BOOK REVIEW
E.W. Rightings’, The Unapologetic Moon, is an intertwined collection of poetry, prose, and monostich. It’s a journey crafted to mirror the life cycles of the moon and covers both the light and dark and in-between phases of life. Within its pages the reader will uncover topics related to grief, relationships, mental health, and the healing power of self-love. The book is intended to whisper to the reader, a reminder to love all parts of themselves, both the light and the dark, for we are as complex and as beautiful as the moon in all of its phases.
Upon opening the book, it’s clear to see the writer’s intention exploring life’s challenges with raw and resonating writing. The first chapter Waning Crescent, losing light demonstrates the fascinating theme with an effortless flow with brilliant titles of ‘aftertaste’, ‘circus clown’, ‘vacant homes’, and ‘splintered hearts’. Although parts are heavy when reading, there’s a point being shown that, like life, to get to the good parts we must get through the bad.
The next chapter New Moon, dark days dives deeper into a rut that one may struggle to get out of. From feeling settled into pain to feeling at war in one’s mind, this section is truly remarkable with a sense of doom yet beautifully written to, again, show not all things are a happy-go-lucky situation. ‘A Night Wish’, ‘Father’, ‘Empty Seat’, and ‘Maybe Next Time’ are truly remarkable reads.
Following this, Waxing Crescent, gaining light feels like hope is coming in, becoming a fighter for oneself. Including brilliantly penned poems of ‘Rested’, ‘Mind Chatter’, ‘Ordinary People’, and ‘Welcome Home’ shows the pace of the book moving forward gaining a new perspective on the storyline with many gut-wrenching reads that will stand-out in a jaw dropping moment as if a light bulb went off inside the reader’s mind.
Then Full Moon, shining bright, closes out the book with a sense of unfinished business yet acknowledging all that’s been done. Including beautiful poems of ‘The Surrender’, ‘Day Dreamer’, ‘Wild Veins’, and ‘Late Bloomer’, it’s clear to see the full picture summing up the true intention on why this book works entirely as one.
It’s a moving and inspiring collection of work. As it discusses struggles with love and loss, the poetry is soul-touching and will resonate in parts with the reader. It’s a heartfelt read with the raw and honest representation of the light and dark we experience in the journey of life. Exploring themes of grief, toxic relationships, mental health, humanity, and healing power of self-love and settling into one’s true purpose, being a beautifully endearing read from beginning to end serving as a gentle reminder that there is more to us than the one side we may show.
The Unapologetic Moon, includes a thought-provoking questionnaire at the end of the book with space for the reader to explore and/or process the content.
Words by Danielle Holian
INTERVIEW
Tell us a bit about your writing background.
My formal writing background hasn’t extended past college but I can share, I have been writing for as far back as I can remember. Everything from poetry, to short stories to the start of many novel ideas that have yet to be finished. As often as I can, I try to engage in writing workshops and read as much as I can.
What, or who, inspired you to start writing?
For me writing is like breathing. It’s innate and a part of me as any of my daily habits. I can’t say there was one moment that defined the start of it all. I received encouragement from my parents over the years and I suppose that support gave me some confidence in continuing in the art of pen to paper.
And what influenced your poetry book The Unapologetic Moon?
This is a loaded question as it was a book journey that evolved over time. I had started writing about grief after struggling with the death of my father. He was my inspiration in life and I was gutted by his passing. As I was working through the grief journey (which anyone who has lost someone knows, it never ends) I started sharing some of my grief pieces with friends and family and found that they were resonating with the words. As grief cracks you open, I was also evaluating my purpose and relationships with myself and others. I was in a toxic romantic relationship that I was struggling to get out of but I knew that I had to move on. So I started writing my way through that to understand myself better and to learn to let go. As someone who battles anxiety and depression, it was important I included a section on that in the book as well. I will forever be a glass half full person and I needed the book to resonate with the sad parts of life but I wanted to write words to inspire hope for myself and for anyone else who may get their hands on it. When it began to mold into a book, I decided to write the pieces into the prominent phases of the moon. To show we are complex human beings who can live in both darkness and light and to embrace ourselves fully and wholly. It is a belief without doing so, we can’t fully understand ourselves.
How do you find the balance between writing about your own personal experiences and exploring topics that may not necessarily be autobiographical, but still speak to so many people?
I don’t have a formula for writing and I rarely overthink my pieces. My mood and emotions often dictate a piece. Some pieces may not be personal at all but I will be inspired by something I see, like a random interaction at a park or a conversation I overheard or had with a loved one. One thing I have promised to do is always write from a place of truth. I am still floored when I receive messages about my book or my IG page that something I wrote resonated with someone. It helps me to know that I shed a little light or made someone feel a little less alone. We are all in this life together but if you spend more than 5 minutes on social media (outside of the writer's world) it doesn’t seem that way.
What makes a piece of your writing right to post on your Instagram, versus the ones that stay in the book only?
I tend to keep my pieces on Instagram short, mainly because of the space. Granted, I do include short pieces in my book and it is a fast read, I added some longer pieces that will never make it to Instagram.
And finally, what advice would you give to aspiring writers?
I know it’s a cliche but just be authentic. If you have noise in your head about an idea you want to explore, write it out. Don’t think about the end goal of who is going to like it. Not everyone may resonate with your writings but for the ones that do, it will have greater meaning. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to published authors via Instagram or outside of the gram. When the world opens back up, visit local bookshops, libraries, find writing groups, attend book reads, open mic nights. You’ll be amazed by how people are willing to support you on your journey and you never know what kind of creative souls you’ll meet along the way.