Spotlight On Writers
Verona Jones
- Where, do you hail from?
I was born in Bremerton, Washington and raised in Tacoma. However, I am a wee bit of a gypsy. I’ve been to 37 states and three countries. It is kind of a running joke in the family, about what zip code I live in on a yearly basis. In fact, I will be moving again in 2020 either to Payson, AZ or Flagstaff, AZ.
- What is the greatest thing about the place you call home?
I currently live in Tucson, Arizona. The greatest thing about Tucson is that it isn’t crowded. I like places that are big enough to do things, but small enough where I don’t have to deal with crowds. The scenery is gorgeous especially the sunsets. The landscape is constantly changing and evolving. Nothing stays stagnant. It’s like the desert itself is alive and she is a thing of beauty.
- What turns you on creatively?
Doing something unique and different. Free prose is a common form for poetry, but I like challenging myself by using different poetry styles like Quatrains, Kyrielles, Sestinas. To me, writing a poem in different poetry styles challenges a writer to find a depth to their writing that isn’t readily apparent. I think it’s harder to write inside a set poetic style than free handing it.
- What is your favorite word, and can you use it in a poetic sentence?
Coffee is my favorite word and my favorite drink.
Coffee, like nectar to the gods that give them life eternally – gives life to me that I can greet the world with a smile vice a growl in the mornings.
- What is your pet peeve?
Ignorance is my pet peeve. I love debates and I always tell my family if you want to debate a subject with me? Make sure you have researched thoroughly the subject. It drives me nuts when people make statements about politicians or topics of importance based solely on what they are told either by the news or the social media.
- What defines Verona Jones?
What defines me is that I live in two worlds. The one where I pay bills, visit family and enjoy doing things. The other is where I go when things get stressful, and then I write. I write poetry and short stories combining my worlds. I take ancient myths and legends, add characters that have personality traits of people I’ve met in my life and set them in modern day events that I have had personal experience in.
Example: Short story Casa Grande Domes takes a character who is a psychic who teams up with spirits to defeat the antagonist. I was a psychic Tarot reader for four years and have had spirits visit me through my entire life. So, everything I write is interwoven with a piece of my personal experience into it.
- All Hallows’ Eve - October 20, 2023
- Mirrored Reflection - February 4, 2022
- Nightmare - December 1, 2021
