Meet C. J. Phillips | Poet

We had the good fortune of connecting with C. J. Phillips and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi C. J., why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I don’t think I deliberately set out to be a writer. It just sort of happened miraculously. Back in 2020 when the lockdown happened, I found myself, like the rest of the world, trapped in solitude. At the time, I was working full-time as a customer care specialist while also being a part-time college student. And because of the pandemic, I started working and attending my classes remotely. This was a struggle for me because I was so used to always being on the go. Even back in high school, I worked part-time, participated in sports and extracurricular activities outside of school. Even back then, I knew I was keeping myself busy to keep myself distracted from real life struggles. But when the world paused, I could no longer run away from my feelings. There was so much emotion that had built up over the years that just started pouring out of me, and I let it all fall onto paper. I don’t know why I chose to write poems though. I think that’s just what came easiest to me. That year I wrote the majority of my debut collection of poetry, From the Moon to the Sun, which is now available for purchase on Amazon.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve been writing poetry for almost four years now. I knew from the start that I wanted to write a poetry book that wasn’t limited to just one or two topics. I wanted to talk about a variety of topics that I was passionate about and that would be relatable to many different people out there. For me, there’s this drive to connect with and help people. That is where I find purpose. That is what keeps me busy. That is what keeps me writing. My debut collection of poetry, From the Moon to the Sun, tells a story about how one experiences difficult and challenging situations, heals from them and learns to love and be loved again. Metaphorically, it will take you on a journey from the moon to the sun. Dark times are inevitable as the moon, but they will eventually pass and reveal the sun. I’m hoping this book not only helps those who are already broken, but also helps those who are not, to understand.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I was born and raised in the Dayton area. To start, I would take them to my favorite coffee shop, Boston Stoker. Fun fact, it actually started out as a pipe and tobacco shop in the 70s, but the owners started offering free coffee to increase their customer base. I remember my mom taking me here as a kid, and we would pick out a cigar for my grandpa while my mom ordered her coffee.

Next, I would take them to my favorite place to shop in the area: Antiques Village. It has something there for everyone. It has over 300 booths of unique items, including vintage furniture, thrifted clothes, homemade crafts and antique vinyls. They also have a secondhand book store, Project Read, inside the store. Project Read is a non-profit organization in the Dayton area and all proceeds go towards improving literacy in the Dayton area.

If it’s a nice day outside, I would take them to one of my favorite parks in the Dayton area. Either Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, or Hills & Dales Metropark. Both parks offer beautiful woodland areas and nature trails. My favorite things to do are hiking and writing in nature.

And you can’t visit the Dayton area and not go to Marion’s Piazza. At least my aunt Patty can’t. Whenever she’s in town, that’s always a spot we’ll visit! For most people in the area, they’ll tell you that it’s the best pizza in town. And they’re not wrong!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to thank my family and friends. Your love and support mean the absolute world to me. I’m so grateful for all of you.

I want to thank my true love. I love you endlessly. I’m so grateful I get to know a love like yours in this life.

I want to thank my readers. I never thought I’d share my words with the world, let alone have an audience who wanted to read them.

Lastly, I want to thank the lovely women who helped bring my debut poetry book to life: Kashala, Daisy, Keegan and Rachel. Thank you all so much.

Website: https://linktr.ee/cjphillipspoetry

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cjphillipspoetry/

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@cjphillipspoetry