Page 36 - Reader's House Magazine Issue 52

From Poetry to Prose: The Evolution of a Storyteller
s told to Z. Robers
aJR. Rice is a literary force whose work
In the book, the reader follows Jon
ah Tarver curating events like the
J.R. RICE
Shares His Journey, Writing Process, and the Power of Storytelling
J.R. Rice discusses his novel Broken “ Pencils, the impact of mental health
on his writing, his experiences abroad, and the power of storytelling in connecting with readers on a profound level.
I was his Black Jedi and he was my Beatnik Yoda.”
resonates with raw emotion, unflinch- from Broken Pencils, now a 25-year-old Black local artist showcase ing honesty, and a deep sense of pur- American on a three-month journey through series, SOCIAL SAT- pose. An award-winning author, poet, Spain, Greece, France, and Amsterdam. Jonah URDAY, and organizing
educator, and spoken word artist, Rice brings embarks on a quest exploring determination, fundraisers in the Bay
a unique voice to contemporary literature, weaving together his personal experiences with the broader struggles of identity, mental health, and self-discovery. His critically ac- claimed novel Broken Pencils has garnered prestigious accolades, including the 2024 Literary Titan Gold Book Award and the 2024 Pencraft Summer Best Book Award for Young Adult Coming-of-Age Fiction. As the first instalment in the Broken Pencils series, his poetry collection I Was, Am, Will Be expands on these themes, taking readers on a profound journey of transformation.
What inspired you to write about Jonah
Tarver’s journey in I WAS, AM, WILL BE?
After experiencing the traumatic loss of
my father, a breakup with my ex-girlfriend, and being laid off from my teaching job, I left America to travel through Europe. I spent time in Greece and Spain, searching for purpose during a turbulent period in my life. I encoun- tered incredible people and had unforgettable adventures that reshaped my perspective, which heavily influenced my poetry book I Was, Am, Will Be.
destiny, and death, taking the reader along on his heroic journey, continuing the Broken Pencils series.
How did your experiences abroad, particularly in Greece, shape your writing style and voice?
Living and studying in Paros, Greece, under the mentorship of George Crane, author of Bones of the Master, was a transformative experience. I was the Black Jedi to his Beatnik Yoda. He taught me about minimalism, em- phasizing the importance of removing excess and giving purpose to every sentence, line, and word. This approach had a profound influence on my writing style and voice.
What role does spoken word artistry play
in your creative process as a writer?
Spoken word artistry is integral to my writing because I incorporate elements like repetition, similes, extended metaphors, and rhythmic language into my novels to create an engaging experience for readers, especial- ly when read aloud. Beyond writing, I use spoken word to build community, hosting and
Area.
How do you balance your teaching career with your writing and artistic pursuits?
Balancing my full-
time teaching job with my
creative pursuits has been challenging. I work 40 hours
a week as an English teacher
and spend my free time writing, performing spoken word, host-
ing events, creating content, and more. While I feel skilled in each role, I often worry about becoming a “Jack of all trades, master of none,” which creates anxiety about where to focus my time. It’s a blessing
and a curse to be talented in mul- tiple areas, yet I often struggle
with committing fully to one without feeling regret about
the others. I remind myself of
Henry Thoreau’s quote: “My
life has been the poem I would
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