This is what it sounds like, when doves write!  Poetry, that is!  Patti G. the Poetic Dove is an amazing poet, a dedicated mother, IT professional, soon-to-be published author, and a HUGE Prince fan!  Take a peek inside the world of the Poetic Dove - and meet an amazing woman that does it all!

First things first - congratulations on the birth of your son!  How is little J.O.G. doing?

Awww thank you! He is doing fine thanks for asking. He is a little beautiful bundle of joy.

For our readers around the country, tell us what it's like living in Newark, NJ?

It's not bad. The only problem is that it gets loud sometimes and with a brand new baby it can be annoying. I just moved here from Bloomfield NJ.

Are you originally from Newark?  If not - where are you from originally?

I was born in Newark and lived here for the first 11 years of my life and eventually moved to a few different towns.

I've read all your poems and they are amazing!  Tell us about when you first discovered your talent for poetry.

I was 12 years old. I was in an English class in Middle School and my teacher introduced me to Edgar Allan Poe. I started to write short stories that circulated around the school between teachers and students and they loved my work so I continued to write in a journal and eventually fell in love with poetry. The journal was my escape from my mothers' abusive relationship and not being able to express myself verbally I was able to write it all down in a book.

How did you develop your artistic style?

To be honest the poetry comes naturally to me. It takes less then 4 minutes for a poem to be born. It's like I just think about something and it just flows. I guess with time it becomes a part of you.

Other than writing poetry, what other types of creative expression do you enjoy?

I really enjoy dancing. I also do hair LOL! I can braid and do prom/wedding hair-dos. I also take Martial Arts.

Of the sixteen poems posted on your My Space page, which one has elicited the strongest reactions from your readers?

I would have to say I have a little something for everyone. My best reactions are the private readers who send a message telling me that I knew exactly what they were feeling and helped them get through something. That is the best reward for pouring out your heart, helping someone else.

Why do you think that poem has had that type of impact?

The poems have that impact because every verse stems from a real experience.

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?

They are mostly what I am feeling at that very moment. My poems are very personal and intimate and then there are poems that stem from my feelings towards someone I may see or know who is going through something, but most of them are all my own feelings and experiences. I like to look beyond what the eye can see. 

"Undeniably Painful" is the first of your poems that we've featured on IREP; tell us the story behind this powerful poem.

"Undeniably Painful" was a recent poem written while I was pregnant. I was trying to send a message to my significant other letting him know that what we have is real and untouchable and there was no need for questioning the difference between love and lust because these feelings flow through not just me but "us". I wanted him to know that I love him as much as he loves me and I was going no where.

Your dedication to your family is admirable and beautiful - how has being a proud mother of three beautiful children influenced your writing?

It has me look at things differently in life. Time passes us by and is it changes so does my writing. As I look at my teenage daughter, pre teen son and newborn baby I want so much for them to be able to love unconditionally and be passionate and all that good stuff and one day they will read my poetry and maybe they can look at life the same way.

You're an IT Technician by day.  How did you wind up choosing a career in IT?

Well I always wanted a challenging career. When I want to apply for college they asked what I wanted to do and I told them everything. They said Telecommunications is a little bit of everything so that's what I did. My first job was as an IT Technician and now I'm moving forward.

How do you feel about where you are in your career?

I feel pretty good I love what I do and if you can go to work everyday with a smile on your face and come home the same way then you have chosen a satisfying career and that's how it should be. Who wants to be grumpy all the time?
 
What do you enjoy most about being a writer?

Being able to express myself however I want.

What is a normal day like for you?

Chaotic! But it's a part of life and it comes with the territory.

Other than writing, what else do you like to do for fun?

I love to dance, cook for friends and my kids, meet new people, and explore new things. Everything is fun for me as long as I am blessed to be here breathing.

How do your family and friends feel about your career as a writer?

Everyone is very supportive about my writing. I don't know much about the whole career thing. Writing is my hobby and my escape. I do have plans to publish my first book but I have not been able to put money aside for that as of yet.

How have your family and friends positively or negatively impacted your writings and your writing career?

Well everyone in my life plays a part of my emotions so they all have inspired a poem at one time or another.

What is your ultimate goal?

As far as my writing career, I'd like to have my book published. That would be the ultimate for me.

The Men (and some of the Ladies) want to know!  Are you married, in a relationship, or single?

Oh, no I'm not.  I'm in a relationship.

Omar is amazing. Omar is the one and only love of my life. I'm so happy that he is the one for me. We have such a beautiful relationship and I hope it remains that way.

You have a seductive side that you exhibit in your poetry, your pictures, and on your profile.  How does being in touch with your sexuality influence your poetry?

Being in touch with me and my sexuality and being passionate helps to produce some interesting poetry. I am very in touch with my feelings at all times and they are expressed well through writing. I have "unrobed" as of my 30th birthday last year and now its time to take poetry "my poems" to a new level.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is sex in a relationship?

LOL I would have to say a 5. Why? Because if there is no friendship companionship or passion how could sex even work?

I would go to Cuba to bring my grandmother to see her mom. She wants to see her before one of them pass on without saying goodbye.
 
Do you see yourself as a role model?

Yes I believe so.

Is that what you're trying to accomplish in your writing?

I'm trying to reach out to every person who has ever felt what I feel and let them know that they are not alone.

Tell us about some of your friends who are poets that we may not have heard of.  Which ones would you recommend?

Keenan from My Space is a very talented poet. I would have to send you the link for that one he is awesome.  Keenan always writes the male version for my poems and he blows me away every time. I have to also mention an oldie Edgar Allan Poe. He was my first look into what words could do. Then there is Mr. Blues we collaborated a few times

What was your most embarrassing moment as a writer?

I would have to say the first time I misspelled something.

What was you proudest moment as a writer?

Being published on poetry.com and winning the Editors Choice Award. Also being able to set up a poetry thread on NPGMC which no longer exists but gave me the courage to put my poetry out to millions of people to see what they thought. Patti's Poetry Corner was there for almost 2 years and always went strong and gave other writers the chance I was seeking to show off their stuff. Someone had to start it for it to happen right?

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 my writing would never interest anyone until I posted on NPGMC. (Princes old website)

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.

I just keep going. To the people who are out to try to hurt me or try to stand in my way I make my own way and I make the rules. I stay away from negative people and I know that no matter what I endure in life to every problem there is a solution and that's all I need to find my way. There will always be a "hater" somewhere. If you're beautiful I will tell you, if you are talented I will push you and if you are weak I will be your strength. There is no need for me to hate on someone else. I expect the same in return. 

Tell us about the book you're working on?  How is it coming and when can we expect to see it?

My book has been done for a long time now. Like I mentioned before, it just a matter of publishing. The name of the book is "Intimate Sessions" and it should be out soon. I can't really give a time frame but hopefully it will be in out in the beginning of next year.

Other than your My Space page (and now IREP Magazine), where can our readers find your poetry?

Well before NPGMC.com was closed down all of my poems lived there. For now the only way to see my poetry is on My Space. There are only 2 poems on poetry.com as of now because I have not submitted any new ones. If someone has a request feel free to email me @ This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit my page at www.myspace.com/poeticdove

Tell us something about yourself that the world would be surprised to know?

I am very shy in new surroundings. I try to observe everything around me before I am comfortable and I am a little scared to go on stage and do Spoken Word. People tell me all the time that I should go and just do it but I'm not ready yet. This is going to be one of those spur of the moment jump on stage and just do it type of things lol.

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Comments (15)

1  Great Interview Written by Jazz , on 26-11-2007 17:10 , IP: 67.80.142.77 :grin This interview was very interesting. I believe that it lets people into your world, it was very personable. I definetly can't wait for more from you! :grin

4  All hail the queen! Written by BiggsDaddyCool , on 27-11-2007 21:35 , IP: 12.104.117.25 Can't wait 4 the book! And 4 all of U who missed the era...The NPGMC Poems were quite extensive and some of the best I have ever had the 4tune of wrapping my mind around. Peace, love and joy 2 my poetic queen!

8  I wear many hats Written by OldHeadChip , on 28-11-2007 11:06 , IP: 67.81.210.141 Poetic Dove i can dig it! Keep doing what you doing... I can feel the positive energy come ing off ya from right.... Here! You make things like pencils and ink pens smile!!! oh... yeah and the paper :-)

9  My Insipration.... Written by Metta4...A Poet , on 28-11-2007 16:10 , IP: 70.167.129.195 Hey Lady,  This is Metta4 This was a very insightful interview. I knowo some of that stuff already but it was still refreshing to see and hear one of my inspirations moving forward... I'm sure you'll sign my copy of "Intimate Sessions" and I'll definitely sign your copy of "75 Acres Inside of Purgatory" when it's published.   You're Potna, Metta4.