This is part one of a two-part interview with Anique Sarah Taylor. Anique is an established author of the following books Poems, Where Space Bends, and Civil Twilight. She is regarded with a high profile in the writer community with her numerous awards and nominations including the winner of the 2022 Blue Light Poetry Prize for Civil Twilight. Anique has an MFA in poetry from Drew University, a diploma from The Sorbonne University located in Paris, an MFA with highest honors in Drawing and Painting from Pratt Institute, and a Master of Divinity Degree. She studied literature at Antioch College, poetry at St. Mark’s Poetry Project with Alice Notley, and then Bernadette Mayer. She is also a regular at Wallson Glass Poem-Making Sessions with Geoffrey Nutter.The episode starts with Anique describing growing up in Connecticut, in the 50’s, and how she developed her interest in writing. We talk about her influences from teachers, friends, and family. We explore some sensitive and progressive topics such as being able to express oneself completely and fully “not being ladylike" as she puts it. We cover some of her setbacks including depression. The myths and the effects regarding this health issue are brought forward. Paradoxically her daily habits and lifestyle have enabled her to shine more which are talked about. Anique’s adventurous side is illustrated as she talks about her experiences going to Paris and attending Sorbonne University, the culture, and how that further developed her creativity. Her transfer back to the United States, graduating high school, and attending college is illustrated. We talk about Anique’s academic endeavors. Her story makes a turn toward the arts from literature and writing. We discuss how this hidden passion developed into a talent. Drawing, painting, and sculpting with paper mâché are the topics highlighted. More importantly, her devotion to children lets her shine as she was presented with the opportunity to teach art to them.This interview will appeal to anyone interested in creativity and how we develop that, particularly in the arts and writing. History is included as Anique’s life is extensive. Life lessons are discussed as Anique demonstrates how she approaches setbacks, and adversity with a sense of curiosity that exhibits her to grow as a person. Her story is an inspiration for how devotion and commitment to unpredictable opportunities (in her case art) will allow a person to flourish in multiple dimensions. We further explore this in the next episode, focusing on her development as a writer.https://aniquesarataylor.com/