Staring at a Blank Page: 30 Days of Poetry and Other Musings transforms teaching, family, faith, failure, friendship, and ordinary moments into a reflective collection that invites readers to discover their own reasons to write. How did committing to daily writing change your relationship with creativity?

My relationship with creativity changed in that I realized I didn’t have to wait on that period when I was in the flow to begin writing.

When I wrote my first poetry book, I would usually write when I ‘got the inspiration’. Having a full – time job and many commitments, I needed a more sustainable way to nurture my creativity. I found it in this thirty-day challenge.

The challenge gave me the discipline, and within the discipline, I would consciously schedule writing time. Having a system I could fall back on made me comfortable enough to start experimenting with themes, form, and style.

Many of the pieces begin with seemingly ordinary experiences. What helps you recognize when an everyday moment contains the seed of a poem?

Throughout the challenge, I made sure to keep a mental record of any interesting thing that happened during the day. I also wanted to enjoy the process, so I thought of fun, quirky, or animated moments, something someone said, or how I felt during a particular situation. At the end of the day, when I sat down to write, I tried to capture those feelings and emotions.

Your work frequently considers how people see themselves and how others see them. Why is identity an important theme for you?

Living and working in another culture brings identity to the fore. My identity is questioned or is in question daily. I am always amazed at how quickly we form an opinion of someone’s identity based on a few outward features. As a writer, it is a dynamic topic that lends itself to deeper exploration. It’s like peeling the layers off an onion one layer at a time.

How would you recommend readers experience the collection: straight through, one entry each day, or simply opening it when they need reflection or inspiration?

It can be experienced in both ways.

If the reader is interested in developing a daily creative and journaling practice, then making the commitment to reading and answering the daily prompts will inspire more writing/Journaling. It is a cathartic process that deserves becoming a daily habit.

The second way of just opening it when they need reflection or inspiration also works, especially for busy moms, teachers, entrepreneurs, or anyone needing a new perspective or energy boost on the go.

It is suitable for both morning and night meditation. Great insights can be gained if the reader is looking to engage with life’s simple moments and garner an even deeper connection within themselves.

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