But I wanted to tell a story with this book, so I had to let go of certain poems that I loved in order to create an arc where the reader experiences a transformation from grief to joy.

Ann Campanella – 14 April 2018

The Back Flap

The Beach Poems is a collection of poetry inspired by Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s Gift from the Sea. After caring for a loved one who had Alzheimer’s for 14 years, Ann Campanella went on a series of retreats at the beach. These retreats inspired memories and nourished her soul, ultimately carrying the author through grief to a place of joy.

About the book

What is the book about?

The Beach Poems is about the nourishing power of the sea to help the soul find itself after a period of deep loss. My mother had Alzheimer’s for 14 years and after she died, I took a series of retreats at the beach in order to find myself again.

When did you start writing the book?

I started writing most of these poems at the beach after my mother passed away in 2007.

How long did it take you to write it?

The poems were written over a 10-year period.

Where did you get the idea from?

I’ve always loved Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s Gift from the Sea, and as I spent time at the ocean, it felt as if these poems were given to me. I started imagining a collection of poetry titled, The Beach Poems, and gradually it became a reality.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

My biggest struggle came with choosing the right poems. I had dozens and dozens of poems about the ocean. But I wanted to tell a story with this book, so I had to let go of certain poems that I loved in order to create an arc where the reader experiences a transformation from grief to joy.

What came easily?

Writing the poems came easily. Every time I visited the beach, the words poured forth. I had been a caretaker for my mother for so many years with very little time to write, so I must have had poems and words stored up within me.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

The main characters in the poems are my mother and my daughter, and they come directly from the real world. My father, my husband and other family members also make an appearance.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I have an amazing community of writers and poets in the Charlotte area who have inspired me for years. We often share our work, critiquing and encouraging each other. These writers have been a wellspring of support.

In addition, I love Mary Oliver’s poetry, how she draws from nature, and Maxine Kumin’s work speaks to me. Of course, Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh touched me deeply because of how it captures the rhythm of the ocean and the natural evolution of life.

Do you have a target reader?

My target reader is someone who is inspired by nature and believes in the constancy of its rhythms, someone who feels deeply and is sliced open by unexpected beauty captured through image and language.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

Even though I evolved into a memoir writer, I was a poet first. Beauty and deep emotion move me. When I am walking along the beach, words and phrases come to me. I jot them down and allow the voice to take me where it will. I try to stay out of the way of the poem and let it surprise me. Later, at my desk, I play with rhythms and form, revising lines that are choppy or don’t quite fit.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I don’t outline with poetry. Yet, when I’m ready to put together a collection, I spread out my poems on the floor to see what I have. Sometimes poems fall into natural groupings and a narrative arc begins to form. Other times I find I’m missing a poem (or some information) that needs to be a part of the collection, and I go back and write to see if I can fill it in.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I edit as I go. At least poem by poem. As the poem is being birthed, I try to stay out of the way (and avoid editing), but once it is out on paper, the editing begins in earnest. I have done it for so long, I don’t even have to think about it. Words and phrases rearrange themselves; I identify patterns and images that work or don’t work, and I sometimes need to push the poem beyond where it ended. Editing is part of the joy of writing for me. I’m always fascinated to see what blooms in the process.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

I very rarely listen to music while I write. Poetry has a melody of its own, and I seem to need complete silence so that I can listen to it.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I don’t submit my poetry to an agent. I am lucky to work with a publisher, Scott Douglass of Main Street Rag, who I have known for many years and has published two other poetry collections of mine.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

With poetry, you don’t have much choice. Scott published What Flies Away, my first collection of poems, and did a beautiful job with it, so I knew I wanted to go with him again, if he was willing to accept my manuscript. Fortunately, he was.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

I took the cover photo, and the publisher created the cover.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

Poetry is rarely a big money maker, however I do have a small-scale marketing plan. It includes doing readings, creating a newsletter, posting on social media and working with others to share and promote our work.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

My advice is to create the very best work you can. What you put out into the world represents who you are. Writing takes creativity, inspiration and hard work. Take classes to improve the quality of your writing. Don’t scrimp on details like copy editing or cover design. While you may not make a fortune with a collection of poems, if you put your heart and soul into your work, it will have lasting value.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Florida, the Panama Canal Zone and on the coast of North Carolina.

Where do you live now?

I live outside of Charlotte, North Carolina.

What would you like readers to know about you? I am a person who needs solitude in order to create. While my hands and heart were full being a caretaker of my family, I had very little room for my own needs. I encourage those who need creativity to feel alive, to be sure to find space for it in your life.

End of Interview:

For more from Ann, visit her website, follow her on Twitter, or like her page on Facebook.

Get your copy of The Beach Poems from Amazon US.