I don't think anybody reads a book of poetry front to back. Editors and reviewers only. I don't think anybody else does. Download Download Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Rotate quotes back book editor
Poems, for me, begin as a social engagement. I want to establish a kind of sociability or even hospitality at the beginning of a poem. The title and the first few lines are a kind of welcome mat where I am inviting the reader inside. Billy Collins beginengagementestablish share on social
I learned snails don't have ears. They live in silence. They go slowly. Slowly, slowly in silence. Billy Collins earlearnlive Change image and share on social
I am increasingly attracted to restricting possibility in the poem by inflicting a form upon yourself. Once you impose some formal pattern on yourself, then the poem is pushing back. I think good poems are often the result of that kind of wrestling with the form. Billy Collins attractbackform share on social
It got to the point where most of my time went toward writing novels. I would still occasionally write short stories, but only when I was commissioned by an editor to write for a themed anthology or special issue. Tim Pratt anthologycommissioneditor share on social
When I have a creative insight, there is a high. I think back in the day, I made music as much as I did because it made me feel so good. I think you could argue that there is a creative addiction - but, you know, the healthy kind. Lauryn Hill addictionargueback share on social
Another thing that freaks me out is time. Time is like a book. You have a beginning, a middle and an end. It's just a cycle. Mike Tyson beginbookcycle Change image and share on social