Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Marla Taviano. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Marla, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
I can’t say for sure that this is the most meaningful project EVER, but it’s super meaningful to me, and I’m having so much fun.
After decades of writing prose (I’m 48, and my first book was published in 2001), I started writing poetry in 2020. I had just moved back to the States after 5 years in Cambodia; my husband of 22 years left unexpectedly, we were in the middle of a pandemic, and I was trying to write another book, but it just wasn’t working.
And that’s when the poetry started pouring out.
I’ve published four books of poetry in less than four years (number five releases soon), and I’ve become obsessed with writing poetry. It’s like I’m furiously making up for lost time.
And that’s just the backstory.
Last year, I randomly started cutting poems out of one of my books (the cover was messed up so I couldn’t sell it) and gluing them onto illustrations from vintage kids’ books.
POEM ART.
Once I started, I couldn’t stop. I’ve made hundreds of pieces of art. I laminate them, I give them away, I share them on social media. They’re like handmade memes, and I love them. Other people love them too.
Then I published a book called PLEASE CUT UP MY POEMS that’s specifically for the purpose of making poem art. We’re starting a little revolution. It’s fun, it’s healing, and it makes me so happy.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
From 2000-2014, I was a Christian author and speaker whose primary audience was Christian wives and moms. I wrote humorous self-help books, and spoke at women’s events and conferences about marriage and motherhood.
And thennnnnn my faith started shifting and changing. I started waking up to the harm being done to marginalized folks in God’s name. I learned about white supremacy and homophobia, etc. etc. etc. I started reading books by Black, Indigenous, Asian, and Latinx authors and reviewing them on Instagram (@whitegirllearning).
That changed everything.
I still write, but it’s different now. I write as an activist, an advocate, and someone who cares very deeply about stopping harm and dismantling oppressive systems. I make protest art out of toxic religious books. I share my platform as a way to amplify Black, Indigenous, Asian, and Latinx voices. I don’t get paid for this work. It’s a labor of love.
For my day job, I write and edit for other people (blog posts and social media for entrepreneurs, ghostwriting, editing for self-published authors, etc.)
My dream is to support myself with my own books someday.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I learned to read when I was four, and I’ve been devouring books ever since. I love words, I love stories, and I have so many words and stories inside of me.
My teachers started praising my writing at an early age. I loved knowing that I was actually good at something I loved so much.
My favorite part of creating is when my words resonate with others and they tell me. Just about every day, I get a DM or comment from someone whose life has been touched by my words. A lot of times it’s something like “Oh my god! Me too!” It’s an incredible feeling, and I want everyone else to experience it too (if that’s what they want).
How did you build your audience on social media?
I have over 14,000 followers on my @whitegirllearning IG account that I started in December 2017. I built it slowly and organically by consistently sharing good books.
Unfortunately, everything is changing with Instagram and algorithms and all of that. My follower count hasn’t grown in months, and when I post, only a handful of my followers even see it. It makes me really sad.
My personal IG account (@marlataviano) is much smaller (4300), but it’s growing bit by bit. I post poem art that I’ve made, and I get a lot of engagement because it resonates with people.
I wish I had some better answers, but I haven’t cracked the code. I know I’m not alone. A lot of folks with huge followings are struggling as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.marlataviano.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/marlataviano
- Other: http://marlataviano.substack.com
