INTERVIEW SPECIAL!

INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVE!

Rhonda Yates broke the internet when her second poetry collection, "Ashes to Ice" dropped and less than twenty four hours later, topped multiple charts on Amazon Bestseller's lists. 

Today, she takes us on her journey and how she got to the summit of the literary world.  Interestingly, her debut book, "Peril in Black and White" released less than a month ago still continues to top charts on Amazon, making her one of a very select set of poets, with two or more books chart on the Amazon bestsellers lists simultaneously. 

 1.Tell us a little about your background?

I was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, where I currently reside.  I consider my faith and family to be the most important things in my life.  I work as a pharmacist and in my spare time I enjoy creative arts such as writing poetry and short stories, painting, playing the guitar and songwriting.  I also enjoy trying new restaurants, attending live music events and reading.

2.  When did it occur to you that you had a gift for writing poetry?

I was first exposed to poetry when I was in elementary school and I have always been fascinated that poets can tell an entire story, from beginning to end, using so few words.  A poem is the ultimate short story.  When I was in junior high, I won a contest for writing a poem and it was so surprising to me that someone liked what I wrote.  I have always written and at some of the toughest times in my life, my poetry has kept me company.  Many of my poems are contained within my journals and its a very personal hobby.  Now that I am sharing more of my work, accepting compliments does take some getting used to!

3.  How did you get the inspiration for the title of your book, " Ashes to Ice?”

I got the idea when I was drafting a poem and I began describing the image of a solid person going to ash.  Sometimes in our lives after a profound event, we can feel the person we are being to disintegrate.  I imagine that as “going to ash.” The matter itself is still there, the essence, but it’s been reconfigured into something unrecognizable.  If one were to introduce some other elements, it will affect the ash.  It may blow in the wind, or even be partially dissolved in a rain shower.  And if the temperature were to drop suddenly, the new circumstances could result in a whole new state.  Now what remains of the ash?  Once solid, then powdering, and now it is partially dissolved, partially frozen substance in water.  The end state is transfigured completely and irrevocably.  How it is handled changes.  Is it a mess?  Or is this all part of the reconfiguration?  How it is interpreted changes.  But is it still the same matter that existed at the start?  I named this poem From Ashes to Ice.  In his true fashion, Joseph Spencer recommended that the book be named “Ashes to Ice” dropping the word ‘From’ because, and I quote, “Ashes to Ice is more apt, dear.”  Anyone who knows Joseph can hear him speak these very words!

4.  Describe how the experience has been so far since your book got released?

I don’t even know how to describe it.  There has been so much positive feedback, encouragement, love, advice, cheers…I am so grateful that God gave me the ability to be terrified AND do the thing.  It is the doing of the thing that is the thing!  If you wait to not be afraid, you will never do it.  After the book was released I have had friends new and old giving nothing but encouragement and love.  That makes me very happy.

Also, I think my poetry is popular because right now, we all can use a little poetry in our lives.  Some of the works are serious, but some are just to give the writer and reader a chance to step away from relentless pressures of life and ponder on something or read a story.  I love when I run across a piece of poetry that says what is in my head.  Is very reassuring.  So I can see why this type of poetry may be popular right now.

5.   Did you envisage that your book would be so successful?

I didn’t know what to expect, honestly.  I wanted to publish a book of poetry because books are forever.  I have left a stamp in the world that can be referenced or recalled at anytime in the future.  It’s an epic bucket list item  And the book is a beautiful piece of art in its own right.  Naima Bourhzal did an absolute amazing job illustration for both “Ashes to Ice” and “Peril in Black & White.”  It’s a dream come true!

It has been wonderful to observe the creation of the book, as well as the warm reception it has received.  I am grateful.

6.  " Ashes to Ice" reached Number 1 on the Bestsellers list in the Poetry categories and several other lists: what was the feeling like?

Now this is what blew me away.   This book has reached the Best Sellers list for new releases in Motivational and Inspirational Poetry, African Poetry, and African-American Poetry!  The list is fluid, and at one point I was listed as #1 Best Selling Poet in two of the subcategories.  I still don’t have the words to describe that feeling.  It was unexpected and so very validating.  Most of the poems in “Ashes to Ice” were written as the first book was being prepared.  I felt such a period of inspiration.  And I think that is why it has been successful so far because people can feel that energy.  What I have to say just comes out.  So for so many people to appreciate that is an absolute honor.

7.  How do you stay motivated after achieving such stratospheric success on your book?

I don’t really think of creativity needing motivation so much.  What it really needs is inspiration.  With the right inspiration a person can work through the logistics of anything.  So I stay inspired first and foremost by maintaining a daily spiritual walk.  This is very effective to avoid resentments or mental fatigue to set in.  For me, these will kill my creativity.  By keeping my mind open, I allow my eyes and ears to see and hear things that may speak to me.  The Poem is King was written after I heard a phenomenal LoFi rhythm.  The beat gave me the words.  It sounds strange but it happens like that for me.  Orphan was written after I learned my own birth story.  Twenty Five was written after I read an article about all of the major events that have happened in the first 25 years of the 21st century.  Hematoma was written after I read a heartbreaking article about a domestic abuse victim.  I try to remain inspired and that’s it.  “Success” has a definition that changes all the time, but for poetry I think the biggest success is when you can read one of your pieces and be moved to tears or laughter all over again.

8.  What are your future plans? Any other books on the way?

Yes!  I would like to publish another book for sure.  Now, instead of writing poems and saving them individually, I just continued using the manuscript draft.  It has helped me to be more organized and I like knowing that the book comes in its own time.  This has been a good change for me and the poems are all in one place which makes my organized brain very happy!

9.  Your parting statement to your fans across the globe?

Writers have the ability to articulate feelings into words. When others read those words, he or she can identify with the pieces that strike a note in the heart. And once that connection is made the reader wants to read more. There are a few poetry collections that I have read from cover to cover because I wanted to know more about what the writer has to offer. My personal goal is to provide interpretations for consideration.  

I would advise any poet to first consider what is most important to you and write about that, good or bad.  The passion behind the work is important than the subject matter.  Then, convey that important thing using your own words, not substitutes found in references or thesaurus. What comes from you will be felt.  Finally, stay true to your own evolving style. It is easy to see what others do and want to emulate, but allow yourself to grow into whatever artist you are to be at that moment. I have learned so much and am excited for what is to come!  Thank you to the entire Collab Team family for the outstanding support!