I first discovered Maya Stein’s poetry in Patti Digh’s book Creative Is a Verb. It instantly struck me as some of the most powerful and beautiful words I’d ever read. It rekindled my love for poetry — which was, essentially, nonexistent — and reminded me that writing and creativity are truly limitless. There are so many imaginative ways to use words and mold your creativity.

I’m thrilled that Stein agreed to chat with me about her creative process for our monthly series. Her answers are, not surprisingly, very inspiring.

In addition to being a poet, Stein also is a creative nonfiction writer. She has published two collections of personal essays, “The Overture of an Apple,” and “Spinning the Bottle,” and “Enough Water,” a collection of poetry and photographs. Her weekly “10-line Tuesday” poems, which she has been writing for nearly seven years, reach more than 900 people around the world.

Stein recently completed “Tour de Word,” a two-month traveling poetry project that brought writing workshops to children, teenagers, and adults in 25 states, and is heading out on another mobile adventure, this time riding a bicycle and toting a typewriter, beginning this May. To learn more about Maya Stein, visit www.mayastein.com.

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