The best writing, like the best life, thrives not on the absence of rules but on the right ones. In today’s episode, Ryan sits down with viral poet and bestselling author Maggie Smith to explore the power of restraint, the fine line between hope and cynicism, and why caring deeply is a bold act of courage.

In 2016, Maggie Smith’s poem Good Bones became a viral sensation. It was named the “Official Poem of 2016” by the Public Radio International. Maggie Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of You Could Make This Place Beautiful; My Thoughts Have Wings, a picture book illustrated by SCBWI Portfolio grand prize winner Leanne Hatch; the national bestsellers Goldenrod and Keep Moving: Notes on Loss, Creativity, and Change; as well as Good Bones, named one of the Best Five Poetry Books of 2017 by the Washington Post and winner of the 2018 Independent Publisher Book Awards Gold Medal in Poetry.

Maggie’s latest book, Dear Writer: Pep Talks & Practical Advice for the Creative Life just released on April 1! You can grab signed copies of Dear Writer at The Painted Porch in addition to her books You Could Make This Place Beautiful and Keep Moving.

Follow Maggie Smith on Instagram @MaggieSmithPoet

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The Killing of Kevan by Varys the Spider