Celise Mclean is a mother of two, a poet and budding journalist. She explains her love of all things Iyanla Van Zant, her brush with fame and her passion for writing.

August 2007

Celise Mclean

I love writing. I find it very therapeutic. You are allowed to go that much deeper with your words as opposed to speaking. It’s just you, the pen and the paper. I’m a big fan of Iyanla Van Zant’s work, and have read her books for many years. Her work is joy to read.

My poetry is ‘soulectic’ which means poetry for the soul. I am a very conscience person. I am very aware of my worldly surroundings and things that are getting worse, especially in the black community. There is a lack of trust and fear. It’s a great shame and is a subject that I can go on and on about forever. There is a lot to talk and debate about.

My poem ‘Black Soldiers’ was inspired by the current problems facing the black community, with gun and knife crime claiming a lot of young lives. I was asked to read this poem at a recent anti knife and gun campaign event put on by the parents of the late Anton Hyman. It felt very appropriate. I felt very ‘charged’ as I read that poem to the crowd. I was almost willing them to see sense and to know that no one should feel as if they have to live a life like that.

Acting is another form of self expression where I can really get into the mind of a character and totally mould it to how I want it too be. This has been put on hold for now as I’ve taken time out to raise my two children. I’ve tried my hand at radio broadcasting and took up job of working part time as a co-host radio presenter with ex Big Brother contestant Gos on the West Side radio show.

I recently decided to take up writing more seriously when I was offered the chance to work at a local newspaper group. I felt overwhelmed when they decided to display my work in one of their newspapers. I got a wonderful buzz. My grammar is terrible but my words make up for it.

I would say that I’m very ambitious and am not afraid of hard work. I’ve been described ‘upfront’, which hasn’t done me any harm. I’m not afraid to tell it as it is. I am my own personal spokesperson, which has a lot to do with the fact that I am raising my children single-handedly. I’ve had to make snap decisions by myself as I was literally a one woman band. 

My philosophy in life is if you see something that you want, you have to put the maximum effort into your preparation. I believe in pushing yourself to your full capabilities and not to rely on anyone. Life is too short to mess about and play games. It’s good to be extra focused in life, especially right now as the times that we are living in are bleak. People need to recognise the creator and be humble.

My sole ambition at the moment is to have my own column in a magazine or newspaper.

To read Celise’s poems click here.

Biography

Celise Mclean, is a mother of two children. Celise began expressive writing as a child and remembers her teacher saying that she had a way with words and an amazing abillity to breathe life in to her characters. As well as her writing, Celise has been a drama student in Wimbledon, landed herself a small role in a film called K.O.P.S (Noh budget films) working alongside actor Ashley Walters (Hustle and Bullet Boy).

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