Writers on Writers-Jacquie Verbal

Well. It is time for another installment of Writers on Writers. I got so excited about some of the interviews I’m sitting on that I decided to release two this month. :) “Robert how did you select people for this series?” It’s great that you asked gentle-being. I picked people who write and think so differently from me so that I could learn something. Hoping that a bit of inspiration would fall in my lap as I listen to what they’ve learned. I’m a person that really believes that wisdom can be found in uncomfortable and hidden places. I am unapologetically inspired by the conversations that people have had with a series entitled “Actors on Actors” Please find the last installment I did with

Stanley Fritz

below and in general you can find them all if you look for the tag “Writers on Writers”

*With all of that preface, get into this interview I did with

Jacquie Verbal

-I have appreciated her authenticity and generosity in the interactions that I have been blessed to be a part of with her.

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What made you first take up the pen? Is there a certain memory you can go back to? 

The more I have been asked this question the more I realize that writing has been a part of me  since I was young. Recently, my mother reminded me of my passion for writing as a little girl  with big dreams of being the editor for Vogue Fashion Magazine. Aesthetics has always been a  major focus in my life and the older I get the more intentional I am with how I curate the things  in my life to match my aesthetic.  

Writing my first book titled UN-TRAP DA HOOD is a memory that I go back to as I’ve  rebranded myself as a self-published author. The burning desire to write that bubbled inside  me is a feeling I’ve never experienced before nor has my sudden urge of actions resulted in  such fulfillment. I was so broken, hurt, angry, and lost before I picked up the pen, but the way  the pen has changed my life it’s my magic wand.  

I found myself through my writing process. The more I allowed myself to flow, I was able to creatively weave words together to arrange clear discoveries of the depths of my soul, mind, and hidden beliefs.  I wasn’t writing a book when I started…I was honoring the burning desire within my soul to  share my story, to be the authentic voice that hasn’t been free to speak.  

What is different about writing now, today, in these years?  

It’s funny to answer this question because my first book was published and sold several copies  with the preorder (still not officially launched yet), I have a great community on Substack, and  now a nonprofit magazine publication for Black writers all this year, 2024.  

I can’t say that anything has changed about my writing because I’m still learning more about  my style of writing. I’ve been in writing sessions, workshops, and webinars to help me better  understand the art of writing and I found that there is no right or wrong way to write, you have  to write how it feels best for you as the writer. For this to still be my first year of writing with the  intent of being an author, I’m still blown away by the success that has come from this.  

While I don’t know how my work may change in the years to come, I do know that I don’t plan  on changing the vulnerability and openness I display.  

Who inspires you? Could be writing-wise or in general?  

I am my muse while my writings are the timestamps of how my life experiences are  inspirational based on how intentional I am about the curation of my life during this season. 

The events that occur in my life bring me experiences and writing is my opportunity to share  them and their discoveries.  

What is one image that sums up your writing?  

I love this question because imagery is such a huge part of my creative process with writing  and a large portion of my time was spent searching for the image. This photo symbolizes my  hustle and determination no matter whether I will reach my destination with comfort and ease.  My writing will get you to your destination with comfort and grace but the words are direct and  not sugar coated, as the Black woman who knows the streets but ain’t looking to stay there long, she’s going places.  

Take us into a bit of your writing process. It’s ok if it’s scattered…how do you begin?  

My writing process is my self-love routine, self-care regimen, and my regularly scheduled  therapy appointments. I take my writing seriously like it’s my religion.  

Because I write with intention it’s not easy for me to allow the “laws of writers” to influence me  to adopt their principles. My path is paved very clearly for me to walk, the more I show up for  myself by giving myself this destintated quiet time to navigate my thoughts and emotions the  more I crack the eggshell that’s been hiding me from my greatest potential.  

I’m a mother, wife, daughter, community leader, and through my writings, a world builder so my  writing process has to be simple, or else writing feels like a chore. There are a couple of  essentials that I need and then I’m locked and loaded.  

Mary Jane in various forms, there are strains I use to keep me focused and my creativity  flowing, and there are forms I use to keep my hands free to keep typing freely. Sativa is my girl  and I will have a good smoke to get me grounded and work through my breathing exercises  while also giving myself that special fuck it effect to my narrative. Some of the things I write  because of the vulnerability, I have to come back and edit from a more grounded approach and  a good smoke will do it for me every time.  

Meditation and frequency are a major part of the flow of creativity in my writing process. I’ve  noticed those times I get stuck when I am working on something the moment I turn on some  high vibrational sounds the flow opens up like a portal to endless thoughts. This isn’t to be  confused with writer’s block, the two are different what I am speaking about is when I am  already in a flow and I break my focus and lose my rhythm. Also, I learned that having the  music playing with headphones on over my ears is what gets me laser-focused in my writing  process.  

In one of my articles, I shared how I am redefining my five love languages for myself and how  that is conditioning my healthier self-love regimen. It gives a great glimpse into what I meant by  I take my writing seriously like it’s my religion. 

“She redefined her love language; acts of self-care, physical movement, receiving celebration for every win, quality time curating her life, and words of affirmation in the truth of her storytimes.”  

What keeps you writing?  

The thing that keeps me writing is my curiosity about discovering the depths of myself. I yearn  to learn more about why I do, think, and react the way I do and that keeps me exploring my  mind and belief system. Writing is the only tool I’ve found to allow me to explore my depths  without limitations, and when those conditions do arise I can easily navigate them through the  language of the words.  

I used to think I would be moved by people buying my book or subscribing or being a paid  subscriber, however, I quickly realized the process of writing keeps me writing not the results of  my writing. No matter how long a piece is, I’m never finished. My work is never complete, I’ve  just learned how to continue telling the story knowing there will be more to come because that  is how life works. I write knowing that I will change my mind once I’m introduced to a new  perspective, and that will call for me to explore more through my words.  

Writing is my compass for my self-discovery journey back home to myself. I write to have  intimate, intentional, quality time with myself, my thoughts, and my beliefs. Writing is my  check-in with myself to see how I am feeling and to explore those emotions.  

Give us a piece that you wrote that you are proud of.  

There are so many pieces that I am proud of, including my book UN-TRAP DA HOOD,  Chronicles of Change publication, and the BlackStack publication community but if I had to  pick one it would be a more recent piece. After taking a step back to get back to my more  authentic narrative this piece flowed through me with ease and the response was just as  shocking.  

unsubscribed from Substack friends.