creative writing

Tears On The Page – Poem by Me

BrookeLeave a comment 
it's refreshing to catch up with an old friend
particularly if the friend in question

is a book, eagerly waiting for the pages to be 
turned and crinkled, just as they have

so many times before. if only i could let go 
of these pages as easily as i could let go of people

the words are already ingrained in my mind
but it doesn't matter- every time my eyes

have combed through everything there is to see
between the binding, and i've drawn myself

into a fantasy world yet again, it's time to return
to reality. i can't help but shed a tear

for what i've lost by not being born into a book
and living between the pages forever

I hope you all enjoyed this poem. The subject rings so true for me so I’m glad I was finally able to put it into words; as I’ve been rereading my old favorite books lately (especially the Harry Potter series) I’ve been devastated when I finish them and have to put them away. I’m forever stuck in my childhood, when it seemed possible to stay lost in fantasyland 🙂 Let me know if you have any feedback on this piece or writing challenges for me to try in the future!

Brooke

Soft-Bellied – Poem by Me

Brooke2 Comments 
i dig my nails into my stomach
they leave little red marks

adding to the collection; matching
perfectly with the indents

from the waistband of my sweatpants
i watch my stomach rise and fall

as i take deep breaths; my pale flesh
expanding and contracting is a sight

both fascinating and repulsive
this little extra pouch of fat

of skin without bones, just an extra
pound (or two, or three) of me

is my weakness, so maybe i'm
too soft

I hope you enjoyed this poem. I’ve wanted to write something about my stomach (my biggest insecurity) for a while, and the words spilled out onto the page pretty easily. We all have our own insecurities, so let this be a reminder you’re not alone. Let me know if you have any feedback, suggestions, or challenges for me to use in my writing in the near future 🙂

Brooke

New Writing Projects & Challenging Myself

BrookeLeave a comment

Hello everyone!

I’ve mentioned a lot lately how with all the extra time I’ve had to myself during quarantine, I’ve been trying to experiment with my writing and produce more work than I normally would have time for. It’s been a little bit of a struggle due to some bouts of writer’s block and lack of motivation/structure in my routine, but I’ve gotten to a place where I’m settling into a rhythm and realizing what I’m currently inspired to write about. If you want to learn more about what I’m working on right now and how it’s different from what I normally write about, keep on reading!

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you might’ve noticed that I mainly post poetry, and poetry has been my writing genre of choice for a while. I love to read and write poetry, but I think my heavy focus on it has left me sort of lopsided in my writing abilities, making dabbling in fiction, prose, or creative nonfiction a lot more difficult. However, when I was suffering writer’s block most recently, I turned to my “writing ideas” list that I always keep handy and am adding onto, and found most of my unused ideas were for fiction pieces. I decided to take the plunge and run with one of my ideas from that list, and I am now working on a novel??? I’m not sure if I will end up finishing it or how long it will actually be, but I’m about 13,000 words in and it’s been really fun to experiment with dialogue and all the other elements I’m not used to because of my poetry focus.

I know it probably seems pretty peculiar to jump head-first into attempting to write a novel- almost like I’m setting myself up for failure. I’m trying to stay away from that mindset, because I do have tons of extra time because of quarantine, and I’ve always wanted to try and work on a book. The final thing that made me take the plunge and just start writing it was the email I got from NaNoWriMo that because of quarantine/COVID-19 they would have an April novel writing month challenge. I definitely won’t be finishing in April, but I took that as a sign that now was the time to get started.

I haven’t really been editing any of the book thus far since I’m still in such a beginning stage and I want to just keep writing, then edit when I’m done. I won’t say too much about the plot or even the genre since I think there’s a few major plot points from my original outline that need to be reworked, but I’m figuring out more as I go along. If you have any tips for sticking with a novel idea and writing it out all the way through, I’d love to hear them!

Besides that very ambitious new project, I’ve also been venturing into trying some creative nonfiction. I finally got around to reading all of the works in the latest Polyphony Lit issue (the teen lit publication I edit for, check it out- a new issue is coming out soon!) and a good portion of the pieces that stood out to me were creative nonfiction. The main reason I haven’t gotten into it is just because I think it’s hard for me to write about myself in an actual creative and good-quality piece, since I often end up going into blogging mode and being more informal. I’m still not sure how to make my experiences connect to others in a way that would make people want to read my creative nonfiction piece, but I’m trying to figure it out.

I’m working on two creative nonfiction pieces right now. One is about my background/family tree and my lack of knowledge about such making it feel like my family’s a mystery, and one’s about how the tension in my family has escalated since my grandmother moved into our house in January. I feel like most of the creative nonfiction pieces I’ve enjoyed have focused on people’s families or cultures and the influence those things have on them, so it only seemed natural to think about those topics in the context of my life.

That being said, I’m still in love with poetry and I’ve written a couple new poems while sitting outside and observing nature. We had a few days of beautiful, summer-like weather here and it gave me a chance to write a poem about a hummingbird that I think could have some potential. I’ll always find poetry a little bit more natural since it’s always seemed the most approachable form of creative writing to me and it’s easier for me to write a poem in a short amount of time if I just have a tiny spark of inspiration, but I definitely want to continue venturing out of my comfort zone.

Honestly, another main reason I pushed myself out of my comfort zone is just because I’ve been reading so many books lately and creative pieces that aren’t necessarily poems online, but I haven’t read any new poetry that resonates with me in a while. Whenever I’m reading a certain type of writing or genre, I automatically start thinking about how I can make it work for me and express my ideas in that form of writing. I reread the Harry Potter series for the first time in years (LOTS of tears were shed, I forgot how insanely amazing J.K. Rowling is at storytelling) and it had me itching to write a book or experiment with magic and the fantastical in my writing.

That’s what I love about writing and any creative discipline in general. It’s so easy to shift your perspective and see the limitless ways to craft your art and hone your skills by seeking a new source of inspiration. I hope my fellow writers out there are also taking advantage of this time to work on something new and expand your horizons. Let me know if you have any author/book recommendations or any writing challenges for me to try out 🙂

Brooke

The Clothes We Wear – Prose

BrookeLeave a comment

People warn you to make a good impression, to dress nicely and take pride in your appearance. What does it say about me if I rotate the same oversize t-shirts and hoodies with various vacation destinations or event names littered across them every week? What does it say if I pretty much only wear sweatpants, almost never jeans and especially not skirts?

Because I do. Don’t worry, I’m completely hygienic and I care about my appearance in that way- I hope people don’t assume that I don’t. But why should I have to put up a facade and be someone I’m not?

Sometimes I wish I cared more. I really do. Breezy floral sundresses and sophisticated blouses roam my mind whenever I go into the city, and it suddenly crosses my mind I should’ve dressed up a little more. But that’s not to say I don’t enjoy a good fairy godmother-like transformation from time to time.

It was the night of the dance. I got my hair done at an actual salon for the first time ever- one where they offered you drinks as they worked on making each tendril of hair camera-ready. My golden blond hair bounced around my shoulders in soft curls, I had dusted my eyelids with some glittery eyeshadow (not too glittery), and skinny silver hoop earrings that were just the right size dangled from my earlobes.

But most importantly, the dress. It was the dress. It was a little shorter than what I would normally wear, and it hugged my body as if it was made to fit. The black fabric glimmered thanks to the sheen woven into it, and the straps met to cross several times and tie at the small at my back. The dress glowed on me, and I felt as if I glowed too. I felt pretty, and for a night I understood.

(It didn’t stop me from wearing sweatpants the next day.)

I hope you enjoyed this little anecdote. I’m not really sure if prose is the best label for it, but I didn’t know what else to call it and I still considered it creative writing. As I write this, I’m wearing sweatpants and an oversized concert tee, so yeah…it’s pretty accurate. Please let me know if you have any feedback, suggestions, or challenges for me to use in my future writing!

Brooke

Ode to My Childhood – Poem by Me

BrookeLeave a comment 
hair loosely tied in pigtails
i ran out the front door into the street

ready to ride my baby blue beach cruiser bike
past the same twenty houses back and forth

ringing the bell, fingers running through the
white streamers on the handlebars dancing in the wind 

murmuring to myself as i sped down the sidewalk
this was my time to be independent and free

not a care in the world; reality wasn't on my radar
and when mom called out for dinnertime

                                                            i was ready to return to the real world

I hope you guys enjoyed this poem. It was fun to write, and it’s actually based off of one of my most vivid memories from when I was younger. I really would go on my blue bike, riding up and down my street but not bothering to stray into any of the other streets in my neighborhood. I felt so free, and that was honestly my favorite pastime after school since I could talk to myself and I felt like no one was listening, but in a good way. Let me know if you have any feedback, suggestions, or challenges for me to use in my future writing posts 🙂

Brooke

How to Find Inspiration While Quarantined

BrookeLeave a comment

Hello everyone!

When COVID-19 heated up and quarantine first started, I was trying to think on the bright side: I could write a ton and work on so many other creative pursuits I wouldn’t otherwise have time for! What I didn’t realize, however, was how difficult it would be to find inspiration and stay motivated to be productive and do these things while trapped in my house with little variation or activity around me. If you’re in a similar spot right now, keep on reading to find out how to get your creative mojo back. These are tips I’ve been using to help me stay inspired while writing, but they’re definitely not writing specific.

  1. Find a slightly different environment to work in.

I understand that we’re all in different situations and might not have as much freedom or the space to have specific workspaces, but just do whatever you can to switch up your surroundings. If you normally work in your room, try working in the kitchen. If you normally work at a desk, try laying everything out on the floor and working there- I actually love working on the floor, believe it or not. Also, try not to work in your bed, as it’s harder to stay productive and maintain a separation between rest and activity in your brain if you’re working in bed.

2. Look at Pinterest.

No matter what you’re trying to get done or what you’re seeking inspiration for, there’s probably oodles of content related to it on Pinterest. Make an inspiration board or just find examples of whatever you hope to make/accomplish. You could even make a collage of pictures you like from Pinterest and set it to your phone or laptop background so you’ll be reminded of it.

3. Be gentle with yourself.

Try not to put too much pressure on yourself to be creating content or being productive. This is a difficult and strange time for everyone, and it’s okay to take breaks or just not do anything on some days. Spend time with your family and do other fun things you usually don’t have time to do that don’t require much thought; it might be just the brain break you need to give you a new burst of inspiration.

4. Consider the time.

I couldn’t figure out how to word this better, but this is an event that will go down in history, so if you’re looking for inspiration, draw from what’s going on around you. Who knows? Your interpretation of these current events through art, writing, videography/photography, et cetera could be primary sources as to what was going on in history when people look back on this time. I’m sure we all have a lot of conflicting feelings surrounding how COVID-19 is affecting us and our world, so use that in whatever you’re working on. Embrace it!

5. Try something new.

You have all this time to work on what you love doing, but that also means you have all this time to try other new things that you may fall in love with! If you’re struggling to find inspiration for one thing, get out of your comfort zone and do something completely different. When I had a little case of writer’s block, I tried sketching, something I would never usually gravitate towards since I’m not a good artist. It was actually really fun, and I returned to my writing afterwards. Find a different creative outlet, try it out, and when you’re done use that experience to get inspired in what you were doing previously.

I hope these tips helped you out and inspire you to seek out even more inspiration 🙂 Like I’ve mentioned a million times, these are unprecedented and strange times, but we might as well make the most out of them. Whatever that looks like for you, I hope you find the inspiration you’re looking for and use this time to your advantage. Stay healthy and safe.

Brooke

a black canvas – Poem by Me

BrookeLeave a comment 
if i was a painter 
i would paint you a beautiful
black canvas

vast as the galaxy
and you could add in
your own stars

a blank slate for 
you and i
the opposite of colorful

but with endless opportunity

As always, I hope you enjoyed this poem! It was one of those things where the idea randomly popped in my head (the title came first). I’ve been trying to tap into my artsy side with some drawing, so maybe that’s why the topic was on the brain. That being said, please let me know if you have any feedback, suggestions, or challenges for my writing in the future! Stay safe and healthy 🙂

Brooke

Why You Should Read and Write Often

BrookeLeave a comment

Welcome back everyone!

While we’re in quarantine and have nothing to do, there’s no better time to pick up a good book or write the story you’ve always wanted to read. I know in this day and age with hustle culture and all the pressure to constantly be busy and productive, people often push pastimes like reading and writing to the side unless it’s their absolute passion. I happen to love reading and writing and always have, but I think it’s important for everyone to read and write, especially now while they have the extra time. Why exactly is this so important? Keep on reading to find out!

Reason #1: It expands your vocabulary.

I know, I know. You’ve probably heard this before from your teachers, parents, and other adults, but it’s true! You pick up new words and phrases from reading (which you can use in your writing) and you’ll tend to start using them in real life. If you’re in high school and starting to prepare for standardized tests like the ACT and SAT, being well-read can cut down on the amount of vocabulary words you need to study or be familiar with. You’ll be able to interpret the passages on the tests better as well.

Reason #2: It’s an escape and a way to explore new worlds and ideas.

If you’ve always wanted to travel somewhere but can’t for whatever reason, read a book about that place! If you’re obsessed with the fantastical, read fantasy books filled with witches and goblins. If you can’t find a story that suits the world you want to explore, do some research and start writing it. I’m sure there’s a million-dollar book idea floating around in everyone’s heads somewhere- you just have to do some digging. On the more realistic side of the spectrum, writing is also just a way to get out your thoughts. Journaling or making a story out of your life can be therapeutic in so many ways.

Reason #3: You’ll learn random tidbits of information and be smarter because of it.

Sometimes the most random things will be slipped into books, and all of a sudden you’ll be invested in niche disciplines or topics you’d never given thought to before. After reading a couple kids’ books that mentioned synesthesia when I was younger (A Mango Shaped Space by Wendy Mass and The Secret Series by Pseudonymous Bosch in case you’re wondering), I became fascinated with it. That’s not exactly a common thing that people talk about a lot and I don’t personally know anyone with synesthesia, but I learned so many random facts throughout those few books I read. You never know what you’ll learn from a book, and often it’s not the most obvious things that will stick with you.

Reason #4: It helps you learn more about yourself.

I know this sounds cheesy, but it’s held true for me. When you write a lot, you’ll notice what sorts of subjects appear over and over again in your work. As you develop your voice in your work, that voice reflects who you are and what you want others to see you as. It’s kind of crazy what kind of magic can happen when you put pen to paper, and a lot of it happens subconsciously as you’re just thinking and going through the motions of making your ideas concrete.

Reason #5: It’s a good skill to have no matter what your future plans are or what you do for a living.

You can be a writer at any stage in your life, there are many different types of writing you can do, and it’s something you can take up as a side hustle. It’s a valuable skill to have, and good writing can even shine through in something as mundane as business emails. It’s definitely important in school no matter what class you’re in/your major in college and teachers will definitely be impressed by someone who has solid writing skills no matter what they’re writing about. In most industries/jobs, it’s important that you can communicate eloquently, and writing is a huge part of that; if you can write formally, you can definitely speak formally, as writing requires a lot more editing and thinking.

I hope this convinces any of you out there who need to force yourself to crack open a book. There are always going to be reasons not to, and it definitely can take a good amount of time to finish a book or write a story, but it’s so worth it and I guarantee you’ll learn something throughout the process. I continue to learn about both the world and myself every time I read or write something. Stay safe and healthy!

Brooke

Summer Writing Programs Update – COVID-19 & My Thoughts

BrookeLeave a comment

Hello everyone!

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you might remember my mentions of applying for writing-related summer programs and awaiting my admissions decisions. I was waitlisted at the Sewanee Young Writers’ Conference in early March, and I was still waiting on my decision to the Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop. If you’re interested in hearing an update on that, as well as a general update on what’s going on with summer programs/activities in the time of COVID-19, keep on reading.

First, a quick disclaimer: I do not want to sound self-centered in this post and I am fully aware that there are people in much tougher situations than me/impacted by the virus a lot more directly and I do not mean to take away from that. I am just sharing an update on another thing that the coronavirus has impacted and how that affects me personally. As you might guess from the title of this post and the direction things have been going with the coronavirus, the Kenyon Young Writers Workshop was sadly cancelled for this year. I think the most frustrating part for me was just that they didn’t even release official decisions, so I don’t even know if I would’ve gotten in or not. I understand why they did this as it wouldn’t be useful to get people upset or worked up over a program that was cancelled anyways, but I worked hard on my application and would’ve liked to know what they thought of it.

I haven’t heard back from the Sewanee Young Writers’ Conference as to if I got accepted off of the waitlist. In the original admissions decision email, the main date to watch for a waitlist acceptance was April 6th, so I think it’s safe to say I will not be attending. I’m assuming it will probably end up being cancelled anyways since so many other summer programs are, so I’m sorry to anyone who was lucky enough to get accepted and planned on attending.

I actually ended up applying to two more summer programs that I didn’t mention on this blog, simply because I’ve only recently applied to them during these quarantine times. I applied to the CSPA journalism workshop hosted at Cal Poly, and I actually found out only a week after I applied that I got in! I sadly was forced to decline my offer of admission since they needed a non-refundable deposit by April 6th, and I was still waiting to hear from Kenyon and possibly an update from Sewanee. Lastly, I applied to The Adroit Journal‘s Summer Mentorship Program. It’s super competitive (even more competitive than I thought when I decided to apply… yikes) but I love Adroit and it sounded awesome (and corona-proof since it’s all online and remote) so I just kinda went for it. I’m not sure when I’ll hear back from them, but my hopes are not very high.

So, what does this all mean? I’m obviously disappointed that I won’t have the opportunity to get away from home by myself and experience the immersive atmosphere of Kenyon or Sewanee’s programs, but I know that there’s much bigger problems in the world and I’m privileged just to have gotten the chance to apply. I’m praying that coronavirus’s threat calms down by summer what with all our efforts to stay home and flatten the curve so that I can utilize one or multiple of the backup summer plans I originally thought of (summer job, internship, taking dual-enrollment classes at my local community college, volunteering, etc.), and just for the sake of everyone’s health and safety. That being said, if summer ends up being a big quarantine-fest as well, I guess I’ll just have plenty of time to write and blog, continuing the creative pursuits that I’ve been spending time doing so far.

For anyone who was lucky enough to secure their summer plan of choice or get accepted into their dream summer program, I am so sorry if it has been cancelled or impacted in some other way by coronavirus. That doesn’t diminish your accomplishment, and just know that your abilities or talent aren’t confined to a program or internship offer anyways. We’re all in this together, and we’ll all be finding alternative ways to pursue what we love at home during these strange and trying times. Stay safe and healthy.

Brooke

A Visit to Your Room – Poem by Me

BrookeLeave a comment 
the odor of dried sweat and moldy bread
is emitting from the towel you wrap
around your hair;
         you know, the one you use 
         to dry off and feel clean?

this room's always dirty but
from the doorway you can see
a tiny sketch of a half-drawn face

          staring into your eyes
          from its insignificant place 
          on your desk. 
too perfect with the plump lips and 
sporadic freckles on the stark white paper

i don't know how you spend so much
time in here, but i see that face
and it brings to my attention

mixed with the body odor and mold
it smells like you-
          vanilla candy, so sweet
          making my stomach ache

As always, I hope you enjoyed this poem! I thought it was fun to play around with the structure. Let me know if you have any feedback, suggestions, or challenges for me to use in my writing in the near future 🙂

Brooke