Meet J. Claire | Author & Poet

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

Hi J., why did you pursue a creative career?
I decided to pursue an artistic career because art has profound healing powers and it continues to provide me with an outlet for self-exploration, connection, and growth. I started writing poetry when I was twelve years old as refuge while enduring years of emotional distance and silence from my stepfather in our home. The only way I felt seen, heard, and nurtured were through my own words written down in notebooks. With themes ranging from love and loss to mindset, growth, and hope, my writing has been instrumental in my personal development, helping me understand myself more deeply and navigate life’s challenges with resilience. I passionately lean on poetry as a career to provide comfort to others and to help them feel less alone. I want readers to feel inspired to persevere, grow, overcome their own challenges, and know they have someone in their corner that understands them, even if it is from someone they have never met. I think pain has a purpose and if we take that and make it into art, we create something beautiful that withstands the test of time.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My poetry explores deep themes of love, relationships, trauma, self-exploration, and the profound impact of creative expression. My parents divorced when I was two years old and my biological father did not want to be involved in our lives. My stepfather adopted my brother and I when I was five years old and when I became a teenager, my stepfather became emotionally distant and silent in our home. As an adolescent living in that space for seven years day in and day out, I turned to writing as an outlet to understand myself and my environment. I believe my story of overcoming trauma and challenges while still believing there is more love and light out there plays a strong role in connecting to others.

I am most excited to connect the pieces together for my readers, bring a smile to other’s faces, and perhaps a long sigh of relief from people who now feel heard, seen, and understood. It was not an easy process writing a poetry book as it is not easy navigating a path to true healing. There were pauses of uncertainty and overthinking but I knew there was more to my story than my past. I want my readers to hold a piece of healing and comfort in their hands and open it when they need it. I look forward to hearing their stories along the way. This creative experience of writing a poetry book has been one of the most freeing and exhilarating experiences of my life because I never gave up on my true passion and I hope my readers never give up on their passions. I have learned to continuously try, put myself out there, learn, pivot, give grace, and keep growing. My first book, Revelry, dives into adventure, self-exploration, curiosity, and mischief and it is the first book of the “R” series. As the “Poet of the Wild,” I want the world to know my story and brand are about the human experience, resiliency, and the power of love.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My husband and I moved to Colorado a couple months ago and before we moved we made a list of over a hundred things to do and see in the state. We enjoy hiking and running so AllTrails is our go-to for local and sporadic adventures. You can expect hiking and exploring different towns every day from sunrise to sunset and one hundred percent of the time count on sushi being involved for lunch, dinner, or both. Sleeping in on vacation or a visit is nonexistent when there is so much to see and do! Live music and dancing is a must so I will definitely be googling any festivals or local bands. It’s a yes for me if tattoos, yoga, helicopter rides, or anything spontaneous is involved. Expect the unexpected, bring your hiking shoes, let’s live and talk about life and have an adventure!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I was first encouraged by my mom in my early teen years to let people read my poetry. I was very shy and timid about sharing such vulnerable feelings with the public at a young age because I was scared they would judge me. I shared some work in my late high school and college years with very close friends but again the same fear always creeped in. One day, I said to myself “No one will find you, your work, and know your strong desire to help others if you keep it to yourself” so, I decided right then and there to sign up for my first public poetry reading on Valentine’s Day. On that day, I had more than ten friends come to support me and sit in the front row. I was speechless and in awe that these wonderful human beings who I didn’t know years prior showed up for me and my art. That was the true beginning of me building my confidence in the gift that I have and want to share with the world. Ultimately, my poetry book wouldn’t be here today without the continuous love and support from my husband, family, and friends.

Website: https://jclairepoetry.com

Instagram: @jessi_claire

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-scoletti-mpp-6634908b/

Twitter: @JClairePoetry

Facebook: Jessi Scoletti

Other: TikTok: @jclairepoetry

Image Credits
Red Veil Studio