Featured in VoyageMinnesota Magazine!
I am delighted to share that I am featured in VoyageMinnesota Magazine‘s Rising Stars series! The magazine reached out to me for an interview after Claudia from Keep Calm & Drink Coffee recommended me for a story. Claudia, thank you for the recommendation! I am honored and proud to pass the love along to several people I admire in the writing community.
About VoyageMinnesota Magazine
VoyageMinnesota Magazine is part of a series of similar magazines, including VoyageLA and VoyagePhoenix, all run by the same creative team.
Like its sister publications, the VoyageMinnesota Magazine team believes that too many editors edit away the personality of interviewees. As a result, so much of what we see in the media feels like it is coming from the same person. The magazine believes it is important for media to authentically represent the communities they serve. The magazine tries to ensure that the voices of those they feature jump off the page.
Accordingly, the magazine’s mission is to build a platform that fosters collaboration and support for small businesses, independent artists and entrepreneurs, and local institutions. They want the stories they share to help give big cities a little bit of that small town community charm, where people know each other and stories are shared at a deeper, more personal level.
What is my interview about?
I do not live in Minnesota, being a Virginian girl, but the magazine loves pulling in out-of-state voices to round out the publication’s features and vibrant articles.
In my interview with VoyageMinnesota Magazine, I talk about the trajectory of my writing journey, share my thoughts on the joys and sorrows of a writing life, and highlight what I believe makes my writing style unique.
I also share my hopes and dreams for this blog and close up with a few words for aspiring creatives. Here is an excerpt from my VoyageMinnesota interview!
Featured in VoyageMinnesota Magazine Interview Excerpt
I loved writing the following piece in response to the following question, as it pushed me to think deeply about why I write and what I primarily write about. I consider myself a diverse writer, but I found in my reflection that there are themes that captivate me more than others.
This excerpt is not the opening of the interview, but I think it is one of the most interesting sections.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I write poetry, prose, short stories, and novels, but actively share poems, prose, short stories, and articles on my blog. Over the past eleven years, I have dabbled in various genres, including urban fantasy and magical realism, but I find I regularly include themes of healing, self-discovery, and acceptance in my work.
My poetry, prose, and short stories in particular are usually stories of coming to terms with one’s self, reaching out to grab the focus of one’s passion, or healing from past trauma. I am all about delivering an emotional punch or painting a vivid picture, but I think what sets my writing apart is it does not try to tell the reader how to feel.
I condense emotion and imagery into my writing, but I never tell the reader how to receive my writing. What I particularly love about this technique is every reader connects with the same story differently. Because I try not to label emotions or direct feelings, each reader discovers their own connection to the story I am telling. No two readers feel exactly the same emotion because my writing evokes individual memories and experiences that make my writing a unique read to read. That is what I want to continue to be known for.
When it comes to my writing guide articles, I love to keep the focus on writers. Whether I am writing a gift guide or rounding up the best bathrobes on the market, I keep the spotlight on how what I am sharing benefits either the writer’s work or their lifestyle.
I cannot find many articles about writer’s fashion or lifestyle, so I am super excited to be the person who helps bridge the gap. It is difficult to embark down a road no one else has successfully travelled before, but the challenge inspires me to get creative about the content I put out and be flexible when it comes to creating collaborative posts. Doing something new is my way of standing out while staying true to my creative vision, style, and voice.
Please do continue reading at VoyageMinnesota Magazine and feel free to share your beautiful thoughts!
Ryan Biddulph
Hi Jaya,
Congratulations on this. Fabulous.
Ryan
da-AL
so very glad for you! you deserve it!!
Charity
That is so exciting and well deserved! Congratulations to you!
Cassa Bassa
It’s great to get to know your writing journey, and through that to know you better.
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Cassa!
Aspen Hite
Congratulations! Richly deserved honor! 👏
The Goddess Attainable
Congratulations Jaya! And I love just reading and learning more about you 💖 I’m sure you don’t intend this (or maybe you do!) but I find you to be a bit of a delicious and delicate mystery. So any time I get a new tidbit it’s exciting, and it still always all falls under the Jaya brand which of course I love! Congrats again 🌺
Jaya Avendel
Aww, thank you for this amazing comment! I just loved reading it.
barbaraleaver
Congratulations, this is very exciting for you 👏👏👏
Victoria Marie Lees
Bravo, Jaya! Good for you! What a great article. So many points I love about the interview.
I love that VoyageMinnesota tries to ensure that the voices of those they feature jump off the page. I love your explanation of how your writing is set apart and that you do not try to tell the reader how to feel. You are so right that every reader connects with the same story differently. And good for you to not label the emotions or direct feelings in your writing. This does in fact allow each reader to discover their own connection to the story you are telling. Again, Bravo!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Victoria! I just love that you connected with my thoughts on not telling the reader what to feel.
Michele Lee
This is very exciting Jaya!! 🥳 What an honor to have them reach out to you! They have a solid mission – how wonderful to be part of that! I will continue reading your interview and I bookmarked the VoyagePhoenix page. Excellent!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Michele! I had a fun time interacting with the magazine’s team, and exploring the vibrant online community.
Michele Lee
You are welcome, Jaya. I can see why! Looks like a superb organization to connect with. Bravo!
Priti
A heartiest congratulations 🎉 and beautiful interview 😊😍
Keep Calm & Drink Coffee
You are welcome my dear.
I am so HAPPY for You!!
As well as I am glad to read your interview <3
D. Wallace Peach
Great interview, Jaya. Congrats on the feature. Well deserved.
Unwanted Life
Congratulations on featuring in VoyageMinnesota Magazine. I couldn’t agree more with your support for other writers, but I’d go a step further. I think we all need to decided what success means to us as an individual, rather than subscribing to money being how we measure success
Jaya Avendel
Oo, love that you have jumped in to share your thoughts on personally defining success! Thank you for sharing that.
readandreviewit1
Congratulations, this is absolutely amazing! I loved the extract you shared and I really agree with what you said sets you apart – part of the beauty of your work is how it allows everyone to interpret it differently. Thank you so much for sharing, will definitely check out the rest of the article x
Jaya Avendel
Aww, thank you so much, Ceri, for sharing your thoughts!
Rachel Duerden
Congratulations. 🎉
KK
This is amazing, Jaya! Hearty congratulations 🎉🎉
Daphny Aqua
Congratulations Jaya, I wish you many more success in days to come and it was so lovely to read your interview. ❤️
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Daphny!
Cindy Georgakas
💖 Jaya 💖
Congratulations on an awesome interview well deserved! Love that photo too! Tickled 💖 pink for you!
Jaya Avendel
Thanks a million, Cindy! Glad you enjoyed the photographs.
Cindy Georgakas
It’s a pleasure always Jaya! 💖💖
Artist/Poet_JayMoraShihadeh
Congratulations, Jaya. That’s awesome 👍🏻
Nancy Richy
Congratulations, Jaya! How very exciting and rewarding for you. Enjoy your day in the sun! ☀️
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Nancy!
ellegracedeveson
Huge congratulations lovely! It’s so amazing watching you achieve such amazing things as your so incredibly talented. Keep smashin it! Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
Deeksha Bhardwaj
Congratulations, Jaya!!
haoyando
Beautiful picture and wonderful personal stories.
Jaya Avendel
Thank you! Love that you enjoyed the interview.
rachelramdhan
Congrats on being featured 🥳
Andrew McDowell
Congrats!
Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader)
Congratulations Jaya. That is amazing news!
the hot goddess
Jaya, congratulations!
Her Digital Coffee
Congratulations Jaya! An interview is super exciting and I loved reading your thoughtful answer about what sets you apart. Thank you for sharing!
Jodie | That Happy Reader
Congratulations Jaya! I’m so excited for you to receive some extra attention!
Ingrid
Congratulations Jaya! Heading over there to read your interview now…
Jacqui Murray
That is beyond exciting. Hearty congratulations!
Gypsie-Ami Offenbacher-Ferris
Congratulations Jaya! Wonderful news!! 👏🏼👏🏼