#wtwfeaturedwriter

Molly Bovett has found a way to incorporate her love of writing into all facets of her life. Molly, who has a passion for learning new languages, has banded together with a group of fellow “polyglots” to start an online linguistics magazine. And when she’s not preparing for the magazine’s upcoming launch, she’s working on an urban fantasy novel. But, above all, Molly hopes her writing will inspire others to join her in enacting social change. Read on to learn how Molly plans to improve the world around her through writing.

You're in the process of starting an online language magazine for fellow "linguistics enthusiasts”. Can you tell us more about how and why you decided to start this project?

The project was started by someone who wrote a blog post about a month ago inviting writers and language-lovers to work together on an online magazine on the topic of global communication and the importance of foreign languages. I got involved to produce poetry, photography, and articles for the magazine. And while the project has only launched this final week of October, the entire team is excited to work on this publication together. Our goal is to offer information and to show people the importance of cultures and languages different than your own. The first edition should be out sometime in the New Year.

What advice do you have for someone who is interested in starting their own online magazine or blog?

First of all, make sure that it’s definitely something you have time and patience for before you begin work on it. I’m already blown back by how much hard work and time we’ve all set aside for this! You might be in charge of a team of editors, writers, artists and designers so you'll need to exercise your leadership skills to make sure everyone is on task. Secondly, advertise as best you can. The blogger leading my project has a huge following, so finding people who are interested in the project was not difficult. One of the things we’re going to focus on over the course of the next few weeks is setting up social media pages to advertise the magazine.

You mention in your bio that you're eager to use your writing as a tool for social change. In what ways? Why is this important to you?

The writer I always give as an example when asked about writing for change is the marvelously talented Lin-Manuel Miranda—writer of the Broadway hit, Hamilton. The song ‘Almost Like Praying’ has drawn attention to the crisis in Puerto Rico and given a voice to people on the island who feel unheard by the world. When I say writing for social change and spreading a message, this is what I mean. Songs and poetry can connect to people in ways no other media can, and the right words in the right order can work miracles.

Encouraging social change is especially important to me because every day there is a new problem in the world and every day there are people who ignore it—either because they don’t think it affects them or they don’t think they can help. I want to write to show them they’re wrong. I don’t want to be powerless in the face of injustice and if being a skilled writer is my blessing, I will find a way to use it to the best of my ability.

In the "Message From Writer" section of your profile, you have a word count for Blackbird, a novel you're working on. Can you tell us more about this?

Blackbird is an urban fantasy novel I’ve been working on since the start of the summer. To summarize, it’s about a girl raised to be a criminal who, upon realizing the errors of her ways, runs away from home to try and escape her dangerous lifestyle. Unfortunately for all involved, this backfires horribly and she winds up in more trouble than before. Her new problems force her to choose between rejecting her violent ways entirely or embracing them to salvage what little she has to live for.

If you could insert yourself in the world of any fictional novel, which one would it be and why?

I’d insert myself in the world of Welcome To Night Vale. Yes, it’s a podcast, but there is also a published stand-alone novel about it. It’s true that someone mysteriously vanishes or dies every other day, but being bored would be completely impossible. I’d love to be part of the Night Vale community and get involved with the murderous librarians, the giant glow cloud, and the hooded figures in the dog park.

What are three things our readers might not know about living in England?

First, the school holiday system is a pain. I have almost no holiday time whatsoever this year and when I finish school I have a fourteen week summer. Who needs that much holiday time? What am I supposed to do with myself? I’m going to run out of things to do by mid-July. Optimum holiday time is four weeks, but that unfortunately never happens. Secondly, just because England is a comparatively small country, it doesn’t mean it’s easy to get from one place to another. I once read an American crime novel where the protagonist traveled from London to Newcastle in one hour. You drive for an hour in London, and you don’t leave London. The book was rather old (1950s, I think?) and a bit of an extreme example, but still, it takes far longer to get around the country than people seem to think. Finally, the Brits have queuing down to a fine art. If you come to England and you mess up the delicate process of lining up to buy things in the supermarket, someone will make you very aware of it before you even realize you’ve done something wrong. I once crossed through a long queue to get to my bus at the other end of the station and a woman started yelling at me for cutting in line. I wasn’t even getting the same bus as her.

About Molly

Last year, in celebration of National Novel Writing Month (#NaNoWriMo), Jerah Winn wrote an entire 50,000 word novel in 30 days! This November, she’s  committed to penning yet another prolific piece along with thousands of other writers from around the world. In our latest Featured Writer interview, Jerah reflects on last year’s novel writing experience and shares how it helped her grow and accomplish one of her lifelong goals at such a young age. Jerah, whose family has had to make some big, cross-continental moves, also offers advice on how to not only cope with, but thrive in, new and unfamiliar territory.

And for those of you joining Jerah in NaNoWriMo, stay tuned for the launch of our annual Novel Writing Competition where you’ll only need to submit an excerpt from a larger work.

In 2015 you completed NaNoWriMo by writing an entire novel in one month! What was the process of writing a full novel in a month like? What did you learn?

I did NaNoWriMo in 2015 and it was a wonderful, crazy experience. I confess most of my actual memories of the month are blurred together into a mess of words, but I’ll never forget the moment I checked my word count the evening of the 30th and discovered I was only ten words away from 50,000. That November was a huge turning point in my writing journey and in my life as well—I learned a lot. When writing that piece, for instance, I outlined the entire novel before I started, something I’d never done before, and discovered that I had much more success that way. I also learned that it was possible for me, a teenage writer, to accomplish something that many people never do. Since then, I’ve learned and grown with my writing a lot more than ever before. It was an adventure I’ll never regret.

Beyond participating in NaNoWriMo again this November, what are some of your other long term writing goals?

I look forward to many more years of NaNoing. Other than that, my major goals are to be published before I graduate from high school, which gives me two years to finish editing the novel I started in 2015. For that novel I’ll probably self-publish, since I don’t think I’m quite ready to take the dive into the traditional publishing industry. One day (after I graduate, most likely) I do want to be published traditionally, too. I have visions of stalking my fans’ discussions on various social media platforms, but I suppose I’ll have to stop procrastinating and actually write something before that starts happening.

What is your favorite genre to write?

I love fantasy. I love reading it and I love writing it. That’s not to say I don’t like other genres, especially when reading, but with fantasy there’s just something else. If I had to say, I suppose it’s because of the possibilities—I’ve always been fascinated by possibilities. Blank paper is a possibility, character is a possibility, and fantasy is full of possibilities. I feel like there are fewer requirements in fantasy. With genres like nonfiction, historical fiction, and even realistic fiction, you’re bound by reality as it is and I don’t like doing research very much. But with fantasy, I like to say, anything is possible—even dragons!

If you could have a dinner party with four of your favorite novel characters who would they be and why?

There are so many possibilities! First, I’d have to go with Galadriel from Lord of the Rings. By the time of the Fellowship, she is easily one of the oldest—if not the oldest—elves alive in Middle Earth and the very thought of how much she would know is tremendously exciting. Next, I’d invite Lady Pauline from the Ranger’s Apprentice series, because while she isn’t quite a main character, she is well acquainted with everyone important. She’s smart and witty and a much better conversationalist than most of the actual Rangers. She and Galadriel would be a fascinating pair to talk to. Then I’d have Hermione Granger from Harry Potter because, once again, she would be able to give an excellent and accurate account of just about anything I could think of to ask her. Finally, I’d have Annabeth Chase from the Percy Jackson books, for similar reasons.

You've grown up in various parts of the world. Do you have any tips for someone who is moving, even if just to a new town, about how to adjust or make new friends?

A couple of years ago, my family moved from Central Asia—where we’d lived all my life—back to the United States to spend a year there. Even though we were technically going back “home”, I felt as though we were doing the opposite, and let me tell you: it was not fun. Looking back, however, I’ve realized that it ended up being one of the best years of my life, and I learned a lot through it. So! Here’s my advice, starting with: DON’T get stuck in the past! I made this mistake and it made me miserable. I was so focused on when I would get to go back to my school and my friends in Asia that I wasn’t able to appreciate what was around me at the time. Next tip: take advantage of where you are and don’t be afraid to try new things—in fact, look for them! Keep an eye out for opportunities you wouldn’t have had otherwise. I can faithfully promise you that if we hadn’t moved to the US, I never would have found out about NaNoWriMo, and look how that turned out. My final bit of advice: don’t be afraid of people. Whether you’re trying to make friends at school or meeting your neighbors, remember that people are people wherever they are. They may act differently because of cultural differences or even just tiny variations in tradition, but they’re still people. Learn to appreciate the differences and you’ll be able to appreciate the people and they’ll appreciate you.

About Jerah

At Write the World, our hope is that all of you find the strength and support necessary to thrive as writers and as people. And if you end up pursuing a degree in a writing related field, well, that’s just a bonus! Canadian writer Holly Richardson, a second year English major, is committed to making her last year on Write the World a memorable one. In her Q&A, Holly offers advice on pursuing English at the university level and discusses her goals for carving out a career in the writing industry.

In your profile you write, "Because my nineteenth birthday is coming up, I won't be here much longer, and I'm trying to make the most of the time I have left on the site." What do you hope to gain from the rest of your time on Write the World? What have you gained thus far?

Write the World has helped me gain confidence as a writer from other young writers' comments and peer reviews. Compared to other sites I have used to interact with other writers, Write the World feels like a closer community where people truly care about helping one another as writers. I am hoping to both contribute to this community as well as receive more feedback in the time I have left.

You’re a second year college student studying English. What’s different about studying English at the university level?

English at the college level is much more open than high school English courses; instructors urge you to pick your own topics to write on and the essay format is looser giving you more room to argue your position on a subject. In addition, choosing specific English courses such as Detective Fiction or Children's Literature allows students to focus on their interests. And finally, college instructors provide feedback to help students improve as much as possible, so my writing has benefited greatly from that.

What advice do you have for young writers who are interested in pursuing English beyond high school?

First of all, I would say that an English degree does not lead to the most jobs. However, if you want to write professionally, or want to pursue a career in an English-related field, then it is a great way to start. Once you enroll, it is important to prioritize your classes so you get instruction in the type of writing you’d most like to explore. If you write poetry, be sure to enroll in a poetry workshop, and so on. Just don't expect too much course diversity until your second year.

Where do you see your writing taking you in the future?

This is a tough question because I am just starting to learn how to develop my writing. I would, however, like to publish a book with a fairly large publishing company. I have a long way to go, but I am willing to work for it. I am especially interested in writing to help people struggling with mental illnesses—whether that means helping people find refuge in fiction, or to provide support through nonfiction self-help books.

What is your hometown of Red Deer, Alberta, Canada like this time of year?

Around the holiday season, the stores are full of people and everywhere is busy. Even eating out on a weekday is difficult. The trees downtown are wrapped in colored lights, and the grass is covered in fluffy snow. Usually, it is much colder than this, but we're lucky this year, and it's hardly been below -10℃. It gets dark very early (about 5 pm), but it can be nice because I get to see the sun set almost every night, and the neighborhood Christmas lights turn on earlier.

About Holly

In her commentary on “Ankh”, Guest Judge Cath Crowley marveled at Korean writer Soo Young Yun’s ability to make “the reader feel as though, in a very short space of time, she has been taken through history and shown the future.” In our interview with Soo, she talks about how a trip to Egypt in the sixth grade made a lasting impression and inspired her prize winning piece. Soo also takes us through her editing cycle which includes a process of self-editing as well as enlisting the help of her friends, family, and the Write the World community.

What inspired you to write your piece, “Ankh”?

I actually visited Egypt during my sixth grade year. After touring the temple in Luxor, I became really interested in the hieroglyph “ankh,” which symbolizes life and eternity. There are so many aspects about Egypt—that go beyond photographs and documentaries about the pyramids and the Nile—that I became aware of only after visiting the country. I wanted to convey this revelation through “Ankh”.

Is “Ankh” part of a larger work?

It’s not currently part of a larger work, but I would like to extend this piece into a full-length novel, with each chapter named after a hieroglyph.

What was your process for editing this piece?

After vigorously editing my writing, I tend to let my work sit for a few days in order to read it again later with fresh eyes. For “Ankh”, I also asked some of my friends and family members to read it and give me their feedback. Even after I submitted it to the competition, I saw that AwkwardCrow had reviewed “Ankh”. I really enjoyed reading her comments on my piece.

Guest Judge Cath Crowley called your story, "a travel guide of Egypt." What steps did you take to make sure the story felt authentic to that area of the world?

It really helped that my story is based on a real-life experience. Although it was quite some time ago, I was able to pull out some pictures I had taken of memorable engravings and hieroglyphs during my trip to relive the experience again in my mind. Also, I did some research on Egypt to make the dialogue appear more realistic.

You're from South Korea, who are some of your favorite writers from your home country?

As a Peer Ambassador, young writer Antonia Harrison dedicates time each week to helping her fellow Write the World members improve their drafts. Last month, Antonia’s stellar review earned her much acclaim from guest judge Cath Crowley who deemed her the winner of Best Peer Review in our Novel Writing Competition. Today, Antonia reflects on the editing process and what she’s learned about her own writing from serving as a Write the World Ambassador.

What drew you to Becky H's piece?

I'm really attracted to pieces with a distinctive tone—maybe the writer is using descriptive phrases that I haven't heard before or conveying aspects of character through their voice. For me, this shows that the writing has genuine meaning to the writer and that they can project their own quirks and individuality onto the work. It's also refreshing to read something that nobody else could have written in the same way—it's more inspiring as a writer to be exposed to freshness and something new. This is what drew me to 'Suspicion'—the way it was written didn't stray into conventionality or cliché, but sustained a really personal element throughout.

You're one of our Peer Ambassadors. What does the role consist of and what has being an ambassador taught you?

As a Peer Ambassador, I write a set number of reviews per week in a fairly professional capacity and discuss with others what we have learned from such exposure to the review process. It's taught me a lot, partially because it's been really interesting to hear how others approach this and partially because the volume of reviews we write makes it possible to really evaluate how people respond to feedback and what's helpful. One thing that strikes me especially now is how important it is to encourage writers to keep at it. I frequently get responses to my reviews from people who haven't had their work acknowledged or commented on before and who have felt disheartened by this. As writers, we can all recognize this feeling, which is why it's so essential that we all encourage one another to keep going.

How has being a Peer Ambassador changed the way you view your own work?

The exposure I've had to lots of different styles of writing, and the way different individuals craft their work, has been so useful to me. You can only really consider how you want to articulate or scribe your thoughts when you've seen how others' emotions are manifested on the page. I'm more likely now to try to apply an original voice, for instance, because I've learned how engaging that can be to a reader and how it can make a piece stand out.

If you could get feedback on your work from any writer in history, who would it be and why?

This is so difficult to choose! There are a million people I could choose, but I'll say either D.H. Lawrence or Dylan Thomas because they both have a really unique, unmistakable style of writing that nobody can quite mimic. I'd love to be able to write in such a vivid way. Lawrence was also a stern social critic and offers really interesting social commentary, which I find very important!

You're a self described "activist, feminist and socialist." In what ways do your morals and/or political leanings influence your writing?

Language enthusiast Lei Mesina is on a quest to become a bonafide polyglot. Lei already speaks Japanese, Dutch, and American Sign Language, and has set herself the ambitious goal of learning ten different languages!  Imagine being able to speak to and understand people from all around the world?! As president of her school’s English Club, Lei also hopes to strengthen her grasp of English  while also expanding her knowledge of English speaking countries like England and the United States. Today, Lei talks more about why she gravitates to languages and the inspiration behind her stunning piece about seeing her very first snowfall.

You speak a number of languages including Dutch, Japanese, and American Sign Language. What do you love about learning new languages?

Learning another country's language makes me feel like a part of their culture. It's almost like a trip around the world. And I've always had an interest in words. I find it a curious process to be able to understand a certain combination of sounds and gestures and to be able to communicate with other people through them. 

You're the president of your school's English Club. Can you tell us more about this club and what a typical meeting is like?

My English Club has a variety of activities such as: watching English movies, eating foreign foods, and playing American games. I even played my first game of Monopoly and Scrabble in the English Club! The main goal is to be able to experience life outside of Japan. The things I enjoy most about English Club is  being able to speak freely with our American teacher and having fun with my friends. At the moment, my club only has four members which is the minimum number of members before the club is disbanded. One of my jobs as president of the club is to introduce our club to the school and  get new members. But other than that, my main duty is to borrow the keys to the Science Room where we usually do our activities.

Your Flash Autobiography response landed a spot in last month's Editor's Picks blog! Can you tell us a bit about your process for writing and editing this piece?

When I first read the description for the Flash Autobiography prompt, I ransacked my mind and knew that I would end up writing about that moment. My first encounter with snow fulfilled a lifelong dream of mine. Coming from the Philippines, I grew up in a warm climate where the closest thing to snow was rain. So when we moved to Japan, seeing snow was one of my most anticipated moments. I mindlessly typed what I saw and suddenly realized I was remembering things I didn't know I felt or thought at the time. The writing and editing process took about 45 minutes. It was one of my best experiences and I hope that other people find their own snow globes!

Who are some of your favorite writers?

Rick Riordan and Sabrina Benaim are two of my favorite writers. Rick Riordan has a gift of being able to continuously intertwine his writing with his great sense of humor. I honestly think he should write our textbooks! I've seen lots of his Youtube videos and he has taught me to never be afraid of rejection or criticism. There may be a time in a writer's life when they'll have to write a manuscript fourteen times. The most important thing about being a writer is to keep the passion burning.

Sabrina Benaim is a wonderful poet who made me realize my love for writing poetry. My first poem was written an hour after I watched her video, "Explaining My Depression To My Mother: A Conversation". Something about seeing her read her poetry out loud makes poetry less of a mythical thing to me. It turns fairy tales into flesh. And for that, Sabrina Benaim will always be a special writer to me. 

Where do you see writing taking you in the future?

I've only started writing last year, and I have yet to explore its tiniest corners. There's plenty of room to strengthen my prose, my sentence rhythm, and expand my vocabulary. I can see myself writing novels and poetry, but I can also see myself as an editor. As young writers, we have time to explore and discover our strengths when it comes to words. We also have many chances to discover new things but I can always see myself coming back to the one thing that’s come so naturally into my life.

About Lei Mesina

Christopher Labaza used to hate writing about himself. He preferred to pen fantastical stories  set in fictional lands. But recently, the North Carolinian has challenged himself to write stories rooted in reality and to write more introspectively. This, says Christopher, has helped him see others in a new light. In today’s Featured Writer Q&A, Christopher elaborates on the evolution of his writing and where he sees his craft taking him in the future.

Your piece "Two Mutts" was named Runner Up in our Flash Fiction Competition! What kind of experience, if any, did you have with this genre prior to entering the competition? Can you tell us a bit about your writing process for this story?

I actually really love flash fiction. It's nice and short but packs a punch. It forces the writer to only include the essential parts of the story. When you only have 99 words, each one must be perfect. The key to writing excellent flash fiction is giving the narrator a distinct and powerful voice. Your words don’t have to be eloquent or flowery. Sometimes, depending on the theme or purpose of the story, I like to give it a rough edge by using almost broken English.

I like to hinge my stories off one, or a few, simple ideas. These ideas may pertain to a certain character, place, or phrase. In the case of "Two Mutts”, I began with the image of a "spitting sky”. From there, the character blossomed. And from the character, a story. Once I had the gist of the story down on paper, I checked my word count and then began to chip away at the expendable words and ideas. I really think it came alive in the editing process. That was where the narrator's voice stuck out and all the other pieces fell into place.

Who or what are some of your biggest writing inspirations?

For a long time, I was afraid of writing about myself. I wanted to put my story in fantasy worlds where I would never go, or to write about things that I could distance myself from. But after some intense thinking, I saw the flaw in my reasoning. I began to look inside myself to find my own voice. It's almost like I use myself as a specimen for studying people, both as individuals and in relation to one another. This has really helped me come to understand others in a new light. I can project myself onto them, which is kind of like walking in their shoes. And another part of that is letting others walk in your shoes.

I’m also inspired by people. In A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens says, "A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other." I am inspired to write to try to unlock those secrets and to share the secrets of myself with others.

You come from a family of five boys. What's it like having a big family—especially one with so many boys?

It is nice to have a gang of companions to hang out with—even if we do quarrel sometimes. We tend to enjoy the same things and we are always very busy. My poor parents run around all over the place to try and keep up with up with us between school, clubs, soccer practices, etc. But I think the best part about being from a big family is that you’re never alone. You always have a buddy to start something new with, and there’s always someone to talk to or play with. Sometimes it is hard to get away from it all to sit down and write, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Where do you see your writing taking you in the future?

I hope that I can make a living out of writing some day. A year or so ago, I had no idea what I wanted to do with myself. I was young, bright, hard working, and very curious, which basically meant I could be anything I wanted to be. With endless possibilities, it was hard to choose a path to follow. But, in the past year, I have been writing a lot more. It’s really the only thing I want to do. Luckily, there are many routes a writer can take—from technical writing to journalism to creative writing. If everything works out the way I hope it will, I will become a novelist and write and dream all day long.

When and where do get your best writing done?

For me, there is no perfect place, but rather a Goldilocks zone. I prefer to write on my laptop, but I also will write on my phone from time to time. And I like to write when it is quiet. But if not, I can always put in my ear buds and drown out the noise with music. I find it a lot easier to write at night, but it’s not a necessity.

You're from Raleigh, North Carolina. If you had to create mini travel guide for someone visiting the area, which attractions and activities would you put on the list?

From a quiet village in Norfolk, England, Ruby W. dreams of becoming a fashion journalist, penning pieces for internationally read publications like Vogue magazine. In preparation for what a life as a writer might entail, Ruby has committed herself to writing each day—even if only for ten minutes. Today, Ruby, our newest Featured Writer, shares more on her long term goals as a writer and her process for perfecting her craft through practice and revision.

You've published 60 pieces on Write the World! How do you find the time to write?

It’s something that’s important to me and so I will always try and make time for it, even if I’m busy all day. Sometimes I will just do it for ten minutes before I go to school or I’ll write for the whole afternoon as it’s something you can easily pick up—it doesn’t matter when or where I am because ideas can come at any moment.

Who are some of your biggest writing inspirations?

Lauren Child is one of the first authors I ever read. Her unique and interesting writing style has always inspired me. When I was really young, I loved her book Charlie and Lola. Then I moved on to other Lauren Child books such as Clarice Bean and Ruby Redfort. They’re all completely different stories and characters but they always spoke to me and have never failed to make me smile. I aspire to write pieces that make the reader feel the same way. I also admire Rupi Kaur—I discovered her on social media,  never having been interested in poetry until that moment—she uses beautiful language and imagery and even her most simple pieces are still captivating and accessible to so many people.

You published a number of versions of your Flash Fiction Competition entry, can you tell us about your revision process?

I think it’s important to play around with what you’ve written—even if you’re happy with it—because even changing the word order in a sentence can dramatically change the atmosphere of a piece and make it easier to read. My first drafts are often quite clunky and rearranging my work helps to refine it. I always have a thesaurus open in another tab as I am prone to repeating words, and expanding my vocabulary adds depth to my descriptions. Peer reviews also play a big part in revising my work. Other people can spot mistakes or areas that need work that I am too close to see. I like having other people’s input in my writing because the more ideas and points of view I receive from my peers, the more accessible it becomes.

What inspired you to write "Generation Z," your piece about the ways in which you feel your generation has been mischaracterized?

I saw a quote from a teacher in the 1800s talking about how he thought that it was ridiculous that the younger generation was writing on paper instead of slate as eventually one day they’d run out of paper. It made me think about how younger generations have always been criticized because they live very different lives from those older than them. Our generation is often criticized for spending too much time on the internet, or not appreciating the written word or the world around us, which isn’t necessarily the case; times have just changed and our lives will be very different from the lives of teenagers twenty years ago, as will the lives of teenagers twenty years from now. Yet people are quick to disagree with change even though it is inevitable and how societies prosper.

In your bio, you mention that one day you'd love to be a fashion writer and pen pieces for Vogue. What do you love about fashion and fashion journalism?

Fashion is something that affects almost everyone’s life in some way. Whether you are interested in it or not, everybody wears clothes and they play a big part in how we present ourselves to the world. Furthermore, fashion journalism combines two of the things I love most in the world: clothes and writing. In fashion, there is never a dull moment—there’s always something to write about. Writing about fashion also offers a way to be involved in the industry even if you can’t backstitch to save your life! One of my favorite publications is Vogue Runway, which is a newsletter I receive over email. It focuses more on designer and runway coverage rather than beauty tips and what celebrities are wearing. I like to read about the lines, collections and shows and to stay up to date with what’s happening in the industry.   

About Ruby, In Her Own Words