Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Mansfield.
Hi Erica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been big on literature – reading, writing, rhetorical analysis, you name it! I use to sneak and read my mother’s novels. I was always exposed to many genres at an early age and I’ve always been able to understand literary pieces easily. When I was younger, writing was always my strong suit. When people use to ask, “If you could be anything in the world, what would it be,” I’d always say, “I just want to write, travel, help people, eat nasty cheese, and drink fine wine.”
But, just like everyone in the world, life brings challenges and obstacles. I actually stopped writing because I went through a rough patch in my life where I experienced depression to the point I was having suicidal thoughts. There was a moment where I lost someone very close to me every year for about five years. There was a moment where I lost myself. So, negative emotions weren’t foreign to me. Healing, however, was foreign to me.
I went on a real journey of healing for about a year once my grandparents passed because I wanted to continue their legacy. There was no way I could continue their legacy when I was harboring negativity. I took time to analyze my emotions from the trauma life has brought me. As I was analyzing, I found that poetry was the best way for me to express myself and how certain things affected me, whether it be consciously or subconsciously. I wanted other people to feel and know the positive effects of healing. I felt compelled to share the experiences, stories, and teachings embedded within me to the world as a form of empowerment and healing – and so I did. “Neaux More” was born!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Lol, I wish it was a smooth road! When dealing with healing, it’s never a smooth road. It’s not even a paved road if we’re being real here. I think one of the biggest struggles were actually reliving some of the situations and moments in my life that I chose to hide behind a curtain in my brain. You know, sometimes I’d write and words would just spew on the page. And then, I’d go back to read it and wonder where in the world did that just come from. So, having my subconscious present, past emotions and experiences was a struggle for sure! Another struggle that I’m still working through is allowing others to read my work. But, as a writer and poet, there’s an understanding that this is for my audience and someone that’s working through healing as well, not so much for me anymore. I write for others because none of us are alone – no matter the journey we’re on.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
There’s no single word to describe me, and I don’t fit in most boxes, which is why I said “other” to this question. I’m a 28-year-old writer and poet. But, I’m also a philanthropist and activist. I’m the author of “Neaux More,” a poetry collection of the past and the weight it carries. It’s a chance to remember, to let it all out, and to finally say Neaux More because it’s time to heal.
Before I published this poetry book, I’d probably say I was most known for my philanthropy efforts and being a real estate professional. I worked for a big real estate corporation, and now I manage a property marketplace for CA, GA, FL, and TX, working with wholesalers and investors. I also work heavily with AUMI (Antioch Urban Ministries) to supply hot meals and groceries to those in need. In fact, they helped me orchestrate and bring to life my first grocery drive-thru during the start of the pandemic. The grocery drive-thrus are still currently happening weekly – feeding over 1,000 families a week!
To be honest with you, I’m most proud of loving myself. Yes, I’m proud of everything I accomplish, but there’s a lot of people that don’t fully and truly love themselves. I use to be one of those people, and I know how I operated when I didn’t fully love myself. I’m not sure if I would be able to help as many people as I try to or even write a whole poetry book if I didn’t take the time to learn what loving myself means. So, yeah, I’m proud of that because I feel amazing! lol
How do you think about happiness?
The simple things make me happy. Being around my family and friends and creating memories with them makes me happiest. As cliche as it sounds, life is truly short and without the memories, we’ve created, there’s nothing to remember people by when they’ve left this Earth. Laughing and being around those that reciprocate love make me happiest. Now, a close second would have to be crawfish and crablegs and shrimp. I’m from NOLA originally so I can’t go a week without seafood. Sunflowers also make me light up whenever I see them. And the beach… put me around water and I’m grounded and happy. I’ve made myself believe I’m a mermaid. Judge away. Lol
Pricing:
- 19.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://booksbyericamaria.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/e.m.m____/
- Other: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/neaux-more-erica-maria/1139318717
Image Credits
Bosa
