.WRITERS.ON.WRITING..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.
.W.o.W. #34
Patricia Wright
What is a book you wish someone would write? Describe an early experience where you learned that language has power.
I wish someone would write a children’s book about the power of language on the mind, heart, and soul, both spoken and unspoken.
I realized that language had power around six years ago when many repressed thoughts, feelings, and emotions began surfacing involuntarily. The most potent word spell I had to break was my mother telling me repeatedly, “You’re not going to amount to anything.” Those words seeped so far into my soul that it was chilling to see that I had created my entire life thus far based on that notion. Furthermore, some years later, after that rude awakening, I understood that I had never envisioned a life for myself that wasn’t based entirely on the vision of others. Now, I am in the process of rewriting that script. It isn’t easy, but it sure has been worth it so far.
How did you first publish your writing and what was it?
I submitted my poem “Nature’s Fingerprint” to Yellow Arrow. I felt the word ANFRACTUOUS spoke to me personally and couldn’t resist creating word music (my take on what poetry is) with it. It is my first published piece.
What does your inner writing voice tell you?
The inner voice can be so hard to discern from all the other voices that have blanketed me over the years. However, of late, I seem to have a lot to say, and it is through arduous soul-searching I’ve discovered that this is the time for me to share my story. My journey thus far is not for the faint of heart, but I know that there is someone out there who desperately needs to hear it. And, hopefully, read it, as I’m slowly but surely writing a teaching memoir to fulfill this destiny.
Patricia is a Canadian of Jamaican descent and is a dedicated and passionate mental health writer and advocate. She has recently entered the world of infopreneur, offering eBooks, workbooks, and online courses based on healing and recovering from mental, emotional, and spiritual health challenges.
In fact, Patricia just finished writing an e-workbook called Tame Your Fear & Live Your Best Life: How To Overcome Fear in 4-Steps, which will be published on June 1, 2022 (on Amazon). She also has a work-in-progress called The Found: Mindful Reflections for Soulful Connection, an oracle affirmation book to be published by December 2022 as well as a poetry chapbook scheduled for 2023.
You can find Patricia at wellspringoutreach.com and on Instagram @wellspringoutreach. Her poem “Nature’s Fingerprint” was published in Yellow Arrow Journal’s Vol. VI, No. 2 issue on ANFRACTUOUS. She also took part in “An Exploration of Belonging: The Anfractuous Reading.” Find her part below. The full reading is available on the Yellow Arrow YouTube channel.
.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.
.W.o.W. #33
Jordan Nishkian
If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be and why?
I’d love to sit at a long banquet table with all my female ancestors and learn about their lives. But if I had to choose just one, I would pick my great-grandma (I miss her). If I need to choose one living person, I’d pick The Rock. He looks so kind and family-oriented, plus the cheat day meals he posts are incredible!
What are you currently working on?
I recently published my first book, Kindred, I’m preparing for the next issue of Mythos literary magazine, and I’m currently trying to master my dad’s pilaf recipe.
What does your inner writing voice tell you?
More.
Jordan is a native Californian and a firm believer in the Oxford comma. She contributed “Papa’s Aftershave” to Yellow Arrow Journal, Vol. VI, No. 1 RENASCENCE. Currently, Jordan is the content strategist for a digital marketing agency in Orange County, the founder of Mythos magazine, and the co-founder of Ink and Quill Publications.
The pieces she enjoys working on the most are works of fiction, poetry, and short stories. When she's not working or wrapped up in her passion projects, you can find her curled up in a comfy chair with a book in her hand and a pen in her hair.
Find her at wordsbyjordan.com or on Instagram @wordsbyjordan.
.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.
.W.o.W. #32
María Elena Montero
What does your inner writing voice tell you?
Say everything.
Describe an early experience where you learned that language has power.
My second-grade teacher was obsessed with having her second grader, my classmate, learn Spanish. So, she arranged “play dates” that were really undercover tutoring sessions. My directive was to speak only Spanish. I learned quickly the more I engaged in conversation—no matter the subject—the longer our playdate, which sometimes involved cookie making to translate the ingredients and the process. For a second grader . . . it was everything.
What is the first book that made you cry?
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison . . . still makes me cry.
María Elena is an AfroLatina of Cuban-Dominican descent and fluent in Spanish, rumbao, and bachata (not necessarily in that order). She is a Yellow Arrow 2022 Pushcart Prize nominee; we are so proud of her!
You can find María Elena at meechiemail.com and her CNF “Four Quarters” in Yellow Arrow Journal’s Vol. VI, No. 2 issue on ANFRACTUOUS. She also took part in “An Exploration of Belonging: The Anfractuous Reading.” Find her part below. The full reading is available on the Yellow Arrow YouTube channel.
.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.
.W.o.W. #31
Raychelle Heath
What does your inner writing voice tell you?
Even if only one person is able to receive your offering, it’s worth putting on the table.
What is the first book that made you cry?
The first book that comes to mind is The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. That book was full of so many hard truths, but I’m so glad I read it.
What are you currently working on?
Preparing for my podcast (Black Women in Wellness), my next round of meditation workshops, and taking a staycation somewhere nice.
You can find Raychelle’s poem “lineage” in Yellow Arrow Journal’s Vol. VI, No. 2 issue on ANFRACTUOUS. She also took part in “An Exploration of Belonging: The Anfractuous Reading,” just released. Find her part below. The full reading can be found on the Yellow Arrow YouTube channel.
When Raychelle is not writing, she is engaging with the wellness community as a certified Kripalu Yoga, Yoga Nidra, and Mind Body Meditation instructor. Visit her website to find out more.
.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.
.W.o.W. #30
Melissa Nunez
What does your inner writing voice tell you?
Don’t stop. Your words matter.
As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
A coyote: adapt, persevere, survive.
What is your writing Kryptonite? Your most interesting writing quirk?
Lack of sleep and stressful days are very problematic for me as a writer. I am unable to focus and connect with my creative energy. I also get very obsessive with the words I use, especially in my shorter works. I will go through my pieces and highlight words and phrases I’m not convinced are the best fit and make a list of alternatives. I will have my writing friends work through these with me until I feel good about each one.
Melissa contributed her nonfiction piece “What is Mine” to Yellow Arrow Journal’s Vol. VI, No. 1 issue on RENASCENCE. And most recently, Melissa wrote “Alight,” which was included in EMERGE: Coming Into View. Both publications are available in the Yellow Arrow bookstore. You can find her prerecorded reading of “Alight” on Yellow Arrow’s YouTube channel.
Melissa also has a flash essay, “Je Vois la Vie en Rose,” that came out in Issue 7 of the online magazine eucalyptus & rose. Her essay, “Silent,” is forthcoming in Issue 21 of Minerva Rising.
