A parody of “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen.
Humorous
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 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.”
Speaking on Being ‘Virus Overachievers’
In the very first episode of “Speaking In First Draft,” host Kathryn Destin interviews Mentor Martina Clark about the first draft of her memoir and audiobook “My Unexpected Life: an international memoir of two pandemics, HIV and COVID-19.”
Resigned Lockheart
“What?! What do you mean I’m of royalty.” There was me, in a tank top and jeans being accused of having some type of royalty blood in, I would not even fit being of royalty.
Conversations
I am shy. I don’t seem like the shy type with my friends because I’m the loud one. But when I talk to someone who doesn’t know how I tick, I act like I’m listening while I am melting inside.
(Almost) Bananas
A letter of thanks meets an inner reflection of taught and inherited values in this short essay.
Fangirl
Being a fangirl can be quite embarrassing. Has being a fangirl helped shape who you are?
How I Ruined Extra Credit
This piece (a now-defunct common app response) describes how the encouragement of one teacher sparked my passion for writing.
Scaredy Cat
My obsession with fear started with my cousin’s scary stories and turned into a competition with my brother. While convincing myself to enjoy horror, I created monsters that haunted me in the dark.
Felicity’s Guide to Falling In Love and Not Getting Murdered
Felicity Quinton never would have thought babysitting her sister’s children would result in a wild goose chase around New York City. But, life is full of surprises (tall, dark, and handsome surprises).
El Barrio, an Excerpt
During the hottest summer of their lives, two best friends, Manuel Polanco and Xiomara Vargas, slowly drift apart as they deal with gangs, drugs and growing up in… El Barrio.
Polished
At 11:32 on a typical Saturday night, a mom and daughter chat while doing their nails.
Piggyback
This began as my personal statement for my Common Application, but has transformed over time into a personal essay.
Rosie Without Jim
Rosie is the best man at his brother’s wedding, who is getting married to a woman Rosie is unwittingly infatuated with for being so similar to their mother.