Happy Friday everyone! I’m so happy to kick off this weekend’s Poetic Justice post with interview from Ashley Jane. I hope you enjoy it and you can check out her books below! Ashley also participated last year with an amazing guest post on finding inspiration.
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
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Do you ever deal with writer’s block and if so, how do you deal with it?
Absolutely. Sometimes, it’s like a brick wall goes up. Nothing is getting out of there. When that happens, I go re-read old stuff and edit those. And if that isn’t working, I put it all aside and go do something fun. Commune with nature, play video games, anything that isn’t writing. Inevitably, in doing something else, inspiration strikes.
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What advice would you give to someone trying to build up their platform on social media?
Don’t focus solely on numbers. Sure, we all want thousands of followers. But, numbers are empty if you’ve got followers that don’t engage. In this digital age, we feel compelled to be posting constantly. I’ve had to remind myself it’s about quality over quantity. Also, be genuine. Reach out to those whose words you like. Being part of the community there is about more than posting and numbers.
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Do you have any advice for someone struggling to write poetry?
Poetry is all about emotion. It’s not perfect rhymes or set to one genre. Play around with styles until you find one that you like most. Check out the various prompts to boost inspiration. Don’t let anyone tell you their are rules, because poetry has no rules. It has soul.
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Some writers have to write with complete silence, others with music, some need a special beverage or go to their favorite spot to write. What is your writing space or writing process like?
I jot notes while out and about, but I prefer to compile full pieces in quieter places. I used to listen to music while writing, but I’ve found I tend to get pulled into the song too much and end up losing my thought. So, now I have my little writing nook, and I tend to do most there.
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What has been your proudest writing related moment yet?
Seeing my name on a new release best seller list. I know it’s not The NY Times, but I never expected to have a book on Amazon, much less one that topped the list. It was inspiring and humbling. So very humbling.
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Do you have any tips for writers who would like to either self-publish or traditionally publish a book of poetry?
Don’t give up. Ask questions. Be patient. Avoid ‘self-publishing companies.’ As for deciding which way to go, there are benefits to both styles. But, most traditional publishers expect you to prove you can sell books first these days. I co-run a group on Facebook (Poets, Poetry and Publishing) that aims to help answer questions about publishing. It’s an awesome resource.
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What works are you currently writing?
I am currently working on a dark poetry book and a more personal collection. While most of my poetry is personal in some way, this new book delves a bit deeper. It includes pieces about growing up and living with a chronic illness.
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If you read a lot of poetry, how do you keep your own voice when writing?
In the past 2 months, I’ve probably read 10 poetry books or more. And I’ve found that the more I read, the less I write. I get a little writer’s block. Mostly, I’m overwhelmed by the talent of my peers. I suppose I keep my voice because I tend to close up a bit. Then, it slowly comes back. I think so much is out there, and it’s in our nature to mimic styles we enjoy. But, I try to be very conscious of it.
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How do you deal with writing about darker topics? Do you do self-care before, during or after?
For me, the writing IS the self-care. I have always believed that anything that aches within you needs a way to come out. Some go to therapy. Some self-medicate. I write.
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How do you keep yourself from getting burnt out on writing?
When I feel myself getting frustrated instead of finding relief in letting it all out, then it’s time for a break. Contrary to what I once believed, there IS a such thing as too much poetry. So, I picked up a book. A non-poetry, read for fun book. I also started binge watching Sabrina, lol. But, my point is, I take breaks to go immerse myself into something new.
Love, Lies and Lullabies is a collection of poetry about relationships and the emotions that come with them. It is written for the lovers and the liars, the broken and the mended, the hardened hearts and the soft souls who lie and tell everyone that they are fine. Each chapter is filled with poems that detail the ups and downs of life and love, of pain and joy, of losing and finding yourself again.
The Mums are Filled with Melancholy delves into the things that haunt us. It is poetry that focuses on all those emotions we try to bury. The aches that we keep to ourselves. The hope that a silver lining still exists somewhere out there, if only we keep looking. Instead of dwelling on the facade we wear for others, the poetry within these pages looks behind the masks we wear to hide from ourselves. It is for all those who feel a little lost and for those who desperately want to be found.
Both can be bought on Amazon (https://amzn.to/2NB2aV9) or anywhere else books are sold.
About The Poet:
Ashley Jane is a former Inmate Substance Abuse Counselor who now moves between consulting, book editing, and computer support. She still enjoys research, and you’ll often find her alternating between reading poetry books and psychological studies. While from the South, her heart still lives in Washington DC (or the Caribbean.) She loves music concerts and true crime dramas. She lives with her husband and their one child, a rescue cat named Shadow Monkey. While she began writing at a young age, it took a long time for her to call herself a writer. She is currently working on her first poetry book, which will be out later this year.
If you’re on other social media you can find me here –
Twitter: @breathwords
Instagram: @breath_words_
Facebook: @breathwords
Vero: breathwords
Mirakee: breathwords
Pinterest: @breathwordspoems
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