Nicole Pottier

NaHaiWriMo daily writing prompter for June 2020

1. How did you get started with haiku?

I started in 2010 during a visit in Romania—a friend of mine was discovering haiku at that time and she convinced me to try. I decided to keep on writing and to get more information to understand better this kind of poetry. Among the books I read, three of them are fundamental for the beginner: The Haiku Form by Joan Giroux, The Haiku Handbook by William J. Higginson with Penny Harter, and Bare Bones by Jane Reichhold.

2. Tell us more about yourself.

I live in France, in Normandy. I studied foreign languages and literature. I am very fond of travelling, photographing, and writing poetry. As translator I’m part of the board of the Haiku journal, edited by the Romanian Haiku Society of Bucharest. Since 2019, I have been a redactor for the magazine Albatross, published by the Haiku Society of Constanta (SHC), which I joined in 2017. I also organize the annual haiku contest for this society. My haiku and photo-haiku have been published in many languages in various journals: Haiku, Albatross (Romania), Haiku Canada Review (Canada), Ploc!, Gong, Haikouest, Graines de Vent (France), Diogen Pro Kultura (Croatia), World Haiku Association, and Kō (Japan). I also take part in many contests, receiving international awards. I have been published in some anthologies: Jumble Box : Haiku and Senryu from National Haiku Writing Month, edited by Michael Dylan Welch, with haiga by Ron C. Moss, Press Here, USA, 2017; Collectif de tanka-prose et haïbun, collectif sous la direction de Danièle Duteil et Patrick Simon, Editions du Tanka Francophone, 2017; Cele patru anotimpuri / Les quatre saisons / The four seasons, coordinated by Nicole Pottier and Laura Văceanu, Editura Ex Ponto, Constanţa, 2019; Traveling with Haiga, by Ion Codrescu and Jim Kacian, Red Moon Press, USA, 2020. My blog is https://photohaikublog.wordpress.com.

3. What does NaHaiWriMo mean to you?

It’s a live community and I enjoy being part of it. It offers connection with many haiku writers from all around the world, sharing their poems together. I like the challenge of every day’s prompt, even if I don’t write every day. I can also improve my English-language skills.

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

Be grounded in the present moment and suggest rather than describe. Be honest and humble. Of course, be patient—inspiration comes and goes—and do not cling to anything in particular, but keep an open mind. Read carefully again and again.

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

fragrance of green tea—

I sharpen my old pencil

under the moon’s light

        First Prize, The Haiku Foundation International Haiku Contest, 2014

lunar eclipse—

drawing empty circle

with black ink

        Third Prize, 19th International Kusamakura Haiku Competition, 2014

children’s story—

in the old man’s eyes

patch of blue sky

        Honorable Mention, 15th ukiaHaiku Festival

        Jane Reichhold International category, 2017