African American Literature serves as a key influence in shaping the literary works of Chyrel J. Jackson and Lyris D. Wallace. This genre holds a special place in Jackson's heart, being one of her favorite genres and a source of inspiration for her writing. By immersing themselves in the rich tapestry of African American Literature, both authors have honed their craft and developed a unique voice that resonates with readers. Drawing from the experiences, struggles, and triumphs of African Americans throughout history, Jackson and Wallace infuse their works with authenticity and depth, creating narratives that capture the essence of the African American experience.
Writing in the spirit of the genre, Chyrel J. Jackson and Lyris D. Wallace pay homage to their literary influences while carving out their own unique paths in the world of literature. By rearing and being raised in the South Suburbs outside Chicago, both authors have been exposed to a diverse cultural landscape that has undoubtedly shaped their perspectives and storytelling techniques. Their commitment to honoring the traditions of African American Literature while bringing a fresh perspective to their works demonstrates a deep respect for the genre and a dedication to preserving its legacy for future generations. Through their writing, Jackson and Wallace continue to celebrate the richness and complexity of African American literary traditions, contributing to the ongoing evolution of the genre.
Chyrel and Lyris both were Pushcart Nominees in 2021-Poem Love Unspoken, Heartbeats Anthology and 2023, Poem- No Justice for Breonna, Published in Social Justice InksA Anthology. This dynamic and inspiring writing duo is featured in numerous poetry anthologies, Literary Journals, and International Global Magazines.
Chyrel and Lyris have published SistersRoc’N’Rhyme Presents Poems in theKey of Life, Mirrored Images and Different Sides of the Same Coin.
You will find them always writing. Creating written legacies one book at a time. These
two writers have found their voice and can be found on Sistersrocnrhyme.com.
Let us get to know more about these awesome sisters of literature through their separate interviews below:
Chyrel Jackson:
When did you discover your talent in writing?
Very early for me. School age for sure. Before the high-school years. As small children 8-9 my sister and I spoke of writing books.
Tell us how your nomination for the Pushcart Prize affected your writing profession.
It was such an honor that someone else professionally liked what I wrote but you move beyond that euphoria pretty quickly and continue to build upon that notoriety and other areas of your craft.
What was the first poem you composed and what inspired you to write it?
My family are the greatest known inspirations it would have been about one of them. Losing my older brother was pretty monumental. I wrote a poem in honor of him.
Where do you draw inspiration for your writings?
Tell us something about your book "Sister Roc N' Rhyme Presents Poems in the Key of Life".
That book is one that I'm very proud of. It is all current writing but it defines who it is I am as a writer. The genius of it is quite surprising. I'm very humbled by it as well.
What is your book "Mirrored Images" all about?
A continuation of the Poetic biographical story begun in book Different Sides of the Same Coin.
Situations and circumstances completely different. I lost my dad and the family dynamic was irrevocably broken upon Dad's death. When the smoke cleared my sister was the only one there standing by my side. She has always been my everything. That's why our Images appear on the cover. Two girls are looking in a mirror but their images aren't their own. It's an image of the other sister.
Your book "Different Sides of the Same Coin" has a rather intriguing title. Can you tell us a bit about the gist of the book?
Two people sisters who look different from each other but they're the same person in thinking, living, life resolution and voice. I am my sister and she is me. All of our stories link back to this beautiful story.
Have you always seen yourself as a writer or did you have any dreams before during your childhood?
Yes, I did. This was a lifelong dream. James Baldwin himself passed that torch on to me at just 19 years old. He said, write what you know. Be authentic to that truth. I look back on that day now and know with certainty God was preparing me even then for this purpose.
How does it feel when you have finally found your distinct writing voice or style?
I wasn't always comfortable with it. I journaled for most of my life. It's only been out in the open professionally for the last decade. I am very comfortable with that now though. If I don't speak up I can't leave that for someone else to do.
Do you have any upcoming writing projects or books to be published in the near future?
I am currently writing a solo project and a submission call of women with stories of our experiences of middle age life changes. Excited about both of those. Writing is a very driven gift. Every day God blesses us to wake up we are given a gift to write about that.
Do you believe that writers affect eternity and why?
Absolutely. Long after I'm gone some young boy or girl will discover my words/writings. They'll cling to them as I did Baldwin's and Lucille Clifton's. Who knows how that's going to impact their lives?
Tell us how you prepared to publish your books.
I read and researched everything I could 6-months prior to publishing. When my dad became ill I knew it had to be a very fast process that meant self-publishing would be my avenue.
What makes your books different from the others?
The Black womanhood, life experience is what makes my books different. We celebrate fully all within that living experience. The culture, the history, the speech, the family, the ancestors. All of it.
Is there a big difference when your writing partner is your sister or sibling?
Yes, we liken ourselves to the Bronte sisters with a tan. Your built-in safety net being your sister, is with you in all that you do. That's very comforting. She assures me I'm on the right path every day. What a significant blessing that is.
What is your message to young and aspiring writers?
Borrowing from the greatest writer of all time, Mr. James Baldwin, write what you know, in truth. No one can voice your story like you can. That is unique and your very own superpower.
Lyris Wallace:
When did you discover your talent in writing?
I didn’t realize I could write until I was in my 30s. Although I was a Journalism major in college, I didn’t think I particularly had the talent.
Tell us how your nomination for the Pushcart Prize affected your writing profession.
It was a great honor to receive that nomination. I was both humbled and grateful for such an honor, but I don’t think it affected my writing. I don’t write for nominations. I write to reach people and hopefully have a positive effect on their lives.
What was the first poem you composed and what inspired you to write it?
The first poems I wrote were completely by mistake. I used to keep a journal to figure out what was going on in my life and why. After completing a few entries, I went back to read them, and they had a rhythm to them. I thought, this reads like a poem, so I kept doing it and suddenly that became our first book, Different Sides of the Same Coin.
Where do you draw inspiration for your writing?
I draw inspiration from everything; life, current events, the Bible, my son, and my family, especially our culture and our history.
Tell us something about your book “Sisters Roc N’ Rhyme Present Poems in the Key of Life”.
It was a book dedicated to the era in which we grew up. We are 80s and 90s girls. We were living our best lives at those times so we wanted to do a book and pay tribute to those days. But the poems are based on current events and what’s happening in the world today.
What is you book, “Mirrored Images” about?
Again, it’s about love and family, culture, current events and social justice. Things that we feel passionate about and affect us in our daily lives.
Your book “Different Side of the Same Coin” has a rather intriguing title. Can you tell us a bit about the gist of the book?
All of our books really have the same themes. We talk about family, culture, history, social justice. This was our first book and really spanned about 20 years of what we were going through as young women up until our current lives. The title of the book comes from the fact that my sister and I always say that we’re the same person, we just look different. My sister is 6’2, thin, and lighter than me. I am 5’6, chunky, and brown skinned, but we finish one another’s sentences because we pretty much think and feel the same way, we just have different ways of expressing it.
Have you always seen yourself as a writer or did you have any dreams before during your childhood?
Of course, you dream of all kinds of things. I thought I was going to be the next Oprah Winfrey which is why a majored in Journalism, then I wanted to be the next Spike Lee so I have all of these unfinished movie scripts and show treatments in my closet. But my sister and I always knew we wanted to write a book based on how we grew up, we just didn’t know it would come in the form of poetry.
How does it feel when you have finally found your distinct writing voice or style?
I think with any art form your style is always evolving. I don’t know if we have reached the final one yet. I do agree we have a distinct style, but it’s just who we are as individuals. It just reaffirms who we are.
Do you have any upcoming writing projects or books to be published in the near future?
Yes. Both of us are writing our individual poetry books as well a book on menopause. It’s something we all go through as older women, but hardly none of us like to talk about. We’re also going to put together a book of our greatest hits so to speak. A book of our favorite poems with a few new ones.
Do you believe that writers affect eternity and why?
I don’t know, loaded questions. I believe that as a writer we have certain obligations, especially as Black women. We have to be the voice of a nation whom the world is trying to silence, rewrite and delete our history and appropriate our culture. And we have to speak loud and unashamed. If that influences others to do the same, then we have done our job successfully and we have had some effect on the future.
Tell us how you prepared to publish your books.
I wish I could give you specific steps but the genius behind publishing our books is strictly my sister. She is literally Wonder Woman when it comes to accomplishing things. She has a tenacity unlike anyone else I know.
What makes your books different from the others?
Us. Our experience, our perspectives. Everyone’s voice is Unique, and ours is Unique to us.
Is there a big difference when your writing partner is your sister or sibling?
Well, we wouldn’t know but, we know each other better than anyone. She knows what to expect from me. I’m a procrastinator. I need that deadline pressure and my sister understands that. She lets me take my time, but when I’ve hit the mark, she holds my feet to the fire and I know my time is running out and I have to produce. I couldn’t ask for a better partner and I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else. Chyrel is my better half; Different Side of the Same Coin.
What is your message to young and aspiring writers?
To coin a phrase from the Michael Jordan era, “just do it”. Whatever is on your mind, write it. Find your voice and write it down. We love journaling and that helps you to find your voice. Write your daily experiences in a journal and tell your own story.
Check out their books through these links:
INTERVIEW:Elizabeth Esguerra Castillo
PHOTO: Private Archive
VIDEO: Juntu Ahjee / YouTube
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