Five Minutes with Stephanie Powell
Stephanie Powell is a poet based in London. Her work has been recently featured in the Bacopa Literary Review, The Halcyone, Not very quiet and New World Writing. She grew up in Melbourne, Australia and also works in documentary television.
When did you become a poet? How did you know it was the right medium for your stories?
I was a reader first. I love reading, I probably have such bad eyesight as an adult because I read so much in bed when I was a kid. I was lucky to grow up in the house with lots of books and two book-ish parents. I think I struggled for a long time with my confidence as a writer. In high school, I was told by my English teachers that I was too verbose. Which was true, but at the time I couldn’t quite work through their criticism and gave up on writing. In 2015 (after reading a lot of Raymond Carver, James Baldwin and Denis Johnson, plus lots of poetry) I decided to start writing and found that the medium of poetry fitted me best. I took a trip up the west coast of the United States on the greyhound bus and came back with a whole bunch of short and strange tales of the road. I eventually turned these poems into a handmaid zine and over the next couple of year made a few other zine poetry collections on the photocopier at work. Now I can’t stop writing poetry. In the last year or so, I’ve been on an almost daily journey with it. Experimenting with different forms and styles, and of course… reading lots and lots of poetry. Another poet recently told me that 90% of writing is just reading and walking around and observing. Which I think is a good mantra to write by!
What inspires you to write?
I am really inspired by unseen moments, small things, everyday routines that go unnoticed. I like to write about watching someone do the dishes and layering in emotion and imagery quietly as though I was peeking over their shoulder!
Who are some of your literary or artistic crushes or influences?
I love Jackie Kay, Liz Lochhead, Sharon Olds, Rachel Long, Ella Frears, Lorraine Mariner and Sinead Morrisey. I also really enjoy the poetry of Ted Hughes, Silvia Plath, Thomas Hardy and the prose of Virginia Wolfe and Denis Johnson.
What are you currently reading?
I recently finished Cannibal by Safiya Sinclair, which I highly, highly recommend. The language is so atmospheric and laden with meaning, she is a true master of imagery and gut-punch lines.
What are you working on next/what was your last project?
My latest poetry collection ‘Bone’ was published in July 2021 by Halas Press. Before that Stephanie published her debut collection of poetry ‘Strange Seasons’ with enthusiastic press. Which the press describes as an elegant, heartfelt collection of poetry and prose from one of London's most exciting new writers. Strange Seasons - paired with a second collection, A Short History of Castles in England - offers a meticulously crafted and achingly beautiful perspective of life, love and loss that resonates long after the final page. We felt like adding this on here because Steph was being waaaay to humble.
Tag three of your favourite IG poets we should read:
Tricky, so many to choose from! Laurie Bolger, Salena Godden and Cathy Park Hong
What are some common themes you see in your own work?
Vulnerability, memory, the everyday
How do you beat writer's block?
Put down the pen and go for a bike ride or a walk.
What/who influenced you to become a poet?
A good friend of mine writes great poetry, I was inspired to start after reading her work and reading the work of other poets that she recommended.
What is the first book that made you cry?
Veronika Decides to Die – Paulo Coehlo
Do you take poetry classes or read books on poetry?
Yes, I think poetry classes have been important to the development of my poetry. I recently completely a Poetry Masterclass at CityLit with Ella Frears and I’m currently doing a course with the National Centre for Writing with Rebecca Goss. I find feedback from experienced poets and the other course participants crucial to getting to the meat and bones of writing, especially when you are starting out.
Do family and "real life" friends read your work?
Yes, I’ve had some excellent support from family and friends. Especially my husband, who has helped me edit poems in the past, plus my Mum!
What does "good poetry" mean to you?
Good poetry doesn’t have to rhyme, but it must have musicality and speak in the authentic voice of the author.
What is your revision process like?
Militant! I rework and rework poems. I mostly start by writing a poem down in a notebook and will often type out on my typewriter before transferring to my laptop. Reading aloud is also very important when editing poems.
What is your writing process like?
Comes in flashes, I try not to overwrite. I let what I’m thinking about come out on the page and then leave it for a while.
How do you research for your poems?
A lot of the time it’s Google!