There's this wicked cool guy in Boston who just doesn't give up on his dream. Matthew Lippman went from outcast to celebrated author of The New Year of Yellow that won the Kathryn A. Morton poetry prize. Now he is promoting his new book of poetry Monkey Bars, all the while teaching teenagers and raising babies. How does he do it? Let's ask him! (digital photo altering by Lynette Yetter)
You've won a lot of prizes for your poetry. Can you tell us something about those prizes and the work of yours that they are honoring?
Thank you for saying I have won a lot of prizes. I have won a few. It’s always surreal. The big one was for my first book, The New Year of Yellow. I had been submitting my manuscript for 14 years to get my book published and then it finally received the winning prize. The other prizes were just for my poetry, in general, not a book.
How did you get into writing poetry?
When I was fifteen years old I made this conscious decision that I wanted to be a poet. But, I had already made the decision to be a poet when I was six, or so. Language was something that I loved and when I was old enough to be conscious of its power and fun, it all came together for me. It was the summer when I was fifteen, in Vermont. I would go to this dock on Miller Pond with my friend Peter and we would write poems for hours. Then, we’d go have lunch.
Can you tell us more about being six years-old and wanting to be a poet? When I was six, I think the only poem I knew was "Mary Had a Little Lamb". What was your introduction to poetry?
I don’t know if I knew what that meant, I just knew that I loved messing around with language and I was good at it like I was good at playing baseball. I wrote some cool stuff in first grade and it just kept on going from there. I felt comfortable and “at home” writing, even when I was that young.
What is your day job?
I am a high school English Teacher. I teach Literature, Expository and Creative Writing. I also run my own on-line Poetry One-to-One Courses. I run eight week courses with individuals on the art of writing poetry. (Here is a shameless plug for my business. My website is www.matthewlippman.com)
Article comments
1 - Lynette Yetter, author of the novel, Lucy Plays Panpipes for Peace
Wow. I just saw that I was chosen as Writer of the Day. I am blown away. A total surprise. Thank you for this amazing honor.
2 - Lynette Yetter, author of the novel, Lucy Plays Panpipes for Peace
And Matthew should get most of the credit. It's his interview. :)
3 - El Bicho
there's enough plugs here for your book. give it a rest
4 - Diana Carrington
What an engaging and talented writer! Matthew is precious and outrageous! Good questions Lynette! I'll really have to get that book! He's so for real!
5 - Lynette Yetter, author of the novel, Lucy Plays Panpipes for Peace
Thank you for reading the article and posting your comments.
Diana, thank you for your thoughtful and heartfelt comments . I'm glad you enjoy Matthew's writing and my questions. Matthew's new book is available right now for presale. Just click the link by the picture of the cover of Monkey Bars and it will take you right there. Enjoy Monkey Bars! :)
6 - Paul Barnett
Hey,
Congrats on your interview. The man draws with colors straight from the soul. I can breath deeply again, Thank you:)
P.
7 - Linda McHenry
A great interview, Lynette. You deserve the award. You asked the right questions, and got amazing answers. Thank you. I'm inspired and encouraged all over again, and just when I needed it most.
8 - Lewis Ellingham
Thanks for this, Lynette. Your interviewee has a lot of vitality and fine sense of narrative. I'm surprised he's not writing stories, though of course he may be. -Lew Ellingham
9 - Lynette Yetter, author of the novel, Lucy Plays Panpipes for Peace
Thank you Paul, Linda and Lew for your glowing comments.
Paul, I look forward to the publication of your beautiful prose that sends me to another realm, a parallel universe.
Linda, I am so happy that you feel inspired and encouraged. We truly need each other, for mutual encouragement and inspiration. Your short stories are jewels. Where can blogcritic readers find your stories? Can they buy a book where they are published as part of a collection? What are the titles and publishers of the books and periodicals where your stories appear? Your work will encourage others, too.
10 - Lynette Yetter, author of the novel, Lucy Plays Panpipes for Peace
Lew, let's let folks know about your work.
Dear readers, Lew Ellingham is the author of "The Birds and Other Poems". Also he is the co-author of the landmark biography, "Poet, Be Like God: Jack Spicer and the San Francisco Renaissance", Wesleyen University Press.
They are available to purchase online. Just google the title and author and choose your buying option. :)
11 - poet
It is really inspiring me how he kept his dream from childhood. I really like his poetry, his passion, and how he able to express his felling through poet. he deserve more than standard prize. noble prize would be perfect for him
12 - Lynette Yetter, author of the novel, Lucy Plays Panpipes for Peace
Thank you for your heart-felt comments, Poet!