
Beyond The Lens with director Charles Murray
Charles Murray’s latest film The Devil You Know is currently in theaters. He stopped by Reviews & Dunn to chop it up.
Birmingham based author, Breast Cancer Survivor and Beyoncé superfan, Javacia Harris Bowser took some time out of her busy schedule to chop it up with Reviews & Dunn.
Javacia Harris Bowser – The Beyoncé song of the same title inspired Javacia Bowser – The title. My book is about how I have used writing to get through everything life has thrown at me — including a cancer diagnosis. When I was going through cancer treatment, and as I have been navigating survivorship, I also turned to music. I even made a cancer playlist, which included the song “Find Your Way Back.” The essays in my book seek to show readers that no matter what you are facing, you have the power to write your way back to yourself. Therefore, the title Find Your Way Back seemed perfect.
Javacia Harris Bowser – I have wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. Of course, I went through phases where I thought about other careers, and I also wanted to be a teacher — which I did for ten years — but I always went back to writing. Writing has always been my way of processing emotions and better understanding the world and myself. In addition, as I got older, I learned that writing could be used to help and inspire others, too.
Javacia Harris Bowser – There are so many authors who have influenced me. I was most influenced by Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni, and Toni Morrison growing up. In my early 20s, I was greatly influenced by June Jordan’s poetry and essays, and Joan Morgan’s When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost: A Hip-Hop Feminist Breaks It Down. In addition, my favorite book about writing is Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg. All of these women wrote words that made me feel seen, and that is what I hope my writing can do for other women as well.
Javacia Harris Bowser – See Jane Write is both a website and a community for women who write. The name is a play on the old Dick and Jane books that would include sentences like “See Jane run.” and “See Jane skip.” Sometimes people ask why I do not call the website and community. See Javacia Write but the community I am building is not just about me. I want to help all women with a story to share to see themselves as writers.
Javacia Harris Bowser – I listened to several different artists. My Find Your Way Back Spotify playlist features the songs I listened to the most during treatment.
Javacia Bowser – While people are still talking about our wedding reception 16 years later, it was not covered in Southern Living. I think you may have gotten that confused with a recognition I got back in 2016. Because of See Jane Write, I was featured on Southern Living’s list of Innovators Changing the South — alongside people like Dolly Parton and Reese Witherspoon.
Javacia Harris Bowser – I was very happy with the finale. It was nice to see Black women get the happy ending we deserve.
Javacia Harris Bowser – I would take them to Yo Mama’s for sure. Chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, peach cobbler — so much deliciousness to choose from!
Javacia Harris Bowser – Both. We are the type of couple that does not need to do everything together. I would go see Beyoncé with my friends, and he would go see Keith Sweat with his friends.
Javacia Harris Bowser – I would love everyone to check out my book. It is available on Amazon in paperback and eBook. In addition, check out my Facebook group, the See Jane Write Network. I am on Instagram @seejavaciawrite.
Charles Murray’s latest film The Devil You Know is currently in theaters. He stopped by Reviews & Dunn to chop it up.
Reviews & Dunn – Growing up in North Carolina, when did you realize that you wanted to pursue a music career?
DirtyWhite – Ahhh….thinking back…probably when I started to realize my voice was a force to be reckoned with. I’d guestimate around the age of 16 or 17, probably maybe a little later. However, I didn’t begin to promote myself until probably 24 or 25 years old actively.
Actor, singer and director Mack Wilds stopped by Reviews & Dunn to chop it up
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