James Coats’ life is full of twists, humor, and moments of courage, like nervously performing his first poem at an open mic in Fontana, hands trembling and voice quivering.
As a marketing graduate from California State Polytechnic University, he confesses, “I hate public speaking,” but the words he’d written, fueled by the turmoil of the 2016 election, demanded to be shared.
“My hands were shaking. I was scared to death,” he says. But he told himself, “I wrote this, and I gotta share it.”
That first shaky performance sparked a creative rebirth. Before rediscovering poetry, Coats followed a conventional path.
Related Stories:
https://lasentinel.net/words-are-free-but-poets-are-cashing-in.html
https://lasentinel.net/poet-and-advocate-crystal-williams-named-next-risd-president.html
“I planned on doing engineering because people said engineers make money,” he laughs.
But after realizing he hated math and physics, he switched to art, then eventually picked up marketing. Poetry took a backseat for over a decade, but a chance encounter at a business mixer reignited his passion. A fellow alum and writer invited him to an open mic.
“That changed the trajectory of everything,” he recalls.
Even his stage name, “Mr. Loving Words,” has a playful yet meaningful backstory. Unable to secure “Loving Words” on Instagram, he added “Mr.” to make it work. Friends jokingly call him McLovin from “Superbad,” a nickname he embraces with humor. Yet beneath the laughter, there is a deeper mission.
“The name became a philosophy,” Coats explains, “promoting love as a revolution.”
The journey was not always easy. Coats candidly shares the overwhelming demands of pursuing art while balancing real-world responsibilities. During college, he juggled full-time work, studies, and parenting.
“I’d get up at five in the morning and get home at 11 at night,” he says.
“I don’t even know how it was possible because I love sleep.”
It was a grueling schedule, but his drive to create never wavered.
Purpose continues to drive him, with Coats using his poetry as a powerful tool for self-expression and sparking social change. His “Be the Change” workshop, now in its third year, empowers others to transform their emotions into activism.
“You can’t judge the activism of others,” he says.
“You can only judge your work. Are you doing enough?” Turning art into a career is challenging.
“If you want to be a full-time artist, you have to be a part-time businessperson,” he emphasizes.
Unlike many artists who shy away from the business side, Coats embraced it. His marketing degree gave him a leg up.
“I studied entrepreneurship in school,” he says.
“After graduation, I worked for a small business development agency, helping women entrepreneurs. I learned the importance of marketing plans and target audiences.” He applied these lessons to his poetry, gaining a crucial advantage.
Coats does not romanticize the artist’s life.
“It shatters the dream,” he admits, acknowledging that poetry alone does not pay the bills. He insists on treating his craft with the seriousness of any profession.
“You have to focus on finding your customers, understanding your audience, and creating a plan to grow,” he explains. Facing rejection and self-doubt is part of the journey.
“You have to get out of that comparison mindset,” Coats says.
“Make the art you want to see and focus on your journey.” His advice: create work that fulfills you, even if recognition takes time.
Coats blends practicality with inspiration.
“What does your personal development look like?” he asks.
“Are you studying the craft? Are you learning from others?” In a world that often idealizes art as detached from reality, Coats stands out as a realist.
“Real artists got real bills,” he reminds us, proving that with intention and effort, poetry can indeed be a viable career.
Follow James Coats creative journey on Instagram @mrlovingwords.
