Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma-jane Barlow

Emma-jane, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

I’ve always loved words. From the moment I could write and read, I was hooked! I’ve been writing poetry since the age of seven. It has always been how I understand myself and the world around me. I won multiple poetry competitions at school and I would write short stories and songs in notebooks throughout my childhood and teens.

Then I studied Creative Writing at university. My love for words has blossomed throughout my life and I am so proud of how far I have come. I’ve published two bestselling poetry books and I am working on a third. I’m also working on a few other projects, including a novel and a non-fiction book. My love of words continues and I know I have many more stories to tell.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

The life of a writer is never an easy one. I’ve had some struggles in my creative journey but whenever I face an obstacle, I always focus on the why. I remind myself why I write. And it always brings me back to my true purpose. There are always going to be rejections, failures and disappointments in any writer’s journey, it’s how you deal with them that shows your true character.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

I am a writer. But I’d say I specialise in poetry because it has always felt like my first language. I think in metaphors, I paint my feelings and experiences in my mind in verse first before I speak them. It’s always been and always will be my preferred way of writing. But that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy other types of writing. I have written novels, short stories and songs.

I am known for the emotive and bold way that I write. I was called The Poet Witch a few years ago by someone and it’s a name that has stuck ever since! I like to transport my readers with my words, enchant them with imagery and leave them feeling powerful emotions. I love to play with words and create strong connections between myself and my readers. My favourite part about being a writer is having someone resonate with what I have written.

I think what sets me apart from others is my honesty. I’ve never shyed away from speaking my truth when it comes to my writing. I am a storyteller and a truthteller and I like to write about the rawness and romance of life. I am inspired by my personal experiences but I also like to create completely fictitious worlds and write about them too. I think what I love the most about being a writer, is I get to experience so many different lives through the eyes of many characters and varied versions of myself, ones that I have been, ones I will never be and ones I have yet to become.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?

During the pandemic, the world took a long pause. And I used this time to stop making excuses and finally put my words out into the world. I had been sharing my poetry online for a little while and I had secretly been working on my first book for many years. But I didn’t have the confidence to publish it. Until the pandemic. I let go of all control I had surrounding the steps I needed or wanted to take in my career as a writer. I released my book. I just did it. And what followed was a beautiful journey that I will never forget.

Darkness & Light is a poetry collection that I am immensely proud of. My writing has improved and changed so much since then. But I still hold that book proudly in my hands because I did it all myself. Everything from the poems, the cover, the formatting. I gave myself a challenge during lockdown and that’s how I dealt with the crisis, I got to work! The pandemic had forced everyone inside and it was during that time that I thrived as a member of a wonderful and supportive online writing community that gave me that push I needed to release it. Darkness & Light became an Amazon bestseller and looking back, it really gave me an important life lesson.

Never wait for something because you are experiencing fear or doubt. Do it anyway. You never know how your story will be written and sometimes you have to write parts of your story yourself.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.emmajanebarlow.co.uk
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmajanepoetry
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emmajanepoetry
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/emmajanecreative
• Other: https://linktr.ee/emmajanepoetry