Interview with Facebook Poet Jennifer Lynn Brooks-Petrosky

Jennifer Lynn Brooks-Petrosky like many young people uses Facebook as a social networking site. She also uses it as a medium for communicating with other poets and writers, and says she finds writing poetry therapeutic.

After reading Jennifer's poetry in a writer's forum on Facebook, I contacted her for an interview. Jennifer sent me three of her poems, which readers can find at the bottom of this article. She also graciously answered the interview questions which follow.

What poetry did you first read? How did you begin to write? Who were the first to read what you wrote?

--The first poetry that I remember reading was Edgar Allan Poe when I was about 12 years old. I began to write around the same time after I was diagnosed with clinical depression. I would say the first people to read what I wrote were my English teachers, then my parents and friends.

What is your favorite genre? Can you provide a link to a site where your poetry can be read or learned about?

--My favorite genre would have to be tragedy and I prefer to write in either a lyrical or dramatic style. I don't have a link to any of my work as of right now, most of what I write I post on FaceBook. If people would like to see more of my writing they are more than welcome to look me up on FaceBook by using my email address. It's JenLyn00@gmail.com

What is your creative process like? What happens before sitting down to write?

--I would say that I don't really have a process; I just sit down and write. I don't have any rituals or anything I go through before writing; mostly emotions just come through me and I put them on paper.

What type of reading inspires you to write?

--Any time I'm reading about one of my heroes or something epic that happened in history I get an urge to write. Reading other poetry also inspires me.

What do you think are the basic ingredients of a poem?

--I would have to say emotion, heart, good usage of words, and an attention grabbing title.

What voice do you find most to your liking: first person or third person?

--I usually prefer first person.

What well known poets do you admire most?

--Robert Frost, Sylvia Plath, Emily Dickinson, Egdar Allan Poe, and E.E. Cummings

Are you equally good at reading poetry, that is speaking orally?

--I would say I'm okay at reading poetry, I've only read it in front of class a few times.

Deep down inside, who do you write for?

--Me, when it comes down to it, I'm the writer, it's my emotions on the page, I write as a way to free myself I guess you could say.

Is writing poetry a form of personal therapy? Are internal conflicts a creative force?

--It is definitely a form of therapy for me, I suffer from depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety. Writing really helps me cope. Internal conflicts are a creative force for me; when I'm going through one of my episodes my writing tends to be darker and it really helps to bring that to the surface and get it out in the open.

Does reader feed-back help you?

--Yes, given that the reader knows how to critique.

Do you participate in competitions? Have you received any awards?

--No, I haven't entered any competitions yet and because of that no, I haven't received any rewards. But it is something I would like to do in the future.

Do you share rough drafts of your poetry with someone whose opinion you trust?

--Yes, I do. Usually my husband and close friends get a look at my rough drafts.

Do you believe you have already found "your voice" or is that something one is always searching for or that changes?

--I think it changes, at least for me because everything I write is different, so I believe my "voice" is always changing.

What discipline do you impose on yourself regarding schedules, goals, etc.?

--Well when I sit down to write I'm kind of a fanatic about it so I won't stop writing until it's done and as perfect as I can make it.

What do you surround yourself with in your work area in order to help your concentrate?

--Usually music, it's therapeutic and inspiring.

Do you write on a computer? Do you print frequently? Do you correct on paper? What is your process?

--I usually use my computer, sometimes pen and paper, but I do correct on paper for some reason it seems easier.

What sites do you frequent on-line to share experiences or information?

--I use FaceBook a lot, there are many writing groups that really help you share your work and your experiences and opinions.

What has been your experience with publishers?

--I haven't looked into getting published yet, so I have no experience with publishers.

What are you working on now?

--Right now, I'm working on a book of poetry (I think it will be aimed at teenagers) and I'm also working on a novel.

Jennifer's poetry follows:

ABANDONED

She stood there with tears in her eyes hoping he would finally reach out to her.
Hoping someone would finally give a damn but like everyone else he turned his back.

In return she lost her faith.

Why keep believing in good, when only evil stares you in the face?
Why believe anyone cares, when they always put their self in first place?

She couldn't believe he could walk away so easily, he didn't even shed a tear,
as she walked away she secretly wished a whispered I'm sorry she would hear.

But only silence fell on her ears, his headlights blinded her eyes;
she couldn't believe he didn't even offer a goodbye.

The parking lot empty now, he left long ago
but she just didn't have the strength to turn the key, she didn't have the strength to let go.

Finally she made it home broken and alone, tears filling her shattered eyes.
But a part of her will always remain in that parking lot.

The place she never got to say goodbye.

© Jennifer Brooks 2009

NEEDING YOU IS NATURAL

I'm falling for you like a leaf from a tree.

Like the wind on a cool breezy day,

you give me chills and blow me away.

Your smile warms me like the sun.

Like the earth needs the seasons to survive,

I need your touch to feel alive.

You're my shelter from the rain.

You're my snow on Christmas day.

You're the summer when I want to be free.

You're my night when I want to be naughty.

You're the ocean when I want to sail.

You feel so natural to me.

I'm falling for you like a leaf from a tree.

© Jennifer Brooks 2009

THE SHORE AWAITS

Cotton candy skies, crystal blue sea,
The wind blows my sails.
As the sandy shore summons me.
Yet, I'm not ready to leave.
God will have to take me
Against my will, for you
See I'm not afraid to die
But here in the splendor of
The day all that is missing
Is St. Peter's Gate, so you
See Heaven, has a good reason
To wait.

© Jennifer Brooks 2009

For those interested in learning more about using writing as therapy, Wikipedia gives several details on the subject. An excerpt follows:

Writing therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses the act of writing and processing the written word as therapy. Writing therapy posits that writing one's feelings gradually eases pain and strengthens the immune system. Writing therapeutically can take place individually or in a group and it can be administered in person with a therapist or remotely through mailing or the Internet.

As with most forms of therapy, writing therapy is adapted and used to work with a wide range of psychoneurotic illnesses including bereavement, desertion and abuse. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Therapeutic_writing)