Featured Poet: Rachel Sarah Phillips
We recently had the opportunity to interview Rachel Sarah Phillips about her new book being naked and her approach to poetry.
Congratulations on the release of your book Being Naked! What inspired you to write this book?
I never thought writing a book would be something achievable by me. When I began writing poetry a little part of me always thought being a writer wouldn't last, that I would eventually run out of things to say and ways to say it. Every time I wrote a poem, I thought "this will be my last good idea". Fortunately, the poems kept flowing from my heart to the page and I had hundreds! The book started to come together on its own after about a year of writing in numerous notebooks. I felt there was a story, a way of linking each poem into the next and that's how 'being naked' was born. I eventually started telling myself, this is something I could do, and I was going to do it for me. Pouring myself into this creation was incredibly therapeutic. It gave me the opportunity to heal and find closure. Throughout the writing process, penning down all the most vulnerable parts of myself made me feel more empowered than I'd have ever thought possible. That's when the title came to me. I felt like everything in this book was like someone seeing me naked. A vulnerable yet empowering feeling. I knew I wanted other people to feel that way when reading it. I wanted to give a voice to someone else who has gone through similar things, so putting this book out into the world was something I had to do. Once it was made, it was no longer just mine it was for them as well.
Can you describe your creative process?
Poet Rachel Sarah Phillips enjoying the sweet smell of success with her debut collection.
My style of writing is entirely guided by my feelings. I don't force anything; I wait for my heart to tell me when it's time to write. If I want to write about a current feeling or situation, I journal all my thoughts first. For me personally, I find writing easier once I am removed from the situation or feeling I want to write about. I'm sensitive and easily over-whelmed, so it makes the most sense for me and my mental health to wait until I am calm and collected before writing about anything I'm still invested in. I use my journal to recollect my own feelings and channel them into poetry. I am fussy about the atmosphere I create when I sit down to write. I will make a coffee, light some candles, or incense and play some music if I feel focused enough. Music can manipulate a writer very easily so it's dependent on what I'm writing about at the time. Once I start writing I will keep going for hours. I keep everything I write, even if I don't like it at the time. Then on a day I don't feel inclined to write something new, I will spend time editing and experimenting with the poems I couldn't get right the first time. For me, the process is the best part. It's the time to check in with myself and reflect.
What does your workspace look like?
I write my first drafts everywhere and anywhere. I write outside, on the beach, the park, coffee shops wherever I am when an idea hits me. When I collect all my scribbles from throughout the week, I sit at my desk which must be organised before I can work at it. I am a perfectionist with my personal workspace, because once I've a system that's working, I don't like to change it. I believe in the energy of a space, so I like to keep that energy positive and safe. The shelves have my collection of poetry books and notebooks as well as my sketch books for the illustrations. I always have a plant or two as well. They bring me calm and help bring me back to earth when my thoughts are up in the air. I think of my workspace like a bubble. As soon as I sit down, I have everything I need to throw myself into my writing with no need to leave for a while.
What is your motivation for writing?
I am motivated by my desire to feel understood. Art has always been the funnel I use to feel seen and heard, so I'd say that my main motivation comes from everything that makes me human. Feeling hurt, loved, anxious, confused, broken all motivate me to write. In the beginning it was all about communication, but over time it's become so much more. I think poetry is a beautiful medium to talk about current societal issues, so I started writing about the world. My poetry about feminism, mental health, rape culture is very blunt compared to my writing about love for example. This has always been a deliberate choice because these issues don't need dressed up. Many of the topics I discuss in my book are stigmatised or are considered taboo because they make some people feel uncomfortable. I think feeling uncomfortable is sometimes necessary, especially for people who are on the outside of many of society's problems. It's how we progress. This has encouraged me to write not just for me but for other people who also need to be heard.
How did you become a poet?
I've been writing and performing for years, always creating, and having an urge to make art out of all the things I feel and experience. I've been able to sculpt my emotions in the form of painting, singing, song writing and then I found poetry. One day, on a whim I bought Rupi Kaur's 'milk and honey' in a bookstore and I started my collection. I felt this incredible connection like I hadn't experienced with other art forms. Poetry made sense of all the things in my life I couldn't put together or explain to people around me. After collecting the works of Rupi Kaur to Amanda Lovelace and Bridgette Devoue, I started channelling my own thoughts into poetry and anomalously set up an Instagram account to share my scribbles. I was surprised and over-whelmed by the response from readers. I felt understood and received messages from people saying that my poems helped them feel understood as well. I became part of this amazingly talented and supportive community who helped me find my style of writing. I am so grateful for the support of readers and writers who gave breath to my words. I finally feel heard.
Has the coronavirus pandemic changed how you approach your craft?
The one positive that has come out of this pandemic was that it forced me to be much more present. During a time when everything feels out of control, all you can control is how you react. It gave me more time to write and to reflect on my work. It gave me time to appreciate the importance of art, poetry, and music. It has made me more grateful for the privilege of having poetry as an emotional outlet and having a community of artists at this time makes me feel less alone. I now approach my craft with gratitude and don't take my ability to sit and write every day for granted.
Being Naked by Rachel Sarah Phillips.
What does literary success look like to you?
I define success in general as a very personal and internal feeling. We create our own standards for success and for me, literary success is simply enjoying what I do and being grateful that I can do it. If you have the courage, passion, and perseverance to write then you are successful.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Don't compare yourself to other writers. Everyone is different, we perceive everything differently. You can't expect yourself to write like anyone else. You and how you write is enough on its own, so be honest. Other people will feel you in your work and they can sense if you're trying to be someone else. Be supportive and encourage other writers. Community is important and learning and feeling inspired by others is better than feeling bitter about others success. Remember nobody is doing better than you, you are just at a different part of your journey, be present in it and take it all in!
Where can readers read more of your work?
You can find my work on Instagram at @rsphillips_poet or you can buy my book 'being naked on Amazon, or directly through me if you are unable to access amazon where you are. 'being naked' is a journey of self-discovery and acceptance in five chapters, damage, love, battle, breathe and grow. You will find the full experience of my work within its pages.
