William Walden
I became interested in creative writing after learning about Slam Poetry in a high school English class taught by Peter Kahn. The cadence, imagery, and vocabulary I heard at poetry readings prompted me to keep my own journal. I also switched my career focus from economics to language arts, majoring in English at the University of Illinois at Urbana. I returned to Chicago upon graduating from college and became involved in literacy, community organizing, and youth development programs. My trajectory would change again in 2009, when I attended law school at Northwestern University. I am now a Chicago attorney, spending my free time on language arts with my two children.
The impact of poetry and the spoken word club
Spoken Word and poetry gave me the tools to connect my personal experiences with a larger community of diverse voices. As a high school student, the literature we studied seemed esoteric. Although I enjoyed the vocabulary and figurative language, I viewed writing as an academic exercise or chore. Spoken Word changed this. Writing became a way to relate to others, and reading became a process of learning how to participate in a tribe. The identity I formed in this environment imbued my high school experience with meaning, and I started to feel like I had a place to belong.
Top favorite poets or lyricists
Poets: Rita Dove, Carl Phillips, and T.S. Eliot
Lyricists: Andy Mineo, Ms. Lauryn Hill, and Big Sean
Writing Prompts
Write an open letter to a musician that inspires you.
Write about a time music brought you and another person closer.
Write about something you were too young to understand when it happened, but understand now.