Life of a Poet - Jennifer Wagner

Kids, today we are heading down the west coast to Seattle, not too far from where I live, to visit poet Jennifer Wagner. Jennifer writes at Poet Laundry and has been waiting ever so patiently for her turn in the rotation. Get ready for some beautiful scenery and a visit to a wonderful and happy family. Seattle, Jennifer tells me, is the home of the first Starbucks - ever - so I think it's appropriate to bring along enough lattes for all of us.  I'm buying. 

Poets United: Jennifer, so wonderful to finally meet with you! Would you like to give us a verbal snapshot of your life? I saw mention of a hero-husband, who does a dangerous job we all should be so grateful to him for.

Me

    

My Hero

Jennifer: I live in the Seattle area with my husband of 14 years, and ever-entertaining kids.   We have 4 sons ranging in age from 5 to 18 years old.  My hubby is a firefighter and I stay home with our little, and not-so-little, men.  

My Boys

He says my job is harder--some days I don’t argue!  We met when I was a single mom of a 3 year old and he had just graduated from the Washington State Fire Academy.  We round it all out with the most lovable, old, mellow-yellow Lab named Druke.

Druke

Poets United: What a wonderful family you have! Even the dog looks Perfect! Have you always lived in the Pacific Northwest?  It's such a beautiful area - what do you love about it? 

   

Jennifer: I have lived in Washington State for most of my life.   I love the colors, the seasonal changes, and all the water we are surrounded by--gorgeous lakes, rivers, and the ocean. 

Near Methow River,

a spot we enjoy

I have to say I could do without quite so much of it falling from the sky though...it’s true what they say about Seattle and rain--and then some.  But I do love it overall; even my youngest son was a water birth.  Love the mountains here too.  Some of my favorite parts of the area are just over them into Central Washington.  

image from lakechelansports.com

We hang out there quite a bit, making memories, at a place called Lake Chelan.

Poets United: See, kids? The Pacific Northwest is incredibly beautiful. I remember a cool seafood restaurant on the dock, way back in the day.

Ivar's from google

Jennifer: That's Ivar's. They serve the best clam chowder, and it's my favorite place to eat in the city. Ivar was such a unique and eccentric character, it's fun to read about him. They have another location at Mukilteo Landing, which is a favorite spot for my hubby and I to go on date nights.  It's right on the water of Puget Sound and you can sit and watch the ferries and seagulls come and go.

at Mukilteo Landing

The fishmongers at the Pike Place Fish Market are worth the visit to the Market alone--they hurl fish through the air, banter with each other, and have a lot of fun with customers. 

Pike Place Market

Poets United: Sigh. I haven't made it back since the 70's, though I would love to. Plus there's the underground old city of Seattle to explore, as well. 

Old Seattle Underground Tour

I'll bet all our readers now want to visit Seattle. Where did you grow up, Jennifer?

     

Jennifer: I grew up mostly in Eastern Washington.  My childhood memories are fertile musing ground for me.  Much of my poetry comes from those experiences.

Poets United: You say you are new to blogging. How has blogging impacted your writing? How did you discover its delights?   

 

Jennifer: There are so many great poets online to read, to learn from, and to be inspired by!  Getting feedback on my work is so encouraging.  I was inspired to blog my poetry after reading a couple of books about being introverted, and using your strengths and such. 

Poets United: Are you new to writing as well? What made  you choose poetry as your means of creative expression?    

Jennifer: I wrote my first poem when I was 11.  It was a collaborative piece written with 3 other girls in my friend’s basement.  It was a love poem and you know it was profound since 2 of the girls were the mature age of 13 and actually had kissed their boyfriends.  

I wrote my second poem, by myself, when I was 16.  It was called “House” and was an ode to the house I had lived in since I was 5 years old and would be moving out of that year.  

I choose poetry (or it chooses me?) because I feel it is how I best express myself.  I like to paint a little, but words are my favorite medium.  The quote by Plutarch - “Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks” -really sums it up for me.

...poetry is painting that speaks...

Poets United: I love that quote! Do you write prose as well? Which do you prefer?

    

Jennifer: I write a little prose.  I do tend towards poetry.  It’s got this boiled-down, pure quality I am addicted to.

Poets United: What is your method when it comes to writing?

Jennifer: I have varying methods.  I have a journal where I write down words that strike me...waterfall, viscosity, willow, canvas, preternatural, terracotta...you get the idea.  And then I pair words that don’t initially make sense together...bald silver, wind basket, or I use compounding on them, like greenyolk.  Poems often grow out of these.  I do write to prompts occasionally.  At times I make a lot of revisions, other times not so much.

Poets United: Being a busy wife and mom, what would you say to other busy women who love to write, but maybe feel guilty taking time away from their family to do so?    

Jennifer: I am so inspired by other women.  The strength and resiliency of women through life’s difficulties astounds and encourages me.  For me, writing has been such an invaluable activity to express my thoughts and my experiences, and all the beauty and pain in life.  Women have so much to say, and for me that comes easier on paper.  I also find it so rewarding when others connect to something I’ve written.  So I would say, if you are a writer--write, take time for it--it belongs to you and you to it.  And share.  Your voice is valuable and you need, you deserve, you are worth being heard. 

...you are worth being heard...

Poets United: YES! You could not have said it better. Is there anyone who acts as a sort of writing mentor to you, or who encourages your work?

Jennifer: I consider people like you, Sherry, and Mary, and Brian Miller and Claudia Schoenfeld of d’Verse and Rebecca Brooks of recuerda mi corazon mentors of sorts--all of you who are so amazingly supportive and unfailingly encouraging and nurturing of the poet’s heart.  

Poets United: It is our pleasure and privilege, kiddo, and I am honored to be named in such good company!

Jennifer: As a teenager, when a teacher recognized my connection to writing and picked me with a few other students to begin an in-depth creative writing class, to college where I was told my work was publishable, to friends and family encouraging me over the years to submit my work for publication, I never have, I never believed in me.  So as a testament to the supportive qualities of this community, I am gaining the confidence I’ve lacked to begin doing it.

Poets United: That is so great, Jennifer. Poets do need some feedback and encouragement to thrive, and the blogosphere is such a rich source. What other interests do you enjoy? 

The original Starbucks, at Pike Place

   

Jennifer: Sleep,ha...I mentioned painting…coffee, the original Starbucks is here, in Seattle,  you know...and cheering on the boys at all their sports and activities.  

We enjoy a lot of family activities like game nights, movie nights, hanging out together near water:  boating, crabbing, fishing, tubing, exploring, and just playing together. And I also enjoy a bit of baking.  Family favorites:  cupcakes.

Poets United: Delicious! Do you play an instrument, or sing?  

  

Jennifer: No.  Unless you count RockBand on the Xbox 360; I play a mean bass guitar, dang proud when I killed it on “Enter Sandman” by Metallica.

"Live, totally rocking it, oh yeah"

Poets United: I love it! Any causes dear to your heart?

    

Jennifer: Marriage.  My husband and I recently became certified as lay marriage counselors.  About half of all marriages end in divorce...a 50-50 chance of success.  I think those odds suck.  So, be the change right?  

Poets United: Wow, that is really interesting - and inspiring!

Jennifer: We overhauled our own marriage, and now we want to help others by providing them with tools to manage and maneuver through difficulties to something better.  I am divorced from my oldest son’s dad and I didn’t get married again just to survive the experience.  I want to have a relationship that thrives, and want others to see that realized in their own lives too.  It meant so much to hear my 18 year old say recently that he hopes to have a marriage like ours one day.

Poets United: That is high praise, coming from one's own teen. Do you have a favorite well-known poet?  

  

Jennifer: Emily Dickinson, King David, Mary Oliver, Basho.

Poets United: Any blogging pals you’d like to give a shout out to? 

   

Jennifer: I don’t think I’m quite on the pal level with anyone yet, I’m pretty new to this blogging thing.  But if I were going to plug for blogs it would be Yelena’s at moonlitpoetic, Lisa Williams at law-poetry, yours, Sherry, Annette Mickelson at hoofprintsinmygarden....I could go on here, this list is most definitely not comprehensive.  I am a fan of poetry, so this names just a few which regularly move me.

Poets United: Thanks, kiddo. It is a wonderfully supportive community, isn't it? Anything else you’d like to share with Poets United? 

   

Jennifer: Yes.  I am so grateful for this community of poets.  So many people take the time to read and comment so thoughtfully.  Many have said it before, but I will echo it--feels like I’ve found my people. 

Poets United: Yay! We're happy about that, too, kiddo. Keep writing!

Kids, I am beginning to doubt the statistics. Judging from these interviews, marriage seems to be thriving, at least in our community. That is good to know. Isn't it true that the people behind the pen are some of the most interesting folks around? Come back and see who we talk to next. Who knows? It might be you!