Better Know An Author – Jesse Branch
Our weekly spotlight series on authors from around the world. This week we sat down with Jesse Branch!
Please give a brief introduction, including your name and where you are based
My name is Jesse Branch, and I am based out of the Metro-Atlanta area. I am originally from Savannah, Georgia! I go by the pen name The Squirrely Girl, which is a nickname from my mother. I just recently launched Squirrely Girl Press, an ode to the Sensitive, Eccentric, and Unpredictable…like me.
What book or books have you published or are working on at the moment?
Though I have not published a book as of yet, it has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. I am currently working on a collaborative effort with my twin brother, Ian Mosely, the creative genius behind ians.i.d.e.a. We are working together to publish a collection of my poems set on the background of his photography – stay tuned!!
What drives you to write?
For me, writing is a way to escape the every day. Most of my best work comes while I am sitting at my desk at my day job, or day dreaming while I stare out of the window on a long car ride, or when I am up late watching something on television that I am not really vested in. Thankfully, my mother fostered a very healthy interest of creativity and curiosity in my brothers and I from a very young age. I can vividly remember picking up a pencil when I was no older than two and asking her how to write words and sentences.
Where can folks find you online and on social media?
You can check out my poetry on Instagram @squirrelygirlpress and on Poetizer as Squirrely Girl. I also have several blank journals (that I designed for all of my composition needs) that can be found on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Squirrely-Girl/e/B09RX2Y23F?ref_=dbs_p_pbk_r00_abau_000000
What is one piece of advice you would give to another author out there who might be struggling?
Growing up as a competitive dancer, I used to always find myself getting sad when people would tell me that they couldn’t dance. We are not born believing that we can’t dance, just like we are not born believing that we can’t write. If others don’t believe in you, then the best thing that you can do is keep writing anyway, especially if it is what you love to do. Love is the most important thing in this life, whether it is the love that you share with others or the love that you feel for something that makes your world a little brighter.
What are some of your five-year goals with writing?
In the next five years, I would love to have several collections of poetry published as well as a children’s book or two. In addition, I have always wanted to publish a novel, so maybe that will be in the works! Who knows what the future holds?
Final Thoughts?
Do whatever it takes to be creative in your own way; it doesn’t have to be writing. If you love freestyling lyrics to different beats, then do it! If you love making music on the piano, then do it! If you love doodling in a random notebook, then do it! We are meant to be creative beings, and every person – no matter what they think about themselves or what they have been told by others – has that capability inside of them. Go and make the world an even more beautiful place to be.
For more reviews and content stick with To Tony Productions and don’t forget to subscribe to our blog to stay up to date!