Meet John Compton

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful John Compton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi John, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

it came with a lot of rejection and mean comments when i first began writing. i think my “i’ll show you” attitude pushed through. i was on a message board and so many of the fellow poet’s told me i was bad and should quit. i never gave up. today i am here and they’re nowhere to be heard of.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

i have been a poet for a very long time. only in the last 10 years have i honed in on my talent. i have over 10 books published and 2 forthcoming. “my husband holds my hand because i may drift away & be lost forever in the vortex of a crowded store” is forthcoming from FlowerSong Press in dec 2024. my poetry comes from somewhere within. i always tell people i have an auditorium of dead poets inside me.

i enjoy reading poetry too. i am an editor.
i love sharing and showcasing other work by other poets.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

reading poetry is very critical. read to learn; read to understand what not to write; read to expand your vocabulary. read as much as possible to help you decide how you want to write and what you want to write, or the opposite.

don’t be afraid to fail or get a rejection. don’t change how you write because a rejection. an editor is only a person and each person has thier own opinions on what they like.

don’t change how you write because someone says you should.
only take suggestions if you absolutely agree.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

not necessarily a book, but the poetry off Anne Sexton and Sylvia Plath when i first began as a poet. i found their poetry and it comforted me in knowing i could write about myself and expand on my feelings.

later in life, Fanny Howe was a pivotal moment for me. she wrote me back and we became friends. without her my first book wouldn’t exist in how it does and i’d never met Bill Corbett, the publisher of Pressed Wafer. he opened so many doors for me and i met so many cool poets.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

all by me

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