Member of the Mvskoke (Creek) Nation, Joy Harjo is an internationally known poet, writer, and musician. Known for her passionate, musical "spoken word" performances of her work, which often include her playing the saxophone, Joy has written seven books of poetry and released three award-winning CDs. One of her best known and most beloved books She Had Some Horses (1983) is being re-released by W.W. Norton this year.
But it’s her latest book, For a Girl Becoming, scheduled for release on October 15th, that really caught the attention of The LA Books Examiner.
Beautifully illustrated in watercolor and pastel (on wood panel) by artist Mercedes McDonald, For A Girl Becoming’s rich, colorful images are a great match for Joy’s captivating poetry in this timeless tale that highlights a girl’s journey from birth and youth all the way to womanhood. Loving and positive, the story celebrates the milestones of life with the themes that appear again and again in the best of Harjo’s work: family, community, nature, and strength.
Unlike Joy Harjo’s award-winning children’s book The Good Luck Cat (2000), which is really for younger children, For a Girl Becoming is for readers of all ages, especially teens, one of these special books children and young adults will turn to again and again throughout their lives – and a great gift to share with friends and family this holiday season.
For a Girl Becoming is scheduled for release next week, but you can order copies now at Barnes & Noble. To learn more about Joy Harjo, visit www.JoyHarjo.com. I had the great opportunity to talk to Joy Harjo about her work and her life. Please take a few more minutes to check out the interview below.
For a Girl Becoming reminds me a bit of your first mixed-genre book, Secrets from the Center of the World. How does collaborating with another artist affect your work and your message?
Almost every creative project is a collaboration of some sort or the other, except for writing poetry or prose, and I can qualify even that kind of writing as a collaboration, as there is usually some kind of inspirational assistance. For A Girl Becoming was the text first. The painted images came later, once Patti Hartmann of the University of Arizona Press helped locate the artist Mercedes McDonald. I was given a choice of artists and McDonald’s mystical and beautiful art was a match. Hartmann agreed. McDonald and I then emailed and talked together over the phone, and worked together to define the images. We became so in sync that she started dreaming images that were also connected to my imagination. Her images really make the book and I am indebted to her.
For a Girl Becoming might be called a children’s book by booksellers, but I think the audience is much bigger. Who is this book really for?
I perceive it as a coming-of-age young adult book, but it’s also a book for adults, for all ages.
When I read or listen to your poetry, I immediately think about dancing and music – no matter what the subject matter might be. This is a much different response than I get from any other poet. How do you avoid getting locked onto the page like other poets?
By adding a saxophone!! Actually, you get it, and not everyone does. I have always begun with dancing, heard singing and it always goes back to rhythm. The poems have always started that way. The rhythm, or the beat, even drives the images. The frustrating thing has been getting some of my audience off the page. There’s still quite a line between those who will move off the page into the music, and those who refuse and believe that poetry belongs on the page. My contention is that music, poetry and dance came into the world together. Civilization in the form of the printing press forced them apart. I have a poetry audience that for the most part knows nothing about the music, or is disdainful of it, and a music audience who knows nothing about the poetry.
A lot of your poetry seems timeless to me, no beginning, middle, and end like we we’re taught in school these works are supposed to have. For a Girl Becoming is a great example of this timelessness. Can discuss your thoughts about this concept of structure and time and why you seem to avoid it?
I’ve always had a sense of timelessness. It’s the time of the soul, which is, as you say, with no beginning, middle or end. As a young child I traveled extensively in dreams and those travels and what I found there formed the basis of my sense of time. I still travel and poetry and music and other creative projects give voice to what I find on the journey.
A lot of people might think that For a Girl Becoming is your first children’s book. But you were named Writer of the Year for children's books by the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers for your book The Good Luck Cat. How was writing this book different than your previous children’s book?
The Good Luck Cat also won other awards and continues to sell decently, despite no promotion. The Good Luck Cat is different because it’s a narrative, a story with a beginning, middle and end. For a Girl Becoming is more ceremonial, meant to literally bring the girl and the reader into an understanding, to celebration.
You’ve had a lot of success in different genres. When you sit down to write, do you think about genre at all?
…Sometimes yes, and sometimes no. I have a book due at Norton now that was contracted as a “memoir”. I’m rethinking that category and finding my own distinct way.
You seem like you’re always working on something: music, poetry, fiction, screenplays, children’s books, CDs. Does Joy Harjo ever get writer’s block?
I think of it as “writer is headed in the wrong direction and needs to stop and have some tea or coffee or walk around for some inspiration, start over, or go up, under, over or around”.
I heard that you’re working on a memoir. Is this true? If so, when will this be available and what will it look like?
I’m in the middle of it so can’t say much about it. I thought I had it more than half written, then scraped it. I’m in the “stop…go up, under, over and around” mode.
What writers are you currently reading and which writers do you think deserve more attention than they currently receive?
I am reading Sy Hoahwah’s new book of poetry Velroy and the Madische Mafia, Chris Abani’s novel, The Virgin of Flames, and various metaphysical texts. There are a few writers that I believe get more attention than they deserve, but I won’t name names! Brigit Pegeen Kelly is one of the finest poets out there and Leslie Silko remains one of the best novelists.
I know that you’re extremely involved in the community. Many charitable organizations have suffered tremendously because of today’s tough economy. One organization you support is Winona LaDuke's Honor the Earth. Can you talk about this group and how people can help support its causes?
I’ve known Winona for years and Honor the Earth is a direct outgrowth of her work and the work of many to connect our human behaviors with consequences of Earth destiny. Honor the Earth, like most other non-profits was hit hard by the economic downturn, but they continue to support grassroots projects that honor and take care of this place. I figure the Earth spirit must love us very much to take such good care of us. We must reciprocate or there will be no relationship.
What’s next for Joy Harjo?
New music, the “memoir”, poetry, traveling and performing, working on getting my one-woman show with music, Wings of Night Sky, Wings of Morning Light out there, and the continuation of the dream traveling.
For a Girl Becoming by Joy Harjo, illustrated by Mercedes McDonald (University of Arizona Press, October, 2009, 48 pages)
Check out Joy Harjo live in action in this Pause for Poetry video profile.
For more great interviews from the LA Books Examiner, check out the Author Interview Series.
Don't forget to subscribe to my emails and follow me on Twitter @LABooksExaminer for the latest updates on the site.
Comments
This is one of my favorite poets! She actually came to a writer's series at Hope College while I was there as a student and I got a book of hers that is one I still enjoy. Thanks for the interview on her new book - and on other poets and authors she enjoys, too.
Thank you for this great interview with Joy. She is a truly amazing woman with such a unique perspective. I am proud to be part of this project.
Thank you for your comments and reading the interview. Joy is not only a top talent today, she's a teacher and an activist -- the kind of artist whose work I love to share with the community.
Mercedes McDonald illustrations have warmth with the smooth blending of colors which catch your eye and make you really notice how much thought ,effort & talent she has to offer.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!