By: Dwana Pinchock
Can you tell us about the program that you’ll be doing at The Library?
The title of the program is Written Proof. It’s a six-session program. What the students will be doing is coming up with an idea, processing it, and turning it into a finished product. As an author myself, I have four published poetry collections, so I’m super familiar with the process of getting [an idea] where it needs to go. We will go through a bunch of different exercises to bring out the best material we can from the students. Also, I’ll be dropping jewels on them (no pun intended) that they can use throughout the rest of their lives as writers.
Can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you came to poetry?
I’ve been a writer for quite some time now. I would say for my whole life, but professionally, just for the last decade or so. I’ve been going through my own process of being a writer.
I’ve always used writing as a form of communication. I used to like to rap like my brother. My older brother was a rapper. Both of my brothers were into music in their own way, so I was kind of inspired by that.
What music artists touched you the most?
I was inspired by Tupac. He was my favorite rapper at the time. So, the stories that he would tell, the way he would tell them, the honesty of it all, it made me want to do more research on people like him. I can’t say I grew up as a student of poetry, but he was speaking on things that I was so familiar with. I didn’t feel like anybody else understood me that well. When I found out he was a poet, I thought, “Wow. You know, he does it a little bit of everything!”
A lot of us come to poetry through lyrics first. You don’t realize it while growing up. At a certain point, it’s like, “Wait a minute! These words are creating a picture! It’s creating a story in a shorter version rather than a whole novel.”
As a kid, I didn’t look at [song lyrics] as poetry, but when I look back, that’s how poetry found me. It gets straight to the point. A lot of my poetry is framed that way. Since I was young, sitting around reading huge paragraphs was not for me.
When did poetry become your mode of expression?
Poetry was like therapy for me, because I was one of the kids who was angry all the time. I would hold a lot of things in and the only way that I could even it out was through the writing process. That’s how poetry, came about. Those were my influences, but I remember specifically, I used to be a pen pal with my brother. My brother was locked up as a teen.
We always had a decent relationship, and I remember a specific letter he wrote me. He always would give me advice. He’s three years older, and he always tried to steer me away from the street and things like that. He found a creative way of giving me advice by sending me a letter. I read the letter, but I didn’t pick up on it at first. When I went back over the letter and read the advice, I noticed it would all kind of rhyme. It all came together. It wasn’t much. It wasn’t a rap. There was no music, but it was cool. You know what I mean?
Where do you find inspiration for your poems?
I draw inspiration from everyone and everything, and maybe in a small way or a big way. Mostly, just being in the community, paying attention to politics, but not getting immersed in it. Just knowing what’s going on. A lot of my writing’s influenced by these things. Also, past experiences, where I see myself and where I want to go. I’m also inspired by my mother and her drive. Conversations with the average person, a drink of coffee, a walk…
I’m just inspired by the writing process. it changes constantly. You know what I mean? I figure that when I write these poems, they should be honest and they should be to the point, and you have a short amount of time to get a point across. I like to utilize each line. Each line leads into a story and paints a picture. And the more we work at it, the better we are with our pen, our paintbrush, whatever instrument we use to create this art.
Are there certain themes you tend to explore more than others in your work?
I cover a lot of things, but I think it always leads back to self-discovery and, who I am as a person, as a man, outside of what I’m supposed to be.
Do you have a specific routine or ritual for your writing process?
Yes. I like to have coffee. Lots of coffee. No sugar. A little bit of cream. I love being in a coffee shop. A lot of the work I’ve done, happened in the area downtown: Denim Coffee, Midtown Scholar, Little Amps, even some of the storefronts and some of the restaurants. I sit there for hours to just write because for me, being in the midst of things is inspiring.
I can go close myself off into a room, but when I’m out in the elements, things are different. I’m in tune with the rhythm of that day or that moment. I look at poetry like you’re either capturing a moment in history or a moment in the present. I feel like a good poet can do that, and I try my best to do that.
Why do you think libraries are important spaces for young poets and artists?
I would say the library is just a safe space. You’re surrounded by so many stories, so much knowledge. As a kid, I frequented the library, and I would get lost there. I’m kind of still doing the same thing. I’m just using coffee shops now, but the library, I would say, played a major part in finding the type of peace that I can find on my own. As writers, we need to have some type of peace so that we can process our thoughts, and the library provides that. If you can get to the library and have it as a part of your routine growing up, it’ll never leave.
If you are interested in joining Davenport’s program this June and July, please visit our events page for more information and registration.
