I found my writing style by reading a ton of other poets’ work. I’ve really gotten into the slam poetry style, and I try to mix that style with other, more classical influences in order to create my own style.
So essentially I try to combine the styles of slam poets like Rudy Francisco and Derrick Brown with the styles of more classical poets like Anne Michaels and Michael Ondaatje, you know?
As far as phases…
When I first started out writing, I wrote a lot about ribcages and collarbones and flowery, lavender things. It was all sweet and fluttery but it didn’t really have a deeper meaning.
Next phase was darker, more fragmented writing, something like what you’d see with Matt Rasmussen or Richard Siken.
Last phase, the one I’m currently in, consists of the style I spoke about earlier: a mix of slam poetry with classical influences.
:)