Everyone has a story to tell; each one of us writes poetry – some, without even realising. That stream of consciousness that runs in our veins? It’s poetry waiting to be written. We believe in the power of words, and that power is what urged us set up PoetsIN.
It’s because of those inner streams, that we bring you this regular interview feature, Writer Profiles. An interview with a writer. Some you’ll know, some you won’t.
This week it’s someone that answered our reach out for writers to get in touch and talk to us. Her name is Zoe Wall.
Sit back, grab yourself a burger, and feast your eyes on this week’s writer profile.
“My mind was always full of words”
What is your relationship with words and how has that evolved?
When I was very young I was terribly shy, so much so as I grew up I felt I almost had no voice. I would fade into the background in groups and generally followed the rule that I had been brought up to believe during the early 80’s that ‘children should be seen but not heard’. However, my mind was always full of words I just did not have the confidence to say them and I felt for a long time I had to find somewhere to release all of the ideas and words swirling around in my head. By using words (writing them down) it gave me a voice, even though it was in private. I was so conscious of my shyness I think, by using words I found in dictionary’s and discovering their meaning I felt I was no longer shy in my own kind of a way. From their I gained confidence and my love for discovering new words and their meanings grew. And my love for putting words together grew into a love for Poetry.
How long have you been writing, what is your favourite style of writing and why?
I first put pen to paper when I was 8 years old (I am now 37!!) and it is a memory that I shall never forget. I have never been one for necessarily writing verses that rhyme sometimes my poems are short, to the point and share an important meaning. Most of my poems are full of meaning and emotion, almost like a story and represent real life. My first poem when I first put pen to paper was when I was 8.
Poetry is a way to purge
Many of us within this group have experienced times where writing has helped us overcome times of pain, describe the first time you realised the true of power of words.
It was a hot sunny afternoon and I was down the ‘rec’ as we called it laying on the grass and it followed the separation of my parents. As a 7 year old when they split up, I had so much pent up anger and sorrow. For a year it had mulled around in my little mind and not only that but I had new people to cope with (mothers boyfriend) and to be truthful it was overwhelming and unbearable. That is when I truely discovered that words and poetry were to become my best and most loyal friend.
I can still recall the relief of putting pen to paper and releasing those emotions of hurt, anger, rejection, abandonment and pure sorrow for all that I missed, my family unit. All of a sudden it was on that piece of paper and no longer bouncing around in my mind which cleared space so I could process some more of the chaos that was occurring and so out of my control (the adults had control).
I went on through my teenage years and early 20’s finding I had plenty to write about after several disastrous relationships. It was then in my late 20’s and early 30’s where I spent some alone time to reflect, and when I feel I wrote my best verses. It helped me take stock, heal and move onto happier things and let go of unhealthy ties. Again poetry became my best friend.
Many writers love to read. What is your favourite book and why?
I love to read Nicholas Sparks books, I like his style, his words keep you captivated and you naturally want to know more and keep reading! My favourite by him is ‘Dear John’.
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
Sum up yourself in a haiku or micropoem.
She had lived
If not a little harsh
She had conquered
When they thought she’d fall
She was a warrior
Among them all……!
Sometimes…I can sit and write a whole poem
What quote inspires you the most and why?
The quote which has always resonated with me is:
‘Live everyday as though it was your last ‘
This I have found keeps my feet firmly grounded, you are conscious of not taking things in your life for granted and try to treasure all the moments in life that make you smile everyday.
It’s a reminder how short life is and how we all have to make the most of every moment and find our own happiness within ourselves, with family and friends.
Describe your writing process.
I have a notebook and sometimes I can be doing normal day to day things such as taking my children to pre-school or ironing and a sentence or idea for a poem comes into my head and I have to note it down. Other times when I am in a particular reflective mood I can sit and write a whole poem. Places I go, my feelings, family and nature all inspire me to write.
Writer’s block, real or a myth?
Writers block….well I do think I have experienced this, I wouldn’t say it was a myth. I mostly experienced this in school when given a subject to write about I would get stuck. Give me my own subject or allow me to imagine my own story and I was away with no blocks….!
What is your favourite word?
My favourite word is synchronicity…because it’s an interesting word with an interesting meaning; it’s about real life and events. It was also the name of a series I really enjoyed that was on years ago. Which followed a group of friends and how their lives crossed paths.
Synchronicity is a word that rocks
Finish this sentence… Words are the epitome . . .
Words are the epitome of finding yourself❤
Are you on social media?
I would include Social Media links however I am not actually on any yet…looking into this with a little help!!
Thanks to Zoe Wall
Thanks to Zoe, who we hope to see online soon. If you are a writer and like what we do at PoetsIN, then get in to touch to talk to us about being interviewed yourself.
I would love to be apart of this interview.
Hi Samantha. Drop me a line on paul@poetsin.com and tell me a bit about yourself with any links to your writing and I can send over some questions.