Hillary Fogerty, Ph.D

From the 2009 edition of bordertown.

My writing process differs dramatically, depending on the genre.  For creative writing, especially poetry, my process is relatively organic.  Generally, the impetus is a line-a phrase, an idea, an inspiring though-and if I have paper and pencil handy I write it down immediately.  I then try to push the line as far as I can, right in that moment.  I prefer to "finish" a poem once part of it is in my head; in this way, I'm a bit like Coleridge, always hopeful the work is a "Kubla Khan" and always worried that an interruption will ruin it.  My academic work tends to involve copious research and necessitates a more formal approach, whereas my poetry is generally more playful and quirky: it's more like me.