Written by Anna Stowe, Hope College Creative Writing Major and Student Managing Editor for the English Department
The co-founder of the Visiting Writers Series, Jack Ridl, taught at Hope College from 1971-2006. During this time, Jack mentored many students and fought to bring creative writing to life on Hope’s campus. All the while, Jack poured himself into his writing, publishing multiple books of poetry. Most recently, in October of this year, All At Once was published, a book of poems forming a lyric collage that reflects on Ridl’s personal experiences and writing life.
As a prelude to the Jack Ridl Visiting Writers Series event on November 13th, I reached out to Jack and asked if he would be willing to participate in an email interview. What follows is a transcript of that conversation.
How and why did you found the Visiting Writers Series? What was the goal behind VWS?
The department wanted to add a creative writing emphasis because there was so much student interest. I always voted against it unless we were willing to add a visiting writers series.
Why? Because we had so many talented students. I was concerned that MFA programs, of which there were then likely a third or fourth of how many there are now, would not have enough knowledge of Hope and its students.
However, if we brought in top writers from MFA programs or the opportunity to spread the word about amazing student writers, it would enable our students to receive the recognition that they deserved. My wife, Julie, and I paid some of what it took to bring an influential writer to campus. I would beg various departments, clubs, etc to also chip in. I’ll always remember and be thankful to Dan Gerber for giving me a check for $1,000.
Today because of former writing student contributions and David Myers, the VWS budget is in good shape. Back then, there was a reading and student/writer conversation every month, eight per year. My wife, Julie, and I hosted after-reading gatherings at our house where the writers stayed and slept in our young daughter’s magical art-covered bed. They would each write TO her: Naomi Shihab Nye, Chaim Potok, Lucille Clifton, William Stafford, Joy Harjo, Billy Collins, and many, many, many more. That book is priceless.
What was it like involving a broader writing community in this manner?
It was fun and kept me up until 3 am!!! I printed out announcements and sent them to hundreds of local people. Back then this was all new. There wasn’t a single other VWS. Faculty and students from other colleges and universities within 40 miles came. I hand-wrote a note on every single announcement. I’ll always remember when attendance exceeded the fire code for the art gallery. That led us to the Maas Center, and, when we exceeded the code there, by the time I turned over the series, we were filling the Knickerbocker—unheard of.
What were some of the challenges you faced at the beginning of VWS?
Begging for money. Shaking whenever I called a writer. Charles Wright said to Julie, “Jack sounded like he was talking to the Beatles!!”
Can you describe your writing space (if you have a particular setup that inspires you to write)?
Anywhere. I don’t wanna get stuck in all that “I need an overstuffed chair, a bottle of good beer, and Indigo Girls on the SONOS, or I can’t write.”
I follow Frank O’Hara’s saying, “If you can’t write a poem on a bus in New York City during a traffic jam, you can’t write a poem.”
How would you describe your writing process? (First drafts, research, revision, etc.)
I don’t have a particular process. I remember the day I woke up and discovered that my mind thinks in poetry. If a poem is asking to be written, I treat that similarly to having someone ask me for their attention. Then I go into a blank state and let the poem arrive. After it’s here, I spend a lot of time making sure it’s a poem that creates poetry.
For me, the poet must be someone who uses words to create that for which there are no words.
How do you handle moments when inspiration seems hard to find?
I’ve never had that. I profoundly believe that there is not one thing that isn’t inspiring. A poet should live in that way. Writer’s block—lower standards. Again from William Stafford.
Could you share about a book or author that has greatly inspired/influenced your work?
I am a Western person with an Eastern sensibility. Key influences: William Stafford, Mary Ruefle, Gregory Orr (especially his Poetry as Survival and The Blessing), and Li-Young Lee.
Mine.
Also, anything by Brian Doyle, This Is Happiness by Niall Williams, The Gift by Lewis Hyde, Poetry As Survival by Gregory Orr, The Way It Is by William Stafford.
What would you consider to be the purpose of poetry? What drew you to this writing style/form?
The purpose: to bring out the best in us—empathy, compassion, discovery, wonder, awe, add to our life of perceptions, see anew.
What drew me—I was writing songs, but the music world is too complicated and dependent. So I asked poet Paul Zimmer if I could apprentice with him. He said yes. It was about 19 months before he said that I had written a poem, my own poem.
How did you craft your most recent poetry book All At Once?
One poem at a time. Then after about 80 poems, I tried to order them. It was maddening. CavanKerry Press handed it over to writer Baron Wormser, asking him to cut thirty poems and then turn the rest into a book. He did!!! 🙂
How do you hope your work will impact your readers?
I hope it adds something to their days.
What is the most inspiring feedback you have received from a reader (if applicable)?
Yesterday, at a reading by Melissa Seitz and Ruth Zwald, Melissa came up to me after and told me about how a particular poem in the collection had affected her so much that she started her day by reading it. “I can’t explain it, but it puts me in a state of wonder,” she added.
What advice would you give to current English majors or students considering an English major?
Don’t fall for the STEM pressure from outside. Those areas are gonna change by the time you graduate. English is ever adaptable. I had English majors go to med school. If you can write well, you’ll be ever employable. And ya know what—it’s your life that matters, and an English major has a companion for life—a book. If you’re STEM-minded, fine. But don’t refrain from doing what you love just because of some small-minded advice. You can always be an English major and take some STEM classes.
What are your favorite hobbies?
I have no hobbies per se. We live on seven acres of woods with a large pond. I love taking care of it, as well as creating and caring for a garden that places the flowers like an abstract painting. I’m a coach’s kid and a former athlete (shortstop and basketball guard) so I remain interested in sports. GO HOPE!!!!!!!
What is the best advice you have received as a writer? What advice would you share with aspiring writers?
The great William Stafford said: “Only one in ten of my poems is effective, but they were all worth writing.”
My sister in poetry, Naomi Shihab Nye, said to me when I asked her what’s important if you are a teacher of poetry, “Say ‘yes’–a lot!”
Also—Write as an artist. Write because of what happens WHEN you are writing. Notice what writing does for you when you are not writing. For heaven’s sake don’t write thinking someone will care.
