INTERVIEW SPECIAL!

INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVE!

Jacqueline Kimberly is a versatile and talented poet with an innate ability to write incredible pieces that leave an unforgetable experience in the hearts of the readers and audience.  Jacqueline has an impressive following on social media and aspires to get to the very top of her career as a world class poet. 

Today, Jacqueline grants an exclusive insight into aspects of her life in this exclusive interview. 

1. Tell us about your background?

My name is Jacqueline Kimberly — Jacqueline is my real name, and Kimberly is the pen name I chose to represent my creative identity. I’ve been writing poetry since I was young, but I became serious about it in the last few years as a way to process my emotions and make sense of my experiences.

I studied Library and Information Technology and worked as a library clerk for five years, which deepened my love for literature, language, and storytelling. I also completed a global makeup artistry program that covered both beauty makeup and special effects, so creativity has always been a big part of my life in more than one form.

Living with bipolar disorder and generalized anxiety has shaped a lot of my voice — I write openly about the nuances of mental health, grief, love, and the extremes in between.

Over time, I’ve built an engaged audience online by being honest, reflective, and unafraid to share the raw parts of my story. As Jacqueline Kimberly, my work leans emotional, romantic, and introspective. I’m currently developing multiple poetry projects, including Confessions Over Tequila, which dives into themes of love, healing, and self-discovery.

Writing isn’t just expression for me — it’s connection. And that’s the space I hope to continue expanding in.

2.  How did poetry all begin for you

For me, poetry began long before I realized I was writing it. As a kid, I used to study song lyrics like they were sacred texts — the rhythms, the emotions, the way a single line could make you feel something. That’s really where my love for poetic language started.

Then in junior high, I took a creative writing option, and that class completely changed everything for me. It gave me a space to experiment with words, emotions, and storytelling in a way I’d never done before. From there… the rest is history. Writing became my outlet, my passion, and eventually, my voice.

3. What is your writing process like

My writing process is very intuitive and emotion-driven. I don’t sit down with a strict outline — I write when something moves me, hits me, or sits heavy on my mind. A lot of my ideas come from lived experience, late-night reflection, or even a single sentence that pops into my head and refuses to leave.

I usually start with a raw line or feeling, and from there I shape it into something more intentional. I reread, refine, and listen to the rhythm to make sure it flows. Sometimes I’ll pair the process with music, because certain songs help unlock emotions and guide the tone of the poem.

I guess you could say my process is equal parts honesty, intuition, and craft. I don’t force it — I let the emotion lead, and the words follow.

4. Do you usually have personal connections with your poems

Oh, absolutely. Almost everything I write comes from a personal place. My poems are reflections of my experiences, my emotions, and the way I move through the world. I write about love, loss, mental health, and the small moments that shape us — and all of that is rooted in lived experience.

Even when a piece isn’t literally about me, it’s still connected to something I’ve felt or observed deeply. Poetry is how I process things, how I make sense of my bipolar disorder, my anxiety, my relationships, and my past.

So yes — my writing is very personal. It’s honest, it’s vulnerable, and it’s the truest version of me on the page.

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

Some of my favorite poets are Lang Leav, Rupi Kaur, Courtney Peppernell, and Erin Hanson. I’m drawn to writers who lead with emotion and vulnerability, and who have a gift for turning personal experience into something universal.

Lang Leav inspires me with her softness and her storytelling — her poems feel like memories captured in delicate lines. Courtney Peppernell has a comforting, intimate tone that makes you feel understood as you read. Rupi Kaur’s work is powerful in its simplicity; she can express something deep in just a few words.

And Erin Hanson blends lyrical rhythm with emotional bravery. She writes about fear, hope, and self-discovery in a way that feels relatable and uplifting.

Overall, I gravitate toward poets who write from the heart — writers who are honest, reflective, and deeply human. Their styles align closely with my own voice and the kind of emotional connection I hope to create in my work.

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?

It’s honestly surreal in the best way. I never expected my words to travel beyond my own corner of the world, let alone reach people internationally. Every time someone from another country comments, shares, or messages me saying a poem resonated with them, it reminds me why I write in the first place — to connect.

For someone to read my work, feel something, and see themselves reflected in it… that’s a kind of magic I don’t take for granted. Living with bipolar disorder and anxiety, I’ve often felt misunderstood, so knowing that my honesty can make someone on the other side of the world feel less alone is incredibly meaningful.

It feels like this community formed out of shared humanity — people finding comfort in the same emotions, even if we’re oceans apart. It’s humbling, it’s heart-warming, and it still amazes me every day.

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

I think my fans would be surprised to know that I actually started out studying global makeup artistry — both beauty and special FX — before I ever considered becoming a poet publicly. Creativity has always been a part of my life, but it didn’t begin with writing.

Another thing people might not expect is that I worked as a library clerk for five years. Being surrounded by books and stories every day definitely shaped my love for language, but I wasn’t writing consistently at the time.

And maybe the biggest surprise is how introverted and anxious I can be in real life. People see confidence online, but a lot of my writing comes from working through my own insecurities, mental health, and lived experiences.

So even though my work feels bold and expressive, behind the scenes I’m a very reflective, quiet person who just channels everything onto the page.

8. Other hobbies you love outside writing and poetry

Outside of writing, I enjoy painting — it gives me a different creative outlet where I can express emotion without using any words at all. I tend to paint based on mood, so the process feels very similar to how I write.

I also love cooking and baking; it’s calming for me, and it feels good to create something comforting from scratch. Music is another big part of my life — I’m always listening to something that matches what I’m feeling or inspires new ideas.

And honestly, I enjoy simple, quiet moments: spending time with my cat, going for walks, and just allowing myself to slow down and reflect. Anything that brings peace or lets me create in a different way is usually where I gravitate.

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

Both, absolutely. A lot of my poems come directly from real-life experiences — things I’ve lived through, felt deeply, or had to process. I write about love, grief, mental health, and the moments that stay with me, so there’s a lot of truth woven into my work.

But I also love using my imagination. Sometimes a poem starts with a feeling, and other times it starts with a ‘what if?’ or a small idea that grows into something bigger. Even when a piece isn’t literally true, it’s emotionally true.

So I’d say my writing is a blend of both lived experience and creative interpretation. I take real emotions and sometimes shape them into something more poetic, symbolic, or universal.

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 was more of an observer than anything. I wasn’t the kid who read constantly — I was the kid who watched people, paid attention to emotions, and tried to make sense of the world around me. I think that’s where my writing really began, even before I knew it was writing.

My family has always known I was creative, even if none of us imagined I’d eventually become a poet. They’ve supported me in their own way, and while they may not fully understand the world of poetry or social media, they’re proud that my work connects with people and that it’s reaching readers around the world.

I think they’re pleasantly surprised by how far my writing has gone, and they appreciate that I’ve found something that genuinely means something to me and to others.

11. Some sources whispered to us that you are currently working on a special project.please go into detail about this?

Yes, I am! I’m currently working on a new poetry collection called Confessions Over Tequila. It explores love, vulnerability, healing, and all the emotional extremes that come with being human — especially living with bipolar disorder and anxiety.

This book feels special because it’s the most honest I’ve ever been. It blends confessions, reflections, and the kinds of moments people don’t always say out loud. I wanted to create something that feels intimate and relatable, like you're reading someone’s raw, unfiltered truth — only crafted into poetry.A lot of my readers relate to the emotional highs and lows in my work, and this project gives them a deeper look into that world. It’s bold, vulnerable, and very me. I’m excited to share it when it’s ready.

12. What does literary success mean to you?

To be honest, I’m not sure I measure success the way most people do. I feel like I’ve already reached a version of literary success, because my words have touched people’s hearts. When someone messages me saying a poem made them feel seen, understood, or less alone — that means more to me than numbers or accolades ever could.

Of course, I’d love to keep growing and publish more books, but at its core, success to me is connection. If my writing can reach someone on the other side of the world and make them feel something real, then I already feel successful.

13. Would you Consider yourself a person of faith?

I’d say I’m more spiritual than anything. I believe in signs, intuition, and the idea that there’s something greater guiding us, even if I don’t follow a specific religion.

14.  What does Friendship mean to you?

Friendship, to me, is about genuine connection and feeling safe to be your real self. It’s the kind of bond where you can talk about anything, or sit in silence, and still feel understood.

True friendship isn’t about constant communication — it’s about trust, loyalty, and showing up for each other in the moments that matter. It’s being seen in your highs and your lows, and knowing the other person isn’t going anywhere.

To me, friendship is choosing each other, over and over, even as life changes. It’s one of the most meaningful relationships we get to experience.

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

Yes, absolutely. One of the earliest creative friendships that meant a lot to me was with Anastasia Mackenzie. She supported my writing long before I had an audience and always believed in my voice, which helped give me the confidence to keep going.

I also want to highlight Mandy Eve-Barnett. She encouraged my writing, offered guidance, and saw potential in me at a time when I was still finding my footing. Her support made a real difference in my development.

And more recently, I’ve formed a meaningful creative partnership with Joseph Spencer. His mentorship, insight, and belief in my work have helped me grow tremendously as a poet. Having someone who understands both the emotional and professional side of poetry has been grounding and inspiring.

Each of these friendships shaped a different part of my journey, and I’m deeply grateful for all of them.

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

I think the poetry community is in a really beautiful place right now. There’s so much diversity in voice, style, and experience. People aren’t afraid to write honestly anymore — they’re sharing their truths, their struggles, and their healing journeys, and that kind of vulnerability has created a powerful sense of connection.

My message to aspiring creatives is simple: write for yourself first, then decide if you want to share it. The moment you start creating to please others, you lose the rawness that makes your work meaningful.

Don’t worry about perfection, trends, or whether people will ‘get it.’ Focus on what you feel. Focus on your voice. The right readers will always find you.

17.  How would you describe your personality

I’d describe myself as empathetic, reflective, and creatively driven. I feel things deeply, and I think that comes through in my writing. I’m also very intuitive — I tend to pick up on emotions, energy, and unspoken things around me.

I have a quiet side that loves calm, comfort, and introspection, but I also have a playful, humorous side that comes out in my creative work. I’m ambitious in my own way, but grounded enough to stay authentic. At my core, I’m someone who cares — about people, about meaning, and about expressing myself honestly.

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

Aside from poetry, I’m equally passionate about mental health awareness. Living with bipolar disorder and anxiety, I know how important it is to talk about these things openly and without shame. I care deeply about helping others feel understood and less alone, whether that’s through my writing or simply by being honest about my own experiences.

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

Believe in yourself. Truly. Even on the days it feels impossible.

Your voice matters, your story matters, and the world is better with you in it.

Thank you for reading my work, supporting me, and connecting with my words from all over the world. I’m grateful every single day. Keep creating, keep feeling, and keep trusting that you’re capable of more than you think.