Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jeanelle Fu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Jeanelle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I’ve always enjoyed writing and performing poetry but had never written poems on the spot for people, until my first event. It is definitely a unique craft- hearing another person’s stories and motivations, and reflecting it back to them as they are in front of you. The more I did it, the easier it flowed and I realized so much of writing live poetry is not about the metaphors I choose but really about listening well and catching the other person’s style, in a sense– even though that feels impossible to do in a couple of minutes. Being present, active listening, and asking good questions (similar to a journalist or interviewer!) all help make the experience something extraordinary. Obstacles are hitting a writing block after writing too many poems in one sitting or problems with the typewriter!
Jeanelle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m Jeanelle, a typewriter poet based in LA. I’ve written for international brands such as Canada Goose and Anthropologie, non-profits such as Downtown Women’s Center and MELT LA, a record label in arts district. Live poetry is special because it is a co-collaborative experience between the artist and the receiver. Strangers give me a topic, or a word, we have a conversation and I compose something special for my clients on the spot. Sometimes people are in a transition period and are looking for strength. Others have something to say to someone else. I’m most proud of being able to write a poem for a woman at the DWC who is 71 and has given her whole life to uplift other women! I also love seeing people light up after an experience because they had never encountered anything like it. Typewriters bring us back to a simpler time and remind me of the joy of being present, and the things we left behind in childhood.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
When I started doing this, I was popping up at occasional markets that had cover fees. Soon after, I discovered a whole community of poets who were doing similar things, and also able to support themselves full-time. At the time, I was still working full-time at a non-profit and mostly doing pop ups on nights or the weekends. I saw posts from people I looked up to who would be writing at these amazing events, and I remember pasting a photo on my notes app and writing “Goals”. I think I was impressed that they could partner with these brands that have really impacted society, and that poetry was desired as something valuable. 1.5 years after mostly writing at smaller gatherings, I started getting my first paid opportunities. The first company that hired me was Ranavat and I remember I was so nervous, because suddenly influencers were in line to receive a custom poem and an international brand was paying me for my time at their event. Another story that stands out about resilience is probably when I had an event writing on Larchmont but it was in the full sun, and there was a line with people waiting to get poems so I basically just worked the entire three hours mostly without stopping (I probably got a few shades darker after)– but actors Sherry Cola and Manny Jacinto stopped by in that time frame!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I think most artists aren’t in it for the money. It’s like, something in you is aching to create and express, and whatever comes from that you sort of hope it makes a path for you that is walkable. You don’t really care about if people like it or not– and that’s really the appeal. People create fearlessly and it is so dynamic that movements are born. For me, the most rewarding aspect is having your work really resonate with someone in an unexpected way. Helping others also feel seen, and be able to work through their own pain and crossroads can be a very fulfilling sidequest when it comes to being a creative.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jeanellefu.com
- Instagram: @lovejnell
- Other: Substack: https://jeanellefu.substack.com/
