Into the Orange Grove by Grace Hasson - Interview with the Poet
Morning BookWyrms,
Today I want to talk about poetry - which isn't something I have spoken about on here before. This is because I am a bit particular about the kind of poetry I enjoy and like. I'm a fan of dark, deep, almost painful poems that bear the soul. I like vivid imagery and heaps of open ended interpretation. Which is why I am writing about this collection.
Into the Orange Grove is a collection of poems from Grace Hasson which I recently read and posted about on my Bookstagram account.
The collection, told in three parts, really moved me and I would like to thank Grace for gifting me a copy to read and share my thoughts on. Like I said in my stories and my post - this is a powerful, real and poignant collection that touched me in many ways. I think Grace has a huge talent for being open and honest and an almost lyrical way with words. The imagery is bold and boarders on grotesque a couple of times - which I adored because I am at heart a Gothic kind of gal. But it was the raw honesty that I truly appreciated.
If you like self expression, vivid and experimental flow then I would recommend this collection to you.
I got talking a little bit to Grace on Instagram and plucked up the courage to ask to interview her, which she amazingly agreed to. So I am very pleased to share the interview below and hope you enjoy learning more about Grace and Into the Orange Grove.
Questions about Into the Orange Grove:
1. What was your inspiration & motivation to write this collection?
I’ve always wanted to write a book. I love poetry and fantasy and with help from the Eric Koester’s Book Creators class, I realized I could combine the two. I wrote a lot of the first section my freshman year of college and was inspired by my own personal experiences. The people I met and my battle with mental illness and self love really shaped the book.
2. Describe Into the Orange Grove in five words.
Visceral. Vulnerable. Bold. Fantastical. Elegant.
3. Which of the collection speaks the most about who you are today?
The third section was written most recently. The last poem written for the book was “Medusa” so I think that one suits my current writing style and ability more. But poems like “In the Underworld” and “Into the Orange Grove” are really about my relationship with publishing my book. I think my book will in a few years be a bit of a time capsule of my first half of college. I would say “Medusa” is the closest to the poetry I write now, but poems like “Bonsai” and “House by the Sea” seem to be my current mentality.
4. What did you learn most about yourself while compiling this collection?
I learned that it is very hard to balance disclosure that is vulnerable, but not invasive. I learned that I’m a lover of words and poetry, even more than I thought. I learned that writing a book comes down to persistence. I learned that I believe in writing for the sake of a love of writing.
5. Do you have a favourite poem and if so which and why?
All my poems are special to me, but “House by the Sea” stands out to me a lot. It’s personal and one that I find will always be relevant to my life and my relationship with my mind. “Dragon Bones” is also special to me because it was one of the first poems I revised and brought to a workshop. Also, “Ode to My Gaea,” “Bonsai,” “Sister Lark,” and “Willow” because they are about my family members.
6. Did you find writing this collection freeing?
I found it freeing to write, though perhaps a bit terrifying once it was published. I’m still unsure how I feel about publishing something so personal. I’m proud that I was brave, but at times I feel uneasy about how confessional my poetry can be. Disclosure is a tricky thing. I found it empowering overall, but sometimes I almost wonder if I shouldn’t have published it.
7. There are a few mythological references, which mythical creature/person do you identify with and why?
Easy answer: the dragon. The poem “Dragon Bones” is about me. I’m the dragon in the poem and it’s both a personal and even somewhat painful poem to write and read. It was originally the title poem for the collection. I love dragons as a fantastical creature. Though if you’re asking about mythological creatures/figures I’d say I’m Medusa since she shows up twice in the book. The last stanza of “Stinging Tears” comes to mind: “I am Medusa / turned to stone with / only my reflection. / Make me the monster / I am.”
8. Did you find it difficult at all to write so openly?
I do not find it hard to write honestly. Publishing is another story. There was one poem I actually cut from the book because it was too personal, and I took a name out of a poem for someone’s privacy. When my editor got to that poem she asked what it was about and I realized some things I need to keep private. I write for myself—even my diary is in poem form. So I find it easy to express myself through writing, though it is much harder to walk the line of am I okay with others reading this? That’s a question I don’t really consider until I have an editor asking me what my poem is about. Then I have to decide how much I’m willing to share.
9. There are many styles throughout the collection, did you enjoy experimenting with them? Which did you enjoy most? Here I am thinking of ‘imy2’ vs ‘My Open Relationship’ vs [Save as Draft]
Those are three poems I love. Experimenting is fun—I even considered writing an entire book in text-language form like imy2. I think poetry is meant to be an exploration both of writing and the self. I don’t want to write the same poem twice. Something I adore about “My Open Relationship” is that it feels so unique to me. It’s about so many things at once. There’s also something about writing in lowercase that changes a poem.
10. Poetry is very subjective but if you could wish your readers to take one thing away from this collection what would it be?
I want my readers to take the journey towards acceptance, love, and connection that this book surrounds and see that that journey is possible for others. You can read the first poem of each section and see the progress and journey for yourself. The message of the final section is that even when you think you’re alone, you’re not. That section emphasizes connecting with others, but also connecting with the self. I want my readers to know that their relationship with themselves is sacred. That is why we read and write poetry: to strengthen that relationship. And the connections we make with others is precious as well, and that is why I choose to share my poetry. “Poetry is a way to find . . . togetherness” I say at the opening of the collection, and I believe that.
Questions about Grace:
1. Favourite book/poem?
I have many favorite books. Particularly Eragon by Christopher Paolini, I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson, and Desperation by Stephen King. So there you have three loves and influences for my book: my love of fantasy, romance, and horror. They all come together to inspire me. I’m even a fan of Pete Wentz’s Gray because of my love of his melancholy, lyrical writing—as well as my love for the band he’s in (Fall Out Boy). Poetry has a music of its own. My favorite poem is Wild Geese by Mary Oliver. It’s so gentle and kind, it really speaks to me. I heard someone recite it from memory and thought, that’s it, that’s now my favorite. I also love “Blessing for the Liver” by David Keplinger and “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost.
2. Favourite Author/poet?
My favorite poets are David Keplinger and Audre Lorde. Keplinger is my mentor and I love his work and all he’s taught me. Audre Lorde inspires me and I also love many other poets such as Mary Oliver, Emily Dickinson, Sylvia Plath, and Tara Campbell.
3. If you could be a character from any book/poem you've ever read who would it be and why?
Maybe Eragon because not only does he have a dragon as a best friend, he also has magic and is overall a great character in a great series.
4. What are you currently reading?
I’m re-reading David Keplinger’s The Long Answer. I’m also reading Twelfth Night for my Shakespeare class.
5. Favourite quote from a book/poem and why?
From the prologue of another one of my favorite books, The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon, “To make a thing as simple as an apple pie, you have to create the whole wide world” (1). Also, from Gray by Pete Wentz, “My body is a metronome, keeping time for the universe . . .” (3).
6. Favourite season?
My favorite season is probably summer. I love the warmth and the freedom of summer.
7. Favourite drink?
Chocolate milk or a root beer float.
8. Dream destination?
I love the Sandia mountains in New Mexico and also the beaches of Cancun. Though Normandy France is also up there!
9. Song of the moment?
“Do It Alone” by Sugarcult.
10. Other than writing thought provoking poetry what do you like to do?
I play guitar and write both songs and stories as well. I listen to music a lot and I love taking walks through nature trails.
Writer’s Advice:
I know you must get asked this all of the time but what is your number one/top tip for aspiring writers?
Write! Don’t wait for inspiration or opportunity. Simply write and most of all: write what you want to write. Write for yourself and you’ll always love what you write.
Comments
Post a Comment