Stacy Dixon

Oyster River Pages: Who are the writers who have made you who you are? 
Stacy Dixon: I read and admire so many writers, both classic and contemporary. Some of those always on my book shelf are: Emily Dickinson, William Blake, Edgar Alan Poe, Edna St.
Vincent Millay, J.R.R. Tolkien, Rumi, Anna Akhmatova, Federico Lorca, Ted Kooser,
Mary Oliver, Stephen Dunn, Carolyn Forche, Naomi Shihab Nye, Lola Haskins, Li-
Young Lee.

ORP: What are the lenses that shape your worldview? 
SD: We all have life experiences that shape our view. Many memories or dreams have
shaped my poems. However, I am always open to new knowledge and the ideas of others.

ORP: What’s the most important thing you’ve read/seen lately? 
SD: I’ve been reading some great inspirational things lately. I love the Psalms of David in the
Bible. I also really like The Four Agreements, and the ancient ideas and wisdom that
make us better people.

ORP: What’s your least favorite word?
SD: I don’t know if I have one of those.

ORP: What’s your favorite thing that you’ve created? (line, image, story, etc.) 
SD: I’m not sure I could choose. All of the poems are a piece of me.

ORP: What do you want to read/see more of in the world? 
SD: I read a poem today, and it stopped me in my tracks, stopped everything around me. I may have even forgotten to breathe. I love it when that happens, when the impact of someone's words transcends explanation.  I want to see great writing that connects us continue, and more compassion in our world. 

ORP: How do you pay it forward? 
SD: I serve as Assistant Editor for Tiger’s Eye Press. This is a new step for me, and I hope to
be of help to other poets, as many people have been generous to me. I also have done short poetry workshops for my children’s schools, and served as a judge for contests. I
try to encourage writers whenever I can, young or old.

ORP: What is the space that has shaped you the most? 
SD: I grew up and live at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, so nature has influenced my
writing. I enjoy exploring wild places. I have also lived in Rhode Island, Minnesota, and
spent time in Finland. All of these are beautiful places and have left their memories with
me.

ORP: You’ve just written your autobiography. What’s the title?
SD: It would be something about believing or being resilient. In life and in writing, I think it’s important to have faith and keep trying when we fail. I have either developed a thicker skin or a more mature relationship with rejections (I’m not sure which). I like the quote by Samuel Beckett: “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter.Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” 

Stacy W. Dixon’s work has appeared in Tiger’s Eye, Pirene’s Fountain, Exponent 11,
Sweet Tree Review, Word Fountain, and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Her
first chapbook collection A Pebble Thrown in Water was published by Tiger’s Eye Press,
and her new chapbook Visiting Ghosts and Ground is forthcoming from Finishing Line Press.
She can be found on Facebook @stacydixonsplace. Find her poetry here.