WRITER SPOTLIGHT | Janeth Jackson Interview by Keisha Thierry

I had the wonderful honor of speaking with Janeth Jackson (the “h” is silent) to discuss her collection entitled “Silent Conversations.” She hails from the Southern part of the United States on the Gulf Coast. It has always been uplifting to speak with other writers about their journey and relationship with crafting stories in any form. All forms of art have a story. After reading this amazing collection, I had to know the story behind the story of bringing these intimate poems onto the page and more about Janeth Jackson.

So, on a Friday evening, and in the world of Zoom, I met with Janeth Jackson.

Keisha: You named this group of pieces “Silent Conversations.” What inspired you towards this title?

Janeth: We have these conversations with ourselves all the time, and for many reasons we do not actually tell people about the things that we have experienced, especially things that are traumatic. We may feel like we might disappoint someone or are embarrassed. The poems are written from the perspective of a woman. Still in 2025, we are having these issues where people just don’t believe women. I was looking for what I could do that would put these pieces together, connect the pieces, and these are conversations that women are having, but they aren’t having with other people. They are keeping them within, like you are washing the dishes, and you have this flashback, and you say it out loud. That’s why I called them “Silent Conversations.”

Keisha: We had a lengthy discussion on, “A Pernicious Premises.” What inspired this piece?

Janeth: It is inspired by a multitude of things, but I can remember when I first started writing it. I wanted to write a short poem that speaks to many different women. I saw a commercial of a car and I was like, got it! A lot of people do not think of a car as being dangerous unless you are in an accident, but to a woman a car can be dangerous in a myriad of ways. There are a lot of things you can experience as a woman in a car.

Keisha: Thank you so much for sharing this work. These poems are so beautiful. They are so intimate. Thank you for letting us into this intimate world. To me intimacy is “into me you see” and you allowed us all into those moments. Thank you for that. Which piece is your favorite and why?

Janeth: I would have to say, “They Say.” (I was honored to have Janeth Jackson read her poem “They Say” to me!!!!) I had a good time writing it. I wanted to put everything I’ve heard from someone in it and what others have experienced. If you go by what society says, it reads like a wave, in-and-out, it’s contradicting. They say we want you to speak up, but as women, not about that!

Keisha: When did you fall in love with writing?

Janeth: I want to say when I was five. I would go in my room and write these poems and read them to my stuffed animals. Cringe, right? (I said NO!!!) I didn’t take writing seriously until my freshman year of college, when I had a creative writing class. It was then that I realized I wanted writing to be a part of my life as a career. I have a lot of influence from my family. I come from a long line of educators who use writing as a tool; my mother is a retired teacher, my sister is a teacher, my brother-in-law is a teacher, my brother is a professor, so writing was going to be a part of my life. I just didn’t know it would be this close to me.

Keisha: What is your go-to book?

Janeth: My go-to book is The Bible. I feel like a certain person in the Bible, David! A lot of people know him as a king. A lot of people know him as a warrior, but I know David as a poet. When people ask who is your favorite poet, I say it’s David! When you read Psalms and Proverbs, you can see  how passionate he is with writing and expressing his emotions. I really strive to be able to write like that. My favorite is Psalm 103 when David is commanding his soul to bless the Lord. Outside of the Bible is James Baldwin, If Beale Street Could Talk. It is a Classic. It is so beautiful and well written; no matter how many times I read this book, the characters never age, and I am constantly being consumed by it.  

Keisha: What was the most helpful tip you got out of your MFA Program?

Janeth: Keep writing. In our creative writing workshop class, we would receive feedback letters. I would read the letters and keep the comments and suggestions in mind whenever I wrote anything. I kept self-editing. That got me nowhere. My professor told me to read the letters later and just focus on writing. That changed everything for me. My advice to everyone would be: keep writing and worry about editing later. Keep writing.

Keisha: Do you have a writing schedule?

Janeth: I would say yes and no. I typically write in the evenings. I go to the park and write, but an actual schedule like a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday? No. I do go to the same spot, the park or the university and try writing there. Hopefully, it will be a nice sunset to get in the mood.

Keisha: Can you just sit down and write, or do you have to be inspired?

Janeth: Sometimes, I am inspired to write, like seeing that commercial of the car and writing “A Pernicious Premises,” or seeing a photograph. Other times I tell myself, come on Janeth you need to write, and I will turn on music and write.

Keisha: How would you describe your writing style?

Janeth: I would say freestyle. I am a bit of a renegade, so I like to do free verse a lot. I like for my work to read like a conversation, to speak to the person who is reading it. Typically, my poems are spoken word.

Keisha: Any current projects you are working on?

Janeth: I am working on a short story based on a small Baptist church in the backwoods of Mississippi. It’s based on a pastor and his legacy, what he wants to be remembered for. I have inspiration, and I am excited to continue working on this.

Janeth writes poetry and fiction. It was such a pleasure to speak with her, and I am so excited to see her writing career flourish. She is one to keep your eyes on! Thank you, Janeth, for being willing to be in Tethered Literary Writer’s Spotlight!