Rowan is a small town author living in Alabama. She has published a poetry book, Whilst Gazing Through a Window, and also works as a barista. Today, we cover her writing journey, growth, as well as her advice for people who want to start writing themselves.
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So to get everything started, do you mind telling us a bit about yourself?
No worries. I’m Rowan, and I am from South Alabama where I currently live with my partner and our cats! I am a writer as well as a barista. Coffee is my life!
We noticed you had a poetry book on amazon. What inspired you to write it?
Great question! While I sit at the coffee shop where I worked, waiting on customers or on break, I would find myself gazing out of the window and writing poetry to pass the time. Naturally, I titled my book Whilst Gazing Through a Window! I never planned on publishing my poetry because it was always been quite personal. But with the state of things, I decided it may bring a little light to someone. But I’ve always wanted to be a writer.
Did writing collide with your work or personal life in any way?
Collision... I would say so. My writing certainly reflects both! A cafe is a wonderful place to get inspiration and I write a good bit about my personal life, especially being a pansexual living in the south. I gather inspiration from everything around me, the southern landscape, the culture, my family. It’s all apart of me.
Speaking of your sexuality. What’s it like being LGBT+ in such a conservative state like Alabama?
Oh, I’m still figuring that out for myself. As a kid, I was taught the word “gay” was bad and as a very religious person, I knew that I couldn’t be gay. So I ignored my feelings and devoted my life to God. Actually, I was voted “Most likely to be a pastor” my senior year! But in my college years, I met a girl I couldn’t resist, and that was scary as hell. But it woke me up and I realized that I could be a Christian and gay. It was hard coming out. Very. But I knew that the problem was that my community was uneducated about the LGBT+ community and they were mostly confused so I started educating. I found out that the world is a lot gayer than one might think, even in the south! I mean things aren’t as progressive as they could be or should be but they are getting there. Living out my truth has become such a powerful thing. I’ve met incredible people here who have completely erased my previous philosophy that you can’t be gay in the south. Gay rodeos, my friend. Yeah, it’s wild out there. I live on the gulf coast where people are a little relaxed thanks to the beach.
Yeah, speaking of that, how have you been dealing with this quarantine?
I am doing my best to stay home and self distance properly! We go to the beach every so often but we have our own little hideaway, away from the crowds and Snow Birds. Sadly, the cafe I worked for has closed because of the Pandemic so that really gave me a ton of free time to write. Some of my reflection pieces and poetry in the book were written while in quarantine. I started writing for myself. I started writing to understand and to heal. I have Seasonal Affective Depression as well as anxiety so this has been difficult. Writing is my therapy.
Do you have anything to say to people who want to publish their own book or write as a career?
Do it. Write your story. Even if it’s just for you. You have a voice for a reason and the freedom to say whatever you feel. If it is your passion to write for a living, then please pursue that because the world needs your unique perspective. Writing isn’t an easy job but it is beyond worth it, it is so rewarding. Only good can come from more writers in the world and writing will only grow you as a person. I could talk about this forever. Writing is the closest thing we have to magic. You can create a whole world with words and images, so why not?
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