Growth and development are vital steps to the human experience. No individual can control what outside forces may affect their lives, but there is one thing we can control. How we cope, react, and move forward from the circumstances. Methods of coping vary from person to person but one thing remains as a universal truth. Unsavory states of affairs from the past have to be dealt with before you can walk through the door of a bright and promising future.

Toriana Willaims is making progress as a woman, a poet, and a person. She has come a long way from where she started. Her debut book release, Poetically In Motion. Is proof of that. Toriana's journey started in Detroit, she stems from a naturally nomadic family. Who moved Williams frequently around the city. Young Toriana attended nine different schools in Detroit before relocating to Tennessee.

Tennessee was a coming of age time for Toriana. Her experiences caused her to discover the people and circumstances she wants in life. As well as learning to avoid situations that didn't align in her best interest. This process of growth was not easy. During this time Toriana lost friends, and grew accustomed to being alone.

Among the solitude. Toriana began to pull poetry from her experiences and surroundings. Those poems became her content for local open mics and poetry slams. Open mics weren't the only Tennessee stages blessed by Toriana. In 2017 Toriana earned her bachelor's degree in Animal Science, with a minor in African American Studies. This all paired with a childhood promise Toriana made to herself of becoming a Park Ranger, and publishing a book.

So far, one of those dreams has been directly fulfilled. The one year release Anniversary of Poetically in Motion has recently passed, and the poems are still as potent as ever.

Toriana bares it all in her timeless works. Grief, heartbreak, financial stability, love, and even the loss of a friend are covered in the pages. Her truths are displayed with graceful affection that doesn't cross an intimate boundary.

Currently, Toriana is celebrating the success of Poetically in Motion. She is appreciative of every sale earned, and each ear available to listen to her words. The traction has gotten her more comfortable to perform, and host open mic functions across the city. Williams worked with an independent publishing company to bring Poetically in Motion to life. She enjoys the benefits, and experience. But wants to publish her next book on her own. Although this process requires Toriana to be more hands on. It would allow her to control all of the creative aspects of the piece. We wish Toriana Willams peace,success, and prosperity on her journey and future projects.

Poetically in Motion could be purchased on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books a Million, and straight from Toriana Willams herself.

Xavier Jones - Why are you actively going against the grain of the status quo poetry?

Toriana Williams - I want to create a different type of vibe. One where intellectuals and people who care about lyrics, literature, and words feel comfortable to be together. At the end of the day, I want my work and influence to be remembered in a lane of its own.

Xavier Jones - What is the overall purpose and premise of Poetically in Motion?

Toriana Williams - It's about growth. I have a lot of reflective pieces in there from the things I went through. Emotional poems, relationship segments, pieces that are socio-political. I was privileged to grow through all of these experiences, and document how I identified and evolved through all my emotions.

Xavier Jones - How did the events that inspired your poems help you grow as a person?

Toriana Williams - Everything made me realize that life is so short, you can be here today, and tomorrow you're out! You need to make an impact while you're here!

Xavier Jones - What did you learn after you moved to Tennessee?

Toriana Williams - I learned to be strong as a person, and even stronger in my notion of being a free thinker. I fell into a habit of peer pressure. But once I fell from that habit, I really fell from it. Once I sat down to objectively observe what was going on, it was easy to identify that it wasn't for me.

Xavier Jones - How is it working with an independent publishing company?

Toriana Williams - My publisher's name is Julia Hunter with G Publishing. I met her through a strange chain of events. A conversation about moving boxes transitioned to my writing. Once everything checked out I signed the contract, got an editor, and the poetry was in motion. I don't have to worry about ordering the books and printing them myself, my book is printed by Ingram, one of the biggest book printers in the world, and the publishing company placed my books in online stores without any heavy lifting on my own behalf.