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Jordan is a senior in the English with a specialization in writing program at the University of Michigan-Flint. He\u2019s graduating with a bachelor\u2019s degree in spring, 2019. However, he didn\u2019t wait to get his degree before diving into publishing. He\u2019s an accomplished writer already, winning the Sharon Naught poetry award and publishing a collection of his poetry titled: Nature of the Machine: A Short Story Encoded within Poetry\u201d in 2017. Not only has he been a tutor, but he\u2019s also lead writer\u2019s groups and workshops, helping others pursue their writing dreams, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not often that someone has the stick-to-itiveness to do what Jordan has. I asked him what inspired him to write his poetry collection. He said, \u201cWell\u2026 words in poetry have a way of saying what others can’t express, or it can offer a connection someone needs. Writing, in general, can give a reader the words they sometimes can\u2019t find for themselves.\u201d Jordan is passionate about helping others, and his writing seems to be a vehicle to both satisfy his own writing curiosity, but also others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His book of poetry indeed has a story behind it. He revealed that \u201cit\u2019s a story to spread awareness about invisible illnesses. This is the best way possible to give an outsider a way to experience it.\u201d According to the description for his book: \u201cNature of the Machine\u2026\u201d it’s an exploration of hauntingly beautiful words that gives readers a chance to read poetry through the stanzas of someone living with mental illness, the dysfunction it can be to relationships, and both the bitter and fragile moments caused by its mechanical nature.\u201d Some of his poetry is intentionally hard to read, given the spacing or even code that it\u2019s written in. Still, it\u2019s this intention towards difficulty that makes the poems even more poignant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which is your favorite? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2019Precipitate\u2019. I like when it\u2019s read. Something about the flow of it, the way it plays out on the tongue. Fun fact: I wrote it on my phone while waiting in the parking lot before work.\u201d It\u2019s moments like this that I can see a writer at work. He notices details even in the waiting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I asked him what advice he\u2019d give someone who wants to be a\nwriter: \u201cDon\u2019t think about your writing while writing. I am my own worst\nchallenge when it comes to writing. My wife actually gave me some great advice\nthat I use. She said, \u2018Don\u2019t judge your writing until the next day.\u2019 Sometimes,\nI have to convince myself that my work is well-done. I have to give myself\npermission to feel proud. Yet, I\u2019ve learned that all writing is practice. It\ndoesn\u2019t matter if it\u2019s a text message or a class assignment or grocery list.\nIt\u2019s all worthwhile. It can be beautiful. It just depends on the way you look\nat it.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jordan says that in 20 years he hopes to be \u201cblooming…a\nhome for squirrels and birds to build their nests.\u201d Again, a witty end to our\nconversation, and hopefully a very long, successful journey for this writer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n