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In the vibrant landscape of Southern California, Kate Garcia, a dedicated poet and educator, is making significant contributions to literature and art. Her expressive works have been featured in prominent publications such as Gulf Coast and The Florida Review. With her upcoming chapbook, Bartending for a Stamp with My Face on It, set to publish with The Chestnut Review, Kate is not only a creator but also an inspiring teacher. Recently joining the faculty at Literary Arts, she is eager to share her insights and techniques with aspiring poets.
Kate’s upcoming course, titled Poetry of Observation: Starting and Keeping a Commonplace Book, will begin on November 24. This four-week in-person class aims to shift the focus from merely consuming content to actively engaging in creativity, highlighting the importance of observation in writing.
Transforming consumption into creativity
In a world flooded with digital content, many individuals feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information available. Kate addresses this challenge in her teaching, encouraging students to cultivate their creative voices. By maintaining a commonplace book, a personal notebook for capturing thoughts, observations, and snippets of inspiration, participants can develop a habit that transforms passive consumption into active creation.
Kate explains, “This class is designed for those who often find themselves absorbing more than they produce. By documenting everything that piques their interest—from lines of poetry to dialogues in films—students can forge a deeper connection with the arts around them. The commonplace book becomes a sanctuary for ideas, a place to revisit whenever inspiration wanes.”
Building a creative habit
The commonplace book serves as a tangible manifestation of creativity, enabling individuals to curate their thoughts and reflections. Kate hopes her students will develop a routine that makes this act of cataloging second nature, providing them with a continuous reservoir of ideas to draw from when writing.
Kate’s literary influences
When asked about her literary inspirations, Kate identifies authors who capture the essence of their experiences. Writers like Maggie Nelson and Kimiko Hahn resonate with her due to their ability to weave personal narratives with broader societal themes. She highlights The Chronology of Water by Lidia Yuknavitch as transformative, illustrating the power of documentation through a unique lens.
Kate emphasizes the significance of specificity over a quest for timelessness. “The distinct viewpoints and moments captured in their works create a sense of universality that transcends time,” she notes, aiming to achieve a similar depth in her own poetry.
Joy and challenges in teaching poetry
Teaching poetry presents its own set of challenges and rewards. Kate’s experience with young writers often reveals a common trend: a tendency to focus inwardly, leading to poetry that lacks external observation. This realization prompted her to design her course, steering students toward exploring the world around them. In her view, outward-looking writing can unveil profound truths that introspection alone may overlook.
Despite the challenges, the joy of guiding creative minds is immeasurable. Kate cherishes the dynamic energy that emerges in a classroom filled with passionate individuals. The camaraderie that develops among students as they share their work and support each other’s growth is a testament to the transformative power of poetry.
The importance of clarity in writing
Among the best advice Kate has received is from her former teacher, the talented poet Keetje Kuipers. She recalls Kuipers urging students to “risk clarity”—to embrace the courage required to express their thoughts candidly. This principle serves as a guiding light in Kate’s own writing process, reminding her to confront the core of her ideas rather than skirt around them.
Creative outlets beyond poetry
Kate’s upcoming course, titled Poetry of Observation: Starting and Keeping a Commonplace Book, will begin on November 24. This four-week in-person class aims to shift the focus from merely consuming content to actively engaging in creativity, highlighting the importance of observation in writing.0
Kate’s upcoming course, titled Poetry of Observation: Starting and Keeping a Commonplace Book, will begin on November 24. This four-week in-person class aims to shift the focus from merely consuming content to actively engaging in creativity, highlighting the importance of observation in writing.1