The Dictionary Kid

ft. Sheri Purpose Hall

Sheri Purpose Hall is a woman who defies simple categorization. As a multi-faceted writer, she creates from a deep sense of humanity. She believes that every artist begins as a human, and it is through effectively sharing that humanity with others that can create true connection and this is where deeper understanding is achieved.

In our recent episode of The Poetry Podcast with A, I asked Sheri about the origins of her rich vocabulary. She shared a fascinating story about how her aunt and mother, both educators, never simply told her the meaning of a word when she asked. Instead, they encouraged her to find the answers herself with the advice, "Go look it up." This approach turned her into what I humorously described her as a “dictionary kid,” who eventually evolved into a “thesaurus kid” and, ultimately, one of my personal favorite writers. Her thirst for knowledge and her drive to explore unique ways of using words are evident in her work.

Download, listen, or watch this episode to hear Sheri’s insights directly from her.