By Sunny Li
“Poetry and prose transport me into fascinating worlds and give me opportunities to see things through different eyes,” stated Elisa Sung, a talented poet and prose writer. At the age of 12, an age at which most of us have limited to no exposure poems and prose, Elisa Sung wrote her first poem for fun. Fortunately, this casual interest initiated her journey of writing, leading to her serious interest in poetry at 14, her first short story at 14 and a half, and eventually her aspiration of pursuing writing as a career.
“I write almost every day,” touted Elisa. She has participated in the National Novel Writing Month (where writers of all levels write 50,000 or more words in a month in November), and plans to continue such pursuit, with one of her goals being to write a novel in every genre available.
When asked about her preferred style, she expressed that she mainly writes about romance, although sometimes delivers her ideas through different media such as sci-fi and fantasy stories. For poetry, she writes both free verse and rhyming poems, but lately, she’s has found herself writing more of the former kind.
Many poets and writers have inspired and influenced Elisa, guiding her to develop her own style. Her favorite poets include Edgar Allan Poe, for she enjoys his dramatic writing style, as well as Emily Dickinson, one of America's greatest and most original poets of all time. As for stories, she likes the humorous writing style of Rick Riordan, the simplistic yet effective styles of Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games trilogy) and Veronica Roth (Divergent trilogy), and the descriptiveness of Anthony Doer's writing ("All the Light We Cannot See").
Observing nature, reading books, watching movies, and finding writing prompts online have become daily pursuits of Elsia. “Reading poetry and literature inspires me when I feel unmotivated,” shared Elisa. “It also cheers me up when I'm having a bad day.”
As a rather experienced writer, she advises beginners to never throw away any story or poem idea. In her own words, “it might sound dumb or insufficient at first, but after playing with the idea for a while, the seed will grow into a lovely flower”.
“Poetry and prose transport me into fascinating worlds and give me opportunities to see things through different eyes,” stated Elisa Sung, a talented poet and prose writer. At the age of 12, an age at which most of us have limited to no exposure poems and prose, Elisa Sung wrote her first poem for fun. Fortunately, this casual interest initiated her journey of writing, leading to her serious interest in poetry at 14, her first short story at 14 and a half, and eventually her aspiration of pursuing writing as a career.
“I write almost every day,” touted Elisa. She has participated in the National Novel Writing Month (where writers of all levels write 50,000 or more words in a month in November), and plans to continue such pursuit, with one of her goals being to write a novel in every genre available.
When asked about her preferred style, she expressed that she mainly writes about romance, although sometimes delivers her ideas through different media such as sci-fi and fantasy stories. For poetry, she writes both free verse and rhyming poems, but lately, she’s has found herself writing more of the former kind.
Many poets and writers have inspired and influenced Elisa, guiding her to develop her own style. Her favorite poets include Edgar Allan Poe, for she enjoys his dramatic writing style, as well as Emily Dickinson, one of America's greatest and most original poets of all time. As for stories, she likes the humorous writing style of Rick Riordan, the simplistic yet effective styles of Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games trilogy) and Veronica Roth (Divergent trilogy), and the descriptiveness of Anthony Doer's writing ("All the Light We Cannot See").
Observing nature, reading books, watching movies, and finding writing prompts online have become daily pursuits of Elsia. “Reading poetry and literature inspires me when I feel unmotivated,” shared Elisa. “It also cheers me up when I'm having a bad day.”
As a rather experienced writer, she advises beginners to never throw away any story or poem idea. In her own words, “it might sound dumb or insufficient at first, but after playing with the idea for a while, the seed will grow into a lovely flower”.
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This is a poem she wrote about the images that came to her mind when listening to music in C-minor:
C Minor Beauty subdued, A river's dimmed hue The sun peeking out, Half-swallowed by the sea. Leaves picked up By subtle, yet chilly winds A realm of muted color, Paradise, just duller. Damp benches on which to sit, Streetlights only half-lit Peaceful melancholy Hanging in the air. With gentle footsteps, they walk, With tranquil voices, they talk Bouquets of faded color In hands of pale complexions. No-one dreams too far, No-one dares to take a risk Plain hats, plain dresses, Plain lives. |
Disappearing Days As footprints quickly fade into sand, Memories of them blow away Nothing valued always stays, Diamond-studded rings only temporarily grand. Life disappears faster than we can understand, Treasured are the moments every day As footprints quickly fade into sand, Memories of them blow away. So long as on stable ground we stand, Meaningful will be each word we say Cherish the stars, though days will grow grey, Push past blistering winds and take my hand, As footprints quickly fade into sand. Celestial Silver Oh, shine thy radiant rays on sleepy ground, Past weary buds and creatures of the dark Bestow upon this land of little sound Sweet fantasies that'll end at day's first spark, And take up songs of regal sleeping larks Mysterious moon, does wisdom hide in thee? The knowledge of some countless years remark A well-developed sense of sagacity My fascination grows; keep shining down on me. |