Meet the Author Behind Kalopsia: Markesia Barron

Happy Friday my lovely, ASSASSINS!!!! Of course we’re back with another feature guest; Markesia Barron! She is the first author I’m interviewing, so you know I had to ask her all things “book” related LOL! 🙂  Yes, you heard that correctly she is a author and you can purchase her book HERE!!!

Tell us about yourself and why you started MarkesiaBarron.com!

Hi! My name is Markesia Barron. I am a 21-year-old junior at Valdosta State University, majoring in Middle Grades Education. I plan to teach 8th grade Language Arts/Reading. I am the oldest of 7 (spread amongst my father and mother). I love kids. I love being black. And I love words!

MarkesiaBarron.com originally started as “seedandmud.com” which was where I blogged about being the difficulties of being Christian in your 20s. But then my perspective on Christianity, and religion in general, changed and I changed the focus of my blog. It then became “kesiaspoetry.com” , and I would write poems and post them there every Friday. After I wrote my book, I decided to make it “markesiabarron.com” because I wanted to post more than my poetry. I wanted to go back to blogging. So that’s where I am now!

While growing up, have you always loved to write? If so, what kind of writing would you do? Journaling, poetry, random thoughts etc.

Yes! I have always loved writing. My paternal grandmother has notebooks full of my writing and drawing from as early as 5 and 6. What is crazy to me is that they were all written in a poetry type form. I wasn’t writing actual poetry, but my sentences were always formed like stanzas. I love writing poetry. It’s been a part of my life for a very long time. In high school, I competed in local competitions and I perform any chance I get to this day.

What title would you give yourself in regards to creating written content? Are you a writer, poet, blogger, all three or none of the above?

I used to only consider myself as a poet, until a conversation with an amazing friend of mine. He helped me realize that since I like to focus more on the layout of my poems, and I prefer people to read them, rather than me recite poems, I should consider myself a writer. So, I prefer to title myself as a writer. Even my blogging is more so concentrated on the fact that I am a writer. I blog a lot about writing.

Speaking of titles, one we can call you is a published author! Congratulations! What thoughts did you have that pushed you to write Kalopsia?

Thank you! I feel so fancy calling myself an author! Ha. Last year, so much happened to me internally from the fear of separating myself from Christianity, to the guilt of my younger brother going away to prison. I was lost and depressed for the latter part of 2016, until December when I decided to take control of my life.

My motto became, “I can do anything I put my mind to.” And I made a list on December 3st 2016 of all the things I would do in 2017, and writing a book was one of them. I went to work immediately and I worked on my book every single day, in some way, for 6 months.

I kept it in my head that I had to make sure I was lining everything up so that when my brother gets out in 5 years, he’s able to come back to a comfortable space. I don’t want to get too much into it, but we all know how hard it is for convicted felons to move forward in society once they are released. 3 out of 4 ex-cons become repeated offenders and are sent back to jail. I don’t want that for my brother.

Publishing this book, to me, was the first step. I am going to be a best-selling author. I am going to be able to buy my family a house. Pay my younger siblings way through college. Provide my brother with a job once he is released…all of that. That’s what motivated me to write Kalopsia.

What were some difficulties you faced while writing/creating your book?

There were some days where I wouldn’t feel like writing. I wouldn’t feel like waking up at 5 am. I didn’t feel like editing, reviewing, or doing anything concerning that darn book. But I would always push myself. I learned so much about myself during the process of writing this book. I learned that the only thing ever standing between me amd my goals, is me. Not my circumstance, not the lack of opportunities, not the negatives my bank account was in; but simply me.

The week right before I published my book I had the biggest meltdown, and I remember telling myself : “You can’t write a book! You’re only 21!” “No one is going to buy a book of poetry from an unknown author!” “No one is going to support you!” “Your poetry isn’t good. You’re trash!” I literally cried because I was so frustrated. But here I am. I made it through that too!

Name three emotions you felt once Kalopsia was published!

Nervous! Afraid! PROUD!

Other than the information provided in your article, “How to Self Publish Your Book” what key advice would you give someone looking to publish their own book?

I also have an article I published “5 ways to become a better writer.” That I think is very helpful. But other than that, my only advice is to DO IT. Don’t wait until “things are perfect”, don’t wait until all of your friends/family confirm that it’s a good idea (because they probably won’t), don’t wait at all… just DO IT. NO EXCUSES.

Have you ever had writers block? If so, how do you overcome it?

I recently just read a book about writing, I can’t remember the name, but it said:
“Doctors don’t get doctors block. Wielders don’t get wielders block. Basketball players don’t get basketball block. So why do we think we get writers block?”

When I first read that I felt attacked, lol. Like how dare they imply that writers block isn’t a real thing? But if you think about it, it’s not. We procrastinate and we judge ourselves too much. We want everything we write to be perfect. But if we just sit down and WRITE, no matter if it makes sense or if it is any good, we will see that we can always write something.

So, that’s how I overcome writers block. I just write. And if I truly don’t have anything to write, I edit. Editing is underrated. I’ve learned it’s literally the difference between good writing and great writing.

What else can we expect from Markesia Barron in the future?

The possibilities are limitless. Everyday God reveals to me something else I can accomplish and it is overwhelming at times, but like I said: I can do anything I put my mind to.

I am working on another book, it will be published next June. This time there will be more short stories than poetry (got to push yourself out of your comfort zone). Right now, my focus is on what I can do for my community. So, I’ve been putting together a lot of community service projects with one of my friends, for an organization we’ve been calling “Black Excellence”. I am also working on a talent showcase for local artists in my hometown, I have a platform for encouraging women called “You Go Sis” (twitter: @YouGoSis). Like I said, God is revealing things to me every day and I have an extensive list of things to achieve in journal. So, you can expect a lot from Markesia Barron.

Anything else that you would like for us to know?

I just want everyone who’s reading this to know that you’re never too young or too old to do anything! That you are all beautiful, talent, creative, and capable of amazing things. I want you all to stop waiting to do things, and just do them. Stop second guessing yourself, and just go for it. Whatever it is, go for it today. Life is beautiful and life is yours. God created you for a reason, and those ideas that are coming to you while you’re in the shower, while you’re on your way to work, while you’re lying in bed at night…those ideas come from God. What’s yours, is yours. Free yourself from any way of thinking that tell you can’t do something. Because you can. If no one else believes in you, I do!

To stay connected with Markesia, please make sure to join her newsletter at MarkesiaBarron.com! Also, don’t forget to follow her on Instagram @MarkesiaBarron and Twitter @MarkesiaBarron! I hope you all enjoyed this week’s Feature Friday post!

Until next time ASSASSINS. . . Stay Motivated!