This week, Alida and Kathryn welcome Scott James to the Round Table to discuss the lessons prose writers can learn from the art of poetry. Are novelists and poets such different creatures, after all? What can prose writers learn from the way poets approach imagery and metaphor? We delve into the ever-important endnote in both poetry and prose. Scott reads a favorite poem by Mary Oliver, which we discuss. He also shares two of his typewriter poems from his book, Whatever Magic You Need.
If you care about word-craft, pull up a chair at the Round Table!
VIDEO
AUDIO
Scott Andrew James is a best selling and award winning poet who believes in everyday magic and the healing power of creativity. At home on a 1946 Smith-Corona typewriter with handmade papers and brilliant watercolors, his work has been featured by Tim Ferris, the World Domination Summit, and Creative Mornings. His workshops and seminars have been attended by thousands. He lives in Austin, Texas with his wife, daughter, and their pug.
SHOW NOTES
What we talked about:
How can we prose writers use a poet’s sensibility to improve our writing? (1:30)
Is it quality versus quantity? (4:25)
How do we find just the right word or rhythm? (6:35)
The power of the summation, and economy of words. (8:30)
How do you practice this? (10:30)
The different kinds of poetry, and how they feel. (13:56)
A reading from Mary Oliver. (15:35)
The power of end-notes. (19:25)
How does Scott create his own final lines? And some of Scott’s poetry. (25:38)
LINKS
Things we mentioned:
Have thoughts, questions, other examples? Join the conversation at the Story Works Writers Facebook group.
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About Your Hosts
Alida Winternheimer is an award-winning author with an MFA from Hamline University. She pursues her fervor for all things story as a writing coach, developmental editor, and teacher. Two of her short stories were nominated for the Pushcart Prize. She is the author of The Story Works Guide to Writing Fiction Series. Alida lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her Golden Retriever, Seva the Wonder Dog. She camps, bikes, and kayaks in her free time. Unless it’s winter, in which case she drinks chai by the fire. You can find more at www.alidawinternheimer.com.
Kathryn Arnold writes fantasy and anything else that sparks her creativity from her home in Kingston, Washington. She currently earns her living as an insurance underwriting assistant, where she also creates marketing and web copy. When not writing, she plays (and teaches) piano and keyboard in a band (or two), and is working on starting a ministry team with her husband. You can find Kathryn at www.skyfirewords.com.
Robert Scanlon was born in Australia, but whisked off to England when only a baby. After many years complaining about the weather, he did the sensible thing and moved back to Australia. Despite a career in the music industry, followed by decades teaching public speaking, Robert is an introvert who adores reading. Robert grew up on a diet of sci-fi masters, eventually discovering he had read the library’s entire science fiction section. Now he has to write his own. Robert is the author of Constellation, book one of the Blood Empire space opera series. Find out more at www.RobertScanlon.com
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