.Writers.on.Writing.

Get to know our authors, the foundation and heart of Yellow Arrow Journal, and what writing means to them through our monthly series.

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.W.o.W. #13

Elizabeth Spencer Spragins

What does your inner writing voice tell you?

The voice in my heart insists that I share the beauty and mystery of landscapes with those who might never experience them except through my words.

What is a book you wish someone would write?

I would love to hear the voices of trees captured in a poetry collection.

Where do you normally find yourself writing?

I have a studio where I spend most of my intentional writing time. However, elusive lines that flit around the edges of my mind often keep me awake until the wee hours. For that reason, I keep a notepad, pencil, and flashlight by the bed. Fragments of poems also take shape while I’m swimming my daily mile. Consequently, I have been known to scribble lines on paper towels in the locker room.

You can read Elizabeth’s “Journeys,” which consists of three short reflections on places meaningful to her, in Yellow Arrow’s just released HOME issue (Vol. V, No. 2) and listen to her, along with several other HOME authors, at our Home Sweet HOME virtual reading June 5, 6-7 p.m. For more information about Elizabeth, visit authorsden.com/elizabethspragins.

.Writers.on.Writing.

Get to know our authors, the foundation and heart of Yellow Arrow Journal, and what writing means to them through our monthly series.

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.W.o.W. #12

Taína

What is your writing Kryptonite?

Endings.

What is the toughest writing decision you have made?

This is different from day-to-day. I battle self-doubt regularly. Some days the toughest decision I make is just to write. Other days there’s cutting things you thought your piece would die without.

What does your inner writing voice tell you?

She says a lot of things, all at the same time. She’s like a three year old with a constant stream of jabber who only wants to talk to me when I’m doing something that prevents me from listening, like when I’m on the phone or having a conversation with another adult.

Taína joined the Yellow Arrow family with “Killing Ty” in Vol. V, No. 1 RESILIENCE. You can learn more about Taína and her Taíno roots at tainawrites.com or on Instagram @TainaconCurls.

You can also watch Yellow Arrow, Tatiana Figueroa Ramirez, Taína, Gabriela Orozco, and Barbara Perez Marquez (one of our 2020 Writers-in-Residence), celebrating Latino voices with Latino writers during Highlandtown’s First Friday Art Walk from May 1 for Virtual Voces Latinas. The video is available here.

.Writers.on.Writing.

Get to know our authors, the foundation and heart of Yellow Arrow Journal, and what writing means to them through our monthly series.

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.W.o.W. #11

Cija Jefferson

Describe an early experience where you learned that language has power?

I learned that language has power through music. My mom listened to a lot of different music when I was a kid but there are albums that clearly stand out in my memories for taking me on storytelling journeys: Aretha Franklin’s I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and Bob Dylan’s Desire. Vastly different, all moving.

What does your inner writing voice tell you?

Depends. Some days it tells me “you are talented and this is what you should be doing,” other times, the impostor syndrome kicks in and tries to destroy it all.

What is your writing Kryptonite?

Me. I edit as I write which is a major no-no. Recently I learned about clustering from playwright Caleen Jennings, and I use that as a tool to get out of my head. It helps me to stop searching for perfect and just put the words on the page.

Cija (pronounced Kia) published “Midnight Run to Mexico” with Yellow Arrow Journal in our Vol. I issue Journey. Find her story in the YAP store or catch up with her on Twitter/Instagram @cijasquips.

.Writers.on.Writing.

Get to know our authors, the foundation and heart of Yellow Arrow Journal, and what writing means to them through our monthly series.

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.W.o.W. #10

Margie Deeb

Where do you normally find yourself writing?

Near a window—always near a window.

What does your inner writing voice tell you?

Go deeper, there’s more treasure in the deep!

What word do you find yourself using most often in your writing?

Light.

Margie joined the Yellow Arrow family from Georgia. You can find out more about her in Freedom (Vol. IV, No. 2) or visit her at margiedeeb.myportfolio.com/projects.

.Writers.on.Writing.

Get to know our authors, the foundation and heart of Yellow Arrow Journal, and what writing means to them through our monthly series.

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.W.o.W. #9

Meesh Montoya

If you didn’t write, what would you do?

I’d find another way to tell stories: I have a long and complicated history with music-making, so in an alternate universe I may be a troubadour.

What does your inner writing voice tell you?

Only write it if it needs to be written.

What period of your life do you find you write about most often?

Poetry is always now. Fiction is always once upon a time.

Meesh joins the Yellow Arrow family from New York and can be found in Yellow Arrow Journal’s Vol. V, No. 1 Resilience, now available for purchase in the YAP store or on your eBook (search for Yellow Arrow Journal). You can learn more about her at meeshmontoya.com or follow her on Twitter @meeshuggeneh.