Poetess Latasha Daneille joins us today to enlighten us on her poetic journey and process! Please check out the interview below:
KW – Thank you for joining us today. Please go ahead introduce yourself. Tell us about yourwork.
L. Drax – I am Latasha Daneille (Drax) a poet and prose writer from Brooklyn, NY. My poetry collection Metamorphosis of Rhythm and eBook devotional From Dusk to Dawn: Ordinary Devotions for Extraordinary Souls are available on Amazon. Her animated video poem Brooklyn Strong was an official selection for the Film and Video Poem Symposium in Los Angeles and premiered in November 2024. Latasha’s first short film script is being produced and directed by Rehabilitation of the Arts, whose prison arts program is documented in Sing Sing the Oscar nominated film. Most recently, I released my first audio recording “A Piece of Mind: A Poetry Mixtape by Latasha Daneille” that is available on all streaming platforms such as Spotify, iTunes, Amazon Music.
KW – So how did your love of writing and poetry begin and what inspires you?
L. Drax – I majored in English while in college but began writing at a very early age. My mother is a poet and writer, and my father is a visual artist. So, I believe my poetry and appreciation of art are natural gifts and talent that I have developed throughout the years. I am inspired by lived experiences, the experiences of others and the world around me.
KW – What does your writing process look like and how do you approach writing a new book?
L. Drax – My first venture into self-publishing was with my book Fruit of My Womb while in college and it was a compilation of poems that I wanted to share with others. This has been my ongoing approach. I write my poetry freely and then compile the poems and identify a central theme. Once that manuscript is drafted, I begin to outsource graphic or visual artists to create the cover or execute the vision that I have for how the project will look. I am very hands on and involved in the process, so I look to have an open and collaborative working relationship with my artists in which we are exchanging creative ideas.
KW – Who or what are your biggest influences and how do you stay inspired and creative?
L. Drax – I remain inspired and creative by life itself and the belief that something I say or do will empower and motivate someone else to pursue their own passion and purpose. The poets who I am most influenced by are Lucille Clifton and Gwendolyn Brooks. Their poetry is simple yet have such depth and richness that is relatable to the experiences of the average person.
KW – Are there any challenges that you struggle with? And how do you overcome them?
L. Drax – The common challenge I face is procrastination, which I believe comes from a mindset of I can’t do it or people won’t appreciate it. It’s likely rooted in an imposter syndrome mentality that stems from fear of rejection. I overcome this mindset with the mantra “just do it.” I understand that everyone will not like, understand or appreciate what I offer but my worth is not validated by others. If I approach a project with excellence to honor my audience and my talent, that’s what matters and makes the difference.
KW – Have you noticed any changes in the industry since you started?
L. Drax – Since my first self-publication, there are a myriad of platforms which allow writers to pursue nontraditional methods of publishing…making it easier. There also is a cultural shift in how independent authors and publishers are perceived and many are being taken more seriously, and the market is far more competitive than it ever has been.
KW – Do you have any advice for other poets or authors?
L. Drax – I would advise authors to be authentic. While we can be inspired or influenced by others, we must develop our own voice and be unique in our writing. I would also say be professional. Especially as it pertains to those who want to publish independently. Professionalism includes being prepared, doing research, using an editor and putting forth a project that respects your audience.
KW – What has been your favorite piece of work or a project you loved the most?
L. Drax – My favorite project to date is my first animated video. The use of animation to address harsh and even heartbreaking themes was executed beautifully by my graphic artist and the language and delivery of the poem itself was different from my norm. I feel that Brooklyn Strong is an example of my growth and evolution as a writer and person.
KW – Do you have any current projects or goals planned?
L. Drax – I am looking forward to my forthcoming poetry collection Pandemonium: Poems from the Pandemic. It’s not so much the poetry but the concept in the design which I am excited about. It’s very different from what is currently on the market or from what I’ve seen, so I am looking forward to sharing it. Pandemonium is the larger work which contains poems from the audio recording “A Piece of Mind” so people will be able to access the recording as well. For the future, I would like to gain consistent momentum in facilitating my poetry workshops online or in person, develop a more targeted and intentional approach to marketing and promotion and increase my exposure through social media and interviews, I also want to not only submit but be accepted into a literary journal. Lastly, I want to continue to develop my craft as a poet and writer, create outside of the box, set trends instead of following them and remain authentic in the process.
Instagram: kats_ink_pen
(https://www.instagram.com/kats_ink_pen/)
YouTube: Katalyst InK Presents
(https://youtube.com/@katalystinkpresents…4493?si=JjrSEDhDHG3EYI8b)
Website: www.latashadrax.com
