Winner of the Barbie Dream Gap Project x Girls Write Now: Inspiring Women Writing Contest for the Age 13-18 Category
Inspiring
Everywhere, Everything
This piece is one of the first poems I wrote after my writer’s burnout. It is poem about breaking through the cracks a bit and starting to journal through the numbness I had towards writing.
if only i could speak
if only-
Art
Art is an ekphrastic poem inspired by an exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art titled Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty.
Words of Affirmation
This is the backstory of why I created my project, One Letter 4 All, with the Lead360 learning journey.
Thanghulu Traditions
My work combines thrill and uncertainty as it unleashes the rite of passage in a Hawaiian tribe to investigate not only themes of coming of age, but of womanhood and freedom against societal expectations.
Another Door Opens
Marah’s double life is interrupted, forcing her to come to terms with finally stepping out of her comfort zone and living life for herself.
When One Door Closes…
Marah lives a double life; she hasn’t told teachers friends or family about quitting teaching: afraid of letting them down. She struggles with the idea of starting over and stepping out of her comfort zone.
Speaking on Magical Girls and Worlds
Prepare to enter into an incredible world with familiars, fantastical tech, and magical girls. That is what’s in store for this conversation between mentor Kristy Cunningham Bigler and mentee Shreya Darji. They discuss worldbuilding, the quest for character names, and the funny personalities of ferrets. In this episode, you’ll get to hear all about Kristy’s work-in-progress Code Name: Space Goddess.
Birds in Paradise
To the hearts that endure, the hands that hold strong, this poem is for you, Palestine. May you find peace, as vast and endless as the sky.
Identity Ecdysis
This letter explores my journey as I navigate the challenges of embracing my asexuality, breaking free from societal expectations, and finding solace in a new identity, shedding my old one.
Speaking on Historical Flights of Fancy
In this episode of Speaking in First Draft, Nola and Colette discuss how to write fictional narratives about real people, and why the themes of the French Revolution are still relevant today.
Speaking on Writing as Therapy
This week we’re delighted to present Mentees Dom Dawes (he/they) and Jamilah Araf (she/her) as they chat about Dom’s poem “I Am From.”
Food For The Soul
Flavor, cookery, and presentation are the vehicles of culture, identity, and creativity. I’m extremely blessed to be loved with enough provision to experience finger-lickin’ meals.
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.