Hypermobility of the Soul
Hypermobility of the Soul
Falling in Love with Barry Lopez and Rumi: A Meter Cute Interview with Diane Lee Moomey
How do you define success? On this episode of Meter Cute, poet and artist Diane Lee Moomey and I got into some pretty existential territory while discussing her latest collection, Sourdough, out now from White Violet Press (an imprint of Kelsay Books). We also talk about her love of the work of Barry Lopez and Rumi. I hope you’ll give it a watch!
This week I read part of my Floridian epic, Jacqueline, as part of the Sheila-Na-Gig reading. It’s a long poem in progress that’s dear to my heart. Once a link to the reading is available, I’ll share it in this newsletter. The press has some great readings coming up in August with Kate Fox on the 1st, George Franklin on the 15th, and Jane Muschenetz on the 29th. You can find out more information on their website.
Ready to write? Me too!
1) Set a timer for 10 minutes. In the interview, Diane talks about being tender with yourself. I admit, that’s something I’ve always struggled with. Let’s freewrite about it. Write about the meanest you’ve ever been to yourself. Describe the situation in as much detail as you can. Follow your brain wherever it leads (though not if it’s leading you to a place that feels unstable or unsafe). Remember, editor voice is completely off right now.
2) Set a timer for 10 minutes. Now, write an apology to yourself for the situation you described in the first part. Be honest while being compassionate. Are you being too hard on yourself for being too hard on yourself? Write about that too. Editor voice is still in Sush Mode.
3) Now, rather than en-rhythming in the same way we have been, let’s take our cues from Diane’s concept of a “starter” poem that gives rise to other poems. I’m going to suggest en-rhythming to an older piece of your own writing. Poem, short story, essay, you pick, just something that takes less than 10 minutes to read out loud. Set a timer for 10 minutes. Read the piece out loud for the full ten minutes. If it’s a poem, you might have to repeat it a few times.
And, because ya’ll know I love Eurovision and can’t resist adding a related song, here’s Teya’s latest “To-Do List,” which feels really connected to what Diane was saying about her younger self. And judging from the visualizer, I think Teya’s on the same page. So, dance and sing to this song for 10 minutes instead of reading one of your poems aloud, if that’s what moves you today.
4) Time to draft! Set a timer for 10 minutes. Write a poem, short story, or essay about whatever is on your mind now. Will it be inspired by the freewriting we just did? Probably. But how? Only you know. Let that editor voice come up to like a 3 or 4.
And there you have it! In just 40 minutes, you’ve got a draft of something you can revise this weekend or next week or whenever the mood may strike!
Thanks for letting me stop by!