First Blog Post!
- Evelyn
- Apr 11
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 11
Wow. Give me a second; I need to take it all in. I can't believe I have an actual website; my name is on it and everything. I'm not much for introductions, so I'll make it brief. I'm Evelyn - a freelance writer, editor, and poet. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science from NC State University. I graduated in May 2025 and got a position at NC State Veterinary Hospital. I had my dream job. Retirement fund, insurance, library access, and free education. What more could I ask for? I had the next 3 years of my life planned: get my RVT, become a veterinary anesthesiologist, and use my degree to find work in New York. I was at the point where I could sign up for the NC State-sponsored schooling, but I was hesitating. After working with animals for 3 years, I couldn't shake the feeling that I could be doing more. My entire life up to that point was tied to animal work. It's who I was, and I was good at it. For the first time in my life, I asked myself, Does this make me happy? The answer made my hair stand on end. It brought me to tears and made me rethink everything I thought I knew I was... No, I'm not happy. I had to realize that if that were true, then what have I spent the last 8 years doing? Where do I go from here? What would happen to my 3 year plan? All these questions were ringing in my mind, but above all, what would make me happy? I thought back to the final semester of my final year of college, when I took an Introduction to Poetry class. At the risk of sounding egotistical, I think I was at a higher level than for whom the course was designed. At that point, I had been writing poetry for a year. I never formally studied; I only knew what I liked and didn't like. The course book that we were assigned to read, "The Poet's Companion: A Guide to the Pleasures of Writing Poetry" by Dorianne Laux and Kim Addonizio, I had already read it months before I took the class simply because a friend recommended it. Still, the classroom environment fostered collaboration, and I was more than willing to share my enthusiasm for writing with my peers and professor. I often participated in discussions far more than I had to, so much so that my professor requested that I allow other students to contribute. My classmates would approach me via email or outside of class and ask for my feedback or opinion on poems they were writing outside of our typical peer review sessions. This collaborative writing experience was the sole reason that I would come to campus in person some days. I also had a close relationship with my professor, who I would ask to personally annotate my work, as well as recommendations for books of poetry to read. Their favorite book was Tantalus in Love by Alan Shapiro. It is an amazing book, and I recommend it if you have access to a library.
Over those 5 months, I had fallen hopelessly in love with writing. I scoured book after book, taking in all that the world of literature had to offer. In addition to this, I became a regular at the Chime-In Open Mic Nights at Lanza's Cafè. The welcoming scene encouraged me to write more, experimenting with and honing my craft. Having a space to perform my art and interact with the poetry community in Carrboro fueled me with confidence in my writing. I had the realization that it was here - among writers, poets, artists, and people who just want to be heard - that I was happy, truly happy. I love writing, and I want to share that passion with as many people as I can. The ante is set. The cards are on the table, and I'm all in. — Evelyn
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