Writing as Witness: An Interview with Beth Brown Preston

Beth Brown Preston’s journey as a writer began with a fifth-grade poem—an early spark that would kindle a lifelong passion for language, self-expression, and truth-telling. In this conversation, Preston reflects on her evolution as a poet, novelist, and memoirist, sharing how her art has grown from youthful curiosity into a profound exploration of identity, resilience, and the Black female experience. With candor and insight, she discusses the discipline of daily writing, the importance of mentorship, the role of health and balance in sustaining creativity, and her belief that art carries both personal and social responsibility.

Q: Was there a particular moment when you knew you wanted to be a writer? 

A: I wrote my first poem in fifth grade. I was just showing off for the sixth-grade teacher who was the subject of my first poem. Later, when I was in high school, I was chosen to edit the school's literary magazine and to publish my own poems. I realized, as I put together that year's issue of the school literary magazine, that I would become a writer since poetry was the source of so much of my growth, inspiration, and joy. 

Q: How do you approach writer's block or creative burnout? 

A: Recently, I experienced a time of creative burnout. I was confronted with my plan to accomplish three major projects: a memoir, a new novel (my second), and a new collection of poetry. I found myself in procrastination mode, and avoiding the reality of writing every day. So, I took a suggestion from my therapist and approached the problem biologically. I began paying more attention to my health issues, taking a Vitamin D supplement, exercising daily, and minimizing the sources of my stress. 

Q: How does your personal experience shape your storytelling? 

A: Currently, I am working on the first draft of my memoir manuscript. This experience of telling a part of my life story, centering on certain events from my childhood, has been so very fulfilling. I've learned things about my family, my personality, and my dreams for the future that would have gone without investigation had I not undertaken this work. I might add, storytelling from my personal experience also plays an important part in choosing themes and subjects for my poetry and short fiction. 

Q: How has feedback, from editors, readers, or peers, shaped your growth? 

A: I have been extremely fortunate to receive scholarships and awards to study with the Hudson Valley Writers Center, the Sarah Lawrence Writing Institute, the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, and the Kenyon Review Poetry Workshop, to name just a few fine institutions. I've been able to study with and be mentored by illustrious writers/teachers. And I've received valuable critique from my peers in many workshops. These experiences have contributed to the mastery of my craft as a writer in several genres, poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction, and novels. 

Q: How do your identity and lived experiences influence your work?

A: As I am always aware of my identity as an African American woman poet and writer, I am influenced by the situation of carrying on my own day-to-day struggles, and the struggles of my people. These two realities are intertwined. I don't believe in "Art for Art's sake." When I am working on my art, I am taking on the responsibility of self-expression as a mirror or reflection of the burdens and problems of other Black women, and the people of our race. As I have mentioned, I want my memoir to be a testament to how I have grown more aware as a Black woman and through my art, including literature, music, and even the visual arts. 

Q: How has your perspective on writing (or creativity) changed recently?

A: Last year, I completed the manuscript of my debut novel. I have not yet been able to publish this novel. Still, I did publish my third collection of poetry, OXYGEN II, with a small independent press in Detroit called Aquarius Press/Willow Books. So, I have experienced the depths of frustration as well as the sweet taste of success. I've learned to write for myself, to please my own sensibilities, and not to aim my work at some hypothetical reader or audience. My perspective on creativity is now just to DO IT! If my writing is published and appreciated by a reading audience, so be it! Aiming at immediate publication is not healthy for my work in the long run. 

Q: What advice would you give to writers just starting out? 

A:

• Write daily. Sit down every day with your work no matter how you feel about it. Get something down on paper. 

• Read widely, carefully, and thoroughly. 

• Participate in workshops. The opinion of a mentor/teacher and your peers can ultimately be of enormous inspiration. 

• Read your own work aloud. And show your work to someone whose opinion you trust.

• Don't give up! 

Q: Why are art and its history important? 

A: Art history is an academic discipline devoted to the study of artistic production and visual culture throughout human history. Art historians study arts' impact on societies and cultures, the relationship between art and politics, and how artistic styles and the characteristics of works of art have transformed through history. In the contemporary era, art history has expanded to examine aspects of visual culture and approaches to the study of artistic production globally including European, Asian, African, and American Indigenous arts. I have studied Marxist art history, feminist art history, iconography, and the study of symbols. In my poetry, I have been influenced by the power of Romare Bearden's collages, the photographs of James Van Der Zee, and the musical composition of Francis Jean Marcel Poulenc. I have composed ekphrastic poetic tributes to the work of those and other renowned artists as a response to their creative impulse.