. And I want to thank you both for reminding me of how much fun it is to speak poetry, to let if fill the space inside and around me.
So glad you loved this, Dominique! I did, too. Mark always has such thought-provoking things to say. I loved hearing about his passion for poetry.
I have lived the experience of the obstacles growing me. I cannot imagine who I would be without all the things I have dared to make and share with the world. I am so grateful for this creative life and for you being part of it!
Thanks for listening and commenting!