Meet the Poet: D. L. Finn

Posted byColleen M. ChesebroPosted inMeet the PoetTags:, , , , , , ,

Welcome to Meet the Poet, a Word Craft Poetry feature written to introduce you to the poets in our writing community. This is a way to get to more about the poet and their work. Did you know many of our poets are accomplished fiction and non-fiction authors? Some of our poets are also artists, crafting their magic through watercolors or other artistic means along with the written word.

At least once a month, I’ll be introducing you to the poets in our community! Grab a cup of tea or coffee, and meet the poet!

Our first guest is D. L. Finn, aka Denise Finn.

D. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include children’s books, adult fiction, a unique autobiography, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.

Amazon.com

Hello Denise. I’m so glad you’re here.

Hi Colleen. Thanks for having me stop by.

Denise, you’ve been writing poetry for a couple of years now on the #TankaTuesday challenges. What is your favorite syllabic form, and why is it your favorite? 

I like many forms for different reasons, but since my first attempt with syllabic poetry was with a haiku that holds a special place in my poetic heart. I love the challenge of putting an image into three short lines. Focusing on nature is a favorite pastime of mine.

 The runner-ups are tanka, haibun, and butterfly cinquain.

Not long ago, I saw a post that said you were making gift calendars from your photos and poetry. Can you describe your process? Do you use any apps or special programs? Who does the printing for the calendar? Please add anything else you think would help other poets create their own calendars.

Making calendars started several years ago following some photography classes I took in college. After my classes were done, I was looking for a good reason to continue taking my nature photos beyond sitting in photo albums or on my phone. 

© D. L. Finn, Poet & Author

So, I came up with making a calendar using my nature shots and sending it out as my holiday gift to family and friends. It was a big hit for many years, but I felt like it was getting old. I was going to stop doing it when I came up with a new idea to add haikus to my photos. This allowed me to blend two things I love doing, taking pictures and writing poetry. This will be my second year of doing haiku calendars for friends and family.

© D. L. Finn

It is a simple process for me. I combine my photos and text on Canva. I can spend hours finding just the right text for the words. I learned after last year to make it the right size for the calendar, which is 11 inches x 8 inches, so I don’t run into issues later with the text.

I’ve used Costco to print and ship these calendars because the quality is so good, and it’s simple for me. I plan to investigate a cost-effective way of doing it next year and making it available on my website. I have been considering expanding to more items than calendars and perhaps trying to sell them locally at first. I know Canva offers this service, although I haven’t tried it yet. Esty is something I’m going to explore too.

I think your photographic haiga calendars would be a huge hit! I know I’ll be interested in purchasing a calendar like that for my home. So with that in mind, what are your goals as a poet?

 I don’t have any goals as a poet other than to put out a book here and there and do challenges. That’s what I like about poetry, that I can enjoy what I do putting no pressure on myself, unlike when I write a novel. It’s a place where I can process my emotions and the things I see. My creativity is allowed to roam when I write poetry in any form, even on the back of a Harley, which I included in my verse book, Just Her Poetry.

Poems are a place where I am fully allowed just to be me, and why I included poetry in my memoir, No Fairy Tale.

I agree. Poetry gives us the opportunity to share some of ourselves with others. Does your poetry writing help you in your novel-writing process?

When I write poetry, I’m showing what I’m feeling or seeing. It’s done with limited words, so I must carefully choose each word I use. When I write a novel, I think about this and try to make each word count and “show” instead of telling like I do when writing poetry. I’ve found poetry, especially symbolism, has expanded my world when I write stories. I tend to be wordy and use the same old word repeatedly. Plus, I’m guilty of telling and over-showing, especially in my first drafts or earlier stories. 

Poetry provides a good foundation for writing scenes in a story. There is nothing I love more than to see a beautifully described moment when I’m reading. Poetry is woven into that, and that’s what I strive to accomplish in my work. I think this is so important that I’ve written posts about it on my blog and over on Story Empire where I also write.

© D. L. Finn on her Harley

Thanks so much for stopping by to share your poetry calendar idea with us, Denise. I can’t wait to see one of your calendars finished. What a great idea for poets to share their poetry. You get a gold ⭐️ for creativity!

Learn more about this poet by visiting her blog and the links below:

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Pinterest

D.L. Finn blog

Amazon

Thanks for stopping by to learn more about poet, D.L. Finn. Remember books make excellent gifts. ❤

Published by Colleen M. Chesebro

An avid reader, Colleen M. Chesebro rekindled her love of writing poetry after years spent working in the accounting industry. These days, she loves crafting syllabic poetry, flash fiction, and creative fiction and nonfiction. In addition to poetry books, Chesebro’s publishing career includes participation in various anthologies featuring short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. She’s an avid supporter of her writing community on Word Craft Poetry.com by organizing and sponsoring a weekly syllabic poetry challenge, called #TankaTuesday, where participants experiment with traditional and current forms of Japanese and American syllabic poetry. Chesebro is an assistant editor of The Congress of the Rough Writers Flash Fiction Anthology & Gitty Up Press, a micro-press founded by Charli Mills and Carrot Ranch. In January 2022, Colleen founded Unicorn Cats Publishing Services to assist poets and authors in creating eBooks and print books for publication. In addition, she creates affordable book covers for Kindle and print books. Chesebro lives in the house of her dreams in mid-Michigan surrounded by the Great Lakes with her husband and two (unicorn) cats, Chloe & Sophie.

126 thoughts on “Meet the Poet: D. L. Finn”

  2. Thank you for having me here today, Colleen 🙂 I love talking poetry and was thrilled to get the chance on your beautiful and inspiring blog. xo

    Liked by 3 people

  5. Denise is one of my favorite people, and I would recommend her stories and poetry to everyone. I wonder if she’s looked to see if Amazon has books in the 8.5 x 11 size. If so, she might want to try selling her calendars there. Thanks for showcasing her today, Colleen! 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Yvette, you are one of my favorite people too:) Your recommendation means a lot to me. I could look into that and see if it would work, thanks! Xo

      Liked by 1 person

  7. How lovely to see Denise featured today! Thank you, Colleen, and congratulations, Denise. This was a wonderful cyber chat! All kinds of smiles….😊

    Liked by 3 people

  15. Such a joy to read, Denise and Colleen! I love that you share your work this way, Denise. What a treat to receive in the mail. If/when you open an Etsy shop, I’m happy to help in any way. Cheers to you both! 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Natalie 🙂 I love eorking on it and sharing it too. I appreciate the offer of help. I will definitely keep that in mind.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Thank you, Natalie 🙂 I love working on it and sharing it too. I appreciate the offer of help. I will definitely keep that in mind.

      Liked by 2 people

  16. What a fabulous interview with Denise! I love the idea of turning the haiku into art forms and agree that Etsy is a great avenue to explore. Thank you for hosting, Colleen, and best wishes to Denise!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Jan 🙂 Haikus offer so many possibilities with the artform side and have quickly become part of my passion. I think it’s a good place to explore soon.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. A lovely interview, Denise and Colleen. I’m so glad you both touched on the haiku calendar again. That’s such an awesome idea. I always enjoy Denise’s poetry for Tanka Tuesday, as well as the poems in her book. Happy Writing!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Diana:) It makes me happy you enjoy the poetry. Yay! The calendars are fun for me finding the right combo. Happy writing.

      Liked by 2 people

  20. Pingback: Smorgasbord Blogger Weekly – December 3rd 2021 – #RoundUp Carol Taylor, #Christmas Donna Parker, #Guest The Story Reading Ape, #Children’sbooks Jennie Fitzkee, #Guest Colleen Chesebro with D.L. Finn | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine

  21. Loved learning more about Denise here. I just added her poetry memoir to my Amazon list, right up my alley. So great to see Denise here today. Congrats!!! ❤

    Liked by 2 people

      1. No doubts Denise. My Sunday Book Review tomorrow is supposed to be for your Tree Fairies. Because I’ve had nightmares, moving my blog over and luckily came upon a compassionate WP engineer, he’s advised me not to blog there til Tuesday. I already have my review posted on GR and Amazon.ca ❤

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Yay! Thank you, Debby 🙂 Happy you enjoyed meeting fairies. Sorry about all the blog issues you are having but glad you got some good advice. Xo

          Liked by 2 people

    1. Oh, my goodness! It’s my greatest pleasure to host and introduce the poets from my challenge to everyone. They are all so talented. Denise’s calendar idea is a hit! I hope she makes them for sale! ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Thank you for sharing the very interesting interview with Denise! I think this haiga calendars are another good idea. Psst: Now I have to check again what meter a Haiga has. 😉 Oh, this poetry! I am sure i wil never learn. But its wonderful to read. Have a beautiful weekend! xx Michael

    Liked by 2 people

  28. Thank you, Michael:) The picture of the trees is a haiga from the calendar. It’s a Haiku. You have a beautiful weekend too!

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Wow! I enjoyed reading of your adventures in writing. I have, like you always seen poetry (though I share on my blog) a personal and none pressure outlet to express myself. I’m not very techy. I also enjoy photography. However I have not been able to figure out how to incorportate the two – Tech issues. My hubby is very protective of our computers… and I don’t even think my latest PC has everything it should because he thinks some of the set up/ instillation is too personal to share. I’ll live. For the moment I’ll just putter along. I think one of these days I’m going to get something like the Geek squad to help. With all that said – just last week we did have to get some adjustments from our protection program because I’d been hacked by some false company claiming that they would shut me down if I didn’t call their number to properly install their protections.

    Continued success in all you do! ~Jules

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Jules 🙂 I love all Poetry offers us. Yes, the tech side of computers is challenging. We do need to be careful, I’ve been hacked too but love the world they open up to us. Canva is pretty easy to use and offers their photos or you can use your own.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Isn’t that brilliant. Expand your mind and visualize other places your poetry could go. I’d love to make “senryu” coffee cups… the snarkier the funnier! LOL! 😀

      Like

      1. Yeah that’s also an amazing idea. I’d like one of those as well.
        I’ve left something for tanka Tuesday btw.

        Liked by 1 person

  31. Yay! Thank you, Debby 🙂 Happy you enjoyed meeting fairies. Sorry about all the blog issues you are having but glad you got some good advice. Xo

    Liked by 1 person

  32. Pingback: #TankaTuesday #Poetry Stars No. xxx | #SpecificForm: tanka prose | Word Craft: Prose & Poetry

  33. Hi Denise and Colleen, what a great interview. It’s so nice to meet you here Denise and get to know you better. I am often inspired by your poetry.
    This is such a good way to get to know each other Colleen, thank you 💜

    Liked by 2 people

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