Featured Poet: runawaywriters
runawaywriters recently published her debut of poetry, …In This Madness. We had the opportunity to interview runawaywriters about her creative process and new book.
Congratulations on releasing ...In This Madness! What inspired you to publish this collection?
Thank you! I wanted to write something that really speaks to the heart. I think I was inspired most by the human experience in relation to romantic love and all its complexities. Love has always been this subjective umbrella term that brings up different feelings for different people – good or bad. With this collection, I wanted to cast a spotlight on love and madness and the fine line between the two. By telling the story backwards, beginning with heartbreak and loss, I wanted to expose the realities of love in the context of a toxic or unhealthy relationship.
What does this book mean to you?
It ultimately means hope. When you’re entangled in the throes of love and hardship and feelings of unworthiness, there is hope. The last chapter, ‘Guiding’, speaks specifically to this by offering the reader the first stepping stones towards healing, growth and liberation.
What is …In This Madness?
I’d describe it as a poetic guide to heartbreak. But more than that, it depicts the journey of self and how the individual navigates their own emotions, thoughts and mental wellbeing. This collection explores how we are likened to a light – we are delicate and we flicker in moments of despair, but when we are strong and healthy, we illuminate the darkness.
How did you become a poet?
I started writing poetry when I was eleven years old after learning about it in an English class at school. I quickly went from writing fun limerick poems to bearing my soul onto the page. Each time I wrote, what I can only describe as a “cleansing” happened. Words have power like that. But I also believe that poetry expands beyond words and that there can be poetic moments too - like when the world is still and the stars are out in their thousands, and you feel an overwhelming sense of belonging. Poetry runs deep. Once I started sharing my words online I used a nom de plume, Runawaywriters, because writing has always felt like an escape for me. I think that I became a poet purely because I never stopped writing.
What does your workspace look like?
It looks like many things as it isn’t always fixed. While most days I will work from a desk, I find inspiration often strikes when I’m outside, in green spaces or even in the bath. I enjoy a change of scenery for mental stimulation, and produce work I am most proud of in quiet, cozy spaces.
What is your motivation for writing?
I think I’m motivated most by the world around me. There’s just so much going on. And people are so fascinating, aren’t they? Everyone has a story to tell and a new perspective to share. Getting to connect with people, especially when I’m able to travel is important to me. I think most of us strive for human connection in one way or the other and having people read my words and connect with it is a massive motivator for me.
Has the coronavirus pandemic changed how you approach your craft?
The coronavirus outbreak has been absolutely devastating in a lot of ways. But it has definitely afforded me more time to dedicate to my writing and, as a result, release my debut poetry book too. Quarantine life has made me think about freedom in ways I hadn’t before, and I think a lot of my poetry has been reflective of that.
What does literary success look like to you?
If one person out there can read my words and receive some kind of solace or validation or inspiration - then I feel I have been successful. Writing is not just for me anymore. My poems no longer hide, tucked away in a draw like an untold secret. They are out there and shared to those who frequent the online world and follow my work. When I receive messages from people who say that my words have really touched them or helped them feel less alone, I feel fulfilled.
Do you have any advice for poets looking to grow their audience?
I often feature poets on my Instagram account and any time I get asked this, I always emphasize the importance of quality. There are over 1 billion users on Instagram, so quality posts are crucial. Make sure your words are clearly legible, grammatically correct and error-free. If you want to grow your audience, you must connect with your audience. Post regularly. Follow the appropriate hashtags and use them in your own posts. Enter poetry competitions, exchange “shoutouts” for extra exposure, and approach accounts who feature poets. These are just some of the things you can do.
Where can readers read more of your work?
You can find more of my work on Instagram, @runawaywriters. It’s the main place I announce any creative projects I am working on. I’m in the designing process of creating poetry posters for people to either frame or hang up in their homes - so keep an eye out! My poetry collection, ‘…In This Madness’ is also available at Blackwell’s (which offers free shipping worldwide) and on Amazon across international markets that currently includes the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Germany, and India. If the book isn’t yet available in your country you can add it to your wish list, or, as an alternative, order it online from Book Depository and AbeBooks which also offers free shipping!
