We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Steven Randle. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Steven below.

Steven, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

I wish that I had stopped to smell the roses on the very first dollar I made from the first copy sold of my first book. But, I was in such a chaotic state in life that I didn’t even keep a copy of the book for myself lol. But, on this journey of artistry that I have only recently embarked upon, my first dollar was a $50 bill.

So I had had my typewriter for over a year with incredible plans to set up at weddings, parties, etc and type on-the-spot poetry and wax stamp my initials on every piece. But, the typewriter and the idea collected nothing but dust and a few likes on Instagram. Well, one of my best friends, Anu – who is an incredible artist that cultivates and rolls his own cigars at weddings and such – called me on a random Wednesday and asks what my plans are for the upcoming Saturday. He proceeds to tell me that he has a wedding in Oxford and the I need to have my suit on and typewriter packed to go with him. So here I am, sitting at this beautiful venue that is packed full of shiny and beautiful things and even more beautiful people…and I am scared shitless! Sure, I have a cool concept and have the talent to pull this off, but will it actually work? So slowly, one or two people approach and ask me what I’m doing there and after I explained that I’m writing custom poetry they proceed to ask me to write about things like “the color yellow,” “a rainy day in New York,” you know… all the poetic stuff I suppose. But, all of a sudden, a tall gentleman comes to the table and says, “I’m the father of the bride, and that guy over there is my childhood best friend. He lost his parents when he was little and we raised him. Could you write a poem about us?” Finally, something to really sink my teeth into. So I write, and as he is reading, this man looks at me and the tears begin to pour. He calls his friend over to read it and they both cry. He reaches in his pocket and drops a crisp $50 in a jar. After that, the guests came, I typed, they cried…it was a hit.

But, what made this so special – aside from that being the catalyst for almost $300 that night – was that 1 year or so later I get an Instagram message from a lady who said that she is the mother of the bride from that night. She tells me how special my work was and that the best friend of her husband that I had written the poem for had died. She said that no one knew that he was sick and declining at the wedding. But that they had given the poem I’d typed to his widow, but they wanted me to re-create it for them to have as a keepsake as well.

This not only made me feel that I had shared something special with them and was now connected with them forever…but that I was operating from a spiritual place with my poetry, that it was more than a hobby…that it was my calling.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m am only child from the Deep South state of Mississippi who used creativity as both entertainment and outlet as a kid. I found poetry at a young age but never felt the freedom or encouragement to explore it as more than a spare time hobby. As I got older, I turned to it more and more for escape and it was always there waiting patiently. But, with time and life, poetry got more and more demanding of its rightful place in my life until I had no choice but to give way to its power and purpose. So, I guess I didn’t get into poetry… it was always there. Poetry chose me, and purpose forced me to give poetry the attention it deserved, so here I am. But, I guess being an only child and loving the spotlight is was led me to fall in love with spoken word/performance poetry. I feel so free on stage behind a mic. It is a power that I can not accurately describe in words. But, for the last 2 years, I have found so much joy in the organic connection of sitting at this typewriter and writing for complete strangers that, by the time our moment is done, have become family.

As a poet, I wanted to challenge myself. I figured there was nothing more challenging than setting up a typewriter at a random spot and creating for passersby. There is something so beautiful about the art of conversation, just two people sharing, absent of technology. My goal is to provide a full experience that is felt in the soul. From the questions I ask, to the eye contact, to the cotton paper, the intentional lighting of the candle and melting of wax, to the extended conversation after they have read the piece. It is more than providing a service for me. I have heard many times that what I’m doing should be considered therapy. So, I am currently working on a framework to offer private “TheraPoetic” sessions where I will sit with individuals for an hour, type and frame a piece on the spot, and also provide audio & video documentation for them to have…so stay tuned for that.

When it comes to what problems I solve for clients, when it comes to the typewriter setup, my goal is to provide a unique experience for their guests that they will never forget. With my commissioned spoken word performances, I aim to make the client and their guests feel that I am a part of their world, that their experiences are my experiences and that I am well-versed and passionate in the things/ideas they care about.

I am most proud in the fact that I don’t cut corners. I give the same experience whether I’m being paid my full price for multiple hours, or a discounted price for 1-hour. I put the same amount of time and effort into my preparation and performance, behind the typewriter and the mic. Having As Told By SIR at your event will have a lasting impression on your guests. And this is quite literal with the typewriter because every poem will be wax stamped with my initials, SIR.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Jokingly, I’ve said on many occasions that I want to be remembered as one of the greatest poets of this generation. But, the more I make the joke, I am starting to take it serious. My goal is to create a legacy of words that will live, actively, long than me. I want my words to inspire and feed people that I will never have the chance to meet. I want my future generations to be able to not only benefit financially from my work, but also feel a sense of pride to continue to hear and see their fathers/grandfather/great grand’s work thriving forever.

On the flip side of that, the mission driving my work is the fact that I think this is my reason for existing. I think that poetry is my ministry and the purpose for God blessing me with every new day. Because of that, I can’t stop for fear of being disobedient and failing someone who I have been put here to rescue. I know that may sound outrageous to some, but the Bible was full of transcribers of God’s word… who is to say that those words aren’t being remixed by modern-day scribes. I am honored to feel that I am in that number.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is being able to finally take the mask off. I no longer have to leave my truest self in my truck for 8-10 hours a day so that I can fit a mold. More importantly, I can lead by example when I tell my children to chase that dream, be what it is you want with this one life you have. It is something that is so often said, but our babies are watching more than listening. They are seeing the most authentic version of their dad now, and it’s pretty incredible to be finding myself while they watch. And the fact that they think im the coolest person in the world when they see me on stage or social media or hear me on the radio…like really, what more could I even ask for. Even if I weren’t attempting to make this thing the main thing, I find solace and power in knowing that I am giving it every second that it demands and deserves. No facade, no fancy shit, no lies… just SIR.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.astoldbysir.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astoldby_sir/

Image Credits

Partee Photography (Kayland Partee)