November 2009
Bertha Rogers has been a teaching writer with T&W since 1998. She loves to work with the students and teachers. When she’s not teaching writing, she’s writing poetry (a new book, _Heart Turned Back, is forthcoming from Salmon Poetry Publishing, Ireland, in March) and translating from the Anglo-Saxon (her Beowulf translation was published in 2000, and her translation of all 95 of the A-S Riddle-Poems from the Exeter Book will be published in 2010._

How do you start a new piece?
If I have an idea of what I want to write about, I’ll start with whatever I’m thinking. If I have no idea, I’ll stare at something until an idea comes.

What is more frightening: a blank page or a manuscript in need of a complete rewrite?
Always, the blank page.

In Richard Hugo’s essay “Writing Off the Subject,” he states, “When you start to write, you carry to the page one of two attitudes, though you may not be aware of it. One is that all music must conform to truth. The other, that all truth must conform to music.” In your writing practice, have you taken a position on this? In your teaching?
In poetry, I believe that “all truth must conform to music.” Definitely.

How does teaching influence your work as a writer?
Sometimes, I think it’s helpful. Sometimes, it makes it more difficult because teaching takes a lot of energy.

What’s your favorite in-class writing prompt?
The Anglo-Saxon riddle-poems – they’re a sure-fire way to get students to
write and to write in metaphor. (However, this changes from year to year. . .)

Are there any aspects of writing that you feel can’t be taught?
Inspiration? Maybe.

When you are teaching, what pet peeves do you come across frequently?
Teachers who don’t participate.