FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Jeryn TurnerWhat made you start writing?
I began writing in high school. I took a phenomenal humanities class that was about expression; expression in art, poetry, books and photography. The purpose of the class was to study the various ways that society chooses to express itself; frozen snapshots of time capturing genuine emotion. There is a sense of pure rawness in all forms of art; it draw us in when we see ourselves in other’s work. I started writing because I enjoyed being on the receiving end of interpretation and wanted others to see themselves in my work. My writing is a way to document my experiences, deal with my feelings and a way to heal.
Why do you write?
I enjoy conversations but sometimes when there is an uneven exchange and what you intend to say gets misconstrued. There is a clarity in writing that I achieve that goes missing in the tennis match exchange within discussions. I own my creative space when I get engrossed in telling a story or communicating my perspective. I love that writing gives me the ability to express what I know to be true in my heart.
Who is your biggest influencer?
Maya Angelou, I first read “I know Why the Caged Bird Sings” when I as in the tenth grade. After which I read other books she wrote. I love her spirit, genuineness and perspective on life. She inspires me by the way she lived her life. No matter what she faced and dealt with, she never lost her ability to see the amazement of life. He ability to preserve and hold onto hope motivates me to do the same. Even though I have never met her, I feel like we are kindred spirits and hope that my writing continues the legacy she established.
All my work, my life, everything I do is about survival, not just bare, awful, plodding survival, but survival with grace and faith. While one may encounter many defeats, one must not be defeated”.
~ Maya Angelou
