Isn’t It Worth It?: An Interview with Café MFA’s Ashley Werner About Her Recently Released Poetry Collection
Café MFA was honored to sit down with Ashley Werner, our very own associate editor, to chat about her newly published poetry collection. Isn’t It Worth It? was published by Bottlecap Press just before the New Year.
Café MFA: Tell us about the process of writing this collection, when did you start and “finish?”
Ashley Werner: This collection started during my undergrad at Roanoke College. During the process of getting my BA in Creative Writing, I took two poetry workshops and several of my creative writing classes focused on generating poetry. My senior seminar assignment was to create a chapbook, the first draft of Isn’t It Worth It?, which incorporated revised versions of poems I had written throughout my four years there. Over the past couple years, I’ve worked on it on-and-off, removing and adding poems. I only “finished” it this past October before I sent it to Bottlecap Press. They’re a small press, so I did have to cut two poems from the collection, but I’m very happy with it.
Café MFA: Where did the inspiration for this work come from? What was your intent with writing it?
Ashley: My inspiration for most of my poetry comes from lived experience. I used this collection as part of my process of grief–both from heartbreak and loss. During my freshman year of undergrad, I lost my maternal grandfather, my Poppop, and it hit me hard (it still does sometimes). Poetry allowed a healthy outlet for my grief and rage at his loss.
I also wanted to give tribute to my past crushes and loves as well as my fiancé, who showers me in waves of love every day. I wouldn’t be who I am now without all of them.
Café MFA: What was your favorite part of writing and compiling this collection? What was the easiest?
Ashley: My favorite part was during the seminar, we had workshops and my classmates and I really hyped each other up. “The Blonde Downfall” was a big hit with them and I got to gush about my crush at the time. The easiest part was finding the theme as it followed my own journey and I want to share that, showing that it's okay to hold seemingly conflicting emotions in your life.
Café MFA: Similarly, what was your least favorite part of writing this collection? What did you struggle most with?
Ashley: I struggled a lot with trying to write a “good enough” tribute to my Poppop, nothing felt right. The order of poems–especially which would be the first–changed a lot over the years.
Café MFA: What was the experience of working through the publication process like? Do you have any tips or recommendations for young writers looking to get published?
Ashley: It was rough, not going to lie. I just kept submitting to chapbook contests and open calls. At one point, I couldn’t justify spending money on rejections, so I stopped sending it as a collection, but kept trying to send individual poems out. Being at American University gave me more confidence and I started sending Isn’t It Worth It? out again.
My advice is to keep trying. It’s okay to take a break if you need it, but it’s important to try again once you’re ready.
Café MFA: The cover of this collection is so beautiful! Can you tell me about the symbolism of the wreath and apple?
Ashley: The wreath is supposed to represent ones you usually see at funerals or weddings. The apple symbolizes choice, and the influence being raised Catholic has on me.
Café MFA: Do you have anything to share in general with young writers and first year MFA students about putting together a collection and getting it out into the world?
Ashley: Find the answers to these questions: Why do you write poetry? In your personal poetry, what themes are you exploring? Can you find an emotional through-line that a reader could follow?
Café MFA: What are you working on next?
Ashley: My fiction thesis, a novel about a group of people fleeing their war-torn country; as well as, another chapbook of poems based on tarot cards.
Ashley’s collection is a brilliant testament to the power of the poetic, especially as a way to express emotions and turn them into something compelling that others can engage with. We here at Café MFA are so proud of her work! Ashley was also kind enough to share a few works from this collection with us.
“Love Worries”:
My love for you used to be a gushing faucet,
now only a steady drip…
Content
Settle
Two words I never wanted to describe our relationship.
But in the back of my troubled mind,
in the bottom of my ravenous heart
I can feel them.
I lay in bed, crying myself to sleep,
wondering what will break us first.
From “Memories”:
Memories, sparking my heart and mind
flurries of dreams and nightmares so intense
I might go insane;
so,
I write.
You can visit Bottlecap Press’ website here to purchase your own copy of Isn’t It Worth It?
