An angel, a sign, all in a Deal's checkout line...

Was it the first sign though?



Tonight I was scrambling through Deal's, a type of discount store in my neighborhood that's similiar to a dollar store although eveything is not priced a dollar, looking for some decorations for my upcoming book signing. I had a pretty hectic day the moment I realized that this book signing is really real and is really happening in just two days.The feeling of anxiety seemed misplaced, I had calmed down significantly since 5pm, yet the pressure to do my very best seemed overwhelming. Thank goodness that my partner helped me along the way sorting out my thoughts. It seemed once we started collecting the items all my emotions were much less intense. We made it to the check out line and the cashier swiped and bagged my items. She asked. "You having a purple and black party?" I responded. "No actually it's for a book signing." The cashier seemed intrigued by my response and maybe it's not everyday that someone is that open about how they will use the items purchased or....maybe ringing up a writer was intriguing. The unusal thing about this interaction is that I am not usually open to interact with someone I don't know especially without first seeing them without them seeing me. I like a moment to observe before diving in.

Then it happened...

The cashier asked. "Why don't you slide me one of those books? I will read it." Now in my mind I'm like hold up, quickly thinking about the price of my book, the fact that I had exactly 30 copies estimated for the event, you know a nice even number, that I had of course mentally split up in my head determining which ones will have cds and which will not, and some free ones to give away in the raffle. All of the thoughts were shattered with one realization of the fact that this cashier who doesn't know me wants to read my book of course she should have a free one. I am such a head case at times lol. I introduce myself as I swipe my card to pay and the cashier tells me her name is Angel.

Parking lot shuffle...

So taken aback by the interest and request of the cashier I told my partner that I would take the bags to the car and come back and help her with her bags without realizing that my partner was going to end up with only one bag. I head to my car and grab the book and run into the store to give Angel a copy. Back in the car my partner tells me I should've invited Angel to the book signing, of course I should. Why didn't I think of that? I guess that's why they are called the better half. I didn't have a business card on me and would you believe the writer had no pen. The situation was starting to go left, ha, had to laugh at that I'm watching Jersey Shore as I type. 

Stores closing....

Back in Deal's I ask Angel for a pen to sign her book she asked me if it was the first sign and I said yes which technically was true and not so true. People that bought In My Write Mind online when it first came out and requested a signature received one however this was still "a first sign" from the shipment I received for the signing but to be totally honest none of it matters because I signed the book and wrote a message "Here's to the first sign."

 Was it the first sign though?

I think so. See I had been a lil more than concerned about the upcoming event because I like to visualize from start to finish and maybe its over preparing but I have a need to account for every minute of the event and what I am going to do etc. see there I go thinking at 5 angles lord help me. The Lord did help me though because I was just balling at my mother's house because I felt like I had way more to do then the time I had to do it. I'm sure you've been there. I had talked to God about this just sharing my thoughts and feelings and desires to do my best I don't even know if I asked God anything other than just speaking out loud but in a way I felt that my anxiety over the event was calmed when I met a cashier named Angel who interacted with me for a brief moment. I asked her to please comment on Amazon in return for the book and she agreed. I find myself always looking for signs from God today I felt like I found one and it's telling me to move forward and to not let fear get in the way of me reaching the destination God has planned for me.  

IN MY WRITE MIND: Author Interviews Herself

Jasminum McMullen is the two time champion of Berwyn Public Library's series Poetry Idol. She has participated in poetry reads at such places as The Show n Tell in Berwyn, IL, A Touch of The Past in Bellwood, IL, The Blue Note Jazz Club in Maywood, IL, Cafe Ballou and Genesis on the Ave in Chicago, IL. She is an avid listener of music more specifically independent hip hop from her hometown of Oak Park, IL. She has appeared on Chicago femcee Trinity's 2011 mix tape The Valley and the upcoming May 2012 release of The City is Ours. Jasminum released a recording project titled The Reunification of Destiny in the fall of 2011 to hand to hand sales at Ain't She Sweet Café, in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood where her poems were featured. Jasminum received her first publishing from CJ Laity's chicagopoety.com CRAM series and her work can be found in volumes 11 and 13. On May 7, 2012 Jasminum released her first collection of poetry to the public via CreateSpace and Amazon.com channels titled In My Write Mind. The poet is sitting down to answer some questions in an intimate interview she is conducting with herself about poetry and the self publishing process.

In My Write Mind has a wealth of content that you cover quite well. I see poems about writing poetry in The Reunification Of Destiny, poems on loneliness in The Island, poems on societal issues in 911 and Occupy, there’s dedication pieces like In My Mother’s Room and your belief in God in Testimony just to name a few. Was that your intent?

Yes, The poems have evolved over time and I see my own growth in the work. The various topics were intentional because when I think of In My Write Mind I think in terms of how thoughts randomly affect our minds daily.

It seems you organized the work in categories as well.

Yes, I spent a couple days organizing the entire manuscript and slowly pulled the ones away that did not fit until I had the final then I went on to putting things in order of feeling. I feel the reader will move from one emotion to the next and feel the journey once they have read In My Write Mind in its entirety.

There are 54 poems written for In My Write Mind. How long does it take to write 54 poems?

Ha! I didn’t know I even had enough poetry written at the beginning of this project to finalize a book with 54 poems. I have been writing these poems since 2010.

When your poetry journey began?

Yes.

I love the cover of In My Write Mind! I interpret it differently every time I look at it. Did you create this image on your own or did you commission an artist?

Oh no, I cannot take credit for the cover. The cover art was provided by Vicky Almanza.

Have you worked with Vicky Almanza on any other projects?

No, actually we are working together for the first time. My partner LaToya put us together. I gave Vicky a copy of my cd The Reunification Of Destiny and at first I had some ideas then I just decided that it would be best if Vicky interpreted the cover in her own way. I am very happy with the results and hope to work with her in the future.

When you sit down to write, where do you draw your inspiration from?

I usually do my best not to force myself to write, I produce some of the worst writing when I force myself. I draw my inspiration from every person, place or thing I encounter. I am a feeler. I don’t sit down to write. Writing sits me down and then poetry happens.

In For Poems Preparing To Leave The Nest, the first poem listed in In My Write Mind; it reads with a cautionary tone, was that your aim? 

That poem was the last poem I wrote for In My Write Mind. It came to me one day at work. I was feeling a little anxious about putting my work out into the world for all to see. I wrote that poem to address my feelings and to encourage myself. It seemed appropriate to make the last poem the first poem it just seemed to fit.

Describe your experience with the self-publishing process. Would you recommend self-publishing? Would you consider self-publishing again?

When I first set out to do a self-published project I felt it would be a breeze as long as I had the content. I was incorrect. If a person is experienced in self-publishing then it would be easy to navigate the process. I found that formatting to meet the specifications of CreateSpace was the most cumbersome process. I felt like I was in a dark room with a lighter trying to avoid furniture.

Well the finished work that is In My Write Mind is telling the world you found your way around.

Yes and when I made it to the wall I turned on the light switch.

(laughs)

On what channels can we find your book?

In My Write Mind is available through the E-store CreateSpace provides www.createspace.com/3834640 and also Amazon.com for $7.00 USD.

Will the book be made available for Kindle or Nook?

It is the new thing right? Well, I’m an independent artist that is open to the possibility however it will depend on how people respond to this project otherwise it would not be worth the investment.

What’s next on your to do list?

To get In My Write Mind in as many hands as possible. I’m looking forward to getting back to basics by returning to open mics around the city. I’d like to become more of a performer and Chicago has a lot of talented artists that I can learn from.

Well you certainly have the skill of writing poetry and I look forward to watching you evolve as a complete artist. Good luck to you and the In My Write Mind project!

Thank you so much.

Press RECORD

Lovers of words,
 Over the past few months I've been following writings lead. The journey is exciting at every turn. I wrote some poetry, entered a poetry slam and won 2 out of 3 nights, which lead to a mention in our local paper and then an Q&A session in the local paper, I was published, met Nikki Giovanni, joined 44 other poets at a poety read, launched a youtube.com channel to post poetry videos, but most importantly I've met some kind souls, some deep souls, made a connection. I've only been writing consistently for just about one year.

What's next?

I'd like to try to record poetry and follow in the footsteps of some of the greatest poets before me. My reason to do this is to create a audio time capsule to look back on when I'm old. I want to remember a time when I felt most fearless.

Until we write again,

+thewritegift+

Poem Selection: Self-Righteous

Self-Righteous

By Jasminum McMullen

1/25/11

Exclusion is eroding the red, white and blue.
I am American, like you.
Yet dehumanized, broken down to a particulate size,
categorized, then magnified.
How can I stand and function in this world of closed minds?
With hearts that beat for my early demise,
walkin' round in bodies
ready to kill the spirit before the rise.

Destructive and evil plans get devised inside the mind of the religious right,
as they slumber and sigh within the crust of their piece of American pie.
The smell of hate alerts me that love died.
The greatest gift the most high could provide,
is being pushed aside and denied.

At times, the perplexities that derive from society astounds me.
My biological sex, sexuality and ancestry has me viewed as a triple threat minority,
Making a way for fear to fuel the hate placed before me,
in and effort to down grade my worth.

A few things I'm certain of while traveling this earth;
I was birthed by my mother, God gave me life,
AND the power of the kingdom gives me strength to survive.

I recollect a younger me,
backpacking through halls being called "dyke,"
and being 15 years old when Matthew Sheppard died.
My mother in fear for me to go out at night,
that someone might feel righteous and take my life.
I was prepared then and still I AM prepared to fight,
naysayers that assemble and protest against my rights,
who turn a blind eye to the atrocities of their own life,
for a chance to redirect mine.

Like a war cry I proudly shout,
"I own the road I'm on!"
As they turn on the t.v. privately in the comfort of their own homes,
and watch gay themed shows,

Thanks for the ratings.

Society loves gay as long as it's entertaining.

-Jas McMullen aka +thewritegift+ (c) 1/25/2011

Poem Selection: The Run

The Run

4/8/2011

By Jasminum McMullen

I’d say I came off the blocks, but there were no blocks there.

I’d say there were trees and manicured grass everywhere, but it wasn’t there.

I’d say I laced my shoes before the gun went BOOM!

But there were no shoes to lace and no gun to go boom.

I’d say there were tracks lined with chalk that I was on my mark,

Or that the sun was at its highest but there was only dark.

I’d say the pattered sound of my feet quickened with my breath, that I pumped my arms

With every step, yet there was no ground to echo each step.

The sound of my efforts absorbed into black.

No one in front of me,

And no one in back.

I’d say I had the heart of Pheidippides when the battle was won,

Carrying with me a message that legend is birthed from.

I am what has yet to be told

The marathon I run,

I run alone.

With motivation and determination in pursuit of my goals,

I run.

Poem Selection: The Reunification of Destiny

The Reunification of Destiny

By Jasminum McMullen

3/31/11

Let me tell you about the first time.

The first time I saw her she was a blank page,

new, untouched, plain, a virgin.

I was shy with the ideas, which rolled around my head,

like a continuous loop, a song on repeat.

The most incredible attraction my two eyes could see, beckoned unto me

seductively whispering “write me.”

With a trembling hand and an eager pen we merged together,

creating one sound like a symphony.

I was only nine; it was statutory so we covered our love

 in secrecy on pages of loose leaf.

Then she quietly slipped away from me.

I grew older.

The world started to influence me,

that my love for her wouldn’t sustain me.

 I needed to focus on A.C.T’s in order to get a degree,

 that would furnish a job and salary.

As I S.A.T in agony, barely hearing her steps depart from me,

I called out her name “Destiny,” or maybe it was “destined to be,”

the words caught between my teeth motionless lips never did speak.

Years went by like days trapping me in a maze of grief,

mourning the love lost between writing and me.

So, settled in my maturity and leaning on my newfound spirituality,

 I shook off the reality of my own mortality, embraced a pen

 like an old friend and to my surprise writing appeared again,

more beautiful and elegant than she’s ever been.

As I carefully placed my words, for a moment the earth stopped its spin.

I promised to love her eternally and together we birthed poetry,

true story.

Who is +thewritegift+ ?

Lovers of words,

I am +thewritegift+. The plus signs symbolize a cross. My mother always told me that God gives everyone a gift or talent. I do not claim to be talented but I have some sort of something that was put in me before I was even born, I believe that, and if writing is a gift then I know that it came from God. A biblical hero of mine is David and David wrote a majority of the Psalms. I learned that a Psalm is a lyrical poem and I like to think of David as the first rapper / poet. Although, I perform at open mics by simply Jas I cannot seem to let go of +thewritegift+ it came to me one day after I prayed. What's in a name anyway? I'll be using the name my mother gave me as it is unique, I am the only person in the United States with the name Jasminum McMullen.

Now on to the fun stuff. I like making youtube videos and my wife is my camera woman. I always try to incorporate music in my credits. I feel I'm doing more than just sitting in front of a webcam reading from a piece of paper.

Please enjoy my first video for a piece I wrote titled "911"

Until we write again,

+thewritegift+