Poet Interview: Rachida Yaya

Today we are proud to present your interview with the wonderfully talented Rachida Yaya. Rachida is 34 years old and a mum to three beautiful daughters. As you will see from her poetry she very creative and likes photography, painting, writing. You find her in nature, as she loves to visit the forests spending time with her love who likes to discover spiritual everything with her. Rachida and her partner also often meditate together. Rachida is a morning person and loves having breakfast with her family. Read the full interview below.

Where do you live and how does it influence your writing?

I live in the Betuwe between the rivers of the Netherlands. I like living here because there is a lot of beautiful Dutch nature. Holland is a small country, everything is close by. If I want to escape the silence, I visit the city. The area where I live is famous for its fruit growing and walking routes. I’m there at least once a week.

When did you first become passionate about writing what attracted you to it?

Around the age of 13 I started to express my emotions in writing. I found it hard to explain my emotions, sometimes I still have that. After writing down my thought I noticed a calm and empty space in my mind. I see it as a meditation.

What inspires you to write?

If I had to put it down in one word I would say “love”. The love I have for a person and the love for myself, is a beautiful way to express in words. It also has a downside. Sometimes you must get to know yourself better and then you go through layers to ultimately be the best version of yourself. For the loved one, but especially for yourself. I really like to listen to relax music. About emotions, pain for example but also about happy moments. I can really enjoy listen to music and get inspired by that.

How do you market your books?

At the moment I have not been able to write a book yet, I recently started to share my words with a very large poetry community online. Which I didn't know existed. Sometimes you think you are the only one who speaks at a deep level, but there are so many beautiful souls on earth who want to share their stories.

What is your favorite Genre and why?

All Rumi books. His journey to experience Love. He makes you will better understand the essence of it.

Can you tell us a little about your writing process? How do you come up with stories and how do you edit your books them?

Between the ages of 13 and 18 I did not write for years afterwards. In the last 4 years I have undergone a whole transformation as a person. I understood more and more what I really wanted and what was good for me. Made decisions that I did not dare to make before. In this process I started to write again. Last year I met a person who I thought was totally at the wrong time in my life. But it was just the right time. He inspires me to write every day. We encourage each other and support each other in this process. I write my poems at very crazy moments, have no structure at all, no expectation when I write. It just comes as if my hands take over instead of my thoughts. Sometimes a poem is written within 1 minute, but sometimes it can also take days.

Do you support yourself through writing financially, or do you have a day job and what is it?

Financially I am dependent on a weekday job. A job as a Payroll specialist in which I guide and coach others to do their work well as a payroll administrator. Sometimes projects take a month, but this can also be a year. My creativity is expressed in how I can change the process so that it becomes smoother the employee and his employer. You also learn how to deal with different people very well.

How many hours a day do you spend writing and what helps you to get into the writing mood?

This is very variable. If I am alone, I can write a few hours, but usually this is half an hour a day. As soon as I have made a nice walk in nature, I quickly get the motivation to write. Also, when I experience strong emotions, I really need to write it off.

And what’s the best moment you’ve had with your writing career so far?

The best moments are the reactions of people who are inspired or moved by your words. That really gives me perfect satisfaction.

How do you respond to writer’s block or not knowing what to write?

There are days when you don’t have inspiration to write. You have to accept these moments. And trust that it will come again naturally. It is best not to expect anything and live in the moment. If you need to write, write. If you don’t, then it is also ok.

What are you working on next?

I would like to have my poems visualized. By producing spoken videos with a self-made film recording. I am a very visually oriented person. When sound and image come together, people will experience it better.

Where would you like to see yourself in three years time.

I think you can grow forever. When you get more aware of yourself and on a spiritual level, you inspire people to do the same. A healthy spiritual lifestyle.

What is your strategy you to grow your audience?

I had no idea, how big this poetry community is. My eyes opened wide when I entered the online world of poetry. If I can reach them, then they can also reach me.

What advice would you give young writers just starting out?

Be close to yourself. And be vulnerable and open. Do not expect anything and wait quietly. If it’s meant to be. Then it will be.

Make sure you follow Rachida on Instagram here.