Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - November/December 2012 - (Page 27)

I have been passionate about writing for many years, but I had never shared any of my work. I applied to this program at Duke TIP because I wanted to improve my skills as a writer—and because I knew I would have to allow people to read my writing. The location of the course—Ghost Ranch, New Mexico—also influenced my decision to apply: we would be away from technology, hiking and exploring New Mexic o as we collected inspiration for our writing. I experienced people’s reactions to my writing rsthand, which helped me see if my message was coming across. My confidence as a writer grew with workshops and readings, and I became comfortable sharing my work and asking for feedback. My most important writing experience happened on a hike. Deep in Box Canyon, we were scattered about on large boulders prepared to write. We were instructed to do a stream-of-consciousness free write for 10 minutes, while one of our instructors gave us random words—tattoo, kitchen sink, tequila—to incorporate. From this activity emerged one of my favorit e pieces of writing, excerpted here: I dipped my feet into the ice cold pond and buried my toes deep in the clay tHinkstOck TAYLOR YARB ROU GH A WR ITE R’S ART a Summer bottom, breathing deeply....I had come to this foreign land, alone, to grow up. To get lost on the trails. To become an adult. A movement around my ankle caught my eye—a small vibrati on. Another tremble and I found the source: my dove tattoo. It began to hum with energy, its wings beating slowly. Picking up speed. Pressing down on my foot with the down beat, then lifting from my skin. His flight pattern wobbled as he tested his wings. He gradua lly strayed further from me. He twisted and turned mid-flight, testing new techniques. He flew upside down. Brushed the surface of the water. Here I sat, far away from the flat, wet lands of home, far from even the bare room I have been pretending is home, miles into the mountainous terrain, longing to take my own flight and find my place. To find my freedom. Taylor Yarbro ugh is a senior at Monsi gnor kelly catho lic High schoo l in beaum ont, tX, where she plays varsity volley ball and is a memb er of the nation al Honor societ y as well as severa l service organi zation s. she is now in the proces s of applyi ng to colleg e, where she hopes to study chemical engineering. set high on a concrete foundation. Clotheslines stood guard at the house’s entrance, their colorful apparel a regal salute. The slatted door was propped open with a decrepit chair. So, I thought to myself: this is the home of a shaman. Our stories were based on real-life events and experiences. This made me uncomfortable at first; at school we rarely write about ourselves, so personal narrative was a foreign language. Before I understood what was “story worthy,” I nitpicked furiously through my 15 years in search of profound events. Over time, I learned that every moment is a potential story. My life is composed of not just two or three stories, but thousands of them. Maya Eliahou is a sophomore at Malibu High school in Malibu, ca. in her spare time she likes to read, write, press flowers, and knit. she lives in topanga, ca, with her parents, younger sister, and two cats, and never leaves home without a good book and her compass. Learn more about these and many more programs on pages 31-33. www.cty.jhu.edu/imagine imagine 27 http://www.cty.jhu.edu/imagine

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - November/December 2012

Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - November/december 2012
Contents
Big Picture
In My Own Words
Well of Dreams
Making History Personal
A World Full of Stories
The Month of Writing Dangerously
Japan Adventures
Storytelling 2.0
On the Frontline of Digital Journalism
Once Upon a Summer
Awakening the Storyteller
Selected Opportunities & Resources
On the Doorstep of Discovery
When You’re Ready to Do Research
Off the Shelf
Word Wise
Exploring Career Options
One Step Ahead
Planning Ahead for College
Students Review
Mark Your Calendar
Knossos Games

Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - November/December 2012