About the Second Act

of a Recovering Drama Queen

Poetry. Theater. Nature.

I’ve been on Substack for a year and a half, exploring how this platform might differ from the blogs I'd written for decades. The move to Substack, with its option for "paid subscribers", has prompted me to reflect deeply on what feels right for me—what supports my poetry and playwriting goals, and what is worth your precious time. Over time, I’ve come to appreciate the shift from writing purely for personal reflection to publishing with readers in mind, crafting work that resonates and engages without relying on an editor to curate my choices.

During this year and a half, I’ve also been updating Finding My Bearings Now, a raw and unedited account of navigating life after a breast cancer diagnosis. Writing that diary has helped me reflect deeply on personal experiences while offering support to others navigating their own health challenges. It has been a grounding space, providing me with the clarity to approach Acts of a Recovering Drama Queen with an increasingly professional focus.

This platform has shown me how my authentic interests—some of which once seemed unrelated—have converged. Poetry and nature’s metaphors have always been central to my work, but I’ve come to see how deeply they intersect with theater. Aristotle defines poetry as mimesis—a reflection of nature—and he saw theater as the embodiment of this principle. We understand the natural world through human metaphors and the human world through nature’s metaphors. And, unlike other art forms, theater exists only in the present tense—expressed by living, breathing human bodies, in a shared space. Also in this way, are nature and theater inseparable.

My time on this platform, as both a reader and a writer, has given me a clearer sense of direction. With that, I’m excited to relaunch Acts of a Recovering Drama Queen with a new name, new features, and a clearer focus. Welcome to Dramatic Roots.

Dramatic Roots explores the links between theater, poetry, and nature, offering weekly essays and poems, monthly audio performances, and engaging writing exercises.

What’s Changing after December 29th, 2024:

1. A Seasonal Approach

My earlier research phase—diving into the world of wasps and the life of the Baroness—has come to an end. Going forward, I’ll focus on the transitions between research, storytelling, and crafting plays and poetry. This Substack will reflect the creative seasons of my work—some periods immersed in research, others focused on writing and refining, and even moments of sharing completed work. This cyclical approach will offer variety, balancing information, process, and inspiration.

2. What All Subscribers Receive

• Weekly Process Journal Essays (with Audio): Insights into craft and the “leaping work” of poetry, exploring the journey from raw material to finished art.

• Weekly Poems (with Audio): Poems that illuminate the human experience and invite reflection.

• The Monthly Run-Through: A dynamic newsletter featuring brief meditations on nature, the performing and visual arts, and literature, a monthly audio performance of a monologue or dialogue, and a writing exercise that includes an invitation for you to share your own reflections and experiences.

3. Expanded Offerings for Paid Subscribers

• Micro-Mentoring: As a teaching artist, mentoring has always been a vital part of my work. Paid subscribers will receive personalized guidance, including feedback on up to four pages per month. This service is available in English or Norwegian.

• Biweekly Writing Exercises: Unlike prompts, which offer a starting point, these exercises provide structured frameworks for developing your craft.

• Access to the Subscriber-Only Chat: A welcoming space for readers, poets, playwrights, and theater enthusiasts to connect and exchange ideas. Together, we can share and discuss inspiring articles, reviews, and creative content, fostering a collaborative and enriching environment.

4. Special Benefits for Yearly Subscribers and Patrons

Yearly subscribers and patrons will receive a PDF version of my next poetry collection. Patrons’ support helps me dedicate more time to writing and expands the scope of my projects—supporting actors, technicians, editors, and designers who contribute to new productions and publications. Patrons’ names will also be credited in future Mad Orphan Lit. projects.

Why Now?

These changes reflect my commitment to keeping this space meaningful for both of us. They’re about balancing creative expression with offering real value to you, my readers.

What Stays the Same:

The heart of this Substack remains unchanged: thoughtful writing, honest perspectives, and explorations of the connections between theater, poetry, and the natural world. I’ll continue to examine the innovative ideas of 20th-century theater practitioners—from Artaud’s Theatre of Cruelty to Brecht’s Epic Theatre—and their relevance in contemporary storytelling.

Whether you’ve been with me since the beginning or have just joined, I’m deeply grateful for your support. Let’s continue exploring the world together. I am ready to grow!

Warmly,

Not ready for a paid subscription, but want to thank me for the inspiration?
You can treat me to a soy latte here, and I would be much obliged. ❤️