A native of Racine, Wisconsin, Eanes resided in Los Angeles, California for nearly 15 years before returning to the Midwest in 2007. She is a journalist and poet who holds a BA in Journalism from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. She has written for numerous publications including the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Grand Rapids Press newspapers. Her work has also appeared in Essence and Seventeen magazines.
Long before it was a common occurrence, Eanes was compelled early in her writing career to reinvent herself after a life changing car accident in August, 1985.
This transformative period was highlighted in an essay by Eanes in a collection entitled "Sisterfriend– Soul Journey" (Promotrnds, Inc. 2000). She also expounded upon her journey in the first release of the acclaimed book series "A Cup of Comfort" (Adams, 2002.)
Eanes has shared her poetry in a variety of venues and events across the nation including Bennett College, the Austin International Poetry Festival, the historical Black institution Huston-Tillotson University, among others. The festival is a prestigious event held yearly which features poets around the globe. In August 2007, Eanes was one of nine finalists in the Daimler-Chrysler "Spirit in the Word" poetry competition at the annual convention of the National Association of Black Journalists, one of the most influential journalism organizations in the world.
After returning to the Midwest in 2007, she is fast reestablishing herself as an active member of the Milwaukee/Chicago region’s vibrant artistic community. Eanes holds memberships in several organizations including the National Writers Union, the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of Black Journalists – Chicago Chapter and the Academy of American Poets.
Other interests include music, yoga, belly dancing, sports, reading, movies and travel.
Sensual Sounds is Eanes’s first poetry book. She is currently working on a variety of projects including Passion’s Embrace, her first poetry CD.
Interview with Marcie Eanes by Amy V. Simmons
AVS: When did you realize your special talents, and how did you initially explore them?
My mother was the first to recognize and encourage my writing talents in grade school and high school. My two most memorable assignments were writing about Ida B. Wells and the Wobblies Workers movement in the early 1900's. I received A's and notable attention from my teachers. College was where I finally knew my gift was writing. I worked as an intern at Essence Magazine and wrote several freelance articles for Seventeen Magazine. I also interned at the Racine Journal Times newspaper and served as a public relations intern at the Milwaukee YWCA.
Public relations wasn't the only form of journalism I explored as an MU undergrad. I worked on the staff of the college radio and television stations along with the school newspaper.
AVS: What was the most defining moment of your life? Did it influence what you are doing now?
A car accident six months after college graduation forever changed my life. I went from being a fresh-faced 23 year-old reporter at the Grand Rapids Press newspaper to being paralyzed from the neck down. Not the future my parents and I planned at all.
I went through several, depressing years feeling lost. It didn't help my parents died suddenly six years after my accident and I was primary caregiver to my mentally handicapped brother. Although I had help from family and other sources, little writing took place during that time. Nearly ten years later, I wrote an article on women and body image for a Home Economics magazine which was later published in Essence magazine.
AVS: Regarding your career change, what has been your greatest challenge? How does it compare to your former position as a fulltime reporter?
My career as an Independent Journalist/Poet is nearly as challenging as being a fulltime reporter. I'm responsible for following leads, writing under deadline and all the other duties found in the newsroom. Both require self-motivation, creativity and interaction with the public. Difference is that the business is my responsibility alone day in/out. No paid sick days, unions. etc. But I haven't lost the initial thrill of writing.
I feel my parents would be proud. They taught me through example how to be my own boss. They owned property which they maintained as landlords. Mom graduated from college when I was in 8th grade. Dad owned the first black-owned liquor store in Racine. They never gave up on themselves or their dreams during their lifetimes, and are still a guide for me.
Poetry was a writing form I discovered as a form of expressing grief when my brother Chris died. By the late 90s, I was performing in front of audiences. The poems I've written were recently published in my first book, "Sensual Sounds".
AVS: Do you ever think about what direction your career would have taken had the accident not happened, especially considering the huge upheaval in the industry and resulting displacement of many of those same colleagues you started out with?
I sometimes do because with all the experiences I had working with magazines, public relations, and other mediums. It would've been interesting to see where my niche truly was. But it was also the things I've experienced i.e. health challenges, care giving which give my writing such depth.
My friends are also my toughest critics because the majority are in different fields. They tell my constantly I was a good writer before the accident, but now my words cause then to really linger, think and dissect subjects I write about. They tell me that I'm not a "fluff" writer.
AVS: Did you have an interest in poetry writing before you explored it as an alternative form of writing?
Poetry was something I loathed. I never seemed to give the right answers when teachers asked about interpretations. My most memorable experience was sneaking out of my British poetry class in college and later hitting up a classmate for notes.
The death of my brother, Chris, changed all my thinking. Months prior to his death, I met a poet who later challenged me to express my grief in poetic form. I did and never looked back.
AVS: What project/s are you currently working on now?
I'm promoting my poetry book, beginning work on my first poetry CD entitled "Passion's Embrace" and working on a novel.
Reading at the 716 Fine Art Gallery, Racine, WI in 2008
For more information about Marcie Eanes, her books, and other projects, see the links below.
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Sensual-Sounds-collection-Marcie-Eanes/dp/1440192855/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266533983&sr=8-1
Barnes and Noble:
http://books.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?WRD=Marcie+Eanes&box=Marcie%20Eanes&pos=-1
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/marcieeanespoetry
My Space:
www.myspace.com/marcieeanes
Monday, March 1, 2010
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