Wish Ronquillo Peacocke is an emerging author and poetess who empowers her readers to greatness through the art of poetic storytelling. I had a chance to have a chat with wish right at the launch of her new book "A Fraction of Momentary Love".
Hello Wish. It's great to have you here to inspire us. Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
I’ve always been the artist of the family and deemed as weird. My Dad let me embrace my weirdness and thrived in it. I started writing in cursive at three years old, earned money by singing and impersonating Elvis when I was young, and always loved photography, reading, and writing. I soon grew up and went corporate but still pursued the arts at the back of everything within my career. I focused on innovation and technology and infused artistry in them. Now, I have gone back to my artistic core and published a book for the first time.
I write what pleases me. I write how I interpret the world of other people’s feelings and experiences and being true to myself and writing is what matters to me. All I can hope for is that the readers could relate to one of my poems, and I’ve done my job to contribute to humanity.
This is beautiful. What is your current book about? What did you edit out of it?
My poetry book “A Fraction of Momentary Love” is a collection of my poems made throughout 17 years that evolves around the journey of love’s extreme tug-and-pull of emotions and everything in between. It will give you a picture of how love can make someone crazy. I edited out my poems that are irrelevant to the narrative of love and romance. I will use those poems for another book.
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
I find that writing a poem in another gender’s character is not difficult, and I find it exciting and alluring. It helps to have more male friends too. After all, love is universal.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
For a poetry book, it’s a joy to keep reading the classics like Elizabeth Barrett Browning and her hubby Robert Browning and keeping an eye out for modern poets. They honestly do not influence how I write my lyrics, but they keep me motivated that somehow, I have a place in the poetry scene, as I hope. The difference from novels is that I just kept writing poems. I do not need to limit myself to the subjects at all.
How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
Probably, 3. But I’m pushing through book number 2 to come to life soon enough.
That's great. What’s the best way to market your books?
Hmm. I suppose there is no one way. As a first-time publisher, I use different avenues and platforms to gather data and pursue the most viable avenues. My book marketing covers online and offline marketing. Whatever I put out on social media is genuinely me. I also add PR to the mix.
Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
Oh, absolutely. That’s the fun part.
Wow. That makes me want to read your book more than once. Well, what literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
One to note for me is Dante Alighieri in Tuscany, Italy. I studied there 11 years ago, and it was such an opportunity to do this.
I understand. I was obsessed with his "Divine Comedy". I'd like to ask what is the first book that made you cry?
Oh gosh. The one I can remember was Salem’s Lot by Stephen King. I know, it’s a horror book, but that made me cry so much. It is such a beautiful novel to be read by a 12-year-old!
As a writer, could you tell us what are common traps for aspiring writers?
Comparing oneself to other writers and falling into the trap of trying to ride the trend that may not even be suitable to one’s style. If you want to write, just do your thing.
I agree 100%. Another tip for aspiring writers, do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I write what pleases me. I write how I interpret the world of other people’s feelings and experiences and being true to myself and writing is what matters to me. All I can hope for is that the readers could relate to one of my poems, and I’ve done my job to contribute to humanity.
Do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly?
Absolutely! I also admire those passive/frosty/logical/pragmatic types of writers. They add a different perspective into the mix. I find it astonishing to put me out of my comfort zone, reading writers like this.
One last but less serious question, as a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
Drop bear is my avatar. My spirit animal (well, humans) is the mix of Fran Lebowitz and Phil Rosenthal.
Thank you so much Wish and best of luck on your writing journey.
If you'd like to know more about Wish please check:
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