Carly Menker
Editor in Chief '17
In the world we live in, creativity often isn’t encouraged as much as I believe it should be. People are rarely encouraged to participate in an assignment that promotes free thinking and expression that is unlimited. My way of overcoming this issue has been through creative writing.
Recently, I finalized a project I had been working on for a while. My children’s book! It was published, and I was elated that my voice was finally out in the literary world. After being shaped by my own experiences, my book became my voice of persuasion to others so that they too could find their own way through the obstacles of life and be inspired not to be afraid to follow their own creative paths.
Just simply looking a children’s book, one would never know the amount of time and effort that catalyzes the magic behind the final product. In my case, my editor and I went through eight or nine different drafts, each with a unique array of issues. There was a time where the story had no plot, another time where a character had no purpose or direction. The hardest part of being an author is the criticism you face, the harshest critic being yourself.
You will find yourself wondering at 3 am, why doesn’t this motivation work? Or realize it’s the twentieth time you are proofing over the same three sentences. You will wish that your editor will simply just like your draft, so at least you will have a starting point for the next time. But, those thoughts, actions, and feelings will fade as soon as the second the book is placed in your hands. You will look at it, confused at first. Did I really write this?
You will be dumbstruck and awestruck as to how such juxtaposing feelings could occur at once: this intense elation but desperate sadness that the process is over. You will hear the chorus of voices. When is the next one? Are you still writing? How long did this take you? Did you enjoy it?
You will encounter the people who said they could have written it too. But, if that was the truth, then why didn’t you? If greatness and success were easy, then everyone would be successful and great.
My book is called Penelope and The Poetry Pirates (#1537790811). In it, Winter inspires everyone in Palpazoo with their writing. The Poetry Pirates have decided to kidnap Winter away because they selfishly want to keep him for their own. But, when Winter hears about this, he runs away, and everyone loses their inspiration for writing. The merchants of Palpazoo can’t create their advertising jingles, the Poetry Pirates can’t sing their sea chanteys, and Penelope can’t write her poetry. They need Winter back, with Penelope’s help, to save Palpazoo.
The book, Penelope and the Poetry Pirates, represents how I believe in my ideas and creativity enough to make it a physical reality to share with the world. The main message of the story is a metaphor for how most people struggle with expressing creativity but must make a change to be inspired or achieve a goal. I wrote this book because I enjoy evolving simple ideas into their own new world, and hope every struggling writer can learn to love the same. Writing isn’t an easy task, but, as shown through the character Winter in this story, a little inspiration goes a long way.
Calling myself a published author still sounds weird to me, but when your book has reached multitudes of people, shaping their life in some way or another no matter big or small, it is a feeling that is irreplaceable. Reading aloud to smiling children and having them look up at you with innocent eyes, is a moment that fills you with a sense of knowing, I did something good. By publishing my work, it has led to opportunities I never thought possible and chances I have only been granted because of the risks I took. It’s a nonchalantly exhilarating feeling, to simply be aware that you are making a difference in another person’s life.
Editor in Chief '17
In the world we live in, creativity often isn’t encouraged as much as I believe it should be. People are rarely encouraged to participate in an assignment that promotes free thinking and expression that is unlimited. My way of overcoming this issue has been through creative writing.
Recently, I finalized a project I had been working on for a while. My children’s book! It was published, and I was elated that my voice was finally out in the literary world. After being shaped by my own experiences, my book became my voice of persuasion to others so that they too could find their own way through the obstacles of life and be inspired not to be afraid to follow their own creative paths.
Just simply looking a children’s book, one would never know the amount of time and effort that catalyzes the magic behind the final product. In my case, my editor and I went through eight or nine different drafts, each with a unique array of issues. There was a time where the story had no plot, another time where a character had no purpose or direction. The hardest part of being an author is the criticism you face, the harshest critic being yourself.
You will find yourself wondering at 3 am, why doesn’t this motivation work? Or realize it’s the twentieth time you are proofing over the same three sentences. You will wish that your editor will simply just like your draft, so at least you will have a starting point for the next time. But, those thoughts, actions, and feelings will fade as soon as the second the book is placed in your hands. You will look at it, confused at first. Did I really write this?
You will be dumbstruck and awestruck as to how such juxtaposing feelings could occur at once: this intense elation but desperate sadness that the process is over. You will hear the chorus of voices. When is the next one? Are you still writing? How long did this take you? Did you enjoy it?
You will encounter the people who said they could have written it too. But, if that was the truth, then why didn’t you? If greatness and success were easy, then everyone would be successful and great.
My book is called Penelope and The Poetry Pirates (#1537790811). In it, Winter inspires everyone in Palpazoo with their writing. The Poetry Pirates have decided to kidnap Winter away because they selfishly want to keep him for their own. But, when Winter hears about this, he runs away, and everyone loses their inspiration for writing. The merchants of Palpazoo can’t create their advertising jingles, the Poetry Pirates can’t sing their sea chanteys, and Penelope can’t write her poetry. They need Winter back, with Penelope’s help, to save Palpazoo.
The book, Penelope and the Poetry Pirates, represents how I believe in my ideas and creativity enough to make it a physical reality to share with the world. The main message of the story is a metaphor for how most people struggle with expressing creativity but must make a change to be inspired or achieve a goal. I wrote this book because I enjoy evolving simple ideas into their own new world, and hope every struggling writer can learn to love the same. Writing isn’t an easy task, but, as shown through the character Winter in this story, a little inspiration goes a long way.
Calling myself a published author still sounds weird to me, but when your book has reached multitudes of people, shaping their life in some way or another no matter big or small, it is a feeling that is irreplaceable. Reading aloud to smiling children and having them look up at you with innocent eyes, is a moment that fills you with a sense of knowing, I did something good. By publishing my work, it has led to opportunities I never thought possible and chances I have only been granted because of the risks I took. It’s a nonchalantly exhilarating feeling, to simply be aware that you are making a difference in another person’s life.
Winter inspires everyone in Palpazoo with their writing. The Poetry Pirates have decided to kidnap Winter away, because they selfishly want to keep him for their own. But, when Winter hears about this, he runs away and everyone loses their inspiration for writing. Winter is nowhere to be found. The merchants of Palpazoo can't create their advertising jingles, the Poetry Pirates can't sing their sea-chanteys, and Penelope can't write her poetry. Will Winter ever come back with the help of Penelope's rescuing skills, and save Palpazoo?
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