The featured Indie Author Tuesday is the talented, Jessica Fuller. Her poetry collection, A Different Kind of Rising, published in 2023 has an abundance of free-verse, various rhyme schemes, resonating metaphors, and stark descriptions that fully immersed me in her collection.

Initially, my eyeballs enjoyed her flow but after a while, gratitude for how far I've come and the encouragement to keep strutting permeated my little heart. Of course, I’m not finna sit up here and share too many details...ya’ll need to read it!

Anyway, she has it divided into three sections:

 Section One

It read as though Jessica was looking back at the previous version of herself that brought her to where she is now (in the collection).

Embracing who she is now and accepting how she once was, she shares her life lessons and inner growth, without standing on a preachy soapbox. Her pen still bares her soul, connecting with her readers, and allowing us to glean (hopefully) from the lessons she’s learned with compassion and relativity.  Poetic voice booming, conveying to us readers that her life experiences are not obstacles: Just new tools to keep going.

My favorite poems from section 1 were, North Carolina Spring, Gratitude for Life, and the signature poem, A Different Kind of Rising

Section Two

Jessica goes deeper but she also speaks directly to us, exhorting, challenging us to know that we are enough and to trust our gut. She has some sharp pieces that speak on black life, our community, and moving forward with power. It was a solid section and I wish it was a bit longer! I adored Brain Fog.

Section Three

Although the focus is consistently clear on vulnerability, deep healing, and inner growth, section three feels like the spotlight of Jessica's intentions for this collection. But listen...

Hand-Me-Down-Rhyme is why I had to reach out to Jessica with the hope of featuring and e-interviewing her. It was bold, real, gritty, and stripped of the typical "pseudo-self-healing” I loved it.

Perspective was my favorite poem overall from A Different Kind of Rising and I’m glad it was the final piece.

I enjoyed her collection mainly because her poetic tales of various moments of triumphs were motivating and empowering. You've gotta snag your copy!

Jessica Fuller E-interview Questions

Can you share the pivotal moment that led you to infuse affirmations in your poetry collection? Were affirmations and poetry partnered up from the beginning?

I included affirmations for a few reasons. I felt the need to include messages that have helped me keep fighting and keep going. Many of the affirmations included in this collection came to me after a challenging moment or period of time. It’s been such a blessing to realize how including these poetic affirmations have helped other people and show that many of us rely on these types of things to stay encouraged. These poems are staples that hold together the deepest moments of my elevation.

Your collection exudes a raw, diary-like quality, where you fearlessly bare your heart. What advice would you offer to poets who struggle with vulnerability and fear when it comes to self-expression?

I would just say, “Go for it. Mindfully.” Pouring out deep parts of yourself, your past, and your journey require mindfulness and the ability to tap into self and not exceed your emotional capacity level when you share tough topics. Implementing self-care before and after is a must. Oh, and fearlessness is a must, too. Once it’s out there, you don’t have time to fret. You will be surprised by how many people can relate or be helped by vulnerable writing. I will also be honest that delivery is everything.

Could you describe the creative process behind crafting your book, A Different Kind of Rising?

For this project, I had the help of an author coach. Author coaching and publishing this book (with Grace 4 Purpose Publishing Co.) gave me the added support to step beyond impulsive what I’ve self-published before. Much of this book was inspired by my desire to be heard, and to show myself that I have what it takes to put out amazing poetry that people will see and resonate with. This book lit such a fire in me and confirmed things that I have been aiming for since I was a child.

Cold World was dope, Jessica! Could you shed light on the inspiration or story behind this particular piece?

This short poem packed in a number of reflections from tough life lessons, mainly when it comes to relationships, comparison, and reiterated stigma. This piece also sings to my views of “looking at the world from the outside.” I share a lot about things that I’ve overcome, and this piece captures how I felt once I stepped out of a stagnant stage of my life. I felt a lingering sense of cold as I stepped back into “the race of life,” jogging alongside many people striving for success, which looks different to us all.

 Among the various poetic devices available, do you have a favorite that resonates deeply with your writing style? Do you have a poetic device that you tend to avoid?

I play around with alliteration and a little symbolism in my poetry. I love imagery, but I admit that I have never been the best at “showing rather than telling.” I admire, but often avoid, form poetry. I like to play around with form, but I find that I feel most alive when I just let my lines free flow. Lately, I have been challenging myself to write in various poetic forms because I see how they aid craftsmanship and creativity. But I would say that I avoid form as often as I can.

 While working on A Different Kind of Rising, did any of the poems within the collection serve as a source of personal healing or bring about a sense of solace during the drafting stage? If so, which poems held that power?

If I had to pick the poems that hold the most healing weight for me, they would be: Gratitude for Life, A DIfferent Kind of Rising, Seeds of NIrvana, Resolution, and Affirm That You Are Enough.  It’s tough to pick just a few but, yes those may be the most pivotal of this collection. Ask me on a different day, my answer could change, maybe. I had to hold onto myself and discover who I am and what I deserve from this lifetime. And then I had to decide whether or not I really wanted what I deserve.

Are there any upcoming shows or events in your schedule, Jessica, where readers can experience your work firsthand?

 I don’t have any shows or events scheduled right now. One of my goals for this year is to get back into spoken word performances. The last time that I participated in an open mic was in 2012. But until I get back at it, I direct readers to my blog, Jusjess Poetry (https:jusjesspoetry.org), and to my TikTok account where I have a ton of content to include poetry/spoken word videos of my poems.

How deep does poetry go for you? How long have you written poetry?

I have been writing since age 11. Poetry goes deep, almost as deep as my connection to God. Writing was my saving grace of a coping skill as a child.  And, I was a wild child to an extent, but I was very troubled.  The best way for me to hold onto my immensely empathetic nature was to write, because much of my life my behaviors and actions were defense mechanisms that wreaked of unhealed trauma. I would say that writing goes deep for me, down to my soul.