The Privilege of Being an Accomplished Writer

Being on a literary staff has proven to me over and over again how my body physically needs, desires, and uses writing. This magazine has displayed more of my insides and what I believe in more than anyone will ever realize. My opinions, my thoughts, even my own writing it in the thick margins of our books and posts. Every event I have helped plan and carry out are more than just rewarding for the grade in the class because when I walk away from a reading or marketing booth, I know that I’m leaving a part of me for the rest of the world to enjoy. The Élan Literary Magazine has even changed how I carry myself, because before this year I didn’t see myself as a writer or poet or artist. Before I truly started being involved in all the activities and social events Élan has done this year and engaging consistently in our community, I couldn’t put myself in any category. But as my life moves forward, I now know I have a welcoming, warm place in the literary world. Outside of the classroom, outside of Jacksonville, I feel like I’m a real member and admirer of literary art.

So far this year, my participation and involvement in all of our community events has skyrocketed. Events like Color Me Kona and Jax Book Fest have been platforms for local artists, young and old, to get out there in the community and get their work out there! There is so much more to writing than sitting in a room with my laptop open! There are people out there who care, who want to talk to you about it, and who admire any writers’ attempts at making art. Color Me Kona was one of the first events of the year that made everyone’s eyes on the staff open to how much potential and importance community events hold. When the Jax Book Fest came around this year, a chance for the staff and our fellow published writers to get their work spoken aloud in a microphone with a room full of people, it was all the more important and beautiful to experience. The clichés are true – we all need art to keep moving forward.

As a writer, I take my own work more seriously. And I know this seems like a weird, funny thing to say, considering the title of this essay, but I truly realized that my work speaks to people other than myself. People appreciate art in all its level, but I think sometimes we forget to appreciate our own work for what it is. Being able to see my art in a new light, it has made me grow as a humbler person. Now as a senior, I know my time on the staff is quickly coming to an end but as it does I have grown to understand more about myself as a leader and partner when it comes to these organizations. Without everyone on the staff, half the things we’ve achieved would have been impossible – that alone gives me comfort knowing that I was a part of something as wonderful and inspiring as Élan.

– Valerie Busto, Senior Fiction/CNF Editor

A Sanctuary for Growth

Most recently I was commissioned to create work that surrounded an exhibition presented at the Cummer Museum here in Jacksonville, as a part of the closing ceremony for the exhibit. I believe that Elan gave me the confidence and the courage to take advantage of the opportunity and let it stretch me as an artist. To not be afraid to admit I have things to say. To demand to be heard. I think one of the faults of being a writer, especially a student writer, is that when it comes to creating, we move through the world with our heads down; we forget that our work matters to people outside of ourselves. Elan asks the exact opposite of that from its staff members. As the Marketing Editor, I have had so many wonderful opportunities to be an active part of the Jacksonville arts and literary community. Sitting in a small room, such as the one I sat in during Jax Lit 3, and having a conversation about why art is important with people who see me as an artist is not an opportunity many people get to be a part of. I remember someone saying something like, “If one person is passionate about something, it will last, and if you are lucky enough to be surrounded by just a few others who are as passionate, anything is possible.” I feel as if, when it comes to the written word, I am always that passionate person. So Elan has given me the skills to take that passion and craft it into success. Every time I sit in one of those rooms I am shocked back into the root of why I continue to write. I am reminded that I am a creator, a maker. It’s who I am.

Through Elan, I’ve been asked to be present in the moment, to feed those connections and relationships with other artists, and to always consider what matters to me in my own life. After being on the Elan staff for almost two whole years, I’ve come to realize I’m skilled beyond just my writing. That’s something that I used to be insecure about because I would look around a room at so many people who had so many skills, and I felt they could better apply to the “real world” and the ideals that are pressed upon society in day to day life. And there I was, someone who was good at telling stories. But I’ve sat in so many rooms with so many talented and successful people, now, who are doing the same things I’m doing that I could never possibly believe, again, that my skills don’t matter or add up to anything.

Moving forward, I plan to continue immersing myself in the world of the written word and pursuing an MFA in poetry. With Tiffany Melanson as the Staff Advisor, I’ve been encouraged to understand myself and my work outside of the confines of school walls. I think without Elan I would have never had the chance to see myself, really take a step-back and look at myself. Elan has been my sanctuary for growth.

– Lex Hamilton, Senior Marketing/Public Relations Editor

Coffee House: Catalyst

Seeing Elan put together Coffee House has been my most rewarding experience on this  publication. Although, events like Homecoming required similar amounts of work, and the work was all worth it, Coffee House is so unique to DA and the creative writing department that I am exponentially more drawn to it.

2018 marked my third year attending Coffee House. I was a member of the core team involved with planning the program, and did everything from help generate ideas for decoration to physically setting up hours before the performance. (Compare that to freshman year, when I didn’t even know Elan put on the event.) The night-of, I was immensely proud of our department. I honestly wish I had invited more people. Coffee House has always been such an immersive and moving display of the creative writers here…I don’t know of any other school that displays student talent so uniquely and so beautifully. Students from all departments (but primarily creative writing) create original performances such as poems, spoken word, songs, skits, dances, etc. have a night to showcase their work on a DA stage.

Obviously, as an Elan member, I felt proud about what we accomplished. But, more importantly, I felt proud as an artist. The vulnerability and bravery expressed that night is inspiring in ways I never could have imagined. One piece made me cry, every time, without fail—even at rehearsal. Staying after school, struggling with the details, cleaning up after…it was all worth it. I am always moved by this experience, and can’t wait to help again next year.

– Olivia Meiller, Junior Editor-in-Chief