.Writers.on.Writing.

Get to know our authors, the foundation and heart of Yellow Arrow Journal, and what writing means to them through our monthly series.

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.W.o.W. #11

Cija Jefferson

Describe an early experience where you learned that language has power?

I learned that language has power through music. My mom listened to a lot of different music when I was a kid but there are albums that clearly stand out in my memories for taking me on storytelling journeys: Aretha Franklin’s I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and Bob Dylan’s Desire. Vastly different, all moving.

What does your inner writing voice tell you?

Depends. Some days it tells me “you are talented and this is what you should be doing,” other times, the impostor syndrome kicks in and tries to destroy it all.

What is your writing Kryptonite?

Me. I edit as I write which is a major no-no. Recently I learned about clustering from playwright Caleen Jennings, and I use that as a tool to get out of my head. It helps me to stop searching for perfect and just put the words on the page.

Cija (pronounced Kia) published “Midnight Run to Mexico” with Yellow Arrow Journal in our Vol. I issue Journey. Find her story in the YAP store or catch up with her on Twitter/Instagram @cijasquips.