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    • Feb 25: A Life in the Theater with Elizabeth Van Dyke
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Home / Programs / Salon Series / SPEAK YOUR TRUTH: FINDING HONESTY THROUGH WRITING POETRY WITH JASMIN KAUR

SPEAK YOUR TRUTH: FINDING HONESTY THROUGH WRITING POETRY WITH JASMIN KAUR

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 salon photo

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.

Our Friday Night Salons are a space for our community to learn from and write with incredible authors, poets, journalists and novelists. This event is free and open to the public because of generous viewers like you who power Girls Write Now’s cutting-edge programs. If you are able to pay, your tax-exempt donation will help make more events like this possible.

Donate Now

Celebrate Black History Month!

Each week throughout February, we’ll be sharing stories, resources and events from our community and our partners that honor Black art, writing, culture and history!

Life Resources and Events

At Girls Write Now, we work to challenge and change the systemic racism and inequality by breaking down the barriers of race and poverty to elevate the voices of girls and gender nonconforming youth who are too often not heard—or worse, silenced. From mental and emotional wellness to advocating for racial justice, we are here to support you individually and as a community through our robust programming. Check out our calendar to see our current offerings or visit our Life Resources page to support you during this time.

Friday Night Salon with Megan Reid & Wendi Gu

Join us on Friday, February 26, 6-7:30 PM ET for Picture Books 101: Writing for Kids When You Aren’t One with Megan Reid and Wendi Gu!

We’re Hiring!

Looking for more purpose-driven work in the new year? Check out available roles to join the team! 

GIVE. WRITE. NOW. And Thank you!!

Girls Write Now’s services are more essential than ever before—serving the hardest hit communities—and many of our young women and gender nonconforming youth have themselves become essential workers to help their families. They carry an enormous burden and face devastating loss, slipping further into poverty. To meet the need, we have enriched and extended our programs, leading the historical transition to virtual learning.

Get Involved!

Are you a licensed mental health professional who’d love to work with our community of writers and creatives? We’re seeking volunteer Wellness Advisors. Get more info & apply here!

Relive the Girls (Re)Write Now Awards

If you missed the awards, you can still watch it! Relive this revolutionary night of mini–master classes with honorees on empathy, art, activism & humor and Girls Write Now mentees on writing with purpose, climate justice & self-care. 

Writing from our Future Leaders

Taking Our Place in History: the Girls Write Now 2020 Anthology was published with support from Dutton and Amazon Literary Partnership, available for purchase from McNally Jackson Books and anywhere ebooks are sold!

Girls Write Now in the News

Girls Write Now’s work has recently been featured by the National Endowment for the Arts, Time Out New York, NYXT and more!

Girls Write Now

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