The first “aha” moment this year that jumps to my mind would definitely be when I realized I could turn all my poems into fiction pieces, and sometimes my ideas that I would usually use for poetry translate better in prose. I am currently exploring this through the short story I’m writing called The Vanishing Girl, and I love writing it as much as I love writing my flash poetry, which is saying a lot. I think longer pieces like short stories and plays serve as an incredible way for a writer to find his or her voice, which shifts and develops throughout the writing process.

 

I read so many memorable books this semester including Memoirs of a Geisha and Lullabies by Lang Leav. Out of these, I think my favourite would be Lullabies, because the poems literally took my breath away on multiple occasions. I found the intricacy and metaphor of Leav’s writing elevated compared to most flash poets, and there were so many new, unheard ideas that she somehow took and put into words. Her style and use of rhyme has greatly inspired my writing, and although I am still hesitant to venture into rhyming for fear of it sounding childish or unneeded, she has inspired me to try. Below is one of my favourite poems from this book.

 

 

This year, my greatest accomplishment in writing was having a play I wrote be performed and chosen to be shown on the night of class acts. I plan to write more poetry, hopefully a longer play (I’d love to try and write a full one act play) and more short stories. To improve, I think I just need to read more, write more, and take inspiration from as many places and people as I can.