A Cup of Coffee with Alecia Gabrielle
Alecia Gabrielle is a twenty-year-old poet from Mississippi. She has been writing since the age of seven, and she is currently working towards a Bachelor of Arts in education. Alecia plans to move to the east coast after graduation while continuing to write and publish her poetry.
She is part of our Spring Anthology, and we were fortunate enough she took the time to fill out a couple of questions so that we were able to get to know her better.
When did you become a poet? How did you know it was the right medium for your stories?
I began writing “lyrics” around the age of seven because I wanted to be a singer, truthfully. Once I realized that I did not have an angelic voice, I began writing poetry. It felt like the perfect fit, and I have never looked back since.
What inspires you to write?
Life’s cruel experiences inspire me. Life’s wondrous depths inspire me. People of rare quality, never-ending adventures, and the ache of love sickness all inspire me.
What are you currently reading?
I am currently reading Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens and Between the Trees by Kristiana Reed.
What are you working on next/what was your last project?
I am working on several new zines. They each have their own themes. My last completed project was a twenty-page zine titled, “Sometimes You’re Stuck in Traffic and the Engine Just Won’t Turn Over.”
Tag three of your favourite IG poets we should read:
@smilingatmysandwich, @kristianamst, @notesfromhim
What are some common themes you see in your own work?
Some common themes in my work that I have noticed are childhood experiences, betrayal, and ‘puppy’ love.
How do you beat writer's block?
When the infamous writer’s block kicks in, I go for a drive down long, winding back roads of Mississippi. That always seem to help me.
Do you feel that sharing your poetry is a vulnerable process?
I think it is an extremely vulnerable process. Sometimes being vulnerable is a way to break out of a shell that needs to be broken.
How many unfinished or unpublished books do you have?
I have currently self-published one poetry collection. Because Alecia was super humble about all this and didn't include her book at first, here's the title and the about from Amazon: "Afterglow Effect," includes pieces which are each transparent journeys in themselves. From profound experiences of early childhood to the aching heartbreak which often accompanies adolescence, Alecia's poems capture what it means to hurt and to heal. Flooded with detailed poetry that is sure to ignite a pastel sunset of emotion inside of readers, her poems highlight what it means to feel unwanted and discouraged while also exuding emphasis on how to be resilient in the glowing dawns to come.
Alecia is currently working on a second collection of poetry. Her first can be found here.
What is the first book that made you cry?
Sing Me to Sleep by Angela Morrison.
Do family and "real life" friends read your work?
A few friends read my work here and there. That’s about it. Sadly, I don’t think poetry in general is found to be interesting by a lot of people I know in my day-to-day life.
What does "good poetry" mean to you?
To me, ‘good’ poetry is from a place of true feeling, thought, or desire. It is honesty in raw form.
What is your writing process like?
I designate certain days of the week for writing new poems so that I am always writing no matter what. However, if a poem comes to mind at any time, I immediately scribble it down.
Read Alecia's work: