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'.

Who were some of the influential teachers mentioned by the speaker?

What is the significance of images in poetry according to the speaker?