What does being a part of the literary magazine The Creative Conductormean to you?

I used to never show my work. The Conductor helps, as it’s a relatively low-pressure way to at least put it out there and let it be read on a local level. 

How has writing impacted you?

Writing has given me a way to storytell and express emotions in a way that goes across mediums. Like my writing experience translates to how I write songs, and to how I take pictures, and so on. It really enriches my life as well, but I find it most impactful in how it lays a foundation for whatever I do. 

What advice do you have for upcoming creative writing students?

Write what you know. Writing from lived experience creates full, profound writing, and honestly can make writing a lot quicker as you can avoid research. I don’t mean this to say don’t ever write anything you haven’t experienced—I do this all the time—rather just keep your own experiences in the back of your head as you write, and don’t be afraid to write in an alter ego, no matter how mundane your life may seem. 

Favorite high school memory? 

Band concerts, especially adjudication. I loved to leave it all out there, to use all my energy for one performance.

What are your plans after high school?  

I declared biology as my major, and would go on to study ecology or ornithology if I choose that track but I am torn between that and a career in writing/music/photography. Music is number one though, it’s been my dream forever.