Jill Calahan

1. How did you get started with haiku?

I learned about haiku in a creative writing class many years ago. When the pandemic hit, I dove into poetry as a creative outlet. But I got really into haiku through a friend who introduced me to the NaHaiWriMo page. (Hi Dan Burt!) My goal in 2022 has been to write at least one haiku a day. And so far, with the help of the prompts, I’ve been able to do just that! I’m still learning and growing as a writer and I think it will be interesting to look back at what I’ve written throughout the year to see how my writing has evolved.

2. Tell us more about yourself.

I’m from Seattle, Washington. I have four cats and two dogs. If I’m not writing poetry, I’m probably reading it. Or you can find me at the bookstore. Aside from that, I enjoy crafts, puzzles, stargazing, and yarn work. You can find some of my work in various anthologies including The Story Behind the Poems volumes one and two, The Story Behind the Story volume one, and many of the Poetry 365 anthologies. I’m also on Instagram under the name novamarie_poetry.

3. What does NaHaiWriMo mean to you?

It gives me something to look forward to because I know I’ll find a new prompt every day. I love the creative challenge of trying to say a lot with few words. I also love seeing all the different ways everyone interprets the same prompt. From simplistic, to creative, to abstract, to emotional. I feel like I’ve learned so much from everyone here!

4. What one piece of advice would you offer to those who are new to writing haiku?

Don’t be afraid to write badly!

5. Please share three of your favourite or best haiku.

only child

the snowball melts

in her hands

rippled waters

a single leaf falls

for itself

scars are beautiful

just listen to the grooves

of the vinyl