Some thoughts on the process of Melinda Smith

Description

Some thoughts on the process of Melinda Smith

Hello poets and readers,

In our recent podcast, Australian poet Melinda Smith gave us a wonderful variety of insights into the processes that make up her writing practice. Can we learn from poets such as Melinda and adapt ways to update or invigorate our own writing?

 

Melinda talks about having to be in a semi dream-like state when putting pen to paper, and with it the need to get strange things out of the subconscious. For her, time in nature helps activate aspects of the subconscious, as does an awareness of one’s own bio-rhythms and how they relate to optimum times for writing. There are other aids too, if you can’t get into nature: listening to music, perhaps something you don’t normally listen to, can have a similar effect, as can reading someone else’s poetry. Being sleep deprived might also activate the dream state, and here she references the teachings of Susan Hampton (from a workshop in 2004), who talked about writing as a limbic state.

Period14 Mar 2019

Media contributions

1

Media contributions

  • TitleSome thoughts on the process of Melinda Smith
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryAustralia
    Date14/03/19
    DescriptionHello poets and readers,

    In our recent podcast, Australian poet Melinda Smith gave us a wonderful variety of insights into the processes that make up her writing practice. Can we learn from poets such as Melinda and adapt ways to update or invigorate our own writing?

    Melinda talks about having to be in a semi dream-like state when putting pen to paper, and with it the need to get strange things out of the subconscious. For her, time in nature helps activate aspects of the subconscious, as does an awareness of one’s own bio-rhythms and how they relate to optimum times for writing. There are other aids too, if you can’t get into nature: listening to music, perhaps something you don’t normally listen to, can have a similar effect, as can reading someone else’s poetry. Being sleep deprived might also activate the dream state, and here she references the teachings of Susan Hampton (from a workshop in 2004), who talked about writing as a limbic state.
    Producer/AuthorOwen Bullock
    PersonsOwen BULLOCK