12 or 20 (second series) questions with Megan Pinto

Megan Pinto is the author of Saints of Little Faith (Four Way Books, 2024). The winner of the 2023 Halley Prize from the MassachusettsQuarterly Review, Megan’s poems can be found in the Los Angeles Reviewof Books, Ploughshares, Lit Hub, and elsewhere.  She has received scholarships and fellowshipsfrom the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference, the Martha's Vineyard Institute ofCreative Writing, the Port Townsend Writers' Conference, Storyknife, and an AmyAward from Poets & Writers. Megan lives in Brooklyn and holds an MFAin Poetry from Warren Wilson.

1 - How did yourfirst book change your life? How does your most recent work compare to yourprevious? How does it feel different?

Saints of Little Faith is my firstbook! I have always dreamed of having a book out in the world. Achieving adream is life changing in and of itself. Now I know it is possible.

2 - How did you cometo poetry first, as opposed to, say, fiction or non-fiction?

I read Anne Carson’s The Beauty of theHusband, in my first college English class and was forever changed.Before that point, I knew I wanted to be a writer. But after reading Carson, Iknew I wanted to devote myself to studying poetry, and learning how to writebeautifully.

3 - How long does ittake to start any particular writing project? Does your writing initially comequickly, or is it a slow process? Do first drafts appear looking close to theirfinal shape, or does your work come out of copious notes?

In the beginning, I am following littlecuriosities. I tend to let the poems accrue, and not worry too much about thelarger architecture . About every 6 months or so, I like to print outeverything I have been working on and tape it up on the wall. I leave it likethat for another month, and revisit it frequently. I start to see how the poemsare talking to each other, and my deeper interests and themes begin to revealthemselves to me. Then I go back to generating new work. 

4 - Where does apoem usually begin for you? Are you an author of short pieces that end upcombining into a larger project, or are you working on a "book" fromthe very beginning?

Poems usually begin for me with a musicalphrase or an image. A rhythm that stays in my mind, and propels me into thedraft. I would say I write musically, imagistic ally, and instinctually atfirst, and only later after many drafts I start to ask myself “what is thispoem trying to say?”. I am mostly going poem by poem. Only toward the very end,once the manuscript has started to become clear to me, am I writing morespecifically into the holes in the manuscript.

5 - Are publicreadings part of or counter to your creative process? Are you the sort ofwriter who enjoys doing readings?

I see public readings as a parallel practice. Iread my poems aloud in private while revising, but public readings aredifferent. They sometimes reveal to me what I want to revise, if I falter overa line or verbally edit a phrase mid-reading, but mostly they teach me about myown vulnerabilities. What I’ve processed enough to share with others, and whatstill feels tender to me. 

6 - Do you have anytheoretical concerns behind your writing? What kinds of questions are youtrying to answer with your work? What do you even think the current questionsare?

In terms of my own work, I’m less interested intheory and more in beauty. I hope I make something that allows other people tofeel deeply. 

7 – What do you seethe current role of the writer being in larger culture? Do they even have one?What do you think the role of the writer should be?

To listen, not just hear. To look, not justsee. 

8 - Do you find theprocess of working with an outside editor difficult or essential (or both)?

Essential! I’m not too precious with my workand I always appreciate the extra eye of a trusted editor. Sometimes thingsthat make sense to me inside my head do not totally translate. Four Way hasbeen so wonderful with edits. Hannah Matheson (my brilliant editor) is sothoughtful and kind. Editors make me feel confident about releasing my workinto the world.

9 - What is the bestpiece of advice you've heard (not necessarily given to you directly)?

After college I read Twyla Tharp’s TheCreative Habit, and she talks about leaning against a problem or idea,instead of forcing a solution. I love that verb in this context. To leanagainst the idea. Keeping contact, but not forcing. Sharing someweight.  

10 - What kind ofwriting routine do you tend to keep, or do you even have one? How does atypical day (for you) begin?

I tend to have writing heavy months and readingheavy months, and these alternate due to the demands of my day job (I work inadvertising) and personal life. That being said, I can write whenever,wherever. If it’s a writing month, some days will have 5 minutes of writing,some will have hour long stretches. It depends on what I’m working on thatweek. If I’m generating heavily or revising. A typical day begins with somemovement, coffee, and breakfast. Hopefully I have a little time to readsomething that is inspires me.

 

11 - When yourwriting gets stalled, where do you turn or return for (for lack of a betterword) inspiration?

This is such an important part of the writingpractice. For me, I’ve learned that whenever my writing is stalled, it meansI’m not reading something that speaks to me deeply. When this happens, I’lleither turn to some of my favorite books, or I’ll start a new novel. This getsme connected with language again, and I can start to fill the well.

12 - What fragrancereminds you of home?

Honeysuckle. 

13 - David W.McFadden once said that books come from books, but are there any other formsthat influence your work, whether nature, music, science or visual art?

I think everything influences my art. Myengagement with writing is a byproduct of my engagement with living in theworld.

14 - What otherwriters or writings are important for your work, or simply your life outside ofyour work?

So many. But to keep it brief: Larry Levis,Susan Mitchell, Bhanu Kapil, Anne Carson. These are writers I can always turnto when I am feeling lost. 

15 - What would youlike to do that you haven't yet done?

See the northern lights. 

16 - If you couldpick any other occupation to attempt, what would it be? Or, alternately, whatdo you think you would have ended up doing had you not been a writer?

I would be a therapist. And I think I would bean excellent therapist. 

17 - What made youwrite, as opposed to doing something else?

I love writing. Writing has led me toeverything that is good in my life. It has guided me, shaped me, changed me. Idon’t think it is possible to be bored if you’re a writer. At least not forlong.

18 - What was thelast great book you read? What was the last great film?

Animal by Lisa Taddeo. And I just re-watchedMoonstruck and fell in love all over again. 

19 - What are youcurrently working on?

Resting. It’s so easy for me to be in motion.Lately I’ve gotten much better at saying no and taking time for myself. I’venoticed this has benefited my writing immensely. I would like to continuefinding balance between being in the world and cultivating solitude. 

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