Local writers Emily Olsen and Sara Hansen have published their poetry and creative nonfiction in emerge 16, an annual publication launching this month that is produced by students, faculty and industry guests of the Writer’s Studio and the Writer’s Studio Online at Simon Fraser University.
Emily, a recent graduate of The Writers Studio Online, completed a year in the fiction genre group and a month of cross-genre in Poetry. The online format suited her busy lifestyle while she worked full time and raised her children on the Saanich Peninsula.
Emily’s desire to write is something she kept hidden; afraid of rejection, she feared her writing wouldn’t be good enough. In this community of established and aspiring writers, Emily found a place where she belonged, a family of like-minded, creative souls.
“My lifelong dream of becoming a writer was realized when I was accepted into the writing program, but I had no idea the impact this would have on the rest of my life. Suddenly the world became friendlier, each experience became material for that next poem or character. I was able to stand confident in my being knowing that I was doing right by myself and setting a good example to my children. I’m now able to confidently share my work with my husband over a late night cup of tea.”
It wasn’t long into the program before she and her classmates discovered the advantage of the writers group: the support system and value of encouragement and feedback that the group environment allows. “Writing can be lonely and the process arduous; this online setting brought ‘friends’ into the late-night, stiff-necked deadline marathons,” Emily says.
Halfway through the program, Emily discovered that Sara Hansen, the mother of one of her son’s friends at school, was in the Nonfiction group the same year.
Sara is a stay-at-home mom of two elementary-school-age boys. The online writing program was the ideal passion Sara could dovetail into her family life.
“Like many parents, I want the best for my kids. I take the burnt piece of toast, the misshaped green bean or the crazy looking potato for myself and give the more aesthetically pleasing, often tastier, things to my family. Moms in general, I think, need to become a bit more selfish by doing more things for themselves. Writing makes me a happier person.”
Sara wanted to incorporate something in her life that was just for her. She was thrilled to be accepted into the program for herself and also because she feels one of the best things she can do for her kids is have her own life. For Sara, writing has always been a neglected love, and something she finds very cathartic. Although writing has been an isolating craft for her in the past, the program provided her a connection to like-minded people, greatly needed by this stay-at-home mom. Sara believes in setting the example to her kids that investing in her own life and actively pursuing self growth is vital to a happy life.
“Now that we’ve graduated the program, Emily and I continue to bounce ideas off each other, share in our successes and reach out for help with new writing endeavors. Nothing beats having another emerging writer, in a very similar situation, to meet with over coffee and share in the experience.”
Photo by www.nuttycake.com.
