INTERVIEW!

INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVE WITH RHONDA!

Rhonda Yates is a versatile and brilliant multi-disciplinary creative writer and Poet with a unique ability to tell compelling stories and weave exceptional imagery that has a positive, long lasting impact on her large audience. She is also a fantastic artist with her magic being weaved on a canvass and a musician par excellence.

She has a huge Worldwide fan base of several thousands of people, and she is famous for her recently released Amazon bestselling poetry collection, "Peril in Black and White", Available on Amazon in both ebook versions and paperback. 

Today, Rhonda grants us an Exclusive Insight into aspects of her life and what makes her as a person stand out. 

Enjoy the Full Interview below;

Tell us about your Background

I am from Indianapolis, Indiana, where I currently reside. I work as a pharmacist and have thoroughly enjoyed my chosen career.  I hold a Bachelors of Science in Pharmacy, a Masters of Business Administration, and two certifications (Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality). I love serving as a health care leader and helping all people live better lives. 

I have a beautiful daughter, Mia, who is also pursuing pharmacy as a career choice. I couldn’t be more proud of her and the young lady she has grown into.  God is truly good. 

I am surrounded by so many friends, family and loved ones. People who genuinely care about me and my wellbeing. These special people encourage me to challenge my way of thinking on a regular basis and I don’t know what I would do without them. 

I’m the kind of person who thinks about things a little differently. My tilted perspective has allowed me to explore so many different activities and I am most grateful for that. I like to spend my free time having new experiences. 

As I grew into an adult I found my spiritual grounding. This is when things really took off for me personally. Because when you take genuine curiosity and then mix in a little talent (learned or instinctual), it makes for a tasty soup. But…when you add gratitude, that secret ingredient that gives us our synergy…that presents you with the most delicious hearty stew.  

So, I am who I am because of people, places and things. That’s my background. 

2.  How did poetry all begin for you?

I remember this so clearly. I don’t know why, but I remember certain childhood events so distinctly in my mind, and this is one of those tipping points for me personally. 

When I was 11 years old, my 5th grade teacher gave us a choice of 3 Langston Hughes poems to recite. Of course, I knew nothing of Langston Hughes or any other poet, frankly.  Well, I guess I knew about Dr. Seuss but other than that I was oblivious (smiling). Anyway, so I chose to recite A Raisin in the Sun.  I don’t recall what the other two choices were, but I vividly remember thinking through the options and selecting this poem because it was the shortest. Funny enough, to this day my absolute favorite thing about poetry is how the writer conveys an entire world of stories in a few lines. It’s the quintessential short story in the rawest form.  

Ok, so I read this poem and I felt the sadness of peering in the rear view mirror of life. The sorrow of not knowing what blame I deserve for lost opportunities. And the anxiety around uncertainty for my future state. Eleven lines and fifty-one words from Langston Hughes had transformed an 11-year-old girl into a full adult who had a variable past, perilous present, and unpredictable future.  In that moment I felt the depths of this life. Even thought I couldn’t comprehend all I was experiencing, I felt what the writer wanted me to feel.  To this day, the phrase inspired by this poet,  “Deferred does not mean declined,” resides deep in my heart. 

A few months after I discovered poetry, our family dog died. His name was ET and he was an amazing family member. We all stood at the doorway and cried as my dad went out to care for his body. That afternoon I wrote my first poem to tell my beloved pet how much I would miss him. And I have been writing ever since!

3. What is your writing process like?

Inspiration is everything. Once inspired, I will lose grasp on the thing unless I can make a note of it. Normally I will hear a word or phrase or sound, or I will see something that inspires me. A few years ago I began using the notes feature on my phone to jot down a line or make an observation.  This helped me to avoid those panicked moments where I couldn’t find a scrap of paper, or a working pen (haha). My poetry comes out at the strangest times.  I frequently will find a short poem written on the backside of an envelope or inside the cover of a book I was reading at the time. There are times when I feel the fragility and beauty of the human condition so strongly. At other times related words or words that sound good together will present themselves to me. My poem “Riding the Bridge” attempts to describe how I am inspired. That’s how I feel, like I’m just along for the ride while the universe presents. What I do with that gift is the piece of work. I may be the psalmist, but the poem is built by universal things. 

Once I have a piece completed I try very hard not to adjust or change it. I fight against the same temptation with my painting.  But too much after-thought or manipulation of what was created while feeling “the vibe” can sometimes ruin the piece. The struggle is real. 

4. Do you usually have personal connections with your poems

Yes my poems are incredibly personal. The events that inspire them may or may not be mine. I read about how Ben Folds frequently writes songs after reading a newspaper article or observing a current event. I identify with that phenomenon very much. My poem “Pork Grind” was inspired on a lazy Sunday morning. My friend and I were looking for a social activity for the day. We found a local event named “The Pork Grind Extravaganza.” In the midst of looking at the options, a news notification popped up with some bad news. I commented, “Now that’s what I call a pork grind,” and the rest was history haha. 

Other times my poetry comes from my empathy for others. Turbulence started out with the thought, “What must it feel like to go through what she went through?”  Fallen Grace began with, “How saddened she must have been, knowing she is disappointing her family over and over again?” 

Growth and happiness are outputs — they are only results of the actions we take. If the words I write can inspire someone to look inward, that action fully counts toward the introspection required for growth and happiness.  It is a beautiful thought in a sometimes ugly world, to know that the words we use with one another can help each other to grow and find happiness.

5. Tell us about your favorite poets and what you like about their writing style

I am a fan of the African American contemporary legends like Langston Hughes, Nikki Giovani and Gwendolyn Brooks.  I think their mix of playful energy and social commentary are so appealing.  I enjoy reading poetry that is fiercely personal.  I like poetry that speaks to societal pressures and the plight of the underserved.  These poets seem to command the attention of the reader with their approach.  Hughes’ poetry reads almost like a jazz record, with syncopation and extended pauses and loose phrasing.  I feel as if I need to read it aloud to really receive the message.  I find myself emulating Giovani by rhyming some lines but then abandoning the rhyme scheme and moving into free verse.  Her poetry is also aggressive and makes no apologies for its message, that appeals to me very much.  With Brooks, her poetry feels more traditional to me, and I like the way she describes the struggles and victories of our people through everyday events.  My favorite poem of all time, “We Real Cool,” is about some teenage boys who skip school to play at the local pool hall.  In a few words I can understand the pride in their defiance, and I love how she syncopates the sentences to tell the reader how she sees it in her mind. And how is it that I can see an entire tapestry of our people sown into eight short lines?  

We Real Cool  — by Gwendolyn Brooks

We real cool. We

Left school. We

Lurk late. We

Strike straight. We

Sing sin. We

Thin gin. We

Jazz June. We

Die soon.

I have tried to write in different styles, but I seem to always come back to what I grew up reading! It definitely shapes my poetry style and content for sure.

6. You have quite the International fanbase online, especially Instagram... How does it feel to know that people all over the world read and resonate with your writing?

This is one of the most surreal experiences in my life!  To imagine, other people enjoy reading what I write in the raw, the pure form of it. I honestly do not have words to describe how it feels. It doesn’t even seem real. But, it is real, and that means the connection that I strive for is coming into being!  It’s thrilling. 

I have also formed some strong friendships who I would have never know otherwise. There are some phenomenally talented people in this world, and most of them are working and living as “regular people” and still making time to create what they love.  I see myself as one of those people who needs to create to make it all make sense.  So to find that my work resonates with others is a dream come true.  It’s all just a testament to the adage, “You never know what you can achieve unless you try.”

7. What would fans be most surprised to learn about you?

I think the most interesting thing about me is my personal Bucket List and the motivations behind it.  Both of my parents passed away relatively young.  My dad was 69 years old, my mom 73.  Seeing them both dedicate their lives to family and hard work made me very proud.  But when they departed, it opened my eyes to the fact that nothing is promised.  All we have is today.  So I decided to make the most of the time I have here on this earth.  My bucket list is composed of activities large and small.  This helps me to ensure that I am living each day and taking advantage of what is available to me.  In addition to the monumental travel and adventure items, I have also enjoyed the “everyday” thrills that life offers.  I have performed a stand up comedy routine after taking a class.  I have gone zip lining in Belize and jumped off of the cliffs at Rick’s Cafe in Negril, Jamaica.  I took a meditation class.  I learned how to play the guitar.  I reached my goal weight and painted an original painting.  I have walked in a 5K and spackled my own wall.  The fulfillment I gain is from doing the things, but I also found a whole new set of sensibilities when I started paying attention and looking for what I can do next.  Instead of life being burdensome, it now feels almost like my own personal scavenger hunt.  And because I am now an active, fully awake human being,I see the “problems” my life as the mere admission fee for riding the roller coaster of life.  I feel connected and satisfied in my spirit, all due to the shift in perspective. I am forever grateful for that. 

I am currently in the midst of a bucket list challenge to play at 25 music open mics.  I just completed open mic #17 and I am so surprised at how much better of a performer I am compared to the first time I tried!  

8. Other hobbies you love outside writing and poetry

My experimentation in creativity has grown beyond my expectations!  When asked, I list out my creative hobbies:  Poet, Screenwriter, Songwriter, Musician, Singer, Painter, Comedian.  It sounds like a lot, but really it’s all the same thing.  My poem, Abstract, attempts to explain what is in my head.  A poem is a song.  A song is a poem.  All efforts unfold in the same way for me.  It starts with an inspiration, then an idea is formed.  I make an effort to execute.  I assess and reassess. I leave it for a bit, come back to it.  If I still feel the vibe I do a little more.  There is no rushing, no deadline, no pressure.  Only me, remaining open until the dream slumbers until waking and then becomes breathtaking. Once that happens, it takes on a mind of its own and teaches me how it will end.  

Outside of creativity, I also enjoy reading and watching true crime and horror.  I am excited by the unpredictable nature and freedom of certain films.  I enjoy attending local events and festivals.  And, of course, I do love to “geek out” and learn about health care quality, clinical trends, supply chain concerns and patient outcome data.  

9. Are any of your poems based on real life experiences or do you just tap into your imagination?

All of my poems have some basis in real life.  It may be as simple as hearing a story or reading an article, but the poem comes out after being filtered by my mind, my perspective, my perceptions, my limitations, my spirit.  So each thing we create is always based on us, even if it's just how we see the light shine through it.

10. What was growing up like for you and what has the impact of family been like for you and how have they all perceived your talents as a world class poet?

Growing up I had a good stable childhood.  I was adopted when I was 18 months old by two wonderful parents.  I am fortunate to have been brought into a family where my parents were ready to care for me.   They also adopted my younger sister, Renee (I love you!), and we grew up in a good home with parents who viewed their parenting as their number one job in life.  My dad taught me to have a strong work ethic.  He would proclaim, “Your work is your signature!” And that is so very true.  All we leave behind is legacy and I take those words to heart.  My mom taught me care and concern.  She was one of the most kind hearted women I have ever met and she overcame so many challenges in her life due to her strong faith and sense of duty to family.

11. Tell us about your new book!

I am over the moon! I am amazed at the course of events that brought the book to life. Peril in Black & White tells the story of a single soul who at times finds herself in what I call “the middle place.”  Set against a raw and unyielding reality, we all face the consequences of our choices.  Sometimes those choices are made under duress, clouded by pain and self-deception. Sometimes we enjoy harvesting love and peace because we chose the right path. Many of my poems capture the moments in between, when the decision has been made, the path has been chosen, but we don’t yet know which consequence will come. For me, this is where my faith in God, my internal compass, sprouts forth. 

I consider myself to be a consummate observer and a lover of words. I stop to ponder the sunset.  I try to see all the colors in the sky (there are so many!) or wonder why a word is spelled a certain way. This collection also includes some of these quirky considerations and musings. My poems are a way for me to sort out my thoughts and try to understand this world. I honestly don’t know what I would do without my literary companions, and my poetry is a testament to my respect for things less understood. It allows me to present the painful cycle of broken promises and fledging self-worth and the symbolism of defeating the personified ‘monsters’ in our lives. In this space I can be free to explore, unhindered by the limits of what we know to be “reality.”  

For people to like my poetry is incredibly validating. And to think that a piece speaks to someone so strongly that they would want to order a copy of my book is a dream come true. It lets me know that we are all here together on this journey and we help each other along the way. 

12. What does literary success mean to you

If I speak strictly of hopes and dreams, I would like to continue to publish and build a robust international fan base. Because my work references the creative process I would hope that other artists look to my art for inspiration. And I would hope that people who have thought about writing but never did, would be inspired to start!  You never know what can happen unless you try. And trying is the main thing, hands down. 

13. Would you Consider yourself a woman of faith?

Absolutely, I am a woman of strong faith.  I believe wholeheartedly that we are all spiritual beings having a human experience, rather than human beings having a spiritual experience.  What does that mean?  It means that I don’t have to strive to be spiritual, it is who I am naturally.  What I am responsible for is remaining open to receiving as a spiritual being.  That means I am required to remain open to what God has for me.  I cannot occupy my time with foolishness.  I cannot worship false idols or place earthly things at too high of importance.  I cannot dedicate my time to other people who are not led by a spiritual compass.  I cannot become arrogant thinking that I solely have created my opportunities.  I must stand by my values.  My job is to remain open to hear what God has me to hear, to see what He has for me to see.  Then the path is clear.  If the path is foggy, I must wait until I can hear God’s guidance.  These words make it seem easy. It is anything but, and the biggest barrier for me personally has been my impatience.  When I remember to pause and wait to hear the guidance I need, the outcomes are always what they should be.  When I don’t…well, we know how that turns out.  It’s a daily reprieve, based solely on my ability to maintain that connection with my God.   I am so grateful to know this absolute truth and to try to live in it daily.

14.  What does Friendship mean to you?

Friendship is an interesting concept, because there are so many different interpretations of what being a “friend” truly is.  If you get into trouble, real trouble, how many people could you call at 3am to help you?  That number is your true friend count.  Everyone else is closer to an acquaintance, but take care…if you call someone “an acquaintance” he or she may get nervous.  The word “friend” has a wide range of definitions.  I have a lot of friends, and I have about 5-6 people I could call at 3am, no questions asked.  

Most of my friends and I serve as cheerleaders for one another.  We uplift spirits that have been crushed by this or that, we celebrate when goals are achieved, we complain when tired and we give each other space when space is needed.  Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.”  So how do you know who will become your true lifelong friends?  You don’t.  Just like with hobbies or talents or creative pursuits, you are inspired, you try, you create, and you see how it is received.  That’s life in its purest form.  One thing I do know, now that I try to approach every person from a place of peace, it's a LOT easier to see who may become a lifelong friend and who will not. Now that I understand how to properly exert my own personal boundaries, I spend a lot less time on pondering the actions of others.  It has been very freeing indeed.

15.  Do you have any special friendships along the line of your development as a creative that you would love to highlight?

I have gained a great mentor in Joseph Spencer.  He has provided guidance and his established process to help highlight new talent has been incredible.  I submitted a poem for a contest that his publishing firm, Elite Publishing, was running and that is how we connected.  But I also have gained so much from some of my new peers.  One person in particular, Lakita Upshaw, has been such an inspiration to me!  She lives in Nashville, Tennessee (one of my favorite places) and she is a faith-filled author and advocate who is committed to guiding hearts toward God’s peace and a stress-free life.  Lakita and I met on Instagram through our poetry and we have shared so much!  I plan to visit Nashville soon so we can meet in person.  Her book, Concrete Butterfly, is a fantastic collection of poems that inspires me and leaves me feeling so good about who I am in God’s love.  I love it because my poetry is about the conflict within and hers is about the resolution of those conflicts - the striving toward that happy ending.  This is an example of how life can become so much more fulfilling when you are connecting with like-minded people who share similar interest.  And in today’s global society the possibilities for meaningful connection are nearly endless.

16.  What is your take on the state of the poetry community and whats your message to aspiring creatives that look up to you as a source of inspiration?

Honestly, the poetry community seems to operate similarly to other industries.  There are a lot of talented people but the connections you make are usually what determines who gets discovered.  You cannot be too afraid to share your work if you want someone to read it.  People pick up on hints of a person being disingenuous, so don’t do it.  Just be yourself.  Many times the people speaking the loudest are the ones who have the least to offer, so be careful to not take negative comments to heart.  Everyone has an opinion, including you!  Do not pay too much attention to the literary rules.  What is inside you will shine through if you just use the words you know.  The thesaurus has a lot of words in it, but your spirit must guide you to know which to use and in what order.  And finally, don’t spend too much time polishing, adjusting or changing the piece after it is created.  This was fantastic advice offered to me and I fight the urge when I can!

17.  How would you describe your personality

That depends on who you ask!  Most people either really like me, or they can do without.  I accept that.  I am a pragmatist at heart, which is a positive in most cases, but there is a fine line between pragmatism and pessimism so I have to manage that.  Also, sometimes matters of the heart are best dealt in the heart realm rather than the brain realm…and cross-contamination can be quite dangerous.  

I am a very organized person and I think in terms of process maps. When I shop at the grocery store I like to follow the layout of the store so I don't have to backtrack (I hate rework!).  When I see a new building being constructed I like to check the progress each time I drive past.  Building things fascinates me.  As a result of being a “deep thinker” I am usually paying attention to details other people are not, and missing things other people think are obvious.  

I am a hopeless romantic and am always touched by love in any form.  My love language is words of affirmation, and my life language is all words.

I am a Taurus, so I am selective about who I spend time with and a person will usually know where they stand with me.  I enjoy the relationship-building parts of management so the people leader activities are my favorite, followed closely by quality and regulatory/legal subjects.

I try to show respect to every person.  I feel that it is my responsibility to maintain my own sense of justice and balance so people can feel free to be themselves. I do lose patience sometimes, I don’t want to imply that I get it right all the time.  But I do try, and trying is the main thing. Outputs come when you try.

18.  Asides your passion for poetry, what else are you equally as passionate about?

I do not like oppression in any form.  Constructive and healthy boundaries are to be expected; however, when I see those who are less fortunate than others being manipulated or held back it saddens and angers me.  So I always look for opportunities to help encourage humanity as the driving force behind actions.  While it is human nature to position ourselves based on power, I believe it is also our charge to set aside unhealthy ego when considering the good of the masses.

I am passionate about having an enjoyable life.  I believe we all have a busload of people in our heads…the petulant 7 year old, the brooding teen, the terrified toddler, and of course, the terrifying bully, just to name a few.  The bus must drive through all terrain and meteorologic conditions.  

What kind of day will we have? It depends on who is driving the bus.  

What kind of life will we have? It depends on how many bus-driving shifts that person is assigned.  

And what kind of reputation will we have? It’s a simple a reflection of the tire tracks, tread marks, or skid marks left behind.  

I try to judiciously assign control of the bus with the help and guidance of God, the Almighty crossing guard.

19.  Your parting words to your teeming followers and fans worldwide.

First of all, thank you for reading my poems and watching my videos. It means a lot to me.  I am sure those who know me or my work can see that I am a brave soul.  But that doesn’t mean I’m not terrified.  I am an anxious-leaning person normally so I’m nervous a lot.  But I understand that that is my nature.  In the poem “Mysteries,” I talk about how I don’t think I’ll be 100% happy regardless, so I decided to just be happy with that.  In the same sense, my poems aren’t perfect, videos aren’t perfect, posts aren’t perfect, songs aren’t perfect, paintings aren’t perfect…but people like them.  It think that’s because they see that I’m an average everyday person who is setting fear to the side and doing the thing anyway.  And that means they might be able to do it too.  That’s the best thing that has happened, to have people sending me poems and asking me if I think they are “good enough” to post.  That wows me, so thank you for reading and enjoying my work.  It means everything to me.

And for those of you who are thinking if you should try to write that script, or pen a poem, or paint a picture, or rebuild the engine…you absolutely should start today.  I will leave you with one of my three favorite poems that I have written, “Abstract.”  This tells you what you need to know.  

Thank you again for the opportunity and a special thank you to Joseph Spencer and the entire Collab Team Family.  You have all been wonderful. 

*One last special shout out to Naima Bourhzal for that beyond fantastic book cover design!  I absolutely love it, thank you for your talent!