Featured in VoyagePhoenix Magazine!
I am delighted to share that I am featured in VoyagePhoenix Magazine! The magazine reached out to me for an interview after Shazieh from Agave Pantry recommended me for a story. I am now honored and proud to pass the love along to several people I admire in the writing community.
About VoyagePhoenix Magazine
VoyagePhoenix Magazine is part of a series of similar magazines, including VoyageLA and VoyageMinnesota (read my earlier interview with VoyageMinnesota here), all run by the same creative team.
Like its sister publications, the VoyagePhoenix Magazine team believes that it is important for media to authentically represent the communities they serve. This 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 Phoenix, as I am currently a Tucson girl, but the magazine happily interviews creatives from all around Arizona and even connects with people out-of-state as well.
In my interview with VoyagePhoenix Magazine, I talk about the trajectory of my writing journey, share some tips on networking and finding a mentor, and highlight the current struggles I am facing in my attempt to balance classwork and blogging. Here is an excerpt from my VoyagePhoenix interview!
Featured in VoyagePhoenix Magazine Interview Excerpt
I loved writing the following piece in response to the following question, as it pushed me to think deeply about some of the struggles I have faced as a writer and the challenges I am facing today.
This excerpt is not the opening of the interview, but I think it is one of the most interesting sections.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The act of writing is an emotional process. I love bringing my best self and most inspired creative thought to every piece I write and, while this constant effort does occasionally leave me drained, it is ultimately such a natural part of my life that I cannot imagine being able to approach my day-to-day life with the zest that I do without a pen in hand.
However, I do still find receiving rejection letters hard, especially if I put my all into a poem only to have it turned down. I understand how selective the editorial process is and that rejections are not meant to be personal so, after brief lament, I pull myself together and try to understand why my writing did not make the cut.
Right now, the biggest challenge I am facing is balancing creative writing and blogging with my classwork. I started university in August (yes, I am majoring in Creative Writing!) and, while I am writing essays galore for my classes, I do not have much time to write creatively. However, I am optimistic that I will find the right balance between classwork and creative writing, especially as I will be taking a creative writing class next semester.
Please do continue reading at VoyagePhoenix Magazine and feel free to share your beautiful thoughts!
Susi Bocks
Congrats, Jaya! 🙂
Karima Hoisan
Many congratulations and I enjoyed reading your answers Jaya. I also can relate to rejection letters and enjoyed your honesty:)
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Karima!
Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.com
Congratulations, Jaya! Maybe the balancing efforts will lead to even more creativity! I’m excited for you and what’s ahead 🙂
Keep Calm & Drink Coffee
Congratulations for this new step in your brilliant carreer!
Aspen Hite
Congratulations on all fronts! I’m sure you will find the balance that works for you! Be well. ✌️
Literary Revelations Publishing House
Congratulations hon.
xoxo
haoyando
Congratulations. What a wonderful thing to get published and recognized. And it is a juggling and a balance to be able to take care of both schoolwork and your blogging and other stuffs as well. You will thrive to get more acceptance letters.
Jeff Flesch
How wonderful. Congratulations, Jaya!
Dawn Pisturino
Congratulations, Jaya!
Lucia’s Fiction
Wow congratulations 🎊🎉
Vanelle
So impressive! Congratulations Jaya, best of luck in your future endeavors.
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Vanelle!
Cindy Georgakas
So wonderful Jaya!! Congratulations!!
💞
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Cindy!
Lamittan Minsah
This is exciting, dear Jaya. First, congratulations on getting featured in the magazine. I love that part of the interview about you putting your best self in your work. You’re simply one of the best. And I wish you well with the creative writing classes. Balancing is sure hard, but you quite manage.
Jaya Avendel
Thank you for this lovely comment, Lamittan!
I'm All Booked Up YA
Congrats!! What an awesome accomplishment.
D. Wallace Peach
It was great to learn more about you, Jaya. I’ll have to check out your fashion and lifestyle posts. 🙂 I seem to always zoom over to your poetry. 🙂
Laila
Congratulations! That’s such a great achievement. Well done!
Eugenia
Congratulations, Jaya!
Ingrid
Congratulations Jaya 🤩
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Ingrid!
Mohamad Al Karbi
Congrats and all the best for you in creative writing and classwork
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Mohamad!
K.Hartless
Congratulations, Jaya. I enjoyed your interview and can appreciate your feelings on rejection letters and finding your fit. Cheers to you as you begin your academic journey.
Jaya Avendel
Thank you so much!
Andrew McDowell
Congratulations!
Michele Lee
Very exciting, Jaya! Bravo!! I enjoyed reading your article and look forward to reading the rest. No matter what the situation, life is a constant balancing act. Give yourself grace. You are doing great! 🌟
Jaya Avendel
Aww, thank you so much, Michele!
Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader)
Wow congratulations Jaya! It is difficult to balance our fun and creative writing endeavours with our other responsibilities. I know you will find a way to do so!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Michelle! I certainly appreciate the vote of confidence.
Bon Repos Gites
Many congratulations!! 🙂