Maggie Smith, a viral poet and bestselling author known for "Good Bones," shares her insights on the creative process. She discusses how discipline and constraints fuel artistic expression, emphasizing the importance of structure in writing. Maggie explores the complex emotions of parenting, balancing hope and realism for children amidst life's challenges. The conversation also touches on the necessity of brevity in writing and the moral imperative of valuing creativity, warning against apathy in the arts. This engaging dialogue highlights the courage required to care deeply.
Embracing creative constraints fosters deeper exploration and can lead to more impactful artistic expression, countering the myth of unrestricted creativity.
Maintaining a hopeful perspective in parenting is crucial for nurturing resilience in children, balancing the beauty and challenges of life.
Deep dives
The Role of Restraint in Creativity
Restraint is highlighted as a vital component in the creative process, countering the common misconception that artistic expression should be entirely free and uninhibited. Instead, embracing constraints can lead to greater creativity, as these limitations foster discernment and focus in one’s work. For example, poets often find that adhering to forms or structures allows for a richer exploration of ideas, ultimately leading to more impactful poetry. This notion parallels broader life challenges, where the presence of obstacles can serve to clarify purpose and enhance creativity.
Navigating the Balance of Hope and Reality
The importance of presenting a balanced view to children about the world is emphasized, where parents should acknowledge both the beauty and harshness of life. The poem 'Good Bones' encapsulates this tension, suggesting that while the world is filled with challenges, it’s essential to instill hope in future generations instead of succumbing to cynicism. This hopeful perspective does not negate the existence of difficulties but encourages fostering resilience and recognizing the potential for positive change. The conversation extends to the obligation of parents to nurture a sense of possibility within their children.
Embracing Criticism for Growth
Criticism is positioned as a crucial aspect of the creative process, enhancing the quality of the final work and helping individuals grow as artists. The dialogue reveals that many successful writers or creators seek out constructive feedback over mere praise, understanding that growth often stems from recognizing what does not work rather than celebrating what does. The process of revising and editing serves as a metaphor for life’s challenges, where individuals learn to refine their ideas and strengthen their resolve through pushback. This approach fosters a more discerning mindset, allowing creators to build more meaningful connections with their audience.
The Interplay of Optimism and Realism
A robust discussion centers around the interplay of optimism and realism in both parenting and creative endeavors. Emphasizing that a cynical outlook can lead to a stagnant mindset, the conversation promotes the importance of maintaining a hopeful vision for the future. It is stated that nurturing a sense of hope is vital both for personal development and in guiding children through their understanding of the world. This perspective empowers individuals to approach challenges with a mindset that values potential and possibility over despair.
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.