If you were to take a moment to look at Regan's Instagram feed, you would instantly fall in love with her honesty and her creative soul. This talented poet first connected with us to grow her craft, as well as to meet other like-minded artists with the same fearless dreams to be vulnerable and share art openly whether that was through written poetry, performances or art. Her poetry book, Morning Air, Morning Light will be releasing soon and it's one that we're 100% sure won't disappoint you! Check out our interview with her below:
When did you start writing poetry?
I started writing poetry when I was very young, peppered through my high school years, but didn’t start seriously writing until around 2014. I had gone through a lot of traumatic experiences in my late teen years. As a deep feeler, once I revisited the channel of poetry, words just came spilling out of me. I never stopped writing since.
Why did you decide to start sharing your words on Instagram?
I started sharing my writing on Instagram shortly after. I am a radically transparent person, so once I started writing privately, I started to share it publicly too. Writing helped me understand the darkest corners of my mind, or my past, and had a way of transforming my perspective right in front of my eyes. I would have self-revelations and awakenings when I’d write poetry, and I just had to share that with others.
You published a poetry book called Morning Air, Morning Light. Can you tell us what it’s about and when will it be released?
Morning Air, Morning Light is a poetry collection that walks through my personal story: the hurt and the healing. It’s a poetry collection that walks through my experiences with eating disorders, depression, and drug abuse. Subsequently, the poetry walks through my transition of moving cross-country in efforts to heal, and the freedom that followed. It’s deeply personal, but relatable to anyone who has felt alone, or uncomfortable with themselves. As you read through the book, you can see my transformation tangibly written.
It will be re-released on 9/22 through the indie publisher, Secret Midnight Press.
We noticed you have a blog called “introspective collective”, could you tell us more about that space?
Introspective Collective is a space where poetry lives within many mediums: short films, photography, long and short written poetry, illustrations and art. I pull from my own work, along with other creative’s to create this site full of light and inspirational art.
Photography by Eliza Miller
Your spoken word videos are beautiful! Do you plan on creating and releasing more?
Thank you so, so much! I’ve been able to create these in collaboration with Eliza Miller (@elizakatemiller), an incredibly talented filmmaker based out of Boston. I do have many more plans to create other short films, as well as more raw spoken word videos (ie: filmed in my art room, abandoning my perfectionistic tendencies).
What advice would you give to a poet just starting out on Instagram?
I would say to keep posting, forgetting perfection, but still taking the time to create quality content. Practice makes perfect, and sharing your poetry along the way helps you understand what type of poetry you truly enjoy to write.
I stopped sharing a few years ago on my Instagram, and actually closed out the account. I wanted to have more intimacy when sharing my deeply personal poetry, but realized that sharing it on Instagram (though it took courage) was the best way I could directly reach readers, and help them feel less alone. Finding that reason why you write and share your poetry will keep you driven to continue to do so, and in that vulnerability, you’ll begin to see its impact.
Where can others find you and where can we preorder your book?
You can find more of my writing on my instagram, @regannoellesmith, introspectivecollective.com, and my book can be preordered here.
Top photo by Ben Crosson.
