Today's featured writer for the Art of Poetry series said her writing is affected by classic "write-what-you-know syndrome" -- but she adds in some interesting techniques to keep it fresh and unique.
Kimberly Quiogue Andrews, a lecturer in Penn State's Department of English, will share her poems today at the Palmer Museum of Art. Admission is free and open to the public.
"Poetry tends to be a sort of autobiographical endeavor," Andrews said. "The challenge is making it interesting and differentiating yourself stylistically from the pile of people writing about themselves. That's been my particular challenge."
Andrews said she plans to read from her first book manuscript, which is an autobiographical exploration of her heritage. Her mother is Filipino.
"I spent eight weeks in the Philippines, and the book explores the weirdness of having two cultures come together in one family," Andrews said.
Andrews received her Master of Fine Arts in poetry from Penn State in 2009. Her poems have been featured in literary journals RHINO, Zoland, The Normal School and West Branch. She is currently a Pushcart Prize nominee and a past winner of Penn State's Academy of American Poets prizes.
Though her work is often inspired by her background, Andrews said she approaches the writing at different angles.
"In order to make it more interesting, I tend to employ various bizarre stylistic elements in order to keep it away from being sort of straight confessional," she said.
Dana Carlisle Kletchka, curator of education at Palmer, said she knew of Andrews' work and asked her to read for the series. The Art of Poetry series features emerging writers, providing a diversity of voices, she said.
Andrews, who has a theater background, promises an entertaining reading -- and she thinks the "beautiful setting" of the Palmer Museum will only benefit the reading.
"I read my work like I mean it, which I think is important," Andrews said. "Everyone should learn how to read their poetry. And it's very cool to have this sort of mingling of the arts. I think it'll be a good time."
