Q&A with featured writer Alene Sen
Alene talks about her writing journey and choosing a publishing path, with a special focus on poetry
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When Alene and I met at a writing event in September 2023, we bonded almost immediately over our shared love of rhyming poetry. It’s so rare to see rhyming poetry in poetry magazines and publications, and it felt so encouraging to learn that someone else enjoys it too.
In this edition of Doing the Write Thing, Alene kindly shares with us her journey to poetry and non-fiction, advice on choosing a publishing path, and some exciting details about her recently published poetry collection entitled Rainbows in the Night: Poems.
Bio: Alene Sen
“Alene is an award-winning author and poet. Her work has been published in print, e-books and online, appearing in Toronto Star, Today’s Parent, City Parent, anthologies and journals. She advocates for literacy, community relations and the arts.
When Alene is not writing, she travels the world taking photos of random things, treks off the beaten path, and seeks moments to be still.“
Q&A with Alene
When did you first know you’re a writer, and that you wanted to write books?
Alene: I knew I was a writer when I was eight years old. I did not know what type of writer or where my writing journey would lead, but it was the one thing that never waivered, despite life’s changing landscape.
On your LinkedIn page, you write that you write poetry and non-fiction. What was your path to learning that these are your writing passions?
Alene: Life experiences put me on the path of non-fiction and poetry.
I wrote my first feature article when I was struggling with post-partum depression. Writing the article gave me an outlet to cope and understand my condition. The responses from readers made me realize my personal challenges did not have to be isolated events. Sharing my story helped me and other parents in a way I never imagined. I went on to produce more parenting articles, which led to my first non-fiction book, Program Without Walls: Stories from Toronto Parents (Macaulay Child Development Centre, 2001).
Although poetry has always lived inside me, it wasn’t until the end of my 25-year marriage that poetry seized me in a new and profound way. I began to scribble words onto scraps of paper in the effort to release and organize the array of confusing emotions and thoughts that were flooding me. The phrases turned into affirmations and reminders and eventually poetry became a way to heal.
Can you tell us about your writing process? For example, when do you do most of your writing, and how deeply do you plan or not plan as you write a new poem or non-fiction piece?
Alene: I don’t have a set schedule for writing. I do all my writing with pen and paper, which allows me a lot of flexibility.
When I write non-fiction, I focus on articles and human stories. I do a lot of planning on the subject I am writing about. I ask myself three questions: Why I am writing this? How will this benefit the reader? How do I capture the essence of the subject or person?
In the book, Program Without Walls: Stories from Toronto Families, I compiled 10 stories from families who overcame personal challenges and parenting struggles. To capture their voices, I spent time getting to know the families. In turn, I was able to formulate in-depth questions that would bring their stories to life.
When I write poetry, I don’t do any planning. I write most of my poems backwards. I jot down words that pop into my head that may be possible endings. Once the words form an image, I begin to string them into phrases. At this point, I begin to jump around the poem. It’s not a linear process. I may think about a poem for days or weeks until I consider it finished.
When you’re done writing a first draft, what is your editing process?
Alene: I tend to over-edit. I know I have gone overboard when the work I am editing becomes a completely different entity. That’s when I pull the reigns and go back to the un-edited version and start over. I will always read the first draft silently and then, another time, out loud, making notations as I go.
What is often the inspiration for the poetry you write? (What do you generally think or feel before you find yourself writing a new poem?)
Alene: I have a background in broadcasting in television and film. So I get most of my inspiration through images. I love taking photos of random things in random moments, and then muse on them for human qualities.
Once, while I was in a parking lot in Arizona, I noticed a line of fever trees. I was fascinated by the trunk’s pale smooth texture, as if the bark had been shaved off. Its branches reminded me of spindly hands. When I looked at the photos later, I thought of decay, dying, death, something lurking. A poem about resurrection was born.
Your poetry collection is being published soon. CONGRATULATIONS!! That is so exciting! What was your experience like with finding a publishing path/opportunity for your upcoming poetry collection, Rainbows in the Night: Poems?
Alene: When it came to choosing a publishing path, I wanted to go with hybrid publishing, which is self-publishing through a professional publishing house. After researching and meeting with several companies, I decided on FriesenPress. I had a very specific vision for Rainbows in the Night, with many of the pages mapped out in my mind. The editors and designers at FriesenPress helped bring my vision to life, especially in the formatting of all the original photographs.
What is some advice you would share with poets who are interested in compiling a collection for publication? What are a few things poets should know before putting together a book for publication (for example, "should" it have a theme?)?
Alene: The biggest question to ask oneself is whether you want to go with traditional publishing or self-publishing. Each path has their pros and cons. Both paths will require dedication, patience and organization.
For non-fiction stories, think of the message(s) you want to deliver and the voices of the characters in the book that will bring that message to the forefront. For Program Without Walls, I shed light on non-profit community programs and how their positive impact on families reduces stigma and abuse, and fosters healthy child development. I weaved these messages through the diverse stories of each family.
If you decide to self-publish a poetry collection (like I did with Rainbows in the Night), make sure to have some idea of beginning and end. Think about what feelings are portrayed in the poetry and group those feelings together as you map out the pages. This will allow flow and progression. I don’t think it’s necessary to have a theme for a collection, however, it may be helpful as a “mapping” tool for some poets. I know having a theme helped me to navigate through the slush pile of poems in my head.
When you and I met, we discovered that we both favour writing rhyming poetry. Can you talk to us about your experience with different kinds of poetry, and your thoughts on the challenges of writing poetry that rhymes, and the aspects of rhyming that you enjoy?
Alene: Marisa, how nice you remembered that conversation. I love rhyming poetry, reading it and writing it. It is much easier for me to write a rhyme than a non-rhyme. When I read a rhyme, I am more likely to remember it and find connections in the verse. When I write a rhyme, I enjoy the fun challenge of discovering new words and bringing a lyrical wisp to the stanzas.
Rainbows in the Night is mostly free verse poems, with some visual poetry sandwiched in the pages. As I ponder my next collection, I have begun to study and create Concrete, Visual, Haiku, and Sijo poems. Each form is a departure from free verse and brings their own set of rules (and rules to break). With Concrete and Visual, I can play around with letters and words and manipulate their shapes and meanings to become the emotional vein of the poems. So exciting! With Haiku and Sijo, I am forced to edit, edit, edit, to make the poems as concise and meaningful as possible. Exhausting work, but so rewarding.
What is some advice you would give to other writers?
Alene: My advice to writers is to make writing a doorway to contentment. Remove the dollar signs from your mind and just write what moves you and in the medium that will deliver the vision and spirit.
“Make writing a doorway to contentment.”
Alene, thank you so much for taking the time to discuss all things poetry, and to share with us your personal journey with writing! I really appreciate what you shared.
Dear readers, you can learn more about or buy Alene’s book Rainbows in the Night online from FriesenPress. You can also connect with Alene on Facebook or Instagram.
Q&As are available to all subscribers, with early access granted to paid subscribers. Access is granted to free subscribers 1 to 2 weeks later.
I hope you enjoy and wish you happy writing!
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