A bookish Swellcast hosted by @bowie & @ramya covering all things #books 📚
Bowie Rowan
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"…So I'm really excited to talk to you about all of this. But to start, I'm very curious to hear from you about how you got started as a writer. I can imagine that with this book of poems coming out, there's a certain amount of reflecting going on. And for me, I feel like every writer has an origin story, kind of like a superhero. And so I'm curious for you. Where did it all begin.…"
"…He saw me for what I was at the time, which was a flunking, falling out student that loved poetry but wasn't committed, wasn't committed to school, wasn't committed to making writing my life. And he was very blunt about that. And so part of what he said and just other things that happened in my life helped shift my trajectory to make me realize that this is how I was going to grow. This is how I was going to heal.…"
"…I'd love that you mentioned the importance of reading and that you used a book that you had recently read to talk about your origin story. That was great. And I immediately put the book you mentioned on my my to read list, so I'll have to check that out. I feel like for most writers, it starts out with a kind of love affair with reading, and I know for me it's interesting because your response is making me look back and reflect.…"
"…That way, we're sort of sneakily engaging with creativity in a more critical atmosphere. Another thing that I love to do is write syllabi, writing syllabi and writing poetry have a lot of the same gestures. And so when I treat creating a syllabus like I treat creating a poem, it is a really enjoyable and fantastic idea activity. I'm sorry. So I really like that combination.…"
"…I've been making my way through it during the pandemic, so very exciting. I would love to hear a bit about how this collection started, actually, until I saw the news about your book and then connected with you, I had read one of the Mother poems, which I'm assuming will be in this collection when it's published this spring.…"
"…That was the poem. And I am someone that is very much willing to sort of move around and take in feedback. And with this poem, I just felt like I had what I wanted there. And, yes, that will be part of the collection. And so the collection sort of leaves in between my life and Mother Darling's life.…"
"…Good morning, bully. I just wanted to jump back on here because I realized this morning that I had said in my response yesterday that the Yellow star grass was in the first Mother Darling poem in the book. But it's actually the last Mother Darling poem in the book. Mother Darling denser garden. So certainly not a big deal, but just one of those things that was writing at me. Looking forward to talking to you again.…"
"…But now seeing where these poems have gone and how they've developed, I had a pretty similar experience in my MSA program with some of my work, and actually it was quite a gift to have some workshops where people responded, I don't know if it negatively is the right word, but just were like, yeah, no, this isn't working, or it's not for me, because there were a couple of pieces where that response actually only furthered my conviction in what I was doing.…"
"…And I think as I've moved on, I realized that maybe that value system isn't quite so correct. But I am sort of stuck in this world where I just write poems or a page long. So reading for five minutes isn't something I have to worry about. So yeah, I'm going to share this one poem from the collection that I haven't shared with any of my readings yet, so I'm excited about that. And it is because it is so close to me.…"
"…And then obviously in having people read and give feedback on sections and different drafts of the book. And I just thought that was such a beautiful reminder, and you reminded me just how important conversation is in the process of doing this work of writing. So thank you.…"
"…So I think this is a great time to open this conversation up to others as well, and for them to maybe jump in and ask you any more questions and stuff, too. But I want to ask you and then the other writers and big books readers out there who are some of your favorite poets, are I know from you telling a bit about the story of the poem you just shared, that Rafi is one for you. But I'm curious what other poets maybe really influenced you growing up.…"
"…I'd start with Sandra Beasley. She is my absolute favorite living poet. Her very first collection, Theories of Falling, is another collection I often turn to love to teach. She sachets into her poems and God, I want to sache into my poems, and I'm pretty sure I'm fumbling and stumbling and bumbling around instead. I really love that about Sandra's work, and I definitely recommend her Eleanor Budrow.…"
"…Hi, Bowie and Alexa. Thank you for a wonderful conversation regarding my favorite poet. The one that I really enjoy reading whenever I get a chance is Billy Collins. I think he used to be the poetry at some point as well, but the humor and the language of his poetry is something that never fails to kind of bring a smile to my face if you will indulge me. I'll read one of his short poems. It's called Introduction to Poetry, so I thought it'd be relevant.…"
"…Hey, Alexa and Bowie. And now Irish, I just got a chance to finally finish this thread. It was so enjoyable. And your enthusiasm, Alexa, about the craft and your life living the craft is so beautiful. So thank you you for being a part of this conversation. I have to say, when it comes to poetry, it's usually connected to people who recommend the poem. And I love that.…"
"…But it's not exactly the same in person. But I am still really missing those in person poetry readings. And it's just nice to have other people's voices. And just like you were bringing up this idea of like we learn about poets to other people, and it becomes this connection we always remember. And that's so true. Every collection I have right now comes from a recommendation.…"
"…Him and the fiction writer and poet and nonfiction writer Sandra Cisneros were really big inspirations to me when I was younger. So I loved hearing you talk about that. And I would love to hear more about where people read and share poems. So please feel free to invite your friends in to read a poem and let's keep the love Fest going.…"
"…Indeed, a handful in the backseat of a rocket ship It's no secret Erika Badu is stunning Abbey Lincoln can deeply relate a break Monogamy Madonna says I think people will like it or not like it. Denzel Washington loves it. You do what you have to do so you can do what you want to do. Like build a rocket ship. Nick Ashford agrees to share your deepest emotions and your thoughts.…"
"…The key to relationships vault over fallen trees, infiltrate acres of woodland, make love and rubber boots fused together to make a mushroom. Part of the answer is about learning from and adapting to each other. Part of the answer is about Abbey Lincoln and Madonna and Erica Badu and Ashford and Simpson and Denzel Washington with hunger and speed. The racket ship exploded. Any launch changes everything. The ultimate outcome is love or hate. Is success or failure is life or death.…"
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