Poet, editor, and professor Allison Joseph will be one of
the workshop teachers at this year’s Nightsun Writer's Conference, scheduled
for Thursday, July 23, through Sunday, July 26, in downtown Frostburg, MD.
Joseph is an award winning poet, and some of her accomplishments include
winning the 2009 Aquarius Press Legacy Award, the Academy of American Poets
Prize, and the Associated Writing Programs Prize. She is the author of seven
full-length poetry collections. Her two most recent publications are My Father's
Kites: Poems (2010) and Voice: Poems (2009).
I was given the opportunity to learn more about Allison and
her craft. The first thing we talked about was her inspiration. I wanted to
know which poet inspired Allison to become the successful poet she is today.
Her answer was instantaneous: Gwendolyn Brooks. "She is such an
inspirational figure," Joseph said, "her craft, her dedication to her
subjects, her generous persona and embodiment of poetry itself!" is what
called Joseph to pursue the art of poetry.
But why poetry? Being a talented writer, Joseph could have
spent most of her time writing fiction or memoirs. But, "Poetry is about
sound," Joseph told me, "I like the sounds of words. Storytelling is
great, and I consider myself mostly a narrative poet, but the sonic qualities
of poetry make me return to it again and again."
When asked about her favorite poem she had written, Joseph
recalled a formal poem entitled "The Cost" from Voice. Her favorite
thing about the poem is the refrain: "No woman gets through life for
free."
As a professor of writing, Joseph has the opportunity to
improve her students writing using whatever methods she feels are most successful.
I asked her what her preferred method of teaching writing is. Perhaps she had a
few secrets to understanding the craft. Is it a natural talent? Is it learned
through experience and practice? "Read, write, repeat," she said,
"There is no other method."
For the chance to meet Allison Joseph and work closely with her on your own poetry, be sure to attend this year's Nightsun Writer's Conference.
Michael Schussler
