Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Marshall.
Hi Brandon, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I began writing at 13 years old. The first form of my creative writing manifested as songs, I wrote raps. At this time it was primarily about the abuse I was enduring. As I got older, my songs started shifting, mirroring my daily environment and lifestyles. I ended up going to Juvenile Hall; County Jails; and Prisons. My last prison stint, I was reading a book and a sentence struck me, changing the trajectory of my perspective. And as all {new information does,} it gave me the ability to start writing about positive things in my life for the first time. Shortly after I wrote a self help book and 7 years later, I now have 3 published philosophical, psychological and spiritual poetry books, designed to impact the readers {current perspective} and force one to look inwards!! So, as a writer my journey has always been very personal and intimate. As a child, not a single person knew I wrote; now at 40 years of age, I’m anxious for the world to ride along side of my pens and papers, to understand my {why & how;} for those still struggling with theirs…
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
EVERYTHING but smooth!! In order for me to write, I needed to find a way of disconnecting from the 40 hour work weeks (or more), but bills do not quit piling up. Once I understood that it would be impossible for me to create at the level I wanted to be at, having no real outside support for a roof or any other place. In that moment I realized I would have to whittle away everything but a cell phone bill; website; and storage unit. To me, only {one-option} was visible and that was to save money for 4 months and travel the Earth, with no home or material items but my clothes, laptop, pens and paper! Once I did that, I traveled Texas, for 35 days; Vegas for 15 days and back through Los Angeles for another 30 days, until completing the second book “MY LIFE as soul food.” I found solace in these moments. I felt my faith and dedication reach a higher purpose during these times.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m an Author and Magazine Photographer. I specialize in Poetry and Street Portraits. As an Author, I’m most proud of my third book “EARTH.. i WOKE;” and as a Magazine Photographer, working with Molly Wallwin and Cindy Comer (international runway models and actresses), that blessed my magazines and professional portfolio. Those were two very special and important people that truly impacted myself, playing a huge role to where I am now, today. What sets me apart is my upbringing and stories I choose to highlight for the world to think about; whether by a poem or photoshoot visually. The way my life changed so radically was by a simple sentence, that made me think! Now, everything I write is to tap on that same thing inside of you; that rang within me, that day!!!
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I have learned to define success as creating a goal or desire in mind and on paper, to then reaching it in our physical reality. So, after Emotion and Mental meets our Physical, I say that can be pinpointed as a success. But to be successful, {requires-repeating} that same energy, EVERYDAY!
Pricing:
- EARTH.. i WOKE – $13
- MY LIFE as soul food – $14
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artbp13.com/books-and-magazines
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbp13/
Image Credits
Cindy Comer
Molly Wallwin
Sarah Heisey
