Recently publishYOUth spoke with Julieanne Larick, an amazing Best of the Net-nominated writer and poet from Ohio! With work published in perhappened mag, Blue Marble Review, and more, Julieanne has wonderful advice for finding great opportunities. She was also an editorial intern at Girls' Life Magazine and is a prose reader for GASHER Journal. Here we spoke with Julieanne about her experience studying English, finding writing inspiration, and her advice for her young writers!
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What drives your passion for writing?
JL: My passion for writing and poetry is derived from the nooks and crannies of life. It comes from the small, mundane things or phrases that I want people to notice for their rest. I love highlighting my past and present worries, and poetry is the most natural format for that expression; stillness into energy. Most of all, I feel a dense churning to write, especially after a hiatus from writing poems. It’s an electric feeling that doesn’t disappear unless I put pen to paper (or, more realistically, finger to keyboard).
You have a large amount of experience with contests and publications, as you have been published by Blue Marble Review, perhappened mag, and more! Can you describe your experiences with submitting and how you prepare for it?
JL: First comes the poem (obviously). I don’t particularly like to edit poems excessively, as there is a delicate balance between clarity and sanitization. After letting the poem settle for a few days, I look at my list of magazines and find who is accepting submissions and if any of them have themes that fit my writing. Often, I will write poetry specifically for a contest, which often inspires some creative takes on universal themes. I recommend that everyone try prompts, especially after writing droughts, as they can motivate you to create something weird and wonderful.
Your poem in Hecate Magazine is a vividly captivating piece. What inspires your writing, and how do you bring those ideas to life on paper?
JL: That poem was my first attempt at a duplex, a modified sonnet invented by Jericho Brown. I tried to convey the feeling of falling through the final words of each line, concentrating on movement rather than precision. My writing is usually inspired by a phrase I hear or think of; the specific words and general themes spin from there. I have a note on my phone filled to the brim with ideas, from early-morning contemplations (All photos of Niagara Falls look the same) to abandoned novel plots (Girl in couple turns into bunny and her husband has to keep her until they die). The phrase evokes the feeling, never the other way around.
You were an Editorial Intern with Girls’ Life Magazine! What was that experience like, and what did it teach you about journalism?
JL: Interning at Girls’ Life Magazine was my first experience with journalism, one that proved immensely helpful in my development as a writer and researcher. I had freedom when pitching articles, so I tried to write about environmental news and sustainability in fashion. The readership is pretty young, so I wanted their first exposure to these topics to be positive and teachable, to spark action and foster mindfulness. I learned that quick writing is essential to an effective article, and this mindset has translated into writing poetry with less fluff. I recommend that anyone aching to write accessible, snappy articles on topics they’re passionate about apply to Girls’ Life Magazine.
What has had the biggest impact on your writing thus far?
JL: Starting my editorial experience at The Incandescent Review had the most significant impact on my writing. I began as a poetry reader and prose contributor before getting promoted to Creative Writing Manager, though I recently had to step down because of time concerns. However, it was my official introduction to the world of youth writing. By examining my own preferences for poetry when reading through submissions, I translated my observations to better my writing. I also made many friends in literary social circles who motivate my love for poetry; reading other young people’s work is a motivator for creating my own.
As a college student majoring in English Literature, what have you learned from your studies? What is your advice for students looking to pursue writing in college and beyond?
JL: As an English Literature student, exposure to novels and poems from all different cultures, eras, themes, and people has provided a wide range of inspiration for my writing. I am also minoring in environmental sciences, as climate justice is an issue I am passionate about and has influenced themes in my poems as well. I’ve received conflicting advice on studying creative writing in college; some advise to major in another subject, whether it be history or neuroscience, and study writing on your own time. The best way to improve is to do, not wait to do. Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you’re wasting your education for studying English or writing. Writing well is a difficult skill to foster, one that is crucial to success outside of academia.
You’re a prose reader for GASHER Journal! What advice do you have for youth looking to submit, and is there anything upcoming that you can tell us about?
JL: Being a prose reader for GASHER Journal has made me a more thoughtful writer. I have read almost 1000 pieces since starting in January, and through observing my likes and dislikes, I can easily meddle with the inner workings of a story. Youth looking to submit should be honest in their work and learn precision; linger in the right places. Publication isn’t about age; it’s about how much the story resonates.
What are your writing plans for Fall 2021?
JL: To simply put words on a page is my goal. It’s been a while since I wrote creatively since I overscheduled myself this summer, and I can’t get myself to sit down and write. Brain fatigue is real! With interning at Girls’ Life Magazine, working as a teaching assistant, doing freelance editorial work, volunteering at the Sunrise Movement, and trying to maintain a sense of reality, I haven’t had the chance to prioritize creativity. Finally outlining my novel would be nice too!
9. Finally, what advice do you have for young writers in general?
JL: Stay off Twitter if you recently began writing. I know that’s controversial advice, and Twitter has a hub of young writers with astounding talent, but it can be a detriment to your mental health and self-confidence. You only see people’s achievements; their publications, their competition wins, their readings. This illusion can make you feel like you’re falling behind; you compare your failures with your peers’ successes. Remind yourself that you have intrinsic value regardless of how many magazines you've been published in or where you are in your writing journey. Engaging in youth workshops is a fantastic way to connect with young writers and give advice while maintaining your own style (there are plenty online and in-person for affordable prices). However, my most important piece of advice is, DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Enough said!
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Special thanks to Julieanne Larick for her participation in this interview and the writing community! Feel free to follow her writing online, and stay tuned for her upcoming work!