Lines that last: Poet and novelist Kim Addonizio challenges a young writer to listen more closely to her work
Senior creative writing major Ema Bekic reflects on receiving one-on-one feedback from award-winning poet Kim Addonizio—and how the experience sharpened her voice on the page.
Kim Addonizio
When senior Creative Writing major Ema Bekic sat down with poet and novelist Kim Addonizio, she wasn’t just meeting a writer she’d long admired—she was inviting a stranger to step directly into the heart of her creative process.
Bekic had submitted several poems for review ahead of Addonizio’s visit to Interlochen Arts Academy. When she learned her work had been selected for a one-on-one feedback session, Bekic was thrilled at the chance to run her poems by a published author.
“We had about 30 minutes together and we went over each poem line by line,” Bekic says. “She gave me edits, told me what was working, and pointed out places where I could push further. It helped me bring those poems to a more final draft state.”
For Bekic, who has been drawn to creative writing since childhood—when she was known for spinning elaborate stories for her family—the experience felt both grounding and affirming.
“As I grew older, I discovered a love for words as a way of creating worlds,” she says. Addonizio’s visit was an opportunity for Bekic to see what makes a writer great—and how deepened skills can lead to a fulfilling life in the arts.
Learning from a poet who listens closely
An acclaimed poet, novelist, and teacher, Kim Addonizio is the author of more than a dozen books, including nine poetry collections. Her work has earned honors from the Guggenheim Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, and her collection Tell Me was a finalist for the National Book Award. Her most recent poetry collection, Exit Opera, was published by W.W. Norton.
During her visit to Interlochen, Addonizio worked with creative writing students through workshops, interviews, and individual feedback sessions. She offered valuable insights into how an established poet approaches revision, sound, and meaning on the page.
“In my poetry, she really helped me distinguish between different subjects and know how far to take a metaphor,” Bekic says. “She talked a lot about syntax and the sonic quality of each line—how it actually sounds when you read it out loud.”
Beyond her technical insights, Bekic was struck by Addonizio’s presence as a storyteller and speaker.
“She has such a presence in a room,” Bekic says. “When she started talking, I couldn’t help but listen. She has so many interesting anecdotes and such a colorful way of speaking. She’s the kind of person where you know you’re going to learn some kind of life lesson, no matter what she’s sharing.”
As a student editor for The Interlochen Review, Interlochen Arts Academy's annual literary magazine, Bekic experienced even more of Addonizio’s depth while interviewing her for the magazine.
“Interviewing her was such a surreal experience,” Bekic says. “She has so much experience in the poetry world, and she had so many different pieces of advice to share.”
Bekic also attended Addonizio’s public reading with jazz and blues guitarist Danny Caron—a hybrid performance that blended poetry and live music.
“That was probably one of my favorite readings I’ve attended while at Interlochen,” Bekic says. “She read her poetry while Danny played guitar, and at one point she even pulled out a harmonica. Seeing how she collaborates with other artists was really inspiring.”
For Bekic, the performance highlighted the many ways a writing life can take shape—on the page, onstage, and beyond traditional boundaries.
Carrying the work forward
As Bekic prepares to graduate, she plans to study international relations and journalism, with hopes of becoming a foreign correspondent. Poetry, she says, will always remain part of her life.
“I don’t think I’ll ever stop writing poetry,” Bekic says. “It’s such a meaningful way to express myself. With all of the experiences I’ve gained, I’ve found a love for it that I don’t think can ever be taken away.”
Looking back, Bekic sees Addonizio’s visit as a highlight of her time at Interlochen.
“Overall, it was an amazing experience—one of those things that will stick with me for the rest of my life,” she says. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget getting to meet with Kim one-on-one, hear her story, and get her advice.”
At Interlochen Arts Academy, visiting writers like Kim Addonizio offer so much more than editorial feedback. They help young writers learn how to listen more closely to their own creative voices, and trust where those voices might lead.
Students at Interlochen Arts Academy receive world-class artistic training alongside college-preparatory academics. Learn more about creative writing at Arts Academy.