Poet, teacher Cathy Yatsco discusses her journey in writing

Cathy Yatsco began her writing career with a poem for her mother on Mother's Day many years ago.

Since then, she has grown into an avid writer of nonfiction, fiction and poetry, and she was featured during the Piccolo Spoleto Sundown Poetry Series. Her involvement as both teacher and student with the Citadel's Lowcountry Writing Project has accelerated her love for writing, and it has been a part of her life for over two decades.

Q: How do the writing processes between journalism and creative writing compare?

A: Writing is a creative process. The steps in the process are basically the same for any piece: Rough out the general idea, refine the expression, check usage and grammar, share the perfected piece.

Objectives may differ. The nonfiction pieces I write, like book reviews or articles on gardening, aging and women's issues, focus on disseminating information and fact. They involve a step of research. The fiction pieces and the poems are hatched in my imagination. They may examine issues and answer questions about life, but the method of delivery is fanciful.

Q: Tell us about your involvement with the Citadel's Lowcountry Writing Project.

A: The English Department at the Citadel has been involved with the National Writing Project for ten years. The Lowcountry Writing Project has evolved and prospered, offering writing courses to teachers across all grade levels and all content areas. Its goal is two-fold: to teach teachers to teach students to write as a way of active learning and to encourage teachers themselves to write for creative expression, for personal insight and for better teaching practice.

The Lowcountry Writing Project is planning its participation in the National Day on Writing in association with the National Council of Teachers of English. Activities are scheduled for Oct. 20.

Q: Do your approaches to writing poetry and fiction differ?

A: Poetry and prose share lyrical qualities, importance of image and intensity of expression. However, poetry turns on the success of using sound devices and rhythm. Poetry needs to be heard, not just seen, for it affects the listener as music does.

I read aloud everything I write so that my ears hear what my eyes may miss. Reading a piece out loud is the most critical step a poet can take.

Q: What advice would you offer amateur writers in the area?

A: Put yourself in the company of people who write. I have belonged to writers' circles in the Charleston area and The Center for Women's Writers' Forum.

Seek out opportunities to listen to literature in the Lowcountry. Go to presentations by writers affiliated with the Lowcountry Initiative for the Literary Arts. Go to open mike nights. Use the microphone to try out your work.

To participate in the Citadel's Lowcountry Writing Project, visit http://www.citadel.edu/writingproject.