Today I have Cheyenne in my blog with an interview. I hope you like it. You can find the interview she did with K last year here.
Poetic Justice is a month long event, beginning April 1st to April 30th in honor of National Poetry Month. Throughout April there will be interviews, guest posts, excerpts and other poetic posts. I hope you will follow along. To read the introductory post, you can find out more here
1. Where do you gather inspiration to write?
Usually inspiration comes from moments experienced, interactions with others, thoughts that keep me up or help me rest, and my own history and culture.
Usually inspiration comes from moments experienced, interactions with others, thoughts that keep me up or help me rest, and my own history and culture.
2. Have you ever dealt with a writing hiatus? What did you do?
I recently felt the lack of words, actually! It came with life becoming busy and so many changes happening at once that my mind didn’t have time to absorb it all and truly soak it in to be able to find words—instead I was left scrambling to find a way to make things go smoothly in my life. What I ended up doing was spending about five to ten minutes a day reading poetry and small books to remind myself that this time away and to myself is important, slowly the words began to flow. Sometimes we just need to step back and remind ourselves that we do have it within us to hold more than events, we hold words and art and magic.
I recently felt the lack of words, actually! It came with life becoming busy and so many changes happening at once that my mind didn’t have time to absorb it all and truly soak it in to be able to find words—instead I was left scrambling to find a way to make things go smoothly in my life. What I ended up doing was spending about five to ten minutes a day reading poetry and small books to remind myself that this time away and to myself is important, slowly the words began to flow. Sometimes we just need to step back and remind ourselves that we do have it within us to hold more than events, we hold words and art and magic.
3. What advice would you give to someone trying to build up their platform on social media?
Be intentional and honest. Don’t mimic others, unless you’re trying to follow a strategy or structure. Make sure your content is your own, that your voice rings true in every post. The accounts that truly leave a deep impact are those that keep themselves true and transparent with their communities.
Be intentional and honest. Don’t mimic others, unless you’re trying to follow a strategy or structure. Make sure your content is your own, that your voice rings true in every post. The accounts that truly leave a deep impact are those that keep themselves true and transparent with their communities.
4. What has been your proudest writing related moment yet?
Performing spoken word poems for an event that the Rape Crisis Center of San Antonio, TX holds: Take Back the Night. All art expressed at this event promote and encourage the mission to take back the feeling of safety and security during the evenings, and at all times, and being able to share my own words for this beautiful cause has been truly wonderful!
Performing spoken word poems for an event that the Rape Crisis Center of San Antonio, TX holds: Take Back the Night. All art expressed at this event promote and encourage the mission to take back the feeling of safety and security during the evenings, and at all times, and being able to share my own words for this beautiful cause has been truly wonderful!
5. What has the published journey been like for you? Were there any surprises or expectations?
I am in awe of the publishing journey, the biggest surprise is how much I love to organize things! I am actually going to open a publishing company later this year (fall 2019) and you can keep up with updates on instagram and twitter @rainepublishing!
I am in awe of the publishing journey, the biggest surprise is how much I love to organize things! I am actually going to open a publishing company later this year (fall 2019) and you can keep up with updates on instagram and twitter @rainepublishing!
6. Do you have any tips for writers who would like to either self-publish or traditionally publish a book of poetry?
There are so many articles about the pros and cons, I know that publishing traditionally is much harder, but I also know that self-publishing can be seen as a failure to have someone’s work picked up by a publisher. Do what feels right for you. Read up on both of the options, browse around for publishers that fit your style and mission and your book, if you find one, work with them and submit to them. But don’t get discouraged if they reject your book. Try again with other publishers. If you choose to self-publish, do so because it’s what you feel called to do, it’s where you have the most freedom, despite also having the most work. It will take a lot of research, but beginning the process is always a great start!
There are so many articles about the pros and cons, I know that publishing traditionally is much harder, but I also know that self-publishing can be seen as a failure to have someone’s work picked up by a publisher. Do what feels right for you. Read up on both of the options, browse around for publishers that fit your style and mission and your book, if you find one, work with them and submit to them. But don’t get discouraged if they reject your book. Try again with other publishers. If you choose to self-publish, do so because it’s what you feel called to do, it’s where you have the most freedom, despite also having the most work. It will take a lot of research, but beginning the process is always a great start!
7. What poets would you recommend? (Feel free to leave social media links or books)
I love my fellow instagram poets:
@mermaid.musings
@isra.althibeh
@alexandria.lacy
@annabelle_fern
@kalianefaye.poetry
@chicnerdreads
@thealiciacook
@gabywrites
@regannoellesmith
I love my fellow instagram poets:
@mermaid.musings
@isra.althibeh
@alexandria.lacy
@annabelle_fern
@kalianefaye.poetry
@chicnerdreads
@thealiciacook
@gabywrites
@regannoellesmith
8. What works are you currently writing?
With the open of my upcoming company, two books will be on hold until next year, one being a healing theme and the other being a spooky theme! I can’t release titles or release dates yet, but definitely keep an eye out, as all my books will be re-published and published through my upcoming company!
With the open of my upcoming company, two books will be on hold until next year, one being a healing theme and the other being a spooky theme! I can’t release titles or release dates yet, but definitely keep an eye out, as all my books will be re-published and published through my upcoming company!
9. How do you keep yourself from getting burnt out on writing?
I have always had words, there’s never been a time I’ve gone without them. Whether it be poetry, essays, speeches, songs, etc. I think part of it is that I’ve grown up with creative parents and a creative atmosphere, and it hasn’t ceased to exist for me, instead it continues to open up more avenues and I truly look forward to the projects I’ll continue to create and express.
I have always had words, there’s never been a time I’ve gone without them. Whether it be poetry, essays, speeches, songs, etc. I think part of it is that I’ve grown up with creative parents and a creative atmosphere, and it hasn’t ceased to exist for me, instead it continues to open up more avenues and I truly look forward to the projects I’ll continue to create and express.
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About The Poet:
cheyenne raine resides in the san antonio light, pulling warmth and bliss into her lower-case lettered poetry. she writes the beauty amongst every scene, lacing diction to create vivid pictures. she publishes her work consistently on her website (rainepoetry.com) and sends little letters through email. raine is the author of several books, which can all be found on her website.
Social Media:
* twitter @rainepoetry * instagram @rainepoetry
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