Category: Voicings

“The theme is being an other in a place where a lot of people don’t understand you.” This is what Alice Osborn has to say about her new book, “Heroes without Capes,” which features poems written from the perspective of various misunderstood heroes, including Darth Vader and Bruce the Shark. That these heroes can share their hopes and insecurities speaks volumes about Osborn’s ability to write at once with humor and sensitivity.

I sat down with Alice recently to discuss poetry, her upcoming book, and her work as a writing coach and editor.

“Compartmentalize” is the advice she gives new writers, who often struggle with how to share personal stories while keeping the focus on the writing aesthetic rather than veering off onto a personal healing journey. She should know. As a writing coach and editor she conducts many workshops and helps a lot of new writers find their wings.

She’s also passionate about introducing new readers to the vibrant world of poetry. One of the ways she does this is by keeping her selections accessible at readings instead of breaking out the ‘tricky’ poems that befuddled so many of us in high school literature class.

I hope you enjoy the interview.

You can read more about Alice Osborn at aliceosborn.com.

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Voicings is a series of interviews conducted by writer Tyler Johnson featuring writers, musicians, artists, and thinkers in their own words.

“If a new poet has to get just one thing right it’s learning to listen to herself,” says Carrboro Poet Laureate Celisa Steele. I asked her about being commissioned to write a poem for a public event. “Occasional poems are difficult,” she said. Watch the interview to hear her enlightening perspective on the inverted nature of that activity.

Steele’s first book, “How Language is Lost,” has garnered accolades from across the spectrum of active poets. It’s no wonder, since the same thoughtfulness she brought to this interview she infused into the works in the book. Steele is one of a minority of poets that memorizes and recites work publicly. Her interest in sound and performance is refreshing, and brings to life some of the immediacy of poetry performed in an earlier time.

When she’s not writing or performing her work, Steele is promoting a project called Carrboro is Poetic, resulting in a variety of public poetry activities including poems posted in galleries and boxes around the town.

You can read more about Celisa Steele at celisasteele.com.

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Voicings is a series of interviews conducted by writer Tyler Johnson featuring writers, musicians, artists, and thinkers in their own words.