Rennie McQuilkin - Teachers Make a Difference

The speaker shares their journey from being the least musical in a musical family to finding a passion for writing poetry. Initially using poetry to fit into family gatherings, the speaker's interest grew during their teaching career. They emphasize the influence of a writing group and mentors who taught them the importance of imagery over abstract ideas in poetry. The speaker believes that poetry should evoke images rather than focus on words, drawing inspiration from works like Hemingway's 'The Old Man and the Sea'.

What motivated the narrator to start writing poetry?

• A desire to impress their family

• A lack of musical talent

• A school assignment

• A friend's suggestion

How did the narrator's writing career evolve during their teaching years?

• They wrote only during holidays

• They stopped writing completely

• They focused solely on teaching

• They balanced teaching and writing

What did the narrator learn from their writing group?

• Poetry should be abstract

• Imagery is crucial in poetry

• Poetry is about complex words

• Writing is a solitary activity

Which literary figure does the narrator reference to emphasize the importance of imagery?

• Ernest Hemingway

• Emily Dickinson

• William Shakespeare

• Robert Frost

According to the narrator, what should a poem leave you with?

• A sense of images

• A sense of rhythm

• A sense of rhyme

• A sense of words