Several times a month we connect with our contributors showing where they have been, where they are now, and what’s up for the future.
Name: Heather Frankland
Title of Pieces Published in Sweet: “Dangle“
Issues: 13.2
Find Her:
You can find Heather in New Mexico teaching at WNMU. She grew up in Muncie, Indiana and she holds an M.F.A. and a M.P.H. from New Mexico State University.
What are some major accomplishments you have had since your Sweet publication?
I am active in the literary community in Silver City, and acted as chair of the poet laureate selection committee for our new poet laureate! I also am a professor, and I was able to do a special project for National Poetry Month with my composition students–one class worked with the then-local poet laureate (Eve West Bessier) and another class worked with landscape painter (Meghan Wilbar). Samples of their work were celebrated and published on the Western New Mexico University page as well the Humanities Department’s social media. I was invited to be one of the readers/poets for the first-ever poetry event celebrating Southern New Mexico Poets, Poetas del Sur–hosted by the then-Silver City poet laureate (Eve) and the NM state poet laureate (Levi Romero). I have been part of a book project that Meghan Wilbar (landscape painter and long-time friend) started during the pandemic. That project will be displayed at her next gallery show in Denver in October.
Can you tell us about a current/ongoing project that you’re excited about?
I am excited about the landscape work that Meghan and I have been doing. We have enjoyed working so much with each other in this art-to-art dialogue about landscape that we have decided to continue our collaboration. In the fall, we plan on doing another collaboration.
Who is your favorite author?
Hard question! I love W.B. Yeats–he was my gateway into poetry. I also love Julia Alvarez, Alice Hoffman, and Ada Limon.
What is your favorite poem/essay/book?
Another hard question! I love Naomi Shihab Nye’s two poems: Kindness and Gate A-4–deep messages on the strength of kindness and compassion that I think more people need to read.
What inspires you to write?
I love words and stories. I have been writing creatively ever since I could literally write. It is a central part of who I am, and I can’t imagine who I would be without writing.
What are you reading right now?
I am reading, “Leaving Isn’t the Hardest Thing,” by Lauren Hough.
What is your favorite sweet? We would love for you to share a recipe or link to place that serves it. Pictures are great, too!
I love so many sweets! The family kolaches that we make for special occasions that acknowledge our Czech roots (but I have yet to master this one). I bake delicious coffee cake and apple crisp, and I love cupcakes with lots of icing!
Want to learn more about kolaches? Feeling Foodish has a great history as well as a recipe to try.
Thank you, Heather, for taking the time to reconnect with us. We look forward to seeing more of your work in the future!
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