Jessie is a writer, poet, and artist studying English as a senior at PSU.
Q: Who are your favorite poets?
A: Dorothy Parker is by far my favorite poet. Her gift for satire and the macabe is what hooked me to poetry. She’ll always hold a special place in my heart.
Q: Where do you draw inspiration from?
A: Most of the time I sit down and start working. I don’t try “hunting” for inspiration because it usually leads to procrastination for me. Either I sit down and free write until I get hooked on something, or, at most, I find a photo for inspiration. Looking at a picture will frequently spark something, and even if I don’t like the result, it was a start.
Q: What do you do about creative blocks?
A: I try not to stress over them too much. I find that the anxiety they produce comprises the majority of that “blocked” feeling. I grab a snack and a glass of water, take a shower, read a few of my favorite poems; Whatever I feel is necessary to relax. When it’s time to re-approach my work, I try to go in with no expectations but to create; Refinement can come later.
Q: What does your artistic process look like?
A: An absolute mess.
Q: What are your goals?
A: To create, and to be happy.
