PGARTistry

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PGARTistry This page is the collective businesses of Paula Gillison. Poetry Is... writing workshops, For Lack o Painting helps me to heal and crafting helps me to think.

As an artist, I've found my voice in many avenues including physical and spoken arts. Poetry has always been my deepest passion while music stirs my soul. I've combined all my pages into one: Poetry Is... writing workshops, For Lack of Better Words blog, "Parables & The Gold Plated Things" book, Xii-n-Lion Accessories, etc. All the facets of my art are necessary, not just for expression, but for impression. This is the beginning of my print on the world.

10/11/2026

Be special, right. But keep that to yourself.

See, the inflated sense of ego that allows us to step into the world despite the limitations that society says should hold us back... well, that's a pep talk for your inner self. That's not a monologue you should be performing on stage!

Letting the whole world know you're special is a recipe for disaster with a dollop of getting-played. Manipulation tactics only work when you give people ammo.

All of a sudden, "you so special and you so different" got you out here tryna work your magic on lost causes and pipe dreams. You picking up trash tryna make treasure not realizing it stank! Some trash is literally just a pile of s**t.

Next thing you know, somebody done walked off with all your stuff! And you left trying to figure out how this happened to your special-self.

At some point, your "so much potential" needs to be kinetic. Cause potential ain't nothing but a shot in the dark. And geniuses go mad with failed attempts at greatness.

Be so special, you hold yourself close.

Reserve access for the people who've discovered you, not just heard about you or seen you.

Be allergic to anything that doesn't serve your greater good.

Keep your specialness like a secret. It's yours. Preserve it.

10/09/2026

You know how I know I got gun violence trauma?

Cuz they installed a speed bump near my house and every time somebody hits that slow down, I think it's about to be a drive by shooting!

Between growing up in the hood, the DC sniper making a zigzag to class and all over campus, being caught up in a literal drive-by shooting more than once, having a sh***un pointed at me on the way to Kings Dominion, and a bomb threat on campus at VSU my first semester.... No wonder I'm scary af!

My therapist have her hands full with me!!!

09/10/2026

Categorizing the characters for a project and realized that they are over 80 named characters in my upcoming book, about 120 total!
That sounds a lot but considering that some of them are alive, some are not, some are ancient spirits, some are cursed, some are plain ol' evil, and some have abilities that give me nightmares...

Here's a strange scene from the short story SMUDGE. It's from my upcoming book "Own You Back."What do you think is happe...
08/10/2026

Here's a strange scene from the short story SMUDGE. It's from my upcoming book "Own You Back."

What do you think is happening?

05/22/2026

Get Inspired. Get Organized. Get Creative.

Grab your YOU Writing Prompts, Go Hard Planner, or the Blooming Coloring Book & Journal today. Plus More!

Limited quantities available. Don’t miss out!

What an exciting weekend it's about to be! I learned yesterday that I won a school-wide writing competition for my short...
05/01/2026

What an exciting weekend it's about to be!

I learned yesterday that I won a school-wide writing competition for my short story "An Altar for Matita." Transitioning from poetry to a storyteller has been a feat, but to win an award for the story is mind-blowing. No more second place only!!!!

Then yesterday night, I had a chance to see the first iteration of a new play by one of my professors. It was really quite beautiful and refreshing. To see grief displayed alongside symbolisms of ancestral worship and conversations on the other side.... I think she's got a hit on our hands I can't wait till she gets it to Broadway.

Tomorrow, I have the absolute pleasure of performing poetry for the Big Girl Blitz book tour. Danielle Allen will be in conversation with Natasha Bishop and JL Seegars- moderated by Nikki Payne. And I'm a fan!!!!

Only one more week of school left, and then I'm gonna find me a beach or lounge! I've decided that unless it's a writing class, I'm not thinking about school till fall. Maybe I'll teach one or two classes, but for now I'm just excited to get some free time so I can work on my next book. Wink, wink!

Give me some words and watch me poet.Poet be a verb, btw.
04/12/2026

Give me some words and watch me poet.

Poet be a verb, btw.

Facts: I round out the edges of each card individually cause it cost too much to order em that way when this handy lil c...
04/09/2026

Facts: I round out the edges of each card individually cause it cost too much to order em that way when this handy lil clippy thing will do it for me! And yes, the round corner matters!

04/09/2026

Poem in the style of a Bop, created by Afaa Michael Weaver. P**n by me. Prompt: About Dreams

Books I've purchased and been gifted recently... I'm sure I'm missing a few And that's not including the two audiobooks ...
04/07/2026

Books I've purchased and been gifted recently... I'm sure I'm missing a few And that's not including the two audiobooks Audible gave me and three credits I haven't spent! Since one of my classes is cancelled today, I got some reading time!

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Richmond, VA
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