Singing Beach
Gemma C.
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The submitted pieces are part of a year-long school assignment where I write a 60-page collection of creative nonfiction. The story is part of my ultimate goal to create a published chapbook.
I chose this piece because, as nonfiction, it represents my personality and perspective on the world. It exemplifies literary techniques that I have worked to develop. I view art as a form of expression, and creative nonfiction helps me articulate myself. I like nonfiction because I am an active participant in my writing. Writing nonfiction forces me to consider how I incorporate my learned experience into my work. Creative nonfiction forces me to think critically about balancing fact and fabrication for the best possible outcome. I have to learn how to evaluate my story individually from my personality. Writing creative nonfiction is an exciting intellectual challenge that connects my love of words with my inner self.
I’ve been interested in reading and writing since childhood but didn’t learn writing academically until high school. For the past four years, I’ve been a part of an intensive creative writing course at my school, where I’ve taken classes in poetry, fiction, spoken word, playwriting, creative nonfiction, and more. I’ve developed critical analysis skills that have made me more perceptive to the world and the media I consume. I’ve shared what I’ve learned in school by tutoring writing and teaching poetry/personal narrative workshops. My mission with my artwork is to connect people with shared experiences of childhood and growing up.
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Creativity is my outlet. In writing and with glitter, I allow things to be messy. Through creative writing, I'm able to turn messes into words. I concoct horror stories that materialize my fears, describe characters as brave as I aspire to be, and confront myself through nonfiction.
