Cary Broussard interviews creative writer Poppy Sundeen - also known as "Poppywriter."
Cary talks with Poppy about her work with developing new writers. Poppy helps writers find their voice on the written page/computer keyboard. Poppy’s new book THY NEIGHBOR is based on her work as co-founder of the Writers’ Workshop at The Stewpot (https://www.thestewpot.org), serving the street community in downtown Dallas. THY NEIGHBOR is a stunning collection of original writings and artwork by the talented artists and writers of The Stewpot's Art Program and Writers Workshop.
This amazing, beautiful book can be purchased for $30 at https://www.thestewpot.org/thyneighbor
If you've ever wanted a glimpse into the experiences and perspectives of the homeless, this book provides stunning writing and artwork that will quite frankly blow your mind.
In her two-decade-plus career, Poppy Sundeen has won more than 100 advertising creative awards, including Clios, Addys and the Adweek Southwest Creative All-Stars Most Valuable Player, working on American Heart Association, Carlson Restaurants (T.G.I.Friday’s), Dallas Museum of Art, Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, la Madeleine, Texas Health Resources and many others.
Poppy with her fellow volunteer associates think about the creative talents of people living on the street and use their professionall expertise to teach writing skills and empower individuals to write with confidence, to tell their stories and write articles for publications and more. Fortunately, for our listeners, Poppy shares writing tips from which all writers can benefit. See in show notes below:
Cary and Poppy discuss AI and its effect on writers, how homeless is getting worse and if it's acceptable for someone to live on the streets. Whether you live in Dallas, anywhere in the United States or elsewhere, homeless is a societal issue that we all encounter - we hope you find inspiration through Cary Broussard's conversation with Poppy Sundeen to see the creative potential in everyone including yourself.
10 Tips for Writing a Strong Essay
1) Stick to one clear theme.
Make sure your essay addresses one main idea so your writing stays focused and easy to follow.
2) Start each paragraph with a “focus sentence.”
This is a short line that tells the reader what the paragraph will be about. Ex: “My favorite place to think is the bus stop on Main Street.”
3) Rearrange your paragraphs to improve flow.
Sometimes a piece becomes clearer just by moving one paragraph earlier or later. Try different orders until the story feels natural and easy to follow.
4) Use simple, direct sentences.
Clear and honest beats complicated every time. If a line doesn’t sound like something you’d say out loud, try rewriting it so it feels more authentic.
5) Show, don’t just tell.
Try saying something without actually saying it. Ex: Instead of saying “I was scared,” describe what happened: “My hands shook when I reached for the door.” This helps readers feel what you felt.
6) Read your work out loud.
Your ear will catch things your eyes don’t—missing words, awkward phrasing, or sentences that are too long.
7) Don’t worry about perfection on the first try.
Start messy. You can always clean it up later. The important thing is getting the thoughts down.
8) Use specifics instead of general statements.
“Food was served” is vague. “They handed me a bowl of warm chili” paints a picture.
9) Keep your reader oriented.
If the story jumps in time or place, give a quick clue: “A year earlier…” or “Later that night…”
10) End with something that “lands.”
This can be a final thought, a strong image, or a sentence that circles back to the beginning.
Acknowledgements for Thy Neighbor: Brenda Snitzer, Executive Director of The Stewpot; Suzanne Erikson, Senior Director, Stewpot Programs; Betty Heckman, Director, Stewpot Enrichment Programs; Wendy Rojo, STREETZine Magazine Editor; Writers' Workshop Editors: Bill McKenzie, Poppy Sundeen and Dee Leone; Portrait Photography: Jesse Hornbuckle; Book Design by Les Kerr.
