What is your main source of inspiration?

I’m inspired by a lot of the artists I listen to, but when it comes to inspiration for what to write, it just comes to me. I’ll be doing whatever when suddenly an idea manifests in my mind and I have to drop everything to write it down before I lose it.

What motivated you to write this piece?

This poem was first an assignment for my creative writing elective, then a submission to the literary fair. I was motivated by the deadline. On a more personal level, I wrote this poem because I wanted to clear some of the confusion in my head by expressing my raw feelings on love. I’d also never written a love poem before, so I wanted to try something new.

Do you write sporadically or regularly?

Whenever an idea pops into my head, so sporadically.

What artists and/or writers inspired or influenced your work?

I drew inspiration from “She” by Dodie, “Strawberry Blonde” by Mitski, and various works from Melanie Martinez, Natalie Chavez, and girl in red.

What was the most difficult part of your writing process for this work?

The last stanza. I was struggling to write a nice, neat conclusion to my poem that I was confident in.

What is your ideal writing environment?

I wish I could say something poetic, like under the cool shade of a tree or curled up on a sofa in front of a crackling fireplace, but I usually just write in my bed.

How do you resonate with your piece? Why is it personal to you?

The concept of love poems themselves are personal, but this one is really significant to me because I wrote it around the time I started questioning my romantic identity.

What message do you hope to convey to the reader through your piece?

I want the people who read my poem to feel like they’re visiting the cozy little scene I described. If my writing can transport you to a different world, then I’m doing it right.