LUCY BURDETTE: I'm thrilled to introduce debut author Laurel Peterson. Not only does she write novels, she's a poet--in fact, she's the poet laureate for Norwalk, CT this year--which I think is the coolest thing ever! Welcome Laurel!
LAUREL PETERSON: First, a big thanks to Jungle Red Writers for hosting me.
I’m really honored to be here.
I’m really honored to be here.
Perhaps social justice isn’t something that one considers when
writing, even though mystery novels are filled with situations that depict bringing
criminals to justice.
writing, even though mystery novels are filled with situations that depict bringing
criminals to justice.
For a long time, I struggled with my purpose for writing. Especially
if one is never published or is published for a small audience, who cares? Why do any of us do this?
if one is never published or is published for a small audience, who cares? Why do any of us do this?
I’ve been named poet laureate of my city this year, the first one ever, which means I get to write about public art like this (a collection of words of welcome, titled Gateway to Norwalk):
mystery novel, Shadow Notes (which, funny
enough, has wicked politicians as a theme), the same question arises: How do I
get people to care about and connect with language and literature?
Yesterday,
I sat with five kids from the Norwalk
Housing Authority, who said they didn’t write or even like poetry. Then, they
spent an hour writing two poems about themselves (I am a lion, because I’m strong and love my family and just because I’m annoyed with you doesn’t
mean I don’t like you…): vivid, interesting, unique poems that gave voice
to their inner selves. Bravo.
I sat with five kids from the Norwalk
Housing Authority, who said they didn’t write or even like poetry. Then, they
spent an hour writing two poems about themselves (I am a lion, because I’m strong and love my family and just because I’m annoyed with you doesn’t
mean I don’t like you…): vivid, interesting, unique poems that gave voice
to their inner selves. Bravo.
They reminded me of the most important thing I believe about
writing: it’s about giving voice—whether in poetry or prose.
writing: it’s about giving voice—whether in poetry or prose.
At a reading, I once shared a poem about the death of a
spouse, and after, a woman said to me, Thank
you. That’s exactly how I felt. Yesterday, a woman emailed to say she knew
the same kind of self-absorbed, wealthy women I describe in my novel, because
they acted as panicked and self-righteous in Texas as they did in Connecticut.
spouse, and after, a woman said to me, Thank
you. That’s exactly how I felt. Yesterday, a woman emailed to say she knew
the same kind of self-absorbed, wealthy women I describe in my novel, because
they acted as panicked and self-righteous in Texas as they did in Connecticut.
If my voice touches my reader—makes her laugh, cry, rage—I’ve
succeeded. If I can help others, through my writing or teaching, to discover
that they have a voice, too, like those kids—even just for a few minutes—then
I’ve succeeded. It’s not just a
mystery novel, or just poetry. It’s a
model that I’m writing. Maybe others will follow.
succeeded. If I can help others, through my writing or teaching, to discover
that they have a voice, too, like those kids—even just for a few minutes—then
I’ve succeeded. It’s not just a
mystery novel, or just poetry. It’s a
model that I’m writing. Maybe others will follow.
As a culture, we need art at all levels—from Stephen King
and Jonathan Franzen to the guy with the plastic bags who shows up to read once
a month at the poetry reading. All art matters. All art gives voice. Those kids
have had a chance to speak now, and maybe they’ll listen to another writer
because they know what it means to say something. Maybe their voice will help
them find their place in the world, or maybe some other writer’s words will
help them see themselves more clearly. That’s why I write.
and Jonathan Franzen to the guy with the plastic bags who shows up to read once
a month at the poetry reading. All art matters. All art gives voice. Those kids
have had a chance to speak now, and maybe they’ll listen to another writer
because they know what it means to say something. Maybe their voice will help
them find their place in the world, or maybe some other writer’s words will
help them see themselves more clearly. That’s why I write.
What are your thoughts about the purpose of your writing? Do
you notice local art and artists? Read less well-known authors? Thanks for
stopping by. I’d love to hear from you!
you notice local art and artists? Read less well-known authors? Thanks for
stopping by. I’d love to hear from you!
Laurel S.
Peterson is an English professor at Norwalk Community College in Connecticut.
Her poetry has been published in many literary journals and she has two poetry chapbooks. She is currently serving as
Norwalk, Connecticut’s first poet laureate, and her mystery novel, Shadow Notes, has just been released by
Barking Rain Press.
Starting to explore her mother’s past, Clara discovers books
on trauma, and then there’s a second murder. Can Clara find the connection
between the murders and her mother’s past that will save her mother and finally
heal their relationship?
Links: Twitter: laurelwriter49
FB Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/
Website: www.laurelpeterson.com
Clara Montague’s mother Constance never liked—or listened—to
her but now they have to get along or they will both end up dead. Clara
suspects she and her mother share intuitive powers, but Constance always denied
it. When Clara was twenty, she dreamed her father would have a heart attack.
Constance claimed she was hysterical. Then he died.
Furious, Clara leaves for fifteen years, but when she dreams
Constance is in danger, she returns home. Then, Constance’s therapist is
murdered and Constance is arrested.
