How I Know That The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword: First Hand Experience

I always wrote for myself. I had some things published in small, local literary magazines, but I always wondered where my writing would actually take me. What was the point of all of these metaphors and pretty language? I knew I wasn’t going to make a career out of my poems, but I did want to reap something more out of the skills I have grown. Over this past summer, that very thing took flight.

After an abusive relationship, mentally and physically, during second semester of last year, I was able to be free during my summer months. I happily drowned myself within the love of my family, beaches, reading, and of course–writing. I spent MONTHS editing a piece for The Odyssey. The Odyssey is a great, and simple way to get your thoughts published for all to see. But I wouldn’t know the effect that my words would have on people… it was absolutely life changing, and that is why I continue writing today. I wrote all of my feelings into one comprehensive piece about my relationship and how I felt during, and after, it. Putting all of those thoughts on paper, and compiled into one simple document literally took the thoughts out of my mind and my overthinking complexity, while diminishing my anxiety and overall, making me happy. It was my own therapy. But little did I know how many people I would help in the process, and who ultimately my piece would reach. I titled my piece “To The Girl With The Broken Heart”, because when I had my heart broken, I didn’t have that ‘big sister’ figure to give me wisdom and help me out. I wanted to be that person to the girl who needed it at any given moment–no matter who they were or where they lived. I wanted to get to her. Because I was once, her.

I published my piece, and I got SO much feedback, so quickly it was unreal. Girls who I didn’t even know, from Ohio, and Texas, personally messaged me telling me their stories and how they resulted in eating disorders and suicidal thoughts due to a boy, but my article aided them into believing more in who they were and how he should not have that power over her. My friends texted me the most encouraging things, and saying that they were tearing up from my words and that my piece meant so much. The texts, and messages, and overwhelming support blew my mind, and made me realize how much my words can help and affect people. Even just yesterday, my cousin called me and told me she recently re-read my article because she needed to. And my roommate has it bookmarked on her homepage so it’s at her disposal. When I returned to school in the fall, girls would come up to me at frat parties asking me if I was “the girl with the broken heart” and if I wrote the article. I told them yes, and one young lady literally started hugging me and crying, telling me how I helped her so much and she felt like she knew me. All of these compliments in person, shares on Facebook, and love and support, really encouraged my confidence in my writing, and in myself.

But, nothing will compare to when he read my piece. He read it, and told one of his friends, who then told me his ‘thoughts’ on it. He stated that it was far too ‘over the top’, and that it ‘doesn’t bother him’. But, my goal wasn’t for it to bother him. It wasn’t even for him–it was for me, and for the girl who needed it. But the fact that he read it proves A LOT. And that he claims to have brushed it off proves even more.

I often refer to women as ‘queens’. I think that is the ultimate word to describe people, and I especially use it for myself. Not in an arrogant or gloating way, but in a perfectly proud, and confident sense. I always wear a bracelet with a small crown on it, to remind myself that I know what I am worth. After my break up, that defined me in the best possible way. I knew what I deserved, and I became much more comfortable and confident after finding myself. So, I wear this bracelet as a reminder that I am important, and I am beautiful, and I am smart–and I know that. And I wish more people had this realization overall, that everyone is worth it. I wrote my Odyssey piece specifically for this purpose, and I will continue to write, with this end goal in mind, always.

 

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/girl-and-her-broken-heart

Snark Zuckerberg

As a person, I strive to be clever always. I appreciate witty repartee and intelligent comebacks. So, usually in my writing, that snarky-ness can come out. Especially at the very start/development while establishing myself as a poet, because I would just naturally write whatever came to mind. The voice just came out onto the paper. With this, came a very strong sense of self. That confidence then even reflected back into my reality. Writing has truly helped me to mature as a person. It has been my own therapy sessions, and progress of growth. I would go back and forth with the paper, constantly finding new ways to express myself, trust myself, and love myself. I became comfortable on the paper with my ability to write, and because of that, I became comfortable in my own skin. I am proud that I have developed in this and look forward to where even more vigorous writing can take me as a poet, and person.

Now in my writing, I think my voice and style has changed–for the better. I focus less on my sassy qualities of just pure, raw emotion/passion, and drive more towards sonic sounds and content. I truly think I am a fiction writer at heart because my poems always lean towards more narrative, but I will never let go of poetry. In my poetry, regardless of my more established sense of self, I do still want to try and experiment with more techniques. I want to try different perspectives, I am ALWAYS in first person. But perhaps my strengths lie in other areas that I haven’t even touched upon. There are many strengths while using second person, or even third person. I want to more immerse my reader into the sense of place and feeling that I try to so vividly paint for them. I think different point of views are a great place to start. BUT, I will never forget my roots of the 13 year old girl with an attitude who fell in love with poetry. A part of me while always have that snap to my writing and passion. I am proud of that sense of awareness and am excited to see where else it will propel me.

 

SoundCloud

Sound is evident everywhere and created by our very own vibrations. But, the sound on our paper does not have any sort of real resonance, obviously. Because of this, writers must create sound by themselves with their deliberate word choice and punctuation. Many small factors can influence how a word is said out loud or read on the page. Some of these factors include hyphens, em dashes, or specific letters strung together. 

As of my enlightenment of the phrase “Hedge-crickets sing”, I will be sure to pay more attention to how I compile words around a specific moment of emphasis. Within my past as a writer, I usually do work with similar sounds because I like the chewiness and necessity of saying something out loud to mirror its importance.

Certain words specifically stick out to me while writing. I really enjoy writing about symbolism and sensitivity of teeth. So, surrounding the word teeth, I incorporate words that have a similar T, or clacking noise to mimic chattering. Or, when discussing a long journey, I write with longer vowels to show the propulsion of dense movement.

In class, during the end exercise, I wrote some lines that I want to work further with because the sounds had potential. One of the phrases was “orange-red walls whaling”. I think that these words together are very chewy and sew into each other well. I like the sound of “orange-red” because the beginning of orange matches the R in red, while attached with the hyphen. Then the repeated momentum of the R and W makes the reader truly read this phrase and go through it slowly. I intend to place this line in some sort of fast paced, intense poem so these words force the reader to slow down. I also wrote another line that reads: “boot buckles strap and clack”.  I really like the sound of this phrase because of the repeated CK sound.

Overall, I enjoy where these repeated sounds are taking my writing while strung together. They prove emphasis, and add pace to the piece. Because the R and W slow down the piece while the CK add a rhythm and quicker momentum to the poem. I plan to continue these patterns and hopefully emerge something new from my writing.