Interview
Q: What genre of poetry do you identify with the most?
A: I have written in several veins, modified formal, free verse, and with subject matter ranging from nature writing, to interpersonal/confessional, to historical.
Q: Which poets have influenced and inspired you the most? Favorite poet?
A: So many poets have influenced me! I love the work of Emily Dickinson, Elizabeth Bishop, Sylvia Plath, Robert Frost, John Keats, and Alfred Lord Tennyson. In terms of very recent contemporary writers, Matt Rasmussen, Mary Szybist, Terrence Hayes, Mary Oliver, Lucille Clifton, and Kay Ryan have all been inspirational.
Q: Why did you choose to settle in California? Do you consider yourself a "California Poet"?
A: I came to California to teach at CSUF. While I was a student and grad student, it never occurred to me that I would live in California, but here I am. I am a poet that connects to and draws from the world around me, so where ever I happen to be will impact what I write. In that sense, yes, I'm a California poet. It's also the case that the subject matter can emerge about other places and extends beyond the boundaries of California. In that sense, I guess I'd say that I'm not only a poet who writes about California.
Q: What was your mindset when writing "Branches"?
A: I wanted to write as clearly as I could about matters of the heart. We speak the language of commerce, the language of politics, the language of social propriety (or rebellion), but we still struggle when it comes to emotions and matters of the heart. The more language of the heart we have out there to help inspire us at moments when we need it, the better. But it must really be language of the heart, and not sentimentality.
Q: Do you consider yourself a feminist? Why or why not?
A: Yes. Disparities across genders still exist in our society. Often these disparities are patently unfair. Action should be taken or attention should be given to matters of unfairness.
Q: Which poetic movements do you favor most? Identify with?
A: I read a lot of contemporary poetry. I read minimalists, confessional poets, poets who address historical issues, people who address personal issues. I most identify with poets who strive for clarity of thought and beauty of presentation. I still believe in truth.
Q: What is your purpose as a poet/writer? What is your overall message to readers?
A: I think we live in a society that overtly and covertly asks us to "perform" in a particular way. Sometimes the performance suits us and we step into it as an extension of who we are. Sometimes the performance doesn't suit us, and we're stuck with others expecting us to play along and lie. The more practice we have thinking through and speaking our truths, the more we'll be able to push back against the expectations that ask us to deny or lie to ourselves. Being open, being true, being strong--I hope the poems can work toward that.
Q: If you could describe yourself as a writer in 3 words, what would they be?
A: Intense. Clear. Breathtaking. (This would be an ideal!)
Q: What is your favorite aspect of writing poetry? Or writing in general?
A: Being in a writing space and receiving a line that rings true is an amazing space to be in.
Q: What is the best advice you could give to us student-writers?
A: If you're called to write, believe in that more than anything else. Recognition comes and goes, publication comes and goes, but the capacity to create, to write, to answer the call to put words on paper is something that's yours. Staying close to the creating helps a writer weather all of the other uncontrollable elements of the publishing world.