What are your thoughts about the mission of the Southern Collective Experience, and where do you fit in? I feel that world desperately needs to know that creative minds can work together. While the successes within the group are separate, all successes lead back to the center, to support the whole, and thereby show we are family. The ultimate mission of the Collective, I believe, has always been to provide a sense of cohesion: artists from all walks of life are able to communicate with one another, here, without jealousy, to truly have a place to call home. I have been with the Collective for three years. In that time, I have grown not only as a writer, but as a person. Being one who has struggled with self-esteem, I have had several instances where other members of the Collective have reached out to me, to inspire me to continue. This was, of course, before that “tougher skin” I mentioned earlier, so it felt good during this crucial time to have other like-minds keep me going until I was strong enough to motivate myself. Being in the Collective, I have been able to share my thoughts without being shut down, and that has allowed me the comfort of knowing I fit in. What are two things about you that no one knows? I am often very much an open book, so this was the toughest question of the interview to answer. 1) Whenever I write fiction, I tend to act out what I write. For example, if a character is “furrowing her brow,” I will furrow my brow, to make sure the action makes sense. I try to act “normal” when someone else comes in the room, though, so they don’t think I’m crazy. 2) Whenever I write poetry, I read the lines aloud (loud enough for me to hear, anyway) in a British accent. I have no idea why I do this. If you were going to get a tattoo, what would it be? Where would you put it? I have had plans since last year to get a tattoo with my oldest sister. We are going to get infinity symbols, with the first letter of the other’s name to be placed in the center. Somewhere within the design, we are thinking of adding the color of our birthstone. I have been thinking about where to place it, considering pain of placement, as well. Ha! Yet, I believe it would look nice on my wrist or my collar, so that she is as close to my heart or a vital vein as possible, regardless of where she is on this big blue, beautiful Earth. What side projects are you a part of aside from work and college and the SCE? During the summer months, I am the editor for Walking Is Still Honest, which is another magazine connected to the Collective. I cannot thank Scott Thomas Outlar enough for doing the honor of keeping it going throughout the rest of the year. In addition to that, I have Southern Muse Services, which is geared towards digital art, though I’ve been too busy with other things in life to work with it. As of last year, I am a part of Pickens Arts and Cultural Alliance, which is cool. My favorite side project is Noetic, which I do every week—or try to—with Luke Johnson, who I have called my “therapist.” I get to analyze a poem, while sharing something of my philosophy for life through my analysis. I stay busy, but it’s a good kind of busy, the kind meant to breathe purpose into your soul.
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