Meet poet Rewa Marie, who will share some information with readers! 
-The SCBC, Inc.

Where are you from, Rewa?

I’m from Houston, TX, born and raised. I love to travel and I do have aspirations to experience living elsewhere, but I am proud to call Houston home.

Tell us your latest news?

My book is currently on the shelf at the Shrine of the Black Madonna in Houston. Feeling Poetic was featured online at African American Books, for the month of April. I recently had a live radio interview with Kareemah and James at WTCC in Springfield, MA.

When and why did you begin writing poetry?

I began writing poetry about 11 years ago. I began writing as an outlet for expressing my emotions. I found it easier to write how I was feeling, opposed to saying it. Writing poetry was so natural for me, that it took me some time to realize that I should be sharing it with others who could relate to what I was feeling.

Do you have a specific writing style?

I write what is in my heart and on my mind at that time. Sometimes my poems rhyme, sometimes they don’t, it just depends on what is inside of me.

What inspired you to self publish your book of poetry?

As I wrote poems, I would share them with certain individuals, and I always received a positive response. A lot of people, mainly females, could relate to my poetry, because it touched on very sensitive relationship issues. I started thinking about how nice it would be to have my poems published in a book that I could share with others and friends started suggesting it as well. I never had time to look into publishing my poetry, until I was laid off from my job. It was the perfect time to self-publish my book—it was close to my heart, and something I really wanted to accomplish.

How do you feel overall about self-publishing?

I feel that self-publishing is an excellent opportunity for an author to see their dream of being published come to life. There is no initial rejection and the sky is the limit. However, getting recognition for your work, getting publicity, and marketing your book can be very challenging—so you have to be prepared to put in serious time in making your book a success.

How did you come up with the title for your book?

When I feel a need to write a poem, when I know I need to grab a pen and get my thoughts out, I would say to myself, I’m feeling poetic. That is how I came up with the title, Feeling Poetic.

Are your poems about specific situations and/or people?

A lot of my poems are about specific situations and/or relationships. I do have poems that are not, and only represent a frame of mind or an emotion. However, different experiences have pulled certain emotions, which allowed me to create and write poetry based on those emotions.

Is there a message in your poetry that you want readers to grasp?

I want readers to relate to my poetry. I hope they find poems that speak to them and say something they wanted to say, or express an emotion they have experienced.

What books have most influenced your life?

Yesterday I Cried, Iyanla Vanzant and I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou. These authors showed me that although the past is the past, you could still learn from it, grow from it, and be a better person. As for poetry, I love Still I Rise by Maya Angelou.

How does your family and/or friends feel about your book or writing venture in general?

My mom is my biggest supporter and my biggest fan. There are several family and friends that have encouraged me and really motivated me—without their support, I don’t know where I would be. In general, because so many weren’t familiar with that side of me, they are still in shock to find out that I write poetry, and that I self-published a book.

Do you see writing as a long- or short-term career?

I definitely see writing as a long-term career. I want to write well into retirement and beyond. I will continue to write poetry, and have sights on writing novels.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything?

I think I would be scared to change anything, if I had it to do all over. I wouldn’t want to inadvertently change something that taught me a valuable lesson, or delete an experience that changed me for the better.

Visit: www.rewamariefyles.com

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