October 20, 2024 • 35 mins
Check out Amanda's conversation with Anastasia Lindsey!
Anastasia Lindsey is an award-winning author and self-taught poet, native to IL. Her work explores the ways in which relationships shape us in specific and universal ways, the waves of human emotions, the healing journey, and the transformational power of love. She is also a photographer, creative, singer, and artist. Her book, O C E A N, has received much recognition across the US and is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. She takes pride in launching herself into our unique and diverse world, to create poetic masterpieces that help us heal our hearts. She believes that mixing imagination with creativity creates an unshakeable power within that cannot be broken. Poetry, to her, is taking the ordinary out of life and making it extraordinary. It's lifting the veil between strangers and showing that we are all connected. Anastasia's work explores grief, loss, love, trauma, healing, self-empowerment, transformation, and much more. Her soul is poured into her work and connects humanity, one poem at a time.
Anastasia's Links: summersolacehealing.com
Be sure to check out The Poet Speaks Podcast on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thepoetspeakspodcast/
And listen to,The Poet Speaks Podcast, on the go on ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS WORLDWIDE!
Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1cM1rdF...
Did you know The Poet Speaks is also Amanda's touring global workshop? She teaches people all about how to make, create and the history of Spoken Word and Indigenous oral traditions! To make a booking for The Poet Speaks Workshop with your organization, apply for mentorships with Amanda, book interviews, as well as writing consultations, please use this link: https://www.amandaeke.com/services
Music by: Buzu Buzu
https://www.instagram.com/bbuzu/
Anastasia Lindsey is an award-winning author and self-taught poet, native to IL. Her work explores the ways in which relationships shape us in specific and universal ways, the waves of human emotions, the healing journey, and the transformational power of love. She is also a photographer, creative, singer, and artist. Her book, O C E A N, has received much recognition across the US and is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. She takes pride in launching herself into our unique and diverse world, to create poetic masterpieces that help us heal our hearts. She believes that mixing imagination with creativity creates an unshakeable power within that cannot be broken. Poetry, to her, is taking the ordinary out of life and making it extraordinary. It's lifting the veil between strangers and showing that we are all connected. Anastasia's work explores grief, loss, love, trauma, healing, self-empowerment, transformation, and much more. Her soul is poured into her work and connects humanity, one poem at a time.
Anastasia's Links: summersolacehealing.com
Be sure to check out The Poet Speaks Podcast on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thepoetspeakspodcast/
And listen to,The Poet Speaks Podcast, on the go on ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS WORLDWIDE!
Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1cM1rdF...
Did you know The Poet Speaks is also Amanda's touring global workshop? She teaches people all about how to make, create and the history of Spoken Word and Indigenous oral traditions! To make a booking for The Poet Speaks Workshop with your organization, apply for mentorships with Amanda, book interviews, as well as writing consultations, please use this link: https://www.amandaeke.com/services
Music by: Buzu Buzu
https://www.instagram.com/bbuzu/
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Hello everyone, it's your host, Amanda Eka and I have
some amazing news. Starting this fall, The pote Speaks is
coming to your TV screens. Yes, that's right. After eight
amazing seasons as a podcast, The Post Speaks with Amanda
Eka is now a TV show erin out the Archaeology
Channel's new streaming service, Heritage. Everyone, get ready for a
(00:26):
visual feast, spoken, more performances, and deep dives into the
minds of pods from all over the world. Now, something
extraordinary is coming and you want want to miss a
single moment. Stay tuned. Hello everyone, and welcome back to
the pode Speaks Podcast. Now, our next guest is an
award winning author and self taught poet. Borck explores the
ways in which relationships shapes us in specific and universal ways,
(00:50):
the waves of human emotions, the healing journey, and the
transformational power of love. She's also a photographer, creative singer,
and artist. Our book Ocean has received much recognition across
the US. It is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Poetry to her is taking the ordinary out of life,
making it extraordinary. Welcome to the podcast. Anastasia Lindsey Nastasia,
(01:14):
how are you.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
I'm will how are you? Thank you for having me today?
Speaker 1 (01:18):
I'm doing great now, I did Did I pronounce your
name right? Anastasia? Yes?
Speaker 2 (01:24):
And I always say too because in English at Santastasia
and Spanish it's Anastasia. So really, I let people say
however they're comfortable with, as long as they don't call
me anaesthesia, which is the medicine that puts you to sleep,
and you just don't say that and will be good,
okay for sure.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
Well again, thank you so much for being a guest
on the show today. We kind of talked about a
little bit before we start off hand, but tell us
a little bit about where you're currently at located in
the world. Where are we talking to you from today.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Yeah, so I am in Illinois, more Central Illinois, just
a few hours south of Chicago, so kind of right
in between Saint Louis and Chicago, so I can kind
of go to both cities and still come back home
and be in my little cottage.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
Absolutely. Whenever we think about I think the Midwest, Yeah, Chicago, Illinois.
That's literally the only city that we think about that
is that true where you live? Is that the kind
of everyone just assumed Chicago, or does anyone think about
greater Illinois as a state.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
So where I'm from, we see Illinois as a state.
But if I go and travel, I'll say, oh, I'm
in Illinois, and they just automatically say Chicago. Oh, Chicago,
like that's all they know too, So it seems to
be pretty common.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Absolutely, absolutely, Well that's what's up. So tell us a bit.
Did you grow up in Illinois or where did your
childhood kind of form? And we like to I really
like to ask this question. Did you find writing in
poetry in childhood or did it find you later in life?
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Yeah? So I was born and raised here in Illinois.
I will probably just spend the rest of my life
here in Illinois, but I do like to travel. But
I love just the feeling of coming home. It's comfort,
it's security. So yeah, born and raised here in Illinois.
And I found writing in grade school. I think I
was in fourth grade. And actually it was an English
(03:22):
assignment where we were to write a poem and I
was a little familiar with poetry, but that's about it.
Maybe read a couple And when we turned in our assignments,
my teacher stopped me the next day and she was
really blown away by the poem that I turned in,
and she said, I think you're a natural poet, and
I encourage you to keep writing poems and you can
(03:43):
share them with me. And so like a little light
bulb went off inside of my head because here I
am trying to figure out my place and where do
I belong and fitting in and I had this one
thing that I felt like was mine and so I've
just been writing since grade school.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
Now, absolutely, that's such an interesting thing. How important you know,
because I've definitely heard that before teachers having that type
of impact. I've had guests on the show, people I've
known in real life where it was just literally a
teacher pulling them to the side, telling them how great
they were at poetry and writing. How important do you
think that was? Like if a teacher never had pulled
you to the side, do you think you would have
(04:21):
ever pursued it? You know a lot of people make
the argument that to know you're really good at something,
someone actually has to tell you seek in confidence, someone
has to tell you personally that you're good at something
for someone to truly pursue it. What do you think
that teacher must have made a big impact in your life. Yes.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Absolutely, It's really hard to say whether I would have
pursued it or not, but I can say that because
of her I have. I can say that that is
a fact right now. And for me personally, like I
have battled insecurities ever since grade school. So I don't
think that it was going to be something that, knowing myself,
(05:00):
probably wasn't going to be something that I'm like, oh,
I'm good at this, I'm going to do this. It
probably did take her telling me that for me to
actually feel it, because, like you said, sometimes that's what
it takes for people to realize that they're actually good
at that. And so that's what it was. For me.
It's just like, wow, I'm good at something. Like my
(05:21):
poem stood out enough for her to pull me to
the side and say something. She didn't just give me
a sticker and be like good job. It meant enough
for her to talk to me, and so that I
can see my little girl self right now, you know,
as an adult, and that's a memory that I'll never forget.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
Absolutely, you still remember the teacher's name.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
Yes, missus Murray.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
Okay Murray, if you're listening now, you've made it through difference.
Now that's really amazing. Again. Yeah, I think a lot
of us like until someone. You know, it's people. I
think they know that they're good. But I feel like
sometimes it takes someone, especially at that young, precious age
of childhood, for someone to really take you and say
(06:05):
you can really do this. I don't think people realize
how much you make a difference in a child's life
and then the rest of their life as they go
into adulthood. So now that's amazing. Shout out missus Murray,
now us, Yeah, tell us a bit about you describe
yourself in your bio a self taught poet. Tell us
more about what that means a self taught poet versus
someone that's not self taught.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Yeah, so definitely. I want to mention that I never
went to school for poetry, never took any poetry classes
actually went for it, and like computer programming, because growing
up I was told like, hey, poetry and writing, like
how are you going to make money? How are you
going to make a living, And so I'm like, well,
it's just going to have to be something that I
(06:48):
do on the side. So I never really pursued classes
or getting a degree in creative writing. So I just
read books, I looked up poetry online when the internet
became a thing, and I just learned from different styles
how people were writing. And then I just kind of
created my own, my own style what felt good for me,
(07:10):
because someone might read my poetry and be like, Okay,
well what kind of style are you using? And I
really wouldn't know how to answer, because mine is just
like more free flow. I'm really just going off of
my emotions and then putting it on paper. Maybe I'll
go back and edit it or change the style, but
I really like the natural flow of my poetry. So yeah,
(07:32):
for me, I just never really took any courses or
got a degree in poetry. It just something that came
natural to me. But of course I do, you know,
study it now and read lots of poetry. I say
for anybody that also considers themselves as self taught, just
make sure to read lots of poetry. You know, they
always say to be a writer, you must be a
(07:53):
reader to the same applies for poetry for sure.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
For sure, how much do you think that makes a difference,
Like you know as you as you as I mentioned,
you know your book to receive much recognition across the US,
available all over in these different platforms. How did that
make a difference when you told people you were this
a self taught poet when you're trying to get published
versus you know, maybe other sides of the coin. People
(08:19):
that are they go to school, they have those MFAs,
they have those degrees. From your perspective, do you think
it makes a difference in terms of that degree or
qualification level.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
I don't think so. I mean, I do think those
things help, but I never want to say that. I
think that that gets in the way because it could
tear somebody from being able.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
To take that path.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
For me, I've never let like a title or my
credentials keep me from knowing that I could be up
there with the best as well, because I know a
lot of people too like it kind of kind of
goes more into different fields. But there's people that don't
have degrees that are doing really great things out there
the world. So I kind of imply that with my poetry, Like, no,
(09:04):
I don't have a degree, I didn't take any creative
writing classes, but my poetry is as natural and is
as real as somebody that did get their degree, and
absolutely true.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
Yeah, Yeah, that is absolutely such a gem for people
to hear that it takes all kinds and there's all
types of ways in which to get to know very
much the same destination. So it's kind of jumping off
that talk about you know, your debut book, Ocean Oceah
and tell us about the inspiration behind it.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
So I was going through really really hard times with
my past trauma, Like things were resurfacing and I was
getting triggered by all of these things around me, and
I was starting to get really overwhelmed. So I just
started writing it all. Like my intention wasn't even to
write a book, but I was writing it all. It
was my way of releasing I was through it because
(10:00):
I'm very much in the healing era, and so I
was just writing all of it out, and I was like,
I wonder if there's other people out there who are
going through similar things as me. And so I was like, well,
maybe I could turn this into a book, and maybe
that would be my way of reaching other people, letting
them know that they're not alone and letting them know
(10:21):
that someone like me also has experienced pain and trauma
and heartbreak because it's not something that we just like
put out there in the open, like, oh, hey, I'm
feeling really really sad today, you know, but in those moments,
you are feeling sad. And if I could put that
in a book, someone'd be like, Wow, this poet out there,
she knows what it's like to be sad. And so
(10:44):
that's really where it came from. And then I knew
that I wanted it to be very healing. So if
you think about water, water is natural healing. Our bodies
are made up of mostly water. So then I came
up with the idea of ocean so that it could
be very metaphorical with our lives. Like being in deep
waves means that you're in very rough waters and it's
(11:07):
very sad and traumatic. But being on the shore, you
think it's peaceful, the sun is shining down on you.
So I really love working with metaphors, and ocean was
just I tried other ideas and ocean just kept coming
back to me.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
Absolutely absolutely. It's so you know, as I read in
your bio the waves of human emotion, the healing journey,
the transformational power of love, what is tell us a
little bit about I want to focus in on love.
What is you know, obviously, love means it. It takes
so many different forms. Like you said, going through trauma,
(11:43):
there's a transformative part of trauma that becomes from, let's say,
in any hypothetical case ego, from being maybe a victim
to survivor to thriver. Right, that's a transformation, you know,
especially within oneself, to love oneself even though you've endured
through something. For you, I mean, what is this kind
of transformational power of love? What does that mean to you?
(12:06):
Especially in this in this debut poetry book.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
Yeah, so it really focuses on my fiance that I
had found five years ago, now, which that type of
love that he had towards me really was transformational, and
I realized that not everybody has found that yet. But
the way that he loved me made me love myself
even more. So I was able to write a lot
(12:32):
of self love poetry in there as well for those
people to read and be like, wow, like this love
was actually really transforming for her. It wasn't. It's not
so much romantic in the sense like oh, I love you, You're
the best thing ever. It was like, Wow, the way
that you see me makes me see myself better. And
so that is transforming for someone who has battled insecurities,
(12:57):
who never felt like they were really loved and truly seen.
There are people out there in the world that can
really truly see you, and that type of unconditional love
really is transformational. And then it started to pour out
into all areas of my life. I wanted to write better,
I wanted to be better. I wanted to show people
(13:17):
the love that I had within, And so, yeah, when
you think about transformational, it's changed. And that was such
a big change for me to be able to experience that,
and I also wanted my readers to experience that through
my poetry.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
Absolutely, it's a very powerful statement. I mean, you wanted
you loved yourself so much, you wanted people to see
that too, the where they could also see that, grasp that,
and they themselves can see the love that they have
for themselves. What is the kind of I mean, what
is the kind of journey to kind of write that
through that process? You know, you talked about your fiance
(13:55):
and how that kind of unveloped and unfurled in this collection.
How per of a kind of how personal of a
journey was that? Was that a hard thing to come
out with The on page in poems. I mean, and
you know, did you ever read it to him? I mean, like,
how has that kind of whole process been unfurling so
(14:15):
much person your personhood, your personal life into the stage.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
And yeah, it was really hard to write about it first,
because I had spent so many years writing about what
bothered me. It was naturally easy to write about the
painful moments because it was a one releasing And then
I had all of this love bubbled up inside of me,
but I didn't know how to write about it. I
(14:41):
didn't know how to put it into words. And I
was like, I know what I'm feeling, and I know
how he's changing my life, but I can't seem to
form a poem. So it really took me to sit
back and kind of meditate and relax and let the
words come out itself. So I would say that that
was actually really hard, and you would think that it
(15:01):
wouldn't be. But I had just used my writing as releasing.
I had never used my poetry as a way of rejoicing,
and so suddenly I had to find ways to write
my poetry that showed really beautiful things. And then once
I started doing that, I started seeing beautiful things all
around me, and writing about the small moments like just
(15:26):
being in the car together like that was inspiration for
me to write a poem, or just holding hands walking
into the grocery store. I wanted to write a poem
about that. So I would say that that was the
most surprising for me. But the really most transformational part
of my story was that part there.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
Absolutely, And you kind of make a great point is
what do you think that is? Where you know, like
you said, you've only used your writing and poetry to
release so writing about the trauma, writing about hardship felt easy,
and I think a lot of people can relate to that.
But writing about the beautiful, peaceful moments, it just it's
like writers, black, you run into a wall? Why do
(16:07):
you think that is? What? Because I know you're not
the only person that kind of has that. Why do
you think that is? Why do we suffer? Why do
we it's easy to write about our suffering, But our beauty,
our joy are our love. Why do you think that
is so hard for us to write about?
Speaker 2 (16:24):
I want to say, because it's rare, you know, because
that type of love is rare. It's really rare for
people to not get outside ideas about themselves. Every day,
we're influenced by people's thoughts and actions and words, and
there's propaganda everywhere. You're influenced wherever you go, and it's
(16:45):
easy to make those ideas your own. So if someone
sees an image of the model and they don't have
that body, they automatically have the idea that I'm not
worthy enough, I could never be her, What do I
have to do to become her? And so you don't
have that self love, so it's easier to write about,
you know, I'm really ashamed of my body. I saw
(17:07):
this model today, she was gorgeous. Because we're so easily influenced.
If we were to tap back into ourselves and kind
of grab what's within and form our own thoughts, I
think we would be able to write about the beautiful
things a little bit more. But I think it's just
so rare because we're always conditioned even you know, ever
(17:28):
since we were little. Our parents, our siblings, family friends,
they've all conditioned us to have these thoughts and beliefs,
and forming your own is really hard.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
Absolutely, I think forming your own is very difficult. It's
definitely a lifelong journey, for sure. Now that's beyond phenomenal.
Thank you so much for sharing that. If everyone go
check out Ocean, tell us a bit about what is
the What has the reception been like for every debut.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
It's been really amazing journey. You know, when you put
your book out there in the world, you just say, Okay,
my book's out there. I didn't have any expectations. I
didn't go into it thinking anything. I just knew that, okay,
it was out there. And actually there was a poem
in my book that was really deep, and I went
back and forth about it. I'm like, I don't know
(18:19):
if I want to put it in my book or not.
And I was like, no, I'm not going to do it,
and then I would put it back in and I
was like, somebody needs it. So I went back and forth,
and then I ultimately decided, no, if we're going to
show up and be vulnerable in the world, then you
have to be vulnerable. You can't just pick and choose
what you're going to put out there. And so I
did it. And one of the reviews that I got said,
(18:41):
to say Ana Seja lindsay, stunned me on the first
page is an understatement, and that was the poem that
I almost left out.
Speaker 1 (18:49):
Oh wow.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
So yeah, the reviews are amazing. That part I love.
But most importantly, what I go back to is like, Wow,
I trusted myself enough. I formed my own thought and
I said, we're going to be out there in the world.
We're going to be vulnerable. We're going to show people
how to be vulnerable and that it's okay to be vulnerable,
and that is being brave. And so for me, I
(19:13):
was like, wow, I always brave. So my book helped
to show me that I was brave and that I
could do those The reviews that came rolling in were
just like icing on top, but the cake and everything
was just me being brave, and so I just wanted
to tell people to celebrate being brave.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
Yes, no, that is such an amazing and beautiful and
much needed message. Absolutely. I love how you said it's
the reviews, you know, selling even that's just the icing
on top, the actual cake. The actual meat is you
actually presenting yourself finding that that bravery, that confidence, and
(19:53):
that's like you've been saying that self love. That's so important.
I think I think we always get caught up in
the what we should have next instead of being grateful
for what we have now. I mean, and look at
out you're accomplishing now. It's just so amazing. So it's
definitely worthy to just celebrate it now right now, it's
absolutely amazing.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
Yeah, I appreciate that.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:16):
I like to just leave encouraging messages for people. I
know we're always struggling and trying to find our own
and just do it. If you're on the fence about
something like is your fear keeping you safeer? Is it
keeping you small? My fear in that example was keeping
me small. You know, there was nothing that was going
to be dangerous for me to put that vulnerability out there.
(20:39):
Someone might not like it, you know, that's okay. You're
not going to be everyone's cup of tea. But really
we're not writing to be liked. We're writing to be real,
and so just be real. Just be real and put
your real self out there and then let let the
real people come to you.
Speaker 1 (20:56):
Yes, put your real self out there and let the
real self come to you. That that is a word.
Absolutely all right. Moving on a bit, you know, I
want to talk about kind of next phases for you
in terms of inspirations for you. I mean, what do
you have a plan for the next what the next
book would look like? You know, what what inspirations now?
(21:17):
Obviously you talk about transformational love, but what do you
have any different inspirations now? You know, as you're living
life just daily, you know, life is just life and
along do you have any tour inspirations?
Speaker 2 (21:31):
Yeah? So I actually just finished my second manuscript, or
the manuscript for my second book, thank You, and that
one's going to be called Wildfire. I'm hoping to get
it published by the end of this year. And it's
completely different than Ocean. It's it's heat, it's steam, it's lyrical, spice,
It's like romance, but very PG because I realized that
(21:54):
a lot of my followers are people that have had
a lot of trauma. So when when you think about
like erotic poetry, I don't ever want to use vulgar language.
I never want to use poetry that will make anyone
feel uncomfortable. So I kept it very central, very light,
but still very steamy. But a lot of people were
(22:17):
requesting that as well, So it took a lot for
me to get outside of my comfort zone and write
about that. But it's very healing as well, like being
in being so in tune with your body that you
just feel open, that you just feel free, you know.
So I'm really excited for Wildfire.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
Oh man, that sounds amazing though, So I'm happy to
hear that. Now, that's I think. Yeah, when people kind
of delve into that that I guess erotica versus pornography
for the porn right, I think definitely people people sometimes
struggle to get the two, you know, get the difference,
get the balance between the two. But in addition, I
(22:57):
feel like it's a gaze issue, right, A lot of
the days of what we look at as sexual unfortunately
tends to be more male, heterosexual, male, whatever may have you.
So I love the fact that you you're very considered
of your audience. But you also said when you're just
free in your body, everything just hit differently. It does it?
Speaker 2 (23:16):
Does you just steel open? Literally?
Speaker 1 (23:19):
Yeah, like you can kind of just you know, especially
with poetry, right, you can really just write to the
pleasure right right, to the pleasure of the sensuality of
the whole of everything. So I love that. I mean,
tell me a little bit about you had mentioned, you know,
the people, you know, your your community, people were asking
for it. I also want to I want to delve
(23:40):
into what does that mean for you? I mean to
have that type of community, you know, having that kind
of niche community that you've created through your writing where
people have just genuinely, authentically just grabbed onto what who
you are and what you produce in terms of art.
What is that type of niche community? What does that
mean to you?
Speaker 2 (24:00):
It feels really good. And honestly, I didn't think anything
was going to form from all of this, Like I
knew that ocean was going to be really healing, but
I didn't know what was going to happen after people
actually started healing. Yeah, and then when more and more
people were requesting, like, hey, do you ever write like
steamy love poetry? And I was like not really, I
(24:21):
mean I could. You know, it's like outside of my
comfort zone, but to know that people feel comfortable enough
to come to me makes me feel really good, even
if it's something that I haven't been the most comfortable with.
I was like, you know what, I could, like, I
have my own experiences that I could write about, and
it goes back to being vulnerable. I could talk about
(24:43):
me and my partner in healthy ways. That's still respectable
of him and ize relationship and show other people that
they can have healthy relationships too, very central passionate relationships
with other people. So just to know that people feel comfortable, Like,
that's a really big for me, is making sure people
(25:05):
feel comfortable and that they're seen and heard. So I
feel like people feel that when they come to me,
my community knows that, hey, I'm listening. I want the
best for you all that I really do try to
reach out when I can and answer your needs or
request or inquiries. So just to have a community that
feels like home where people are safe, that's really all
(25:28):
I could ever ask for.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
So you know, I'm kind of curious for you. I mean,
you even have you have poets that are even huge,
but you know they still have yet to achieve that
type of community. How do you how do you feel
like you went about that to create that very that
homestead almost where you know people that enjoy your work
and you can all engage in the same arena and area.
(25:52):
How do you how did you go about creating that?
Speaker 2 (25:55):
I just was really authentic with people, Like if they
were to message me like, hey, I got your book,
I really liked this poem. I didn't just say, oh,
thank you, I appreciate that. I'm like, wow, thank you.
You know, tell me how did it make you feel? Like?
I started really engaging with them, and not because I
knew that I needed to engage. I really wanted to
see how they fell after reading a poem or sometimes
(26:17):
they would reach out to me like, you know, I
really could relate to this poem that you wrote in ocean,
you know, can you tell me your worst story behind it?
And I would just respond to them and tell them
the reason why I wrote that poem, and so like
they were able to just form connections with me. And
I know, as you grow it's harder to do that
because more and more comments come in and messages you
(26:39):
get overwhelmed. But I really do try my best to
engage and to say more than just thank you, which
that's okay, you know, thank you goes a long way.
But I really do love connecting with my audience.
Speaker 1 (26:52):
Yeah, And I think that that is that is what
makes the difference. I mean, it really does make such
a huge difference. So beautiful, thank you so much for sharing.
I'm curious for you. I mean, when you know, when
when I read your bio I remember something really stuck out.
You have this quote, poetry to you is taking the
(27:14):
ordinary out of life and making it extraordinary. Well, you
know that's such a powerful, simple, but such a powerful statement,
taking the ordinary out of life and making an extraordinary?
What does that? And I'm sure I don't know how
recent you wrote that, bio, but I'm sure that meant
something to you at one point of your writing career.
To where you are now, what does it mean to
(27:37):
you in today's time? Taking ordinary, making an extraordinary?
Speaker 2 (27:42):
I think it goes back to writer's block and inspiration.
If we were to only write about what we're feeling
or experiencing, like eventually those feelings and sensations and experiences
are going to change into something else. But if you
can learn to just see every moment as extraordinary, you
(28:03):
would have plenty to write about. So for me, I
could go to the coffee shop and get my daily
coffee and my bagel, and really that's just an ordinary moment, right,
You're just going getting coffee and breakfast. Look around you
see what's going on. There might be two people in
the corner hysterically laughing, and we all know that laughter
(28:24):
is medicine. So you could write a poem about laughter's medicine.
I saw these two people today sitting in a coffee shop,
enjoying each other's company. The smiles that were radiating from
their faces made me smile. If only I could experience
the type of laughter that they had, you know, I
mean just anything. It was an extraordinary moment seeing two
(28:46):
people enjoy each other's company so much that they were
experiencing laughter and then in turn feeding each other's souls.
You know, So just an ordinary moment getting coffee and
breakfast turned into an extraordinary moment, and you could go
write a poem about that.
Speaker 1 (29:01):
Absolutely. Yeah, it's it's the mundane, it's fighting like you know,
you're an artist when you can just do you find
the beauty and the beauty and art in the mundane
of everyday life. Something as simple as that is a
beautiful moment to you. No, that's wonderful. I also feel
like that speaks greatly to your You're just the tenacity
(29:25):
of your mental health. Most people are pissed in the
morn toally or mad in the morning. You get people also,
it's like why are people laughing like six am? No,
to really be at that much peace? To where you
can find I don't think people really think about that.
To be that much at peace with your mind, soul, spirit, body,
that you just find walking to the coffee shop, finding
(29:48):
beautiful moments there, that that is just a very your
frequency must be at rest.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
Yeah, and I can say that it is after years
of not being at rest. I was that person before
where it's just like I wish they would stop laughing.
It's so loud. I'm so annoyed. I'm so frustrated because
I wasn't happy with myself in my life, Like it
was just so hard to see all of that, you know.
So yeah, I really I really agree with what you said.
(30:17):
Like it is, I just do feel at peace. I
just feel calm, and you know, people are rushing to
work every day and I'm just cruising. I'm just happy
just driving.
Speaker 1 (30:28):
There you go. That's that's how you live right now.
That's a beautiful tea too, Thank you. So tell me
when did you know you're a writer? I know you
had mentioned you know, your teacher in a grade school,
but one day, was there a moment even specifically, even
more detailed than that, that you knew you were a writer? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (30:50):
So it was when my teacher said that, and you know,
I could have went either way. I'm like, wow, that's amazing,
and I really liked that she said that, and then
still not chose to right, but I did and it
turned to it and I was writing birthday cards for
friends and teachers and anniversaries. And for me, that's when
I was like, I am a writer. This feels really good.
(31:11):
It's one thing to hear like you're really good at writing,
you should pursue it, and then to actually keep doing it.
So I wasn't going out and buying cards. I was
writing them. And people respond better to like handmade things
or homemade things, and I was like, I could really
do this. I could really be a writer. And people
respond really well to handwritten letters and cards. And I
(31:35):
started writing poems for anniversaries and so those were little
There wasn't a big moment, but those were little moments
where it just felt really affirming to be a writer.
Speaker 1 (31:45):
Absolutely, no, wonderful. All right, Well, we have had such
an amazing conversation thus far. We have one last question
for you on the Poet Speaks podcast. Tell me why
do you need to get your words out?
Speaker 2 (32:00):
I would say I need to get my words out
because there are other people out there longing for them.
But it goes back to everyone out there too, like
you have something the world needs. So I know my
words are what the world needs. You know, you might
have a talent separate from mine or different than mine,
the world still needs that. So I know the world
(32:20):
needs my words. They're not only going to provide healing,
but they're going to provide transformation. They're going to show
you that you can do all things that you're okay,
but the current situation you're in is not. You know,
this is not the end all, the sale end all.
You can make it back to shore. You can be
(32:40):
at peace and safe and loved. And I want my
story to be a testimony because at the time it
does seem impossible, you're like, this is just going to
be my life. I don't know if I'll ever get
out of this loop. I want to know. I want
people to know that they can make it out whatever
loop they're in, whatever deep waters they're in, Like there's
a short, there's a beautiful short waiting for you. And
(33:04):
so that's why I need my words out there so
people can know that it is possible and that life
is short, so we need to make the best of it.
We need to say yes to the things we want,
say no to the things that do not serve us,
and just keep moving forward because our dreams don't wait
for us already. We just got to say yes.
Speaker 1 (33:24):
Absolutely, beautiful, beautiful, Thank you so much for that amazing
And lastly, tell us what's next for you in twenty
twenty four, any projects you got coming out that you
want to tell the folks about, as well as drop
any website social media links so everyone can go check
out all of your amazing work.
Speaker 2 (33:43):
Yeah, so definitely stay on the lookout for my next book, Wildfire,
hoping by the end of this year. And then I'm
also working on the audio book for Ocean, so yeah,
I'm really excited about that. I love to read my poetry,
so that's going to be a project I'm gonna have
a lot of fun with just getting started. But there's
(34:03):
a lot to recording an audiobook, especially if you are
the one recording it yourself. Yes, so we just have
to be a little patient with that one, but it's
going to be out soon. And then just taking it easy,
just remembering to breathe, not overwhelming myself. With projects, doing
it when it feels good. And yeah, so those are
two things that you can stay tuned for. And then
(34:26):
you can find me on Instagram at Anna Marie Poetry
a n A Marie and they are I E. Poetry awesome.
Speaker 1 (34:36):
All right, Anastasia, thanks so much for being you for
pold Speaks podcast. All of her absolutely, all of her
amazing links will be in the description box down below.
Wherever you're listening to this podcast, everyone go check out
all for amazing work. And Ocean is out now, everyone
go buy it, go check it out again. Thank you
(34:57):
so much for being a guest on the Pold Speaks
podcast today.
Speaker 2 (35:00):
Thank you so much. I had a really great time
absolutely as well.
Speaker 1 (35:04):
All right, everyone again, go check out all her amazing links,
all her amazing work. And this is the Post Speaks podcast.
We'll talk to you soon. Byebye,
Hello everyone, it's your host, Amanda Eka and I have
some amazing news. Starting this fall, The pote Speaks is
coming to your TV screens. Yes, that's right. After eight
amazing seasons as a podcast, The Post Speaks with Amanda
Eka is now a TV show erin out the Archaeology
Channel's new streaming service, Heritage. Everyone, get ready for a
(00:26):
visual feast, spoken, more performances, and deep dives into the
minds of pods from all over the world. Now, something
extraordinary is coming and you want want to miss a
single moment. Stay tuned. Hello everyone, and welcome back to
the pode Speaks Podcast. Now, our next guest is an
award winning author and self taught poet. Borck explores the
ways in which relationships shapes us in specific and universal ways,
(00:50):
the waves of human emotions, the healing journey, and the
transformational power of love. She's also a photographer, creative singer,
and artist. Our book Ocean has received much recognition across
the US. It is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Poetry to her is taking the ordinary out of life,
making it extraordinary. Welcome to the podcast. Anastasia Lindsey Nastasia,
(01:14):
how are you.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
I'm will how are you? Thank you for having me today?
Speaker 1 (01:18):
I'm doing great now, I did Did I pronounce your
name right? Anastasia? Yes?
Speaker 2 (01:24):
And I always say too because in English at Santastasia
and Spanish it's Anastasia. So really, I let people say
however they're comfortable with, as long as they don't call
me anaesthesia, which is the medicine that puts you to sleep,
and you just don't say that and will be good,
okay for sure.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
Well again, thank you so much for being a guest
on the show today. We kind of talked about a
little bit before we start off hand, but tell us
a little bit about where you're currently at located in
the world. Where are we talking to you from today.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Yeah, so I am in Illinois, more Central Illinois, just
a few hours south of Chicago, so kind of right
in between Saint Louis and Chicago, so I can kind
of go to both cities and still come back home
and be in my little cottage.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
Absolutely. Whenever we think about I think the Midwest, Yeah, Chicago, Illinois.
That's literally the only city that we think about that
is that true where you live? Is that the kind
of everyone just assumed Chicago, or does anyone think about
greater Illinois as a state.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
So where I'm from, we see Illinois as a state.
But if I go and travel, I'll say, oh, I'm
in Illinois, and they just automatically say Chicago. Oh, Chicago,
like that's all they know too, So it seems to
be pretty common.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Absolutely, absolutely, Well that's what's up. So tell us a bit.
Did you grow up in Illinois or where did your
childhood kind of form? And we like to I really
like to ask this question. Did you find writing in
poetry in childhood or did it find you later in life?
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Yeah? So I was born and raised here in Illinois.
I will probably just spend the rest of my life
here in Illinois, but I do like to travel. But
I love just the feeling of coming home. It's comfort,
it's security. So yeah, born and raised here in Illinois.
And I found writing in grade school. I think I
was in fourth grade. And actually it was an English
(03:22):
assignment where we were to write a poem and I
was a little familiar with poetry, but that's about it.
Maybe read a couple And when we turned in our assignments,
my teacher stopped me the next day and she was
really blown away by the poem that I turned in,
and she said, I think you're a natural poet, and
I encourage you to keep writing poems and you can
(03:43):
share them with me. And so like a little light
bulb went off inside of my head because here I
am trying to figure out my place and where do
I belong and fitting in and I had this one
thing that I felt like was mine and so I've
just been writing since grade school.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
Now, absolutely, that's such an interesting thing. How important you know,
because I've definitely heard that before teachers having that type
of impact. I've had guests on the show, people I've
known in real life where it was just literally a
teacher pulling them to the side, telling them how great
they were at poetry and writing. How important do you
think that was? Like if a teacher never had pulled
you to the side, do you think you would have
(04:21):
ever pursued it? You know a lot of people make
the argument that to know you're really good at something,
someone actually has to tell you seek in confidence, someone
has to tell you personally that you're good at something
for someone to truly pursue it. What do you think
that teacher must have made a big impact in your life. Yes.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Absolutely, It's really hard to say whether I would have
pursued it or not, but I can say that because
of her I have. I can say that that is
a fact right now. And for me personally, like I
have battled insecurities ever since grade school. So I don't
think that it was going to be something that, knowing myself,
(05:00):
probably wasn't going to be something that I'm like, oh,
I'm good at this, I'm going to do this. It
probably did take her telling me that for me to
actually feel it, because, like you said, sometimes that's what
it takes for people to realize that they're actually good
at that. And so that's what it was. For me.
It's just like, wow, I'm good at something. Like my
(05:21):
poem stood out enough for her to pull me to
the side and say something. She didn't just give me
a sticker and be like good job. It meant enough
for her to talk to me, and so that I
can see my little girl self right now, you know,
as an adult, and that's a memory that I'll never forget.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
Absolutely, you still remember the teacher's name.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
Yes, missus Murray.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
Okay Murray, if you're listening now, you've made it through difference.
Now that's really amazing. Again. Yeah, I think a lot
of us like until someone. You know, it's people. I
think they know that they're good. But I feel like
sometimes it takes someone, especially at that young, precious age
of childhood, for someone to really take you and say
(06:05):
you can really do this. I don't think people realize
how much you make a difference in a child's life
and then the rest of their life as they go
into adulthood. So now that's amazing. Shout out missus Murray,
now us, Yeah, tell us a bit about you describe
yourself in your bio a self taught poet. Tell us
more about what that means a self taught poet versus
someone that's not self taught.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Yeah, so definitely. I want to mention that I never
went to school for poetry, never took any poetry classes
actually went for it, and like computer programming, because growing
up I was told like, hey, poetry and writing, like
how are you going to make money? How are you
going to make a living, And so I'm like, well,
it's just going to have to be something that I
(06:48):
do on the side. So I never really pursued classes
or getting a degree in creative writing. So I just
read books, I looked up poetry online when the internet
became a thing, and I just learned from different styles
how people were writing. And then I just kind of
created my own, my own style what felt good for me,
(07:10):
because someone might read my poetry and be like, Okay,
well what kind of style are you using? And I
really wouldn't know how to answer, because mine is just
like more free flow. I'm really just going off of
my emotions and then putting it on paper. Maybe I'll
go back and edit it or change the style, but
I really like the natural flow of my poetry. So yeah,
(07:32):
for me, I just never really took any courses or
got a degree in poetry. It just something that came
natural to me. But of course I do, you know,
study it now and read lots of poetry. I say
for anybody that also considers themselves as self taught, just
make sure to read lots of poetry. You know, they
always say to be a writer, you must be a
(07:53):
reader to the same applies for poetry for sure.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
For sure, how much do you think that makes a difference,
Like you know as you as you as I mentioned,
you know your book to receive much recognition across the US,
available all over in these different platforms. How did that
make a difference when you told people you were this
a self taught poet when you're trying to get published
versus you know, maybe other sides of the coin. People
(08:19):
that are they go to school, they have those MFAs,
they have those degrees. From your perspective, do you think
it makes a difference in terms of that degree or
qualification level.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
I don't think so. I mean, I do think those
things help, but I never want to say that. I
think that that gets in the way because it could
tear somebody from being able.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
To take that path.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
For me, I've never let like a title or my
credentials keep me from knowing that I could be up
there with the best as well, because I know a
lot of people too like it kind of kind of
goes more into different fields. But there's people that don't
have degrees that are doing really great things out there
the world. So I kind of imply that with my poetry, Like, no,
(09:04):
I don't have a degree, I didn't take any creative
writing classes, but my poetry is as natural and is
as real as somebody that did get their degree, and
absolutely true.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
Yeah, Yeah, that is absolutely such a gem for people
to hear that it takes all kinds and there's all
types of ways in which to get to know very
much the same destination. So it's kind of jumping off
that talk about you know, your debut book, Ocean Oceah
and tell us about the inspiration behind it.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
So I was going through really really hard times with
my past trauma, Like things were resurfacing and I was
getting triggered by all of these things around me, and
I was starting to get really overwhelmed. So I just
started writing it all. Like my intention wasn't even to
write a book, but I was writing it all. It
was my way of releasing I was through it because
(10:00):
I'm very much in the healing era, and so I
was just writing all of it out, and I was like,
I wonder if there's other people out there who are
going through similar things as me. And so I was like, well,
maybe I could turn this into a book, and maybe
that would be my way of reaching other people, letting
them know that they're not alone and letting them know
(10:21):
that someone like me also has experienced pain and trauma
and heartbreak because it's not something that we just like
put out there in the open, like, oh, hey, I'm
feeling really really sad today, you know, but in those moments,
you are feeling sad. And if I could put that
in a book, someone'd be like, Wow, this poet out there,
she knows what it's like to be sad. And so
(10:44):
that's really where it came from. And then I knew
that I wanted it to be very healing. So if
you think about water, water is natural healing. Our bodies
are made up of mostly water. So then I came
up with the idea of ocean so that it could
be very metaphorical with our lives. Like being in deep
waves means that you're in very rough waters and it's
(11:07):
very sad and traumatic. But being on the shore, you
think it's peaceful, the sun is shining down on you.
So I really love working with metaphors, and ocean was
just I tried other ideas and ocean just kept coming
back to me.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
Absolutely absolutely. It's so you know, as I read in
your bio the waves of human emotion, the healing journey,
the transformational power of love, what is tell us a
little bit about I want to focus in on love.
What is you know, obviously, love means it. It takes
so many different forms. Like you said, going through trauma,
(11:43):
there's a transformative part of trauma that becomes from, let's say,
in any hypothetical case ego, from being maybe a victim
to survivor to thriver. Right, that's a transformation, you know,
especially within oneself, to love oneself even though you've endured
through something. For you, I mean, what is this kind
of transformational power of love? What does that mean to you?
(12:06):
Especially in this in this debut poetry book.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
Yeah, so it really focuses on my fiance that I
had found five years ago, now, which that type of
love that he had towards me really was transformational, and
I realized that not everybody has found that yet. But
the way that he loved me made me love myself
even more. So I was able to write a lot
(12:32):
of self love poetry in there as well for those
people to read and be like, wow, like this love
was actually really transforming for her. It wasn't. It's not
so much romantic in the sense like oh, I love you, You're
the best thing ever. It was like, Wow, the way
that you see me makes me see myself better. And
so that is transforming for someone who has battled insecurities,
(12:57):
who never felt like they were really loved and truly seen.
There are people out there in the world that can
really truly see you, and that type of unconditional love
really is transformational. And then it started to pour out
into all areas of my life. I wanted to write better,
I wanted to be better. I wanted to show people
(13:17):
the love that I had within, And so, yeah, when
you think about transformational, it's changed. And that was such
a big change for me to be able to experience that,
and I also wanted my readers to experience that through
my poetry.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
Absolutely, it's a very powerful statement. I mean, you wanted
you loved yourself so much, you wanted people to see
that too, the where they could also see that, grasp that,
and they themselves can see the love that they have
for themselves. What is the kind of I mean, what
is the kind of journey to kind of write that
through that process? You know, you talked about your fiance
(13:55):
and how that kind of unveloped and unfurled in this collection.
How per of a kind of how personal of a
journey was that? Was that a hard thing to come
out with The on page in poems. I mean, and
you know, did you ever read it to him? I mean, like,
how has that kind of whole process been unfurling so
(14:15):
much person your personhood, your personal life into the stage.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
And yeah, it was really hard to write about it first,
because I had spent so many years writing about what
bothered me. It was naturally easy to write about the
painful moments because it was a one releasing And then
I had all of this love bubbled up inside of me,
but I didn't know how to write about it. I
(14:41):
didn't know how to put it into words. And I
was like, I know what I'm feeling, and I know
how he's changing my life, but I can't seem to
form a poem. So it really took me to sit
back and kind of meditate and relax and let the
words come out itself. So I would say that that
was actually really hard, and you would think that it
(15:01):
wouldn't be. But I had just used my writing as releasing.
I had never used my poetry as a way of rejoicing,
and so suddenly I had to find ways to write
my poetry that showed really beautiful things. And then once
I started doing that, I started seeing beautiful things all
around me, and writing about the small moments like just
(15:26):
being in the car together like that was inspiration for
me to write a poem, or just holding hands walking
into the grocery store. I wanted to write a poem
about that. So I would say that that was the
most surprising for me. But the really most transformational part
of my story was that part there.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
Absolutely, And you kind of make a great point is
what do you think that is? Where you know, like
you said, you've only used your writing and poetry to
release so writing about the trauma, writing about hardship felt easy,
and I think a lot of people can relate to that.
But writing about the beautiful, peaceful moments, it just it's
like writers, black, you run into a wall? Why do
(16:07):
you think that is? What? Because I know you're not
the only person that kind of has that. Why do
you think that is? Why do we suffer? Why do
we it's easy to write about our suffering, But our beauty,
our joy are our love. Why do you think that
is so hard for us to write about?
Speaker 2 (16:24):
I want to say, because it's rare, you know, because
that type of love is rare. It's really rare for
people to not get outside ideas about themselves. Every day,
we're influenced by people's thoughts and actions and words, and
there's propaganda everywhere. You're influenced wherever you go, and it's
(16:45):
easy to make those ideas your own. So if someone
sees an image of the model and they don't have
that body, they automatically have the idea that I'm not
worthy enough, I could never be her, What do I
have to do to become her? And so you don't
have that self love, so it's easier to write about,
you know, I'm really ashamed of my body. I saw
(17:07):
this model today, she was gorgeous. Because we're so easily influenced.
If we were to tap back into ourselves and kind
of grab what's within and form our own thoughts, I
think we would be able to write about the beautiful
things a little bit more. But I think it's just
so rare because we're always conditioned even you know, ever
(17:28):
since we were little. Our parents, our siblings, family friends,
they've all conditioned us to have these thoughts and beliefs,
and forming your own is really hard.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
Absolutely, I think forming your own is very difficult. It's
definitely a lifelong journey, for sure. Now that's beyond phenomenal.
Thank you so much for sharing that. If everyone go
check out Ocean, tell us a bit about what is
the What has the reception been like for every debut.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
It's been really amazing journey. You know, when you put
your book out there in the world, you just say, Okay,
my book's out there. I didn't have any expectations. I
didn't go into it thinking anything. I just knew that, okay,
it was out there. And actually there was a poem
in my book that was really deep, and I went
back and forth about it. I'm like, I don't know
(18:19):
if I want to put it in my book or not.
And I was like, no, I'm not going to do it,
and then I would put it back in and I
was like, somebody needs it. So I went back and forth,
and then I ultimately decided, no, if we're going to
show up and be vulnerable in the world, then you
have to be vulnerable. You can't just pick and choose
what you're going to put out there. And so I
did it. And one of the reviews that I got said,
(18:41):
to say Ana Seja lindsay, stunned me on the first
page is an understatement, and that was the poem that
I almost left out.
Speaker 1 (18:49):
Oh wow.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
So yeah, the reviews are amazing. That part I love.
But most importantly, what I go back to is like, Wow,
I trusted myself enough. I formed my own thought and
I said, we're going to be out there in the world.
We're going to be vulnerable. We're going to show people
how to be vulnerable and that it's okay to be vulnerable,
and that is being brave. And so for me, I
(19:13):
was like, wow, I always brave. So my book helped
to show me that I was brave and that I
could do those The reviews that came rolling in were
just like icing on top, but the cake and everything
was just me being brave, and so I just wanted
to tell people to celebrate being brave.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
Yes, no, that is such an amazing and beautiful and
much needed message. Absolutely. I love how you said it's
the reviews, you know, selling even that's just the icing
on top, the actual cake. The actual meat is you
actually presenting yourself finding that that bravery, that confidence, and
(19:53):
that's like you've been saying that self love. That's so important.
I think I think we always get caught up in
the what we should have next instead of being grateful
for what we have now. I mean, and look at
out you're accomplishing now. It's just so amazing. So it's
definitely worthy to just celebrate it now right now, it's
absolutely amazing.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
Yeah, I appreciate that.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:16):
I like to just leave encouraging messages for people. I
know we're always struggling and trying to find our own
and just do it. If you're on the fence about
something like is your fear keeping you safeer? Is it
keeping you small? My fear in that example was keeping
me small. You know, there was nothing that was going
to be dangerous for me to put that vulnerability out there.
(20:39):
Someone might not like it, you know, that's okay. You're
not going to be everyone's cup of tea. But really
we're not writing to be liked. We're writing to be real,
and so just be real. Just be real and put
your real self out there and then let let the
real people come to you.
Speaker 1 (20:56):
Yes, put your real self out there and let the
real self come to you. That that is a word.
Absolutely all right. Moving on a bit, you know, I
want to talk about kind of next phases for you
in terms of inspirations for you. I mean, what do
you have a plan for the next what the next
book would look like? You know, what what inspirations now?
(21:17):
Obviously you talk about transformational love, but what do you
have any different inspirations now? You know, as you're living
life just daily, you know, life is just life and
along do you have any tour inspirations?
Speaker 2 (21:31):
Yeah? So I actually just finished my second manuscript, or
the manuscript for my second book, thank You, and that
one's going to be called Wildfire. I'm hoping to get
it published by the end of this year. And it's
completely different than Ocean. It's it's heat, it's steam, it's lyrical, spice,
It's like romance, but very PG because I realized that
(21:54):
a lot of my followers are people that have had
a lot of trauma. So when when you think about
like erotic poetry, I don't ever want to use vulgar language.
I never want to use poetry that will make anyone
feel uncomfortable. So I kept it very central, very light,
but still very steamy. But a lot of people were
(22:17):
requesting that as well, So it took a lot for
me to get outside of my comfort zone and write
about that. But it's very healing as well, like being
in being so in tune with your body that you
just feel open, that you just feel free, you know.
So I'm really excited for Wildfire.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
Oh man, that sounds amazing though, So I'm happy to
hear that. Now, that's I think. Yeah, when people kind
of delve into that that I guess erotica versus pornography
for the porn right, I think definitely people people sometimes
struggle to get the two, you know, get the difference,
get the balance between the two. But in addition, I
(22:57):
feel like it's a gaze issue, right, A lot of
the days of what we look at as sexual unfortunately
tends to be more male, heterosexual, male, whatever may have you.
So I love the fact that you you're very considered
of your audience. But you also said when you're just
free in your body, everything just hit differently. It does it?
Speaker 2 (23:16):
Does you just steel open? Literally?
Speaker 1 (23:19):
Yeah, like you can kind of just you know, especially
with poetry, right, you can really just write to the
pleasure right right, to the pleasure of the sensuality of
the whole of everything. So I love that. I mean,
tell me a little bit about you had mentioned, you know,
the people, you know, your your community, people were asking
for it. I also want to I want to delve
(23:40):
into what does that mean for you? I mean to
have that type of community, you know, having that kind
of niche community that you've created through your writing where
people have just genuinely, authentically just grabbed onto what who
you are and what you produce in terms of art.
What is that type of niche community? What does that
mean to you?
Speaker 2 (24:00):
It feels really good. And honestly, I didn't think anything
was going to form from all of this, Like I
knew that ocean was going to be really healing, but
I didn't know what was going to happen after people
actually started healing. Yeah, and then when more and more
people were requesting, like, hey, do you ever write like
steamy love poetry? And I was like not really, I
(24:21):
mean I could. You know, it's like outside of my
comfort zone, but to know that people feel comfortable enough
to come to me makes me feel really good, even
if it's something that I haven't been the most comfortable with.
I was like, you know what, I could, like, I
have my own experiences that I could write about, and
it goes back to being vulnerable. I could talk about
(24:43):
me and my partner in healthy ways. That's still respectable
of him and ize relationship and show other people that
they can have healthy relationships too, very central passionate relationships
with other people. So just to know that people feel comfortable, Like,
that's a really big for me, is making sure people
(25:05):
feel comfortable and that they're seen and heard. So I
feel like people feel that when they come to me,
my community knows that, hey, I'm listening. I want the
best for you all that I really do try to
reach out when I can and answer your needs or
request or inquiries. So just to have a community that
feels like home where people are safe, that's really all
(25:28):
I could ever ask for.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
So you know, I'm kind of curious for you. I mean,
you even have you have poets that are even huge,
but you know they still have yet to achieve that
type of community. How do you how do you feel
like you went about that to create that very that
homestead almost where you know people that enjoy your work
and you can all engage in the same arena and area.
(25:52):
How do you how did you go about creating that?
Speaker 2 (25:55):
I just was really authentic with people, Like if they
were to message me like, hey, I got your book,
I really liked this poem. I didn't just say, oh,
thank you, I appreciate that. I'm like, wow, thank you.
You know, tell me how did it make you feel? Like?
I started really engaging with them, and not because I
knew that I needed to engage. I really wanted to
see how they fell after reading a poem or sometimes
(26:17):
they would reach out to me like, you know, I
really could relate to this poem that you wrote in ocean,
you know, can you tell me your worst story behind it?
And I would just respond to them and tell them
the reason why I wrote that poem, and so like
they were able to just form connections with me. And
I know, as you grow it's harder to do that
because more and more comments come in and messages you
(26:39):
get overwhelmed. But I really do try my best to
engage and to say more than just thank you, which
that's okay, you know, thank you goes a long way.
But I really do love connecting with my audience.
Speaker 1 (26:52):
Yeah, And I think that that is that is what
makes the difference. I mean, it really does make such
a huge difference. So beautiful, thank you so much for sharing.
I'm curious for you. I mean, when you know, when
when I read your bio I remember something really stuck out.
You have this quote, poetry to you is taking the
(27:14):
ordinary out of life and making it extraordinary. Well, you
know that's such a powerful, simple, but such a powerful statement,
taking the ordinary out of life and making an extraordinary?
What does that? And I'm sure I don't know how
recent you wrote that, bio, but I'm sure that meant
something to you at one point of your writing career.
To where you are now, what does it mean to
(27:37):
you in today's time? Taking ordinary, making an extraordinary?
Speaker 2 (27:42):
I think it goes back to writer's block and inspiration.
If we were to only write about what we're feeling
or experiencing, like eventually those feelings and sensations and experiences
are going to change into something else. But if you
can learn to just see every moment as extraordinary, you
(28:03):
would have plenty to write about. So for me, I
could go to the coffee shop and get my daily
coffee and my bagel, and really that's just an ordinary moment, right,
You're just going getting coffee and breakfast. Look around you
see what's going on. There might be two people in
the corner hysterically laughing, and we all know that laughter
(28:24):
is medicine. So you could write a poem about laughter's medicine.
I saw these two people today sitting in a coffee shop,
enjoying each other's company. The smiles that were radiating from
their faces made me smile. If only I could experience
the type of laughter that they had, you know, I
mean just anything. It was an extraordinary moment seeing two
(28:46):
people enjoy each other's company so much that they were
experiencing laughter and then in turn feeding each other's souls.
You know, So just an ordinary moment getting coffee and
breakfast turned into an extraordinary moment, and you could go
write a poem about that.
Speaker 1 (29:01):
Absolutely. Yeah, it's it's the mundane, it's fighting like you know,
you're an artist when you can just do you find
the beauty and the beauty and art in the mundane
of everyday life. Something as simple as that is a
beautiful moment to you. No, that's wonderful. I also feel
like that speaks greatly to your You're just the tenacity
(29:25):
of your mental health. Most people are pissed in the
morn toally or mad in the morning. You get people also,
it's like why are people laughing like six am? No,
to really be at that much peace? To where you
can find I don't think people really think about that.
To be that much at peace with your mind, soul, spirit, body,
that you just find walking to the coffee shop, finding
(29:48):
beautiful moments there, that that is just a very your
frequency must be at rest.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
Yeah, and I can say that it is after years
of not being at rest. I was that person before
where it's just like I wish they would stop laughing.
It's so loud. I'm so annoyed. I'm so frustrated because
I wasn't happy with myself in my life, Like it
was just so hard to see all of that, you know.
So yeah, I really I really agree with what you said.
(30:17):
Like it is, I just do feel at peace. I
just feel calm, and you know, people are rushing to
work every day and I'm just cruising. I'm just happy
just driving.
Speaker 1 (30:28):
There you go. That's that's how you live right now.
That's a beautiful tea too, Thank you. So tell me
when did you know you're a writer? I know you
had mentioned you know, your teacher in a grade school,
but one day, was there a moment even specifically, even
more detailed than that, that you knew you were a writer? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (30:50):
So it was when my teacher said that, and you know,
I could have went either way. I'm like, wow, that's amazing,
and I really liked that she said that, and then
still not chose to right, but I did and it
turned to it and I was writing birthday cards for
friends and teachers and anniversaries. And for me, that's when
I was like, I am a writer. This feels really good.
(31:11):
It's one thing to hear like you're really good at writing,
you should pursue it, and then to actually keep doing it.
So I wasn't going out and buying cards. I was
writing them. And people respond better to like handmade things
or homemade things, and I was like, I could really
do this. I could really be a writer. And people
respond really well to handwritten letters and cards. And I
(31:35):
started writing poems for anniversaries and so those were little
There wasn't a big moment, but those were little moments
where it just felt really affirming to be a writer.
Speaker 1 (31:45):
Absolutely, no, wonderful. All right, Well, we have had such
an amazing conversation thus far. We have one last question
for you on the Poet Speaks podcast. Tell me why
do you need to get your words out?
Speaker 2 (32:00):
I would say I need to get my words out
because there are other people out there longing for them.
But it goes back to everyone out there too, like
you have something the world needs. So I know my
words are what the world needs. You know, you might
have a talent separate from mine or different than mine,
the world still needs that. So I know the world
(32:20):
needs my words. They're not only going to provide healing,
but they're going to provide transformation. They're going to show
you that you can do all things that you're okay,
but the current situation you're in is not. You know,
this is not the end all, the sale end all.
You can make it back to shore. You can be
(32:40):
at peace and safe and loved. And I want my
story to be a testimony because at the time it
does seem impossible, you're like, this is just going to
be my life. I don't know if I'll ever get
out of this loop. I want to know. I want
people to know that they can make it out whatever
loop they're in, whatever deep waters they're in, Like there's
a short, there's a beautiful short waiting for you. And
(33:04):
so that's why I need my words out there so
people can know that it is possible and that life
is short, so we need to make the best of it.
We need to say yes to the things we want,
say no to the things that do not serve us,
and just keep moving forward because our dreams don't wait
for us already. We just got to say yes.
Speaker 1 (33:24):
Absolutely, beautiful, beautiful, Thank you so much for that amazing
And lastly, tell us what's next for you in twenty
twenty four, any projects you got coming out that you
want to tell the folks about, as well as drop
any website social media links so everyone can go check
out all of your amazing work.
Speaker 2 (33:43):
Yeah, so definitely stay on the lookout for my next book, Wildfire,
hoping by the end of this year. And then I'm
also working on the audio book for Ocean, so yeah,
I'm really excited about that. I love to read my poetry,
so that's going to be a project I'm gonna have
a lot of fun with just getting started. But there's
(34:03):
a lot to recording an audiobook, especially if you are
the one recording it yourself. Yes, so we just have
to be a little patient with that one, but it's
going to be out soon. And then just taking it easy,
just remembering to breathe, not overwhelming myself. With projects, doing
it when it feels good. And yeah, so those are
two things that you can stay tuned for. And then
(34:26):
you can find me on Instagram at Anna Marie Poetry
a n A Marie and they are I E. Poetry awesome.
Speaker 1 (34:36):
All right, Anastasia, thanks so much for being you for
pold Speaks podcast. All of her absolutely, all of her
amazing links will be in the description box down below.
Wherever you're listening to this podcast, everyone go check out
all for amazing work. And Ocean is out now, everyone
go buy it, go check it out again. Thank you
(34:57):
so much for being a guest on the Pold Speaks
podcast today.
Speaker 2 (35:00):
Thank you so much. I had a really great time
absolutely as well.
Speaker 1 (35:04):
All right, everyone again, go check out all her amazing links,
all her amazing work. And this is the Post Speaks podcast.
We'll talk to you soon. Byebye,
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