Brian Daldorph teaches creative writing, literature, and writing classes in the English department at The University of Kansas and poetry at the Douglas County Jail in Lawrence, KS. He has also taught in Japan, Senegal, and England. He has published several poetry collections and is founder and editor of Coal City Review. His poems, stories, articles, and reviews have been widely published. He scores very well on Rate My Professors and I suggest not reading the comments unless you want to add taking his poetry course to your bucket list.
Daldorph, with others, will be reading the work of Thomas Zvi Wilson in commemoration of his life and work. A reception will follow.
Tuesday, July 19
6 pm
Johnson County Library
9875 W. 87th St.
Overland Park, KS 66212
In anticipation of the event Daldorph shares some thoughts about writing:
Tell us about yourself. How did you get started writing?
I was born in Harrogate in the north of England in 1958. My family moved south to Bishop’s Stortford, 30 miles north of London, when I was 3. My parents, recently deceased, lived in that house for 50 years and for me it was always “home.”
I first came to writing and art through music, especially Bob Dylan. Lacking any musical talent whatsoever, I gave up my guitar and turned to writing. When I was in college at the University of Kent in Canterbury I began to write what I, at least, considered to be poems and stories. Published poems and a story in the University of Kent literary journal, Phoenix.
In poetry, how important is “accessibility”? Should you have to work hard to “solve” a poem?
Maybe because of my background in journalism, I have a particular interest in “accessibility” in poetry. How many times have I heard, “I read the poetry in The New Yorker, but I don’t understand it”? I prefer to read and write poetry that has a surface “plainness.” If I have written well, then there will be a depth to my language which should resonate. A favorite recent line from a song illustrates this, Sam Smith singing, “I am so in love with you and you will never know.” Almost a line of monosyllables but carrying so much meaning.
Best writing advice?
I like American short story writer and poet Ray Carver’s dictum that when he found the “voice” of a story, he had the story too. I think it’s true in poetry as well. Once you have the “voice” of the poem—and I don’t mean just a first person narrator—then you have the poem. I spend a lot of writing time trying out different voices.
How did you become involved in teaching at DC Jail?
In 1999 when the new Douglas County Jail opened, two of my colleagues established a writing program at the jail. When Kirk Branch left in 2001, I took over and the class became primarily a Creative Writing class. I’d worked at the Adolescent Center for Treatment in Olathe for two years before this. In doing work like this I’m able to combine a lot of my interests, in creative writing, social engagement, justice, etc.
What value does poetry class bring to both incarcerated and community?
“Brian’s Writing Class,” as it is known at Douglas County Jail, has been very popular with inmates over 15 years (and more to come!). Most of all I think it offers inmates a chance to reflect on their lives in writing, and share their thoughts with their fellow inmates. Inmates like to know that what they have to say has value—they appreciate the affirmation of a supportive class. For the community: inmates are very much a part of the community, and if they can be a little bit more self-reflective, if they can increase their sense of self-worth, then everyone benefits.
Apart from anything else the class helps many inmates through the tough experience of incarceration. That’s good for all of us.
How is jail class different from college teaching?
I prefer my Creative Writing class at the jail to my classes at KU (much as I love them too). There’s a sort of raw energy and honesty in the jail class that’s a thrill every time. There’s also a whole world of experience revealed that most of us have very little access to, yet I believe we should know about it.
Favorite poets?
My favorite poet is Ray Carver, most famous for his “American Chekhov” short stories. I love the “plainness” of his language and its emotional power, its dark wit and honesty.
I love reading through literary journals and seeing what I can find there, poetry and stories written not by “famous” writers but by writers who have something important to say and who say it in the best way possible.
Relationship between running/writing?
There’s a line in Under the Volcano, a novel I read many years ago, Throw away your mind . . .
That’s what it feels like running after writing, exhilarating! Like a dog penned up all afternoon, out of the cage at last!
What are you reading now?
I am reading a collection of short stories, Fiction 100. Stories by famous writers like Fitzgerald, Tolstoy, Joyce Carole Oates, etc., but including too writers I’m reading for the first time.
In my opinion, only a few writers have written great novels. Many writers have written marvelous short stories and I’m always discovering more and more.
Anything else?
My advice to aspiring writers: Write because writing is, for so many reasons, a good thing in itself. Do it because it’s what you want to do. If you do receive any interest in your writing, such as publication in a college journal or a $1 million contract, consider that a bonus.
I find many writers have their eyes on the prize of fame. Much better to concentrate on what’s most important by far: the writing itself.