* A struggle: She writes about feeling like a "drowned woman" trying to reach the surface, desperately striving to express herself.
* A release: Angelou writes about feeling a sense of liberation and catharsis as she pours her emotions onto the page.
* A journey of self-discovery: She describes her poems as a way of exploring her own thoughts and experiences, understanding herself better.
* A connection to the reader: Angelou writes about wanting to connect with others through her poetry, to share her experiences and offer hope and inspiration.
In a 1994 interview, she further describes her writing process as:
* A labor of love: She acknowledges the hard work and dedication involved in crafting her poems, but expresses deep passion for the craft.
* A form of healing: She sees poetry as a way to process trauma and pain, to find meaning and resilience.
Ultimately, while Maya Angelou doesn't explicitly state how she feels *while* writing, her own words suggest a mix of struggle, release, self-discovery, connection, and a deep passion for the craft.