Imagine dedicating 24 hours straight to writing poetry — one poem every hour, guided by unpredictable prompts and fueled by nothing but creativity, snacks, and community. That’s exactly what Amanda Potter, a Jacksonville-based poet and long-time participant in The Poetry Marathon, has done for nearly a decade.

In this conversation with Onyemechi Nwakonam, Amanda shares how writing under pressure transforms not just her poetry but her sense of self. She talks about the friendships that have blossomed across continents, the joy of discovering new poetic forms, and the discipline it takes to create meaningful work hour after hour.

Together, they explore how creativity thrives in constraint, what makes poetry such a powerful emotional release, and why some art forms—like poetry marathons—reveal who we truly are. Amanda also reads her 2016 poem “Taken Out of Context,” originally written for The Poetry Marathon Anthology.

In This Episode

What a poetry marathon is and why it’s so addictive

The power of prompts and poetic forms (sonnets, sestinas, and nonets)

How to stay creative and energized during long writing sessions

Why community makes all the difference in artistic endurance

The personal transformation that comes from writing without pause

Amanda’s reflections on success, spontaneity, and the art of short poems

Connect with Amanda Potter

👉 Facebook – search Quarter Crazy Marathon to join her next 12-hour poetry event (September 13 on Facebook)

Connect with BuildWriting

→ Subscribe to the BuildWriting newsletter for behind-the-scenes notes, writing prompts, and creative-process insights:

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Chapters

00:00 – The Power of the Poetry Marathon

01:00 – Discovering the Marathon

02:00 – The Challenge of Prompts and Forms

04:30 – Preparing for 24 Hours of Writing

07:00 – Staying Creative Through Fatigue

09:00 – How Marathon Writing Shapes Your Craft

13:00 – The Lessons of Endurance and Community

17:00 – Building Global Friendships Through Poetry

20:00 – Platforms Prompts and the Evolving Community

23:00 – The Art of Short Poems

28:00 – On Editing and Imperfection

33:00 – How Poetry Changes the Poet

36:00 – What Makes a Poem a Poem

40:00 – Advice for First Time Marathon Poets

50:00 – Closing Reflections