An Interview with Jasmine Griffin

In She Stood Up and Walked, Jasmine was the girl who smiled on cue, clapped for herself when no one else did, and gave until there was nothing left. From whispered prayers in the mirror to long silences in crowded rooms, she learned how to shrink herself to keep the peace – until peace became a performance.

This is the raw, powerful journey of a woman who thought marriage meant forever but found herself drowning in silence, shame, and smallness.

Through late-night tears, hidden journals, and desperate prayers, Jasmine confronts the emotional abuse and soul-wearing loneliness that quietly unraveled her identity.

She Stood Up and Walked isn’t a clean-cut redemption story – it’s messy, slow, and deeply human. From the aching realization that love isn’t supposed to hurt, to the gentle moments of lighting candles and choosing tea over chaos, Jasmine begins to build a new life – one breath, one scripture, one boundary at a time.

It’s a story for every woman who’s ever stayed too long. For every heart that’s broken silently behind closed doors. For every soul wondering, ‘Who am I now?’

Jasmine Griffin is a licensed mental health counselor, leader, and founder of TALKwithJB, where she helps individuals navigate life’s toughest conversations and reclaim their power through healing and growth.

On her personal journey, Jasmine has faced loss, rediscovered herself, and embraced unexpected joys – finding love again and welcoming her son, her ‘angel baby,’ into the world. Through her writing, she shares lessons of resilience, transformation, and the courage it takes to redefine life.

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What inspired you to start writing this book?

I began writing poetry more than ten years ago, long before I ever imagined sharing my words publicly with world. At the time, writing was simply a private practice – a way to process, reflect, and make meaning of my experiences and lack thereof. I didn’t know then that those early pieces would eventually find their way into a book – this book. Looking back, the book feels less like something I decided to write and more like something that slowly asked to be shared when the timing and I were ready.

Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

The title came to me almost immediately, and in a very ordinary moment. I was in the shower, and when I stepped out and caught my reflection, I said to myself, “Girl, you did that. You stood up and walked.” It felt affirming, embodied, and true. I wrote it down immediately, knowing it mattered. That sentence became a true anchor for the book. It was a reminder of resilience and the importance of honoring the progress we so often overlook within ourselves.

Describe your dream book cover.

I always envisioned a silhouette of a woman that represented me. I chose a silhouette because for me, it reflects the parts of ourselves that aren’t always visible to the eye. It represents the version of me people didn’t fully know, much like a shadow. It also speaks to the difference between who people think they see and the fuller, more complex truth that exists beneath the surface. The cover, to me, needed to feel subtle, reflective, and honest, rather than loud or overly explanatory.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

Funnily enough, I have created a playlist over the years that represent this book.

Here are the top songs for my book’s soundtrack:

1. Home – Iyamah

2. Be My Summer – Snoh Aalegra

3. I Forgive Myself and I Release – Geminelle

4. This Version – Leona Lewis

5. My Strength – Madison Ryann Ward

6. Seize The Power – Yonaka

7. Probably – Andra Day

8. Be Careful – Phyllis Hyman

9. You Don’t Know – Kim Hitt

Here is the link to the playlist: 

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzhCxci6h8izYixkA5FMSc63bsZu6rKT3&si=v7AayegV56W_f_DC

What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?

Motivational Interviewing by William Miller

Set Boundaries Find Peace by Nedra Glover

Outsmarting Reality by Nero Knowledge

The Atrocities of Hope by Michael Olukayode

The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I am a licensed mental health counselor and a training officer, roles that have deeply shaped how I listen, observe, and communicate. What readers may not know is that long before this book existed, I have spent years holding space for others while also quietly learning how to hold space for myself. Supporting others professionally while doing my own internal work, is woven throughout the book in a subtle and meaningful way.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I’ve always been drawn to words and reflection, but what truly made me want to write was the need to make sense of my own experiences and to create a space where others could feel seen. Over the years, I was influenced by a mix of authors, poetry, music, memoirs, and even some visual art. What truly made me want to write was the need to make sense of my own experiences and to create a space where others could feel seen. But more than any particular artist (which we all are), it was the quiet voices I encountered in therapy sessions, conversations, and everyday small moments. It was the courage and vulnerability of real people that inspired me to put my own story on these pages.

Where is your favorite place to write?

Funnily enough, my favorite place to write is the bathroom, specifically the shower. There’s something about being in that space where my thoughts seem to flow more freely. Ideas and messages come to me easily, and when they do, I make sure to capture them right away, either by writing them down or recording a voice memo to return to later. It’s become a quiet, creative ritual for me.

What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?

Honestly, I would tell my past self not to wait so long! This book took nearly a decade to complete, not because the words weren’t there, but because fear was. I doubted my ability, battled with intrusive thoughts, and questioned whether my story even mattered. What I didn’t realize then is that vulnerability is not a weakness. Vulnerability is an invitation and an opportunity for authenticity. Sharing my story has empowered readers to recognize their own inner strength, and it continues to remind me that our voices matter even more than we think.

What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?

I hope readers walk away remembering that their strength and resilience are already within them, even when life feels heavy and overwhelming. This book isn’t about teaching anyone something new. Everything we need to stand up and walk is within us. This book is about reflecting back the courage they may have forgotten they had and reminding them that their journey – their walk, with ALL its ups and downs – MATTERS.

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Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.