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Written by JJ Barnes
I interviewed poet Shontay Luna about her career, her creative process, and what inspired her latest poetry book, To James And Sarah With Love.
Shontay Luna from Chicago, IL USA. I’m 52 years old, African-American, married to a Latino male. Mother of three grown daughters and recently became a Grandmother to one grandson. My birthday is in the cusp between Leo and Virgo, though lately I definitely feel more like a Leo. Hobbies include couponing, dispensing sass on Twitter and dreaming of my fictional love.
In college, before finishing with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, I went to another college for two years majoring in Poetry. Though I’d always written journal entries, etc. It was there that I knew I wanted to write poetry.
In high school, I wrote a poem called “Behind Closed Doors” about a guy who cheated. That was around my Junior year of High School, 1985-86.
For my first book ‘Reflections of a Project Girl’ I actually already had the poems when the publisher agreed to create a book out of it. From acceptance to publication was about five months.
From initial conception to completion took about six months. Unlike my first two books, I didn’t have the material ready for this book. I had to create it as well as format it and work on the layout to get it the way I wanted. Had it not been for lockdown, it might’ve taken longer.
I wanted, then needed something tangible to remind me of the love I had of my Grandparents and the love they had for me. It was especially important because it’d been a number of years since both passed away (Grandmother in 2006 and Grandfather in 2015) and I felt if I didn’t do it then, the end product would’ve been altered. I also wanted my daughters to have something to remember their Great-Grandparents by.
The slang, as it was something I was utterly unfamiliar with. In research, I recalled bits and pieces from old movies and Three Stooges reels. But there was a lot I didn’t know. Another challenge was edit and posting two longer poems (in regular language dealing with their deaths and the aftermath. I had to revisit those feelings of sadness and grief.
In my latest book, ‘To James & Sarah with Love – Poetry based on slang of 1920s through 1940s’ I created that theme, after checking if it was done before. As a lover of old expressions I found it fascinating. Of my three titles, that’s the only one with a theme, I usually go where the pen takes me.
After some thought (and glancing) I have to say “At Sunrise” because it’s bright, confident and literally the very first poem I wrote for the book. I wrote it the night my friend and I had a conversation about the old language of slang from decades before. Because I love a writing challenge, I immediately looked at a few sights, grabbed some words and wrote it on the spot.
It’s a distraction. I’ve tried instrumentals, meditative, etc. That doesn’t work for me.
I did the editing myself, I considered getting outside help but I didn’t want anyone stealing my idea (laughing). I went through the poems over and over because I knew I’d be upset if I didn’t and saw a typo in print. As far as I can see, the book is as good as I could possibly make it.
Use the pen (or keyboard) to open their soul, facing their fears and demons. Because that’s what it will take.
I have a vague theme in mind, but it won’t be more slang. Though I considered it. But I’m not in a hurry. I feel this one’s so special, it deserves more time in the spotlight.
Yes, I put all heart and love into this one. Though all my poetry is personal, I consider this the most personal book to date. I look at it and still can’t believe I created it and finished it. Yes, it was worth the effort. Many, many nights were spent with the slang dictionary, which I made into a reverse dictionary so I could find terms by the modern word first. Along with printouts sitting in front of the computer.
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