We were lucky to catch up with Holly Walker recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Holly thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I don’t think there was anything I could do to speed up the process of learning about my craft. I think the idea of trying to speed up the process can be unhealthy or even something a person can obsess about. “Write what you know” is a rule I’ve lived by for all of my life, and so that’s what I did: I wrote about my experience and what I saw around me. Self awareness is key, but also being able to live in the moment. We are all so go go go (which I am guilty of). Sometimes it’s okay to allow yourself to live in the moment.
Holly, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am a college student studying creative writing, and I also own a typewritten poetry business. I’ve been writing custom poems on my typewriter for others since I was nineteen. I started on Twitter, and I would take any ideas people would give me and turn them into poems.
I believe doing this is an exchange of vulnerability. I pour my soul onto a piece of page in exchange for a stranger telling me about their life. Both things are vulnerable acts, and I think that’s what sets me apart from others. I write what I think people need to hear from me, and sometimes, that can be healing for others to read.
I want people to know how beautiful it is to be vulnerable. I hold these experiences really close to my heart. I am always amazed by how comfortable the space is during these moments, and I am glad I can be someone orchestrating that.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Seeing others connect with your work. THAT is definitely the most rewarding thing ever. Connecting with other creatives is also a beautiful and rewarding thing. My most cherished friendships are those who identify as creatives.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Fund the arts. FUND THE ARTS. Start with schools. School is where I learned about my craft. I wish more children had opportunities to nurture their craft. They might not have the resources to do so at home, and I think providing more opportunities in these schools is a great way to support artists and creative expression.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hollystypewriterpoetry.bigcartel.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/hollystwpoetry
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/hollystwpoetry