Talking the Talk: An Interview with Susan Lipson

Greetings, friends! Welcome to our new series Talking the Talk. In each interview, we ask Lady Brain Collective members to talk about the personal, professional and creative walks they walk. We'll chat about their passions and pursuits, entrepreneurship efforts, and more. We hope you'll follow along and discover your next favorite artist!  First up, an interview with author, poet, teacher, and songwriter Susan Lipson. In addition to curating, hosting, and performing at this month's community gathering entitled “A Way With Words," Lipson will also be facilitating an optional creative writing activity for all attendees. Read on to learn more about this kind, creative soul.

Lipson repping Lady Brain merch at the first annual Lady Brain Fest. (click image to purchase hat)

LB: Tell us a little bit about yourself. How is creativity at work in your life and/or career?

SL: As I’ve stated on my website, I work at “inspiring awe for words and awesome writing.” In addition to teaching creative writing lessons and workshops for over 20 years in San Diego County, and doing occasional freelance editorial work for other authors and agent-clients, I regularly write poetry and poetic prose for kids, teens, and adults. I have published three books (one children’s novel, one instructional text for teachers of writing and their students, and one poetry book), and have edited and coached many more works into print as a freelance editor and former literary agent. Although I have composed dozens of songs, I have never mastered music theory or played any instrument well, and yet a few of my spiritual songs have found their way into synagogue and interfaith music programs in which I have sung them as a soloist, sometimes backed by a choir. I also write two blogs, “Writing Memorable Words” and “Writing for Students and Teachers.” As a mom, I poured my own creativity directly onto my three kids, now all in their 20’s, all multi-talented creative artists in LA. ​

​LB: What made you want to be a part of the Lady Brain Collective? 
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SL: I attended the Lady Brain Festival last summer and felt the tangible supportiveness  for fellow artists in the air, even as I felt blown away by all the talented women striving together to fill hearts with their music. I then decided to lend my voice to Lindsay White's group recording of “Let Love Lead the Way,” and even brought one of my singer daughters to sing with us, too. That joyful experience made me want to become more involved. Unlike other professional artist groups I have joined, I detected no competition among these women, and no wariness of my enthusiasm for supporting my fellow artists. I may be older than many Lady Brains, but I have a forever-young spirit, and I hope to deepen my connections with other Lady Brain artists through attending more events in the future.

Lipson performs work from her new book at the September Community Gathering.

LB: You've performed at a community gathering before, but this time you are also hosting and were involved in the planning of the showcase. Thank you for contributing so much to the collective! For those unfamiliar with community gatherings, how would you describe them and why should people attend on November 17?
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​SL: I am thrilled to host a community gathering, which enables artists to share their passion-powered works with new audiences, in intimate settings, and to broaden their fan bases by personally connecting with people whom they might never have met without their fellow Lady Brain connections.

Limited seating. Please RSVP online for address.

LB: What new releases or projects are you currently working on? Where can people find more information?
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SL: I recently published a book of poetry, Disillusions of Grandeur—and Other Eye-Openers, which I have been reading from at poetry open mic nights in the past month since the book arrived. The book is available exclusively from Amazon, or from me personally (for an autographed copy), and I promise that you need not be a poetry scholar or even a regular poetry reader or a  to connect with my poems. I write poetic words to move you, not impress or confuse you. I also maintain an active poetic presence on my Instagram, @susanllipson, often pairing my poetry-evoking photos with short poems or poetic thoughts. Please buy my book and follow my poetic meanderings online!

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Purchase Susan Lipson's New Book
​RSVP for Nov. 17 Community Gathering