About VoyageMinnesota Magazine
VoyageMinnesota Magazine is part of a series of similar magazines, including VoyageLA and VoyagePhoenix, all run by the same creative team.
Like its sister publications, the VoyageMinnesota Magazine team believes that too many editors edit away the personality of interviewees. As a result, so much of what we see in the media feels like it is coming from the same person. The magazine believes it is important for media to authentically represent the communities they serve. The magazine tries to ensure that the voices of those they feature jump off the page.
Accordingly, the magazine’s mission is to build a platform that fosters collaboration and support for small businesses, independent artists and entrepreneurs, and local institutions. They want the stories they share to help give big cities a little bit of that small town community charm, where people know each other and stories are shared at a deeper, more personal level.
What is my interview about?
I do not live in Minnesota, being a Virginian girl, but the magazine loves pulling in out-of-state voices to round out the publication’s features and vibrant articles.
In my interview with VoyageMinnesota Magazine, I talk about the trajectory of my writing journey, share my thoughts on the joys and sorrows of a writing life, and highlight what I believe makes my writing style unique.
I also share my hopes and dreams for this blog and close up with a few words for aspiring creatives. Here is an excerpt from my VoyageMinnesota interview!
Featured in VoyageMinnesota Magazine Interview Excerpt
I loved writing the following piece in response to the following question, as it pushed me to think deeply about why I write and what I primarily write about. I consider myself a diverse writer, but I found in my reflection that there are themes that captivate me more than others.
This excerpt is not the opening of the interview, but I think it is one of the most interesting sections.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I write poetry, prose, short stories, and novels, but actively share poems, prose, short stories, and articles on my blog. Over the past eleven years, I have dabbled in various genres, including urban fantasy and magical realism, but I find I regularly include themes of healing, self-discovery, and acceptance in my work.
My poetry, prose, and short stories in particular are usually stories of coming to terms with one’s self, reaching out to grab the focus of one’s passion, or healing from past trauma. I am all about delivering an emotional punch or painting a vivid picture, but I think what sets my writing apart is it does not try to tell the reader how to feel.
I condense emotion and imagery into my writing, but I never tell the reader how to receive my writing. What I particularly love about this technique is every reader connects with the same story differently. Because I try not to label emotions or direct feelings, each reader discovers their own connection to the story I am telling. No two readers feel exactly the same emotion because my writing evokes individual memories and experiences that make my writing a unique read to read. That is what I want to continue to be known for.
When it comes to my writing guide articles, I love to keep the focus on writers. Whether I am writing a gift guide or rounding up the best bathrobes on the market, I keep the spotlight on how what I am sharing benefits either the writer’s work or their lifestyle.
I cannot find many articles about writer’s fashion or lifestyle, so I am super excited to be the person who helps bridge the gap. It is difficult to embark down a road no one else has successfully travelled before, but the challenge inspires me to get creative about the content I put out and be flexible when it comes to creating collaborative posts. Doing something new is my way of standing out while staying true to my creative vision, style, and voice.
Please do continue reading at VoyageMinnesota Magazine and feel free to share your beautiful thoughts!