Patti G's Poetry Corner Metta 4's World
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 Ryan "Metta 4" Milton sat down with Patti G. the Poetic Dove to talk about his art, his family and his incredible journey through life!
Poetic Dove's Exclusive interview with Ryan O'Neal Milton
Hello Ryan, the first question I have is how did poetry become a part of your life? Well, I spent a lot of time alone as a kid being an only child. With a lot of adult presence and influences from my family and my family's friends, I didn't have much time for "being a kid". So listening to Marvin, the Temptations and other 60's and 70's music, I discovered my gift. I figure, even as a young child, that what they were doing looked really easy and not knowing what I was getting into, I jumped right in. It wasn't a mistake though. I began to write about everything as a child and it permeated into stories. So I guess I grew up on telling stories.
The music I listen to, the Bible, everyday life with my friends and family but most of all, my kids. Also the life I lived growing up in the Housing Projects of New Orleans. There was a lot of inspiration to create there and I see it in most all of my work. I see there is a lot of talent in the family too, lets start with your children and what they do? Yes, Thank You! My oldest daughter Brianne is in college majoring in Business Administration and Law. She's the "Serious One", My daughter Zjelice, my "Butterfly" is a promising and, I believe, gifted Choreographer/ Dance Instructor at the age of 19. She dances with the "Funksters Dance Group" out of the Bay area of California. They are very well known. LaVonne, my "PepperMint", is still in High School and going to the Air Force next year, Rian, my "Junior" and an aspiring model/ actress, is a leader of her High School's Thespian/ Drama Club. And at the age of 15, she has already directed three plays, starred in two of them, a cheerleader and also dabbles in poetry as well. My youngest, Jordynn, my "JellyBean", is also a cheerleader in her middle school and has a mantle full of academic awards and accolades in Dallas, Texas. I am very proud of them all! Of all of your poems, which ones are some of your favorites and why? All of my poems about "struggle" are close to my heart. I have lived the words of my writing which allows me the easement of expression and relating to what others are going through as well. Not that my poems about Love and Inspiration are not true, but they hold a, sort of, episodic nature. Whereas my poems on "Struggle" take on a certain longevity, because you never stop struggling. No matter how big you get. I notice you grind hard and do what you have to do....what motivates you? My motivation is what I see on a daily basis. And my relationship with God through Jesus Christ affords me the gift of coherent expression. With that gift, I am motivated by the sun, the flowers, people, things, and just about everything that deals with living everyday life. A friend of mine asked me one time, "Is there anything that you DON'T write about?" Of course my answer was "NO"...LOL! What is the next step or project. I see a buzz about a book coming soon? Why don't you tell us about that. Where to find it? How much? The title and a little preview. Actually, I have three books that are already finished. Two of those are in publishing/ printing now. My first two books are all poetry and tell the stories of my journeys in this life that I live. I'm still searching for a publishing company for my third book, but it is finished. My first,"75 Acres Inside of Purgatory", will be available in late July with the Xlibris (xlibiris.com) publishing company. The second book," Far Away From Me", is going to be printed and published by Author House (authorhouse.com) in early September, and the third book, "The Practicality of Prayer", should be available near Thanksgiving/ Christmas. I have posted some of my writing on my website, www.peacefuljourneyonline.org. I expect the prices will be in the low $20.00's or less. I caught the "Acting" bug a few months ago and ventured off into live theatre. I played a lead role in two small theatre/ stage play productions here in Atlanta. "Sometimes, Life Gets in the Way" and, "HouseKeeper" produced by the Evens Productions company. I also have a line of inspirational apparel (T-shirts with inspirational messages on them) from the "PositivThredz" apparel line visible on my website as well. I also write for two newspapers, one in Northern Los Angeles (Tri-County Sentry) and one in Dallas Texas, (The Dallas Weekly) and the "Trendsetters" magazine in Atlanta. And no...I really don't get a lot of sleep, LOL! Who are some of your favorite writers? Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni (who autographed My first manuscript when I met her), Donald Goines, Marvin Gaye, Music SoulChild, Biggie Smalls, " Ill" Scott, Ledisi, Algebra, and the list goes on.....I'm a fan of your writing too, Dove! At what age did the poetic part of you come to be and why? 12...I was telling stories about my neighborhood and my life at the age of 12 in the form of poetry and I won 1st place in a writing contest for a local newspaper at the age of 14. I guess my imagination and ability to visualize my thoughts and put them in words is why poetry came to be a part of who I am. Rhyming and telling stories became a part of my escape from not having any brothers and sisters. Who is your hero? I would have to say that my hero is my mother. With the kind of child I was and the man I am now, I could only attribute who I am and my accomplishments to her nurturing and support of me when my dad had to go off on Naval leave. Living with Carrie and Kenneth (My Father) is why I have the discipline I have because she would always keep me in line and balanced in everything that I did from a very young age to this day...She's writing the "Foreword" to my third book. Are your family and friends supportive of your career as a poet/writer? Very, they've been on me for a while to push my publishing company harder to get these books out so they can show me off to their friends...how's that for being used? LOL!! I know they do it out of love though. Spoken word is also a part of your life where can we find your work? Yes, it is. Oddly enough though, I've always been a very shy person and didn't come into speaking in public until a couple of years ago. I was told on countless occasions that I have too many stories written to not spoken, so I joined a Toastmasters club and thus the story began. You can find some of my work written and spoken on my website. http://www.peacefuljourneyonline.org. I am also working with a few venues here in Atlanta to host spoken word events around town. Stay tuned to I.R.E.P. for more information.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be and why? I would change the world's view of God through Jesus Christ. Some of us think that we're doing all of this stuff we're doing on our own. Not so. He is the ultimate power and there is no other like Him. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten myself into some sticky situations and was left with nothing but my prayers, and there He was. Welcoming me with open arms. Being a father and an artist can take so much time to do it all, how do you manage? Prayers, Faith, and appreciation of the gifts God has given me...that's what gets me through when things don't always seem "Beautiful". Mot of the time I use my kids as inspiration. Just having normal conversations with them about life and "Boys" seems to cheer me up sometimes. There's nothing like being a "real" Dad. What else interests you? Life...and the Human element in general. My minor in college was Psychology. I have grown fascinated by the human mind and find that you can learn so much about people and who they are if you just stop and listen to them. This also contributes to my writing, which I love. I dream of an acting career but that's in the land of "Far, Far Away". I love photography too. I carry my Canon EOS everywhere I go, LOL! But seriously, capturing life in raw unscripted scenarios and circumstances gives me a high. Some of my work can be viewed on "www.modelmayhem.com/designbydemand" What are some of your goals in the near future and how do you plan on reaching them? To maintain a successful writing career, leave an inheritance for my kids and follow God's will for my life. The only methodology of these things is having faith in the God in Heaven and keeping close contact with Him in the steps I take. I would really like to be a Broadcaster/ News Anchor or Radio Personality, I think I have the voice and I hear all the time from people, "You should be on the radio". Man if I had $10.00 for every time I heard that statement, I wouldn't need to work! LOL! So with the book coming soon, the kids doing their thing, you managing so much how do you spend time having fun? Just being Ryan? Believe it or not, sometimes I get to hang out with family and friends, with all that I do. One thing that brings me joy is participating in church activities. There's always that "peace" you get from helping others. I guess being around people gives me a certain joy because while spending time in their company, I'm also searching for inspiration to write another poem or story about that day I spent with them. Ryan, are you single or married? Single...Not really loving it but I know that God is preparing a beautiful, intelligent woman for me and my "ism's". So, I'm being patient. What new projects can we look forward to? My books, more advice columns, more t-shirt designs, of course, more and more poetry, a deep sensual voice on a late night radio station, (LOL!), and more business ventures. Lastly - I would love to know what inspires you, break it down if you will, who what where why how. My inspiration is the everyday life that I live, my kids, my family, and being who I am. Nothing beats it. I love who I am, I love my life, I love who I am in Christ, and that's really all that matters to me right now. You know what I find really amazing? All the artwork for your book covers is designed and created by you that is quite impressive. I can't wait to see more from you. Thank you for taking time to chat with me.
God Bless You and your family
xoxox
Poetic Dove~Patti
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