Heather 'Byrd' Roberts
Heather 'Byrd' Roberts is a Chicago-based poet, performer, teaching artist, and author. Her first chapbook, 'Mahogany: A Love Letter To Black,' was published in 2016. Byrd’s work focuses on the intersectionality between form and freedom. She uses her experiences as a black woman in a variety of spaces to shed light on issues of privilege, love, and familial relationships. Her work unlocks the opportunity for invisible voices to be heard. Byrd’s work will appear in CAGIBI’s journal in July, she was a semi-finalist in the 25th Annual Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mic Award, and was part of the Poetic Forum Collective from November 2014–December 2016. She is a 2019 Swarm Artist Resident and is the 2019 St. Lou Fringe National Artist of the Year. Byrd is currently the Senior Education Programs Manager at Young Chicago Authors. Her favorite words are balloon and bubble.
Interview:
1. Will you tell us about your most recent published work?
"Mahogany: A Love Letter To Black" is my chapbook published in 2016 and is a culmination of hard work and celebration. This book is a journey. It's about black girl growth and self-liberation. A love letter to the imperfections while exploring what it means to love and be loved by Black through history, past lovers, sacrifice, freedom, and the love of my grandmother and mother. It is the first drop of ripples through my history as a black woman.
2. What personal challenges do you face as a writer?
Great question. Honestly, it's believing in my own work at times. I'll write something, read it out loud, and then think nothing of it, close my notebook and go on about my day. It's not until it sits, I forget about it, and come back to it that I realize the message in my genius. Other times, my artistic family will take time to explain the importance of my own message. They remind me when we are in the thick of chaos, we don't necessarily realize the gem in our sandstorm.
3. What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
The most difficult part of my artistic process is juggling. I never understood the benefits of residencies or alone time in the mountains until I got older. The more responsibilities I have the more discombobulated my mind becomes. The need to separate from everyday worries to get into the right headspace to write has been challenging for me.
4. What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?
My day time job Hahaha
Until I can make this a reality, I can give up my negative self-talk while creating. It is a mind shift but possible.
5. How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
As a performance poet, I didn't take much stock in what a poem looked like on the page. I was writing to speak it so how it looked didn't matter. Once I published, I realized the importance of line breaks and the presentation of a piece when I am not there to recite it for the reader. I began to pay more attention to form and the story it tells along with the story being presented in the poem. #Growth
6. How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have? Will you tell us about them?
Ha, I'm sure I have several but I can share with you information about my forthcoming book. I will keep the title a secret but this book is gathering snapshots of my life growing up with my mother and Bada (my grandmother), who unfortunately suffered from a severe stroke when I was 8 years old. The two of them are polar opposites and you have a chance to witness the contrast and chaos this presented.
7. Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?
I have realized my work is not for everyone and this is okay. The world will continue rotating and another day will come. It's not a surprise to me when a bad review rolls in. Everyone has an opinion, and I didn't write the book for everyone. To each their own.
I am more focused on the positive reviews. The moments when a reader or audience member is changed, when they realize they are not alone, or when what they have been trying to vocalize for years has now been articulated. This is one of the best feelings in the world.
8. Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
I have fewer secrets and more lessons hidden in my book. There are historical references lodged within a poem and if you aren't paying close enough attention you may miss it. All of these nuggets add to the story being told.
9. What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
I surround myself with other authors. Fortunately, my job allows me to be surrounded by all types of artists from Tara Betts to Jamila Woods to the former National Youth Poet Laureates, Kara Jackson and Patricia Frazier. I also seek out collectives where I have been able to produce amazing shows, build phenomenal partnerships, and have found my artistic family for life.
Being around other authors and artists allows me to be a spectator in a world where I am constantly creating. This is important when working on ways to develop new entry points for poems, hear sounds we never considered to utilize, and witness the magic of words in action. All of this rejuvenates me and allows me to tap into an effective creative flow.
10. If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Don't doubt yourself. Your genius is uniquely yours, own it!
11. What are common traps for aspiring writers?
"It's not fair to compare your beginning to my middle." ~Lisa Nichols
Falling into this trap is so easy. Trust me, I know. I did it for years. It's unhealthy and honestly exacerbated my imposture syndrome until I became completely stagnant. I no longer felt worthy of creating or performing. I always felt as if I had more work to do before presenting it to the world. We will also have more work to do but the question we need to ask ourselves is, what needs to be shared now? How can my NOW benefit someone else's movement? We will always have more to learn. All we can do is make sure you are actively working towards a goal and the results will come.
12. What’s the best way to market your books?
I self-published so I am still learning the best way.
Right now, I am using my performances as a launchpad. It is an opportunity to sell my books and merch while giving audience members an opportunity to hear the poems live.
I am not above suggestions. Feel free to send me tips :)
13. What is your favorite childhood book?
"Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale" I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK! I had a chance to see myself in the story. Representation is so important.
https://www.amazon.com/Mufaros-Beautiful-Daughters-African-Picture/dp/0140559469
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