Introducing Morag Anderson, a reflective poet whose journey into the literary world began as a deeply personal endeavour. Morag’s initial writings were not intended for an audience but served as cathartic expressions of suppressed emotions. Crafted with polysyllabic vocabulary and rigid structures, these early pieces were private vents that she revisited repeatedly, almost ritualistically, until she chose to liberate herself from their emotional hold by burning them. This act marked a significant turn in her life and creative process.
The transformation in Morag’s approach to writing was catalysed by her participation in the “Over-the-Edge” online writing workshop, led by the late Kevin Higgins. This platform introduced her to a global community of poets, reshaping her work through weekly prompts and a culture of generous, communal feedback. It was here that Morag found her voice and a supportive tribe that encouraged her evolution as a poet.
Morag’s creative process is intimately tied to the physical act of writing. She keeps notebooks and scraps of paper scattered around, capturing fleeting thoughts that might otherwise vanish. Her approach to poetry often starts with a profound emotion, sketching the outline of a poem on paper and enriching it with details pulled from her collected notes. Influenced by the poetic principle of telling “the truth but tell it slant,” Morag has learned to transform negative impulses into nuanced, reflective pieces.
Drawing strength from poets like Audre Lorde, whose words remind her that “your silence will not protect you,” Morag has grown in confidence, tackling difficult subjects with a newfound resilience. Her writing space in rural Scotland, though often lacking in sun-warmed days, provides a secluded environment conducive to creativity, far from digital distractions. This setting allows her to delve deeply into her work, crafting initial drafts by hand before transitioning them to digital formats for final polishing.
Morag’s poetry is not just a means of personal exploration but also a way to connect with the wider human experience. Her latest chapbook, And I Will Make of You a Vowel Sound, includes poems like Migration, which transformed from a poem of pain to one of love and release, revealing the profound personal insights that poetry can facilitate.
Morag Anderson’s work, influenced by the poetic landscapes of Dorianne Laux, Niall Campbell, and others, continues to resonate with readers, offering a voice that is both deeply personal and universally relevant. Through her poetic explorations, she invites us to reflect, understand, and perhaps find our own paths to emotional clarity.
‘I swoon at the furious beauty concealed in the wasteland of this wildflower wound.’
Morag Anderson, Falling for Bone