F EATU RE S
NOVEMBER 21, 2014
Martin Arnold speaks on
inspiration & techniques
On Wed., Nov. 19, Professor of English, Martin Arnold read from his new book of poetry.
BY LILY LOU
Staff Writer
English professor. Father of two children.
And now, once again, an author.
This November, Unicom Press will
publish Visiting Assistant Professor of
English Martin Arnold's book of poetry
titled "Earthquake Owner's Manual,"
which won the Unicom Press First Book
Contest.
While this is his first full collection of
poetry to hit the bookshelves, this is not
Arnold's first time being published. He
has also published a chapbook, or a small
booklet of poetry, titled "A Million Distant
Glittering Catastrophes," which won the
2010 Pavement Saw Chapbook Contest.
In addition, his poetry can be found in
many prestigious literary magazines
including Best New Poets 2012, Verse Daily,
Crazyhorse and Denver Quarterly.
"It's always exciting for a writer (like
Arnold) to see the work live and breathe
in book form and to receive the recognition
that an award and publication means,"
said Assistant Professor of English Mylfene
Dressier in an email interview.
For Arnold, this recognition is well
deserved.
"Some books of poetry dazzle us with
their language and imagery, some with
their music or tone and otiiers with formal
or stmctural dexterity," said Stuart Dischell,
Arnold's former professor of English at both
UNCG and New Mexico State University.
"'Earthquake Owner's Manual' has all of
these qualities but something more, too. It
is also an enjoyable book to read."
Though considered a renowned poet
by many, Arnold did not share his poems
when he first began writing.
"I started writing poetry in high school
in a journal but refused to share any of it
imtil college," said Arnold. "Since it was an
extension of my journal, I didn't see much
value in sharing it with anyone. Plus, I was
embarrassed to do so."
As he continued writing, his writing
style changed.
"His writing has gotten much more
intense," said Dischell. "It's gotten more
extreme on both ends: more savage and
more kind."
His purpose of writing has also evolved.
'These days, I think of writing as a way
to reach out to others, as an act of sharing,
as a tool for emphasizing what we have in
common as humans," said Arnold.
According to many, he has done this well.
"Martin has a real eye for what makes
us human and what makes being human
difficult and rewarding," said English
professor Andrew Salters.
His poetry is easy to read, but there is a
hidden, deeper meaning within his simple
language.
"There were a lot of really accessible
images that had to do with modem
American life, while still being abstract
enough to be poetic and thought-
provoking," said Emily Lampkin, a
sophomore at UNCG.
Before becoming a father of two children,
Arnold wrote twice a day.
"I find my brain is better at exploring
possibilities in the morning and better at
making tough revision decisions in the
evening," said Arnold. "These days, I write
when I can throughout the day. Ideally,
I'll get back on to a standardized daily
schedule in the near future."
His writing process involves multiple
drafts.
"Part of the pleasure of drafting is
exploring different paths the poem can
take, so my desk is littered with versions
and versions of ideas," said Arnold. "If I
like where iti s headed, I push the poem as
far as I can."
The drafting process was similar to his
process in naming his book.
"This book has evolved over the past six
years with quite a few titles," said Arnold.
"I think of book titles as lenses to highlight
patterns in the text.
"This title is about attitude. It combines
two elements that don't seem like they can
be bound together: how to take care of the
earthquake you purchased. In plenty of my
work, I try to combine elements that seem
disjimctive, to make some sort of harmony
from the discord."
Though the process may be tedious, his
hard work has paid off.
"He's a very cagey poker player, just
like he's a very cagey poet," said UNCG
Professor of English Wdter Beale, a friend
of Arnold.
After publishing "Earthquake Owner's
Manual," Arnold is worldng two new
projects. One is a chapbook called "City of
Ideas."
"In addition to 'City of Ideas,' I've
recently been exploring a new project that is
generally about landscapes," said Arnold.
"I'm not quite sure where this is headed
or if when I get somewhere the project will
even be about landscapes. Thaf s part of the
fun and why I keep writing."
Happening now: new videos irom
The Guilfordian’s video department!
“People’s Climate March, Part 2”
I
!
55 Guilford students attended the
People’s Climate March on Sept.
21, 2014. Follow their journey to
New York and hear their opinions
on the changes to the environment!
BY VERONICA ZAMBRANO-COFFIE
Staff Videographer
I
I
Juried Student
Art Show
The juried student art show
opened on Nov. 6,2014, and
will be on display in the
upstairs of Founders Hall
until Dec. 5,2014.
Guilford College community members gather for student art show opening on Nov. 6 in Founders.
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