“As opposed to an art that occurs because of inspiration (divine or otherwise), I view writing as a skill that should be cultivated and developed. Inspiration happens, yes, but one must be ready for it. As Levertov puts it, writing often allows us to ‘set the table for the muse.’ I’ve found a good routine that’s working as of late. I keep a notebook and jot down images, phrases, and elements I encounter on a given day. They can be anything, whether they’re as memorable as a car on fire on the side of the road or as mundane as the wind blowing through the leaves of a maple tree. On the following morning, I type up three or four fragments that resonate with me. They don’t have to be related, at least at first; in fact, it’s better if they don’t connect. From there, the work of writing begins: I spend some time stringing them together, even if I don’t understand how the pieces connect initially. I find it’s better to let the music and motion of the poem direct the writing process as opposed to muscling meaning onto the blank page. It doesn’t always work, but even in those moments when things aren’t coming together, I’m at least practicing the art and setting the table for what’s to come.”
—Adam Clay, author of Stranger (Milkweed Editions, 2016)
Photo credit: Jacques-Alain Finkeltroc