A Chat with Gina Bowen
Gina Bowen lives, breathes, and photographs the mountains of Eastern Tennessee. She spends her time writing poetry and short stories on her porch and getting lost in the woods with her pups to photograph the beautiful landscapes. Her work has been appeared in literary magazines: Goat's Milk and Prometheus Dreaming. Follow Gina for more writing and photography on Instagram @theharvestshelf and Twitter @GinaEileenBowen.
What inspires you to write?
Everything is an inspiration. Sometimes I will feel the pull to write if I feel there is something that needs to be addressed within my soul for my own growth and development as a person. More often than anything, nature inspires me to write. There is such beauty in this world, and it creates a need for me to spill it all on paper and offer others to share in it. I am lucky enough to live in the mountains, which gives me the opportunity to be inspired by all the wonders of the woods.
Who are some of your literary or artistic crushes or influences?
Carmen Marie Machado, Erin Morgenstern, and Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s work all speak to me the most. They are magical writers that also focus on feminine identity and struggle. In terms of poetry, I enjoy Sylvia Plath. Within the online creative writing community, I also have several writing “crushes” I look up to artistically: Emily Perkovich (@undermeyou), Kait Quinn (@kaitquinnpoetry), Kate (@hungryforspirits), Chimen Georgette Kouri (chimenkouri), and Amy Kay (@amykaypoetry). These are some incredible women who are worth a read.
What are you currently reading?
I am currently reading The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J Klune. It’s magical and very cute. It is quite a different read for me because it is so fantastical, but it seems to be a real feel-good novel so far, considering I am used to reading some darker literature. I am also in the process of starting Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas. It is pretty spooky and fits with my own prose writing thematically, so I am pretty excited.
What are you working on next/what was your last project?
I am currently working on a collection of short stories titled Feral Children. Prose is more of my writing strength than poetry is, to be honest. This particular collection I am working on is one that falls into the genre of feminine gothic. All the stories centre on women struggling with their own identities and being confined by some societal expectation or restriction. They explore difficult relationships with men and sometimes mothers, and sometimes, these relationships affect their sanity or mental state. The settings vary from traditional to modern, but all of them contain elements of what would traditionally be considered gothic.
Tag three of your favourite IG poets we should read:
You must read @undermeyou, @chimenkouri, and @amykaypoetry. They truly are musts.
What are some common themes you see in your own work?
The themes I focus on in my work varies. I like to muse upon personal identity, especially its connection to nature and the natural world. I also think a lot of my work centres around women and womanhood: the struggles and celebrations, and perhaps the liberating of women, if you will.
Do you feel that sharing your poetry is a vulnerable process?
Absolutely. Sharing is something I am always very nervous about, which is why I like to preserve my privacy with my online presence. Most of my poetry is very personal, even though some of it may not seem like it may be. I like to separate my writing from myself because it makes me not only feel safe, but it puts my raw nature on display.
How many unfinished or unpublished books do you have?
All of my books are unfinished. I am working on the short story collection I mentioned before, and a Norse Mythology inspired novel about Loki’s daughter, Hel. The novel is called A Valhalla for Hel. And I have another unfinished one that is inspired by a pretty bizarre place in the town I live in, here in Tennessee. Everything is unfinished!
Do family and "real life" friends read your work?
No, they don’t, for the most part. I allow very few people in my personal life to read my work, but it is only a select few. My partner reads my work and I have allowed two other friends to look at a few stories. I do share my stories in writing workshops and with my writing mentor, who is a published author.
What does "good poetry" mean to you?
“Good” poetry, to me, is something that comes from the soul. It’s imagery and metaphor that strikes the reader in the gut. Good poetry is a soul connection between author and reader.
What is your revision process like?
My revision process is to write as much as I can, leave it, come back to it and edit. I do this several times until I am happy.