At our January 22 salon, Jasmin read from her new novel, If I Tell You The Truth, to inspire unapologetic reflection on topics we wish to speak openly about but don’t always feel we can. Drawing direction and inspiration from the characters Kiran and Sahaara in If I Tell You The Truth, we will explore strategies to channel honest emotion and release the burden of unspoken truths through our poems. We focused on the power of self-reflective private journaling and how it can strengthen work that we choose to share publicly.
Girls Write Now pushes open heavy doors for underserved youth who are in love with writing. I am in awe of their work and feel honored to contribute to the empowering space they are creating.” —JASMIN KAUR
Before We Begin, a Question
What’s a boundary that you maintain for your well being?
PROMPT #1: WRITING FOR THE SELF
I am free when…
Write whatever comes to your brain, in prose or poetry, like a stream of consciousness. Try to incorporate metaphor & simile. Try to incorporate this word into your stream at the time of Jasmin saying them.
- Water
- Roots
- Replenish
- Bloom
PROMPT #2: WRITING FOR THE WORLD
Pick one line from your self-reflection and write an entirely new poem/prose that you would want to share with the world.
Jasmin’s Reading Recommendations
- Blood & Honey by Shelby Mahurin
- The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
- Witches Steeped in Gold by Shannon Smart
Jasmin Kaur is a writer, illustrator and poet living on unceded Sto:lo First Nations territory. Her writing, which explores themes of feminism, womanhood, social justice and love, acts as a means of healing and reclaiming identity. Named a “rising star” by Vogue Magazine and a “Writer to Watch” by CBC Books, she has toured across North America, the UK and Australia to connect with youth through the power of artistic expression. Her debut poetry and prose collection, When You Ask Me Where I’m Going (2019) was shortlisted for the Goodreads Choice Awards. Her newly-released sophomore novel, If I Tell You The Truth—a YA novel told in poetry, prose and illustration follows the story of a Punjabi mother and daughter seeking truth and justice—is available for purchase now! Currently an MFA student in the University of British Columbia’s Creative Writing program, Jasmin can usually be found daydreaming about the next story she’s itching to tell.
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