Poetry/Spoken Word LeJuane Bowens - The Clown Prince of Ugly
| LeJuane Bowens - The Clown Prince of Ugly |
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For our readers around the country, tell us what it's like living in Fayetteville, NC?
It's a chilled area. I can't complain too much about it. I get by. LOL
I see you're originally from Detroit, and then you moved to Ohio. What was it like growing up in those two very different places?
It was funny actually. My folks from Detroit would always say they could see the change because folks in Ohio had a different appeal to them. Plus, they thought folks in Ohio didn't have appeal. LOL
Tell us about your career in the Army - how did those experiences impact your writing?
It impacted my writing a lot. I learned more about separation, pain, loss, and rediscovery while being enlisted in the service.
LOL. Well, I have this group of friends that started this group called Kingdom of Ugly (K.O.U.). They use to go around a lot always saying things like that girl doesn't like me because I'm ugly and so on. It started as a gag, but then it became something real. It's like a million of us now.
Tell us about the poetry scene in Fayetteville, NC. How has spoken word poetry being appreciated in "Fayette-Nam".
A lot. My friends, Poetic Tone and K.I.S.S. are doing what they can, along with me to spread it out even more. There's almost a venue every day of the week so I say that it has impacted Fayetteville a lot.
I've read your poems on your MySpace profile, and the excerpt from your book. The way you convey deep emotions and describe situations is incredible! Tell us about when you first discovered your talent for poetry.
How did you develop your artistic style?
By reading up on the many styles of poetry and then just trying to add my own little contribution to the cause.
Which do you enjoy more - writing poems or presenting them in front of an audience? What is it about the one you prefer that you enjoy the most?
Both. You can read a poem and love it, but when you actually hear it being read, you appreciate the poem even more.
Other than writing poetry, what other types of creative expression do you enjoy?
Dancing. I love to dance like you wouldn't believe. I always get a reaction when I go out because folks see me dancing, but are shocked to find out I'm a poet/author. Like I can't be multi-talented or something. LOL
Of all the poems you've written and presented to the public, which one has elicited the strongest reactions from your readers?
A poem that I wrote recently called "Waste Away".
Why do you think that poem had that type of impact?
Your poems have deep, emotional themes - you can really feel the passion, sadness and strength in each of them. Is your poetry inspired by your personal experiences or the personal experiences of people around you?
Both. I've had my moments in life that I wish never happened, but it made me a better person. And I know of people who've been through worse than me. So, I took both aspects from me and others and came up with what I wanted to write.
"Craving" is the first of your poems posted to your MySpace page; tell us the story behind this powerful poem.
I wrote this poem when I was in my "craving" moments. LOL. But I wanted to write it without getting to the point of saying, "Let's have sex ‘cause I want it" type poems.
Your poem "One Night Stand" is a very interesting perspective on an ‘interesting situation'. Was this poem based on a true story? If so, tell us about it.
Yes and no. Yes, because I have been in that situation before in my life when I knew someone and knew about their love interest. No, because it never dealt with a best friend
"I Love Her" is a very deep and powerful poem about the end of a relationship. Many readers will be surprised when they read this poem - because it's not a situation most men are man enough to admit to. Tell us what inspired you to write this poem?
I knew of a situation when a friend of mine was getting a lot of heat from his homeboys about a girl that he was dating. It never got to him falling in love (thank God) but I added that to the poem for more of an effect.
The only way I can describe "Animal Instincts" is that it's easily one of the most sexually explicit, but non graphic poems I've ever read! How did your family and friends react the first time you read them this poem?
Easy, I haven't shown that to them just yet. LOL. My girlfriend's only response to that poem was....WOOOOOOWWW. LOL!
It's a great feeling because it's something that I never knew would be my calling after everything that I've done in life so far. I just hope to keep giving the world good poetry.
Without revealing too many details, tell us about "So Many Things to Say". Why should we run out and get this book today?
This is a real book about real things that you wouldn't expect to see in your typical poetry book. I guarantee that you all will relate to almost everything in this book.
Are there any new books or poems in the works?
Always. I leaked a few poems on the net already, but I'm working on my second book as we speak. I'm halfway done with it.
How do you feel about where you are in your writing career?
No complaints. I'm always striving to better myself with each piece I write so I don't get lazy or lame with my poetry.
What do you enjoy most about being a writer?
Being able to express what I want in a way that I want to do it in.
What is a normal day like for you?
Waking up, calling my girlfriend, chilling with great friends, living life the way that I know how. Relaxed
Other than writing, what else do you like to do for fun?
Play video games, dance, sing, and just sit down and think about what's next in my life.
They love it! It's shocked them to see me come out with a book, but they are very proud of me none the less!
How have your family and friends positively or negatively impacted your writings and your writing career?
More positive than negative, but I do have the few friends that cut me off because they felt I would change after becoming a published author.
What is your ultimate goal?
To be successful in what I do and also play my part in the poetry movement.
The Ladies (and some of the Men) want to know! Are you married, in a relationship, or single?
Well, since I stated it already in one of the previous questions, I'm in a relationship
That's great - so tell us about your special someone.
She's what I think about when I wake up in the morning. I get anxious and worried if I don't hear from her during the day. When I'm with her, she makes all the troubles at that time just go away. Yea, I'm a sucka for love. LOL.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is sex in a relationship?
WOW.......lol. If you're in a strong relationship, then the sex won't matter as long as you can give someone a reason to stay with you for more than just that. So, my opinion - 5 out of 10.
If you could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go and why?
Jamaica! To just sit on the isle and enjoy the island breeze!
Do you see yourself as a role model?
No, because I would want people who look up to me to strive and be better than me.
Is that what you're trying to accomplish in your writing?
Yes, because I know someone has more to say than I do. LOL
Tell us about some of your friends who are poets that we may not have heard of. Which ones would you recommend?
Wow, there are so many. The ones that stick out are my MoJoe's Family: Poetic Tone, K.I.S.S., Yoggi, Josh, Ling, Foxxy-Milliyon, and Topic. I love those guys!
What was your most embarrassing moment as a writer?
Trying to get the words to flow smoothly but they came out sounding like mush mouth from Fat Albert.
What was you proudest moment as a writer?
Tell us about a time when you felt like giving up on your dream to be a writer? How did you get through that challenging time?
I thought that no one would wanna read a poetry book or anything I had to say, but I had a supportive family and great friends that helped me get through it and helped me accomplish my dream.
I see you have a special message to those that tried to kick you when you were down. Tell us about some of those incidents and how you rose above them.
That was mainly for certain individuals in the military. The first thing they said was that I wouldn't do anything and that I would come running back. I'm doing my best at proving them wrong and so far, it's working.
Tell us about the book you're working on? How is it coming and when can we expect to see it?
The second book I'm working on is another poetry book. It'll have more poems and a lot more topics to catch your interest. Expect it sometime next year in the 1st quarter.
Other than your novel, your live performances in Fayetteville, and your MySpace and Facebook pages (and soon in IREP Magazine), where can our readers find your poetry?
I have a website. You can all go to www.lejuanebowensthepoet.com and you can view a sample poem, event info, and reviews for the book and so on. I also have two video performances on YouTube and MySpace.
Tell us something about yourself that the world would be surprised to know?
Hmm.........would u believe I'm only 26?? LOL.
The Clown Prince of Ugly
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OK - How did you become known as the "Clown Prince of Ugly"? 
Because of the content and the actual fact that it could seriously happen to any of us if we as people are not careful about the decisions we make.
You celebrated the release of your book "So Many Things to Say" in August. How did it feel to achieve your dream of becoming a published author? 
How do your family and friends feel about your career as a writer? 
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