Listen to Spencer George, Kat Jagai, and Richelle Szypulski talk about the creation of Girls Write Now On the Art of the Craft and respond to a prompt from the book.
Speaking in First Draft
An Interview Podcast Platforming the Current & Next Generation of Storytellers.
Members of the Girls Write Now community share a draft of one of their works in progress and discuss both the writing process and what creative expression looks like to them.
Listeners have the opportunity to engage with the inner machinations and perspectives of writers, producers, and artists from a diversity of ethnic, gender, age, socioeconomic, and professional backgrounds.
Check back biweekly for new episodes and stories!
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Speaking on Artful Mysteries
This week we have the pleasure of hearing a conversation between Mentee Alum Imani Okwuosa and Mentee Ijeoma Asonye as they dive into an excerpt from Ijeoma’s forthcoming graphic novel, Allergy Girl.
Speaking on More Than Poetic Teen Angst
Today’s episode features Mentees Chloe Lee(she/her) and Kayla Misa (she/they). You’ll learn about Kayla’s writing and creative process for her excerpts from one of her many poetry chapbooks. We hope you enjoy this insightful discussion about poetry, Asian identity, and embracing the silly parts of ourselves.
Speaking on Good Ghosts
We’re kicking off our second season with a conversation between mentor alum and debut author of The Waves Take You Home, María Alejandra Barrios Velez, and Mentee Fiona Hernandez.
Speaking on Following the Script
In this final episode of Speaking in First Draft Season One, Mentee Justine Ramirez and Mentor Viviana Leo engage in a conversation about authentic representation of humanity in scriptwriting, the importance of planning and discipline in your craft, and the struggles with getting others to read your work. Join in on the laughs and enjoy this lighthearted conversation between two amazing storytellers.
Speaking on Ancestral Storytelling Pt. 2
Our celebration of Pride and Caribbean American Heritage continues in part 2 of the conversation between Girls Write Now Fellow Sally Familia and Mentee Carissa Ceasor. Last episode, our guests dove deep into how they use poetry to process and release their emotions, in addition to the impact their ancestry has on them. This week, Sally and Carissa talk more about poetry and give tons of great advice for all of you fellow writers listening in.
Speaking on Ancestral Storytelling Pt. 1
In this riveting conversation, both our guests talk about what it means to explore their Caribbean ancestry and queerness through writing poetry. Carissa opens with three excerpts from their in-progress poetry chapbook entitled “Messages from the Radical Diaspora.” If you’re all about culture, identity, emotional liberation, and history, this episode is for you.
Speaking on Embodying Resistance
Sometimes mere existence is resistance, especially when you’re a woman in the midst of a war the entire world is watching. In Episode 9, our Senior Community Systems Coordinator here at Girls Write Now Lisbett Rodriguez interviews Ukranian-American poet and Girls Write Now Mentor Vera Sirota.
Speaking on Body Liberation with Chrissy King
Tune in to hear author Chrissy King and host Kathryn Destin get candid about body image, fatphobia, disordered eating, social media, and collective liberation.
Speaking on the Writer’s Guild of America Strike
In this special episode, two writers working in TV, Micharne Cloughley and Hannah Rothblatt, discuss their involvement in the WGA strike and what it means for the industry at large.
Speaking on Queer Boricua YA Fauxmance and Family
For episode 6 of Speaking in First Draft, Mentee Jamilah Araf interviews Mentor Elle Gonzalez Rose about her debut novel Caught in a Bad Fauxmance.
Speaking on Night Emotions
This week’s theme is dreams. Episode five of Speaking in First Draft dives deep into the raw emotions that come up in relationships and in first-draft writing.
Speaking on Family Worlds
This week brings you a special episode where both of our guests, Ayah Al-Masyabi and Anne Hellman White, share the first drafts of their current works in progress.
Speaking on Finding Joy in the Mourning
In this episode, you’ll hear a lovely conversation between mentee Allison Sengkhounmany, a high schooler from New York, and mentor Davia Schendel, a musician and performer.
Speaking on Brushing Up on Your Comedy (Literally)
In this episode, you’ll hear Mentor Tracy Morin, a magazine writer and editor, talk with Mentee Ava Fung, a high schooler from New York City, about her humorous non-fiction piece, “Toothache.”