Friday Feature: @Lynn

One of the greatest pleasures in life, especially for Prose., is discovering new talent in the literary world.

When this prolific Proser first surfaced late last year, all of us here were taken aback.

Her deeply insightful voice and stylistic variations left us curious. Admittedly, we developed a number of preconceived notions: we thought she might be older, possibly married or recently divorced. Had she retired from a long career and discovered writing late-in-life as a recently developed hobby or means of therapy?

The only way to know for certain was to ask her. Who is Lynn, really?

Born Gabriella Lynn, her friends and family often call her Belle. She was born in Corbin, Kentucky and has six siblings. She says she’s moved around quite a bit, to five different places in Kentucky, then three homes in Virginia, two in North Carolina, and finally coming back to Virginia where she currently lives.

“Years from now,” she says she hopes to further her education and land a job she can love.

P: What is your relationship with writing and how has it evolved?

L: I’d say it’s a love-hate relationship, honestly. I’ve gone back and forth trying to determine if this is something I could actually pursue as a profession or otherwise. But I think my writing has evolved tremendously. Not only in being comfortable with a style of writing but also with connecting better with myself both through my own words and others’.

P: Briefly discuss the value of reading has in your personal and professional life.

L: Reading always puts me in a good mood. It helps with creativity and learning something new. When someone interrupts me while I’m reading I get a little hostile.

Reading has greatly furthered my knowledge of the literary arts and I can’t thank authors enough for sharing that part of themselves. Every book I’ve read has influenced me in some way, and changing lives is a big deal. Every person who has tried or does write is an inspiration.

P: Describe your current literary ventures. What can we expect to see in future posts?

L: I’ve never been much of a risk taker, but I plan to continue trying new styles of writing. I’ve been trying to read some of my pieces aloud in hopes to grow more comfortable with what I’m writing, but I always seem to fall short. I guess I’m embarrassed to share a part of my mind openly like that, even if it’s only the walls to hear it.

As for future posts, I would say expect to see more poetry. Things that have to do with lost love and summer scents. But I’m no psychic. My mind has a habit of surprising me from time to time. I might attempt to even write a few short stories but, as I said before, I’m not much of a risk taker.

Prose. means everything to me. I’ve published more than 400 posts and almost every single one (if not all) would not have been created if it weren't for this place.

I have never connected with a group of people like this, especially with writing, and it means the world, the universe and all the stars to me. I have no websites or blogs so, if you’re here on Prose., you won’t miss anything.

Be sure to follow @Lynn here on the app and visit theprose.com/Lynn to read more from her growing body of work.

__________________________

This #FridayFeature blog series is designed to help you get to know your fellow community members better. Would you like to nominate someone for interview? Have a question you’re dying to ask of someone on the platform? Send us a private message here or visit our contact page to get in touch: theprose.com/p/contact.