Inside the Writers Studio: Digital Edition

It’s the first year of our exciting Digital Media Mentoring Program, with brand new pairs exploring writing through brand new mediums! At the end of every digital workshop — or “dorkshop” — mentees submit pieces from the session for their Portfolio.
Our fall 2013 dorkshops focused on audio recording as a means to showcase writing in journalism, music memoir, and slam poetry. Listen to our mentees use sound to inspire, shape, and enhance their writing by browsing these new portfolio entries from mentees and mentors.

Myasia Fajardo: Audio Music Memoir

This is Myasia’s submission following our Music Memoir dorkshop in November 2013. In it she gives us a glimpse into her family dynamic through their shared music playlist.

• “When I hear Solange’s song “Losing You,” it always reminds me of one particular night last year and the one particular playlist I heard then at home. I was doing my homework at the kitchen table to the sound of the rhythmic chopping of vegetables… “

Listen to Myasia’s music memoir

Sally Ferris: Audio Music Memoir

This is Sally’s submission following our Music Memoir dorkshop in November 2013 in which she recounts a music performance gone horribly, horribly wrong.

• “It was my first performance as a rock musician. The venue was an abandoned lumber factory, totally grunge. I was nervous, freezing, overwhelmed, and somehow still ecstatic about my ultimate debut. My bandmates were prepping their instruments backstage when one of them asked if I had the lyric book. I did not have the lyric book…”

Listen to Sally’s music memoir

Sharon Young: Audio Slam Poetry

Sharon submitted this piece following our Audio Slam Poetry dorkshop in December 2013 in response to a prompt asking mentors and mentees to think about a woman in their life who inspires them.

• “I never told you how much I miss seeing you smile

• and that when you do you look so youthful, full of energy,

• and make everyone in the room want to smile with you.

• I never told you that you make every task seem elegant:

• slicing lettuce, shaking hands,

• buying bread at the bakery,

• teasing my grandfather…”

Listen to Sharon’s slam poetry piece