Im perfectly happy when I look out at an audience and its all women. I always think its kind of odd, but then, more women than men, I think, read and write poetry. – Diane Wakoski
I think Im a very good reader of poetry, but obviously, like everybody, I have a set of criteria for reading poems, and Im not shy about presenting them, so if people ask for my critical response to a poem, I tell them what works and why, and what doesnt work and why. – Diane Wakoski
Because, in fact, women, feminists, do read my poetry, and they read it often with the power of their political interpretation. I dont care thats what poetry is supposed to do. – Diane Wakoski
American poetry, like American painting, is always personal with an emphasis on the individuality of the poet. – Diane Wakoski
Short fiction is the medium I love the most, because it requires that I bring everything Ive learned about poetry – the concision, the ability to say something as vividly as possible – but also the ability to create a narrative that, though lacking a novels length, satisfies the reader. – Ron Rash