Samantha Lee Curran
founder/editor-in-chief of trash to treasure lit
How would you describe your writing practice?
My writing practice is sporadic, chaotic, unpredictable. It usually starts with a thought, either a line of poetry or a storyline or feeling, and then I frantically write that down in my notes app before it fades from my mind. Then I go back to those ideas later and build them up into a piece of writing. Other times, a poem will flow out of me and I can get it down in minutes. Or I will have ideas that sit there for months and I get to them when I feel I have the story or emotional capacity inside of me to write it.
What is the biggest thing that stops you from submitting work to lit mags/journals/publications?
I think the biggest thing is when I see in the submission guidelines "send us your best work!" As an editor, I understand this, but as a writer, it makes me doubt if anything I've written - or was going to submit - is my best work, if it is good enough for the publication.
Do you think the writing industry has an impact on your confidence in your work (good or bad)? Why?
I think it does, good and bad. It has been good because I have met so many amazing and encouraging writers, I have learnt a lot and have become a better writer for it. However, it can have a negative impact on my confidence just from getting beaten down by rejection after rejection (although I know that is the nature of submitting), and feeling like my 'best work' will not be up to the standards of others to receive acceptances.
When do you start to doubt a piece that you are working on?
I start to doubt a piece when it's difficult to get it out, when it's not flowing. While this doesn't necessarily mean that it won't turn out well, it just means that the feelings might not be as authentic as the piece deserves.
Once you trash one of your pieces, what makes you come back to it (if ever)?
There have been many pieces that I've trashed in the past that I've come back to. I think I came back to them because I either felt more confident as a writer, or I was ready to tell the story when I wasn't before.
How many pieces do think you have currently in your 'abandoned' folder?
Maybe only a couple are in the 'point of no return' folder. I think I still have faith in most of my pieces, whether this is misguided or not.
What is the ultimate reason that you trash your work?
The ultimate reason would be that the piece isn't saying anything, it has no real emotion or story to it.
Is there anything that would stop you from trashing your work? (More education in writing, more publications/less rejections, a change in the industry, etc)
I never studied creative writing formally, so maybe that would help save some pieces from the trash can. Of course, more acceptances would be incredible, but that isn't something you can guarantee. Honestly, more encouragement and praise from other writers would be the push that I need.
What writing advice have you been given that has changed your perspective on how you treat/view your work?
Not necessarily advice, but every time I put something out, post a poem or something is published, someone reaches out to say that the piece helped them, or they felt seen, or they had an emotional response to it, and that's all I can ask for. That my work is appreciated by even one person.
If you have any upcoming work (books, publications, features, art, etc), feel free to mention them here, so that we can support you!
I have finally finished my second poetry manuscript titled ‘exposure to existence’ and have been submitting it to publishers, so I am hopeful that will be picked up soon! I have a residency in France in February 2023 that I have been looking forward to since 2020. Also other pieces that I've submitted to some mags so, we shall see! You can check out my published pieces at https://samanthaleecurran.com.au/Published-Works
Samantha Lee Curran is a published author, poet, writer and founder/editor of trash to treasure lit. Her first poetry collection, As The Seasons Pass By was published in 2018, and her second collection ‘exposure to existence’ is on its way. Her work has been published through Stereo Stories, Anaerkillik, Mamamia, SourCherry Mag, Witch Way Magazine, among others. Samantha was chosen as a Vessels of Love poet for the City of Sydney poetry event and she is attending an Artist's Residency in France in 2023. When she’s not writing (or trying to) you can find her at a bakery, having a picnic in the park or napping. Twitter: @slcurran & Instagram:@s.l.curran