Q: In your book "My Short and Long-Stemmed Stories" you say it took you 35 years to put this together. Talk a little about the process and what stories in the book stand out most in your memory?
Rose: I didn’t plan an anthology of my short stories for many years. In 2012, I published my 50-year collection of poetry in 2 volumes with Create Space (now KDP)
In 2014, I decided to again use them to publish My Short & Long-Stemmed Stories collection. Some of the stories were previously published and/or received awards.
The fiction collection includes slice-of-life stories, stories with a “twist” and (metaphysical) science fiction. For instance, “Plowing, Planting, and Planning” follows a Dakota farmer struggling with weather, changed mortgage policies, and his family’s immediate needs. It earned an award in a fiction contest sponsored by the Black Hills Writers Guild (BHWG) in Rapid City, SD.
Why did this city girl decide to write about a farmer? After all, I grew up in the 2nd largest town in SD (Rapid City). West River (west of the Missouri) is primarily cattle country. I moved to East River and attended Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU) in Mitchell, SD. There I earned my BA in English with an emphasis on Creative Writing. In SD, east of the Missouri River is predominantly corn and wheat region (i.e. farming).
I didn’t specifically know what it was like to be a farmer. However, when my husband and I moved to an east river location (Mitchell, SD), I often pondered owning a piece of land in the country. I got a taste of East River living. Before our move we had some experience growing food in a large garden, bred rabbits, and gathered eggs from our laying hens. All this was within a block away from I-90! My experience on agriculture before moving to farm country at that point was about ranchers like my homesteading paternal grandparents, and my father working as a ranch hand. He saved up his meager pay to buy a few heads of cattle only to lose his small herd in the blizzard of ’49 (1949). This story was born in my imagination in a region of farmers. I knew there would be similar hardships and heart-wrenching decisions. My knowledge still makes the story believable.
The longest story “Ridin’ Easy” is about a novice female reporter being assigned to a Harley Davidson biker fresh out of jail. He introduced her firsthand to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Her editor hoped she would write a frightening firsthand experience in order to discourage readers’ attendance at annual Rally events. I attended a couple of the rallies and was acquainted with Harley riders. I imagined the story in a setting with which I was familiar.
In 2011, another story Giant Thinking won 1st place at Northeast State Community College and was published in their Echoes and Images anthology. It’s about a little girl manifesting a sleeping giant by thinking of him. Her imagination caused distress for her parents and the next door widow. This is a metaphysical short story.
My other stories provide a peek into a variety of family lives and their situations: Some stories have been described as having an O’Henry twist. Plot lines include a toddler not understanding her father’s death, a grandmother touring a tattoo parlor with her teenage granddaughter, a crippled girl at the bowling alley, a couple fighting over an online solitaire gambling site, and an elderly mother trapped in her own mind in a retirement home ‘prison’. If I didn’t compile the collection the stories would still be collecting dust in my file cabinet. Fortunately, about that time I was involved with the Writers Circle at the Johnson City Senior Center. Rosemarie Shields, Professor Emerita, English and Humanities, at Milligan University led the group, encouraged me, and reviewed my collection.
Q: You've been writing poetry for over fifty years. What sparked your interest in poetry in the first place and what inspires you most when it comes to writing poetry?
Rose: Time sure flies. It’s now been almost 60 years since I started writing poetry in 1962!
My fifth grade teacher Mrs. Speakman encouraged me to write. She also impressed on me that spelling was very important when she noticed I misspelled ‘stupid’ as ‘stuped.’
My high school Creative Writing instructor Myrna Haight encouraged me in the class exercises and introduced me to the Black Hills Writers Group. The group encouraged my writing efforts in both poetry and prose. I entered the SD State Fair in Huron, SD and Central States Fair in Rapid City, SD competitions and won awards.
My English advisor and Creative Writing instructor at Dakota Wesleyan University Dr. Mary Weinkauf really cemented my love of the poetic arts. Lewis Turco’s “The Book of Forms: A Handbook of Poetics was our text. For that semester, Dr. Weinkauf stated for a “C” we needed to write 40 poems. Then she challenged us to contract how many poems for a higher grade. I determined I would attempt to write 60 poems for an “A”. The saving grace of my ‘contract’ was that those poems needed to try many forms of poetry. They did not need to be great works. I particularly loved syllabics and her many examples in class. I started to fast right my poetry to meet my goal and discovered what a wonderful starter tool that is. She also introduced me to the South Dakota State Poetry Society (SDSPS) which was, and is, an affiliate of the National Federation of Poetry Societies (NFSPS). I was too intimidated at first to join them. NFSPS also is the parent affiliate of Poetry Society of TN and PST-NE the local group I founded in Tri-Cities of TN.
My inspiration for poetry comes from so many avenues I couldn’t say it would be from one source. I’m not listing these in any order of preference and the following list is not all-inclusive: workshop prompts, contest themes, the natural world, family, relationships, humor, religion, reading others’ poetry and on and on. When I first retired, I desktop published a collection of religious and spiritual poetry with photographs I’d taken in my travels. The second desktop chapbook was of daily walks in a park near my home in Greenbelt, MD. It also was illustrated with photographs taken in Schrom Hills Park. The poems were later inserted into my two-volume Pastiche of Poetry published in 2012. I did not include the color photographs from the desktop version. Someday, I may re-publish an illustrated edition for both God, My Greatest Love Schrom Hills Park, and a new one Barn Charm.
Q: In God, My Greatest Love you share poems that were all religiously inspired. In the end you finish with a section of your prayers. How has faith directed your writing work over the years?
Rose: I’ve been involved in Christianity since I was a child at the 1st Congregational Church in Rapid City, SD. I embraced the Lutheran philosophy in my 30’s and continue as a member in Our Saviour Lutheran Church (OSLC) today in Johnson City, TN. I interviewed member families for a spotlight in their newsletter New Sense. At that church, I also contributed “Roses of Motherhood” a poem of stages of motherhood from bud to potpourri. It was printed in A Mother’s Tribute for a Mother’s Day brochure given to the church’s mothers. I also contributed to a Lenten devotional and contributed several religious poems to the publication Common Ground Herald.
I expanded my spiritual beliefs beyond those written in the Bible and believe there are more cosmic connections than those written by a patrilineal society who determined which experiences and history to include and which to edit. It’s a great example of “losing something in translation.” I’m always fascinated by the pastors providing historic evidence behind many Bible stories.
Q: Do you find it more difficult to write short stories or poetry, and why?
Rose: Both are extremely challenging most of the time. Free verse has fewer restrictions but I often gravitate towards formal poetry. They are a stretch of my poetic muscle.
Fiction’s challenges are how to make the story both believable and engaging for the reader.
Q: If you could give advice to fellow writers, especially younger ones, about finding inspiration and writing poetry, what would you tell them?
Rose: This is more general advice: Don’t stop learning the craft of writing through writers groups and workshops as well as formal education. Enter contests because your success will provide confidence to enter the competitive publishing world. Even if aspiring writers need to work for a living, I suggest they set aside regular time to write, engage with other writers, attend workshops, enter contests, submit to smaller journals and online publications. Build up confidence and experience before tackling more prestigious publications.
My one regret is that I did not pursue my ambition to earn an MFA in creative writing from Iowa State University. But I had no tuition money and didn’t feel confident about earning a scholarship. I’d recommend young aspiring authors/poets to find mentors and at least one critique group that can gently assist you without killing your creativity or natural voice.
Rose: I didn’t plan an anthology of my short stories for many years. In 2012, I published my 50-year collection of poetry in 2 volumes with Create Space (now KDP)
In 2014, I decided to again use them to publish My Short & Long-Stemmed Stories collection. Some of the stories were previously published and/or received awards.
The fiction collection includes slice-of-life stories, stories with a “twist” and (metaphysical) science fiction. For instance, “Plowing, Planting, and Planning” follows a Dakota farmer struggling with weather, changed mortgage policies, and his family’s immediate needs. It earned an award in a fiction contest sponsored by the Black Hills Writers Guild (BHWG) in Rapid City, SD.
Why did this city girl decide to write about a farmer? After all, I grew up in the 2nd largest town in SD (Rapid City). West River (west of the Missouri) is primarily cattle country. I moved to East River and attended Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU) in Mitchell, SD. There I earned my BA in English with an emphasis on Creative Writing. In SD, east of the Missouri River is predominantly corn and wheat region (i.e. farming).
I didn’t specifically know what it was like to be a farmer. However, when my husband and I moved to an east river location (Mitchell, SD), I often pondered owning a piece of land in the country. I got a taste of East River living. Before our move we had some experience growing food in a large garden, bred rabbits, and gathered eggs from our laying hens. All this was within a block away from I-90! My experience on agriculture before moving to farm country at that point was about ranchers like my homesteading paternal grandparents, and my father working as a ranch hand. He saved up his meager pay to buy a few heads of cattle only to lose his small herd in the blizzard of ’49 (1949). This story was born in my imagination in a region of farmers. I knew there would be similar hardships and heart-wrenching decisions. My knowledge still makes the story believable.
The longest story “Ridin’ Easy” is about a novice female reporter being assigned to a Harley Davidson biker fresh out of jail. He introduced her firsthand to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Her editor hoped she would write a frightening firsthand experience in order to discourage readers’ attendance at annual Rally events. I attended a couple of the rallies and was acquainted with Harley riders. I imagined the story in a setting with which I was familiar.
In 2011, another story Giant Thinking won 1st place at Northeast State Community College and was published in their Echoes and Images anthology. It’s about a little girl manifesting a sleeping giant by thinking of him. Her imagination caused distress for her parents and the next door widow. This is a metaphysical short story.
My other stories provide a peek into a variety of family lives and their situations: Some stories have been described as having an O’Henry twist. Plot lines include a toddler not understanding her father’s death, a grandmother touring a tattoo parlor with her teenage granddaughter, a crippled girl at the bowling alley, a couple fighting over an online solitaire gambling site, and an elderly mother trapped in her own mind in a retirement home ‘prison’. If I didn’t compile the collection the stories would still be collecting dust in my file cabinet. Fortunately, about that time I was involved with the Writers Circle at the Johnson City Senior Center. Rosemarie Shields, Professor Emerita, English and Humanities, at Milligan University led the group, encouraged me, and reviewed my collection.
Q: You've been writing poetry for over fifty years. What sparked your interest in poetry in the first place and what inspires you most when it comes to writing poetry?
Rose: Time sure flies. It’s now been almost 60 years since I started writing poetry in 1962!
My fifth grade teacher Mrs. Speakman encouraged me to write. She also impressed on me that spelling was very important when she noticed I misspelled ‘stupid’ as ‘stuped.’
My high school Creative Writing instructor Myrna Haight encouraged me in the class exercises and introduced me to the Black Hills Writers Group. The group encouraged my writing efforts in both poetry and prose. I entered the SD State Fair in Huron, SD and Central States Fair in Rapid City, SD competitions and won awards.
My English advisor and Creative Writing instructor at Dakota Wesleyan University Dr. Mary Weinkauf really cemented my love of the poetic arts. Lewis Turco’s “The Book of Forms: A Handbook of Poetics was our text. For that semester, Dr. Weinkauf stated for a “C” we needed to write 40 poems. Then she challenged us to contract how many poems for a higher grade. I determined I would attempt to write 60 poems for an “A”. The saving grace of my ‘contract’ was that those poems needed to try many forms of poetry. They did not need to be great works. I particularly loved syllabics and her many examples in class. I started to fast right my poetry to meet my goal and discovered what a wonderful starter tool that is. She also introduced me to the South Dakota State Poetry Society (SDSPS) which was, and is, an affiliate of the National Federation of Poetry Societies (NFSPS). I was too intimidated at first to join them. NFSPS also is the parent affiliate of Poetry Society of TN and PST-NE the local group I founded in Tri-Cities of TN.
My inspiration for poetry comes from so many avenues I couldn’t say it would be from one source. I’m not listing these in any order of preference and the following list is not all-inclusive: workshop prompts, contest themes, the natural world, family, relationships, humor, religion, reading others’ poetry and on and on. When I first retired, I desktop published a collection of religious and spiritual poetry with photographs I’d taken in my travels. The second desktop chapbook was of daily walks in a park near my home in Greenbelt, MD. It also was illustrated with photographs taken in Schrom Hills Park. The poems were later inserted into my two-volume Pastiche of Poetry published in 2012. I did not include the color photographs from the desktop version. Someday, I may re-publish an illustrated edition for both God, My Greatest Love Schrom Hills Park, and a new one Barn Charm.
Q: In God, My Greatest Love you share poems that were all religiously inspired. In the end you finish with a section of your prayers. How has faith directed your writing work over the years?
Rose: I’ve been involved in Christianity since I was a child at the 1st Congregational Church in Rapid City, SD. I embraced the Lutheran philosophy in my 30’s and continue as a member in Our Saviour Lutheran Church (OSLC) today in Johnson City, TN. I interviewed member families for a spotlight in their newsletter New Sense. At that church, I also contributed “Roses of Motherhood” a poem of stages of motherhood from bud to potpourri. It was printed in A Mother’s Tribute for a Mother’s Day brochure given to the church’s mothers. I also contributed to a Lenten devotional and contributed several religious poems to the publication Common Ground Herald.
I expanded my spiritual beliefs beyond those written in the Bible and believe there are more cosmic connections than those written by a patrilineal society who determined which experiences and history to include and which to edit. It’s a great example of “losing something in translation.” I’m always fascinated by the pastors providing historic evidence behind many Bible stories.
Q: Do you find it more difficult to write short stories or poetry, and why?
Rose: Both are extremely challenging most of the time. Free verse has fewer restrictions but I often gravitate towards formal poetry. They are a stretch of my poetic muscle.
Fiction’s challenges are how to make the story both believable and engaging for the reader.
Q: If you could give advice to fellow writers, especially younger ones, about finding inspiration and writing poetry, what would you tell them?
Rose: This is more general advice: Don’t stop learning the craft of writing through writers groups and workshops as well as formal education. Enter contests because your success will provide confidence to enter the competitive publishing world. Even if aspiring writers need to work for a living, I suggest they set aside regular time to write, engage with other writers, attend workshops, enter contests, submit to smaller journals and online publications. Build up confidence and experience before tackling more prestigious publications.
My one regret is that I did not pursue my ambition to earn an MFA in creative writing from Iowa State University. But I had no tuition money and didn’t feel confident about earning a scholarship. I’d recommend young aspiring authors/poets to find mentors and at least one critique group that can gently assist you without killing your creativity or natural voice.
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