Matter of Craft with Raquel Franco
In this edition of Matter of Craft, Raquel Franco, author of When the Bee Stings, chats about honey bees, writing poetry with the reader in mind, writing as a mother, and poetry communities on social media.
Your latest poetry collection, When the Bee Stings, focuses on loneliness and mental health, among other topics like girlhood and sisterhood. Did it feel urgent for you to write about these subjects?
I definitely did. I had already begun the process of writing this collection before the pandemic began but I wasn’t sure where I wanted it to go. After the shock of lockdown settled some I knew I had to finish this collection and I knew where I wanted to take it. There was a heavy sense of loneliness in the air and I just wanted to give readers some hope, courage and connection.
What do you think makes this collection different from your last?
I really wrote this collection completely with the reader in mind. I wanted it to be empowering and female driven but I also wanted there to be more of a focus on selflove and hope. I wanted there to be pieces the reader could rip out and put on their mirror as a reminder. I wanted them to be able to take what they needed. My approach to poems in this collection is also more story driven than my prior collections. I included more of my own experiences into them.
Can you speak about the title and why you chose it?
The title comes from a title of a poem within the collection. I was researching for the collection and somehow happened upon the history of honeybees. I was fascinated to learn that the colony of honeybees are all female! They are the army, the workers, the housekeepers, and so much more. Their commitment to their Queen is even more admirable. I read once that a swarm of 20,000 bees followed a car for two days because their Queen was stuck inside. It inspired me to write a section of poems on sisterhood and friendship. There is so much more we can accomplish if we do it together.
What keeps you coming back to poetry? What do you love most about this genre?
I love how poetry can tap into a specific emotion for the reader and even if it's painful make it sound beautiful. There is such vulnerability and reliability in it. I am also a sucker for a great metaphor.
Can you take us through your writing routine? What is an ideal writing day for you?
My writing routine is sporadic to say the least. Being a working stay at home mom can make it challenging. I definitely write best in the evening while my husband puts the kiddos to bed but I can edit pieces early in the morning. I try to write every single day even if it's only for 15 minutes.
Can you speak about your process? How long does it usually take you to finish a poem?
Some poems take 15 minutes and others take days to form. I used to only write poems from inspiration or “big magic” which is the ideas that just come to you out of nowhere. As I have progressed as a writer I use workshops and prompts to further my creativity.
Do you ever encounter imposter syndrome? Or struggle through discomfort when writing? What are your ways of coping with that?
Absolutely. I actually included a poem in this collection that touches on it. I often feel as though my words portray that I have it all together and I definitely do not. Then I find myself writing more melancholy poems and then questioning whether I should be posting them because I don’t want to bring anyone down. It’s a real mind f*ck. (Can I say that?) LOL. Someone once reminded me that just because I don’t feel the lesson I am writing about at that moment doesn’t mean I didn’t learn it and that it isn’t true. That has really helped me in being ok with helping others even when I may not be feeling my best emotionally.
I’d love to know if you have any advice for aspiring poets or writers alike. Is there any advice that you have been given or have learned over the years that you come back to?
Keep going. I have wanted to give up so many times but the one time I took a break from writing I regretted it and I will never do it again. Keep writing, every day. Study. Take workshops. Read poetry all the time. Connect with other artists. The poetry community on social media is a beautiful one. I don’t know where I’d be without their support.
Raquel Franco is a mixed chick, poet and author living in Columbus, Ohio. Having battled depression at an early age, Raquel writes with the intention to make life a little less lonely. She hopes to inspire women to have hope, find strength and take up space.
Her latest collection, When the Bee Stings, is being released on May 19th.When she is not committed to the pen she is raising two baby dragons and either dancing, singing, or crying to Taylor Swift.
