Writing Calluses: Debra Hall on finding the Sacred Ordinary through Writing Poetry

Bridging the gap between personal trauma and the written page can feel overwhelming. In this episode, Racine-based poet Debra Hall shares her regimented writing routine, as well as how she's processed trauma. She is the author of the debut chapbook, What the Current Cannot Swallow (2026), and currently serves as the president of the Kenosha-Racine Poet Laureate committee. Hall is an advocate for the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets and serves as the chair of the Kenosha-Racine Poets Laureate committee.

In this interview, she describes her rigorous writing practice. She discusses how her poetry has served as as a therapeutic tool, applying metaphors to navigate grief and trauma as she developed the emotional resilience. This conversation offers a look at how metaphors can help us navigate challenging emotional landscapes.

She mentioned a book that she couldn't remember the name of: The Crafty Poet: A Portable Workshop by Diane Lockward. We've linked it below in the Resources section.

Debra shared her '7-minute meditation + two part free-write routine. Do you structure your writing routine? to describe your current writing practice (or the one you wish you had), what would it be? Let us know below!

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👀 Check out our affiliate links below timestamps & show notes 👇

⏰ Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: Guest Background & What the Current Cannot Swallow

01:21 – Reading: "The Orange Weight of Wings"

06:02 – The 7-Minute Meditation & 10-Minute Cold Prompt Routine

09:51 – Editing & Submissions: Advice for Emerging Writers

25:45 – Metaphor as a Cognitive Tool & Influences (Nick Flynn)

31:50 – Regional Leadership: The Kenosha-Racine Poet Laureate Committee

43:50 – Writing as a Tool for Grief & The "Callus Metaphor"

🔍 Transparency & Disclosure

Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you make a purchase or sign up through these links, our nonprofit may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend resources we genuinely value, or which our guests have referenced. Your support through these links helps fund our mission and allows us to continue producing this podcast. Thank you!

🔗 Links to Books & Resources Mentioned in this Episode

Debra’s website: https://www.poetdebra.com

What the Current Cannot Swallow by Debra Hall (Debut Chapbook): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4HQJ5CH?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

The Crafty Poet: A Portable Workshop by Diane Lockward: https://www.terrapinbooks.com/the-crafty-poet-a-portable-workshop.html

Metaphors We Live By by George Lakoff: https://www.amazon.com/Metaphors-We-Live-George-Lakoff/dp/0226468011

Eros the Bittersweet by Anne Carson: https://www.amazon.com/Eros-Bittersweet-Essay-Princeton-Classics/dp/0691250626

Kenosha-Racine Poets Laureate: https://krpoets.weebly.com/about.html

Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets: https://www.wfop.org/

Shake Rag Alley (Mineral Point, WI): https://shakeragalley.org/