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"I write
because I have to, because I love it. It's in
my blood. I write because I dream."
At 26 years old, Jenaferre James has written poetry,
short stories, songs, plays, and love letters
for close to twenty years. A strong passion for
all forms of written communication lies deep in
her heart. At a young age, Jenaferre wrote words
to accompany instrumentals she heard on her mother’s
radio. She began to play the alto saxophone at
age 12 and her repertoire flourished; this began
her love of jazz. A financial crisis interrupted
her saxophone study, so without music, her songs
became poetry.
Musically, her influences include Janis Joplin,
Sade, Jewel, Etta James, and Stevie Nicks. Poetically,
Jenaferre enjoys reading Leslie Silko, Maya Angelou,
Sylvia Plath and Pablo Neruda. She gathers more
inspiration from more modern poets such as Jayme
Terrigno, Gwendolyn Bennett and her former poetry
instructor Bruce Beasley.
Born and raised in a suburb of Seattle, Washington,
Jenaferre is also a wife and a mother. In June
2003, she completed an Associate’s degree,
with a double major; one in psychology and one
in anthropology. She is currently pursuing her
Masters degree. Jenaferre is also an ordained
minister.
In her spare time, Jenaferre is a practicing web
master and a graphic artist. She is also trying
her hand at producing. Jenaferre is currently
teaching herself to play guitar.
“Interesting, sensitive, and sensual, Jenaferre
James is a writer to be consumed.” (Gwen
Bennetts, 2003)
Visit the artist's website |
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"I am honored
to part of such an amazing community. Nubzilla’s
Café has introduced me to people I admire,
am inspired by, and most of all truly adore! To
be able to contribute to something that is so
important in these days of schools cutting artistic
programs has given me immeasurable amounts of
joy. The vision of Nubzilla’s Café
and it’s members holds a special place in
my heart and my goal is to one day be able to
give back to a community that has selflessly given
so much to me and others like myself.
This community is where my poetry first became
public. Without the support and encouragement
I received from all of you, my poetry would still
be hidden in tattered notebooks and on scraps
of napkins. You have enabled me to share with
you pieces of myself that few, even my longest
friends and family have been able to glimpse.
I could never thank you all enough for your friendship
and love. I can honestly say, that without Nubzilla’s
Café, I would not be the person I am today.”
–Jenaferre James |
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