Senior Writing Portfolio Fall 2004 / Katie Steimann
Millikin University

Katie Steimann

Katherine B. Steimann will graduate in May 2005 with a double major in Writing and Music from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. She refuses to overlook the small pleasures of life. She is constantly reminding others to look at the sky instead of just at the ground; at the sunrises, sunsets, stars and moon.

She loves to read and write. Her favorite ventures involve free-verse poetry and haiku, but she also delves into screenplay and short stories. She hopes to one day make a name for herself with her writing that will not include labels like "waitress" or "starving artist." She currently resides in Illinois while pursuing her studies, but plans on returning to her home state of Minnesota after receiving her degree.

Poetics

Writing can be many things for me: a friend to confide in, a therapist for working out troubles, an outlet for venting, a punching bag for release, a breath when I am suffocating, a smile when I am happy, and the list goes on. I feel it is hard to describe all that it is because writing to me is not simply what goes on the paper, but what is behind it and the spirit that surrounds you when you are in its grip.

The initial writing of any of my pieces is generated by a moment that I realize is worthy of being on paper. This moment can be an event, an emotional experience, or a creative blip on my radar. From this moment, which usually comes to me in a line or phrase, the piece evolves. I write because I cannot imagine my life without it, it may be a bit selfish to admit, but my motivations are purely personal.

Audience however, is what drives me to that next level. Those who may read what I write are the reason that I revise and revisit past works. Often the personal nature of my writings needs to be reexamined so it may translate its meaning to other people. Most satisfying to me are the pieces that I have rewritten, sometimes five or six times, that I feel will mean something to more than just myself, and that I feel cannot grow into anything more; those pieces that are in their final stage.
Being a writer, means you are accepting of times of stasis and times of change; you never shut down, you never close your eyes or stop searching for that moment that could evoke your words.

a sample writing including an introduction to the piece

Introduction for Assassinate & Digging

That the liquid color we call ink meets paper and becomes letters and words is such an amazing gift. For some authors, the complexity of thought behind their words is chaotic and immense. For others, it is simple and connected to the human links of the heart and emotion. The essence of a great writer does not depend on one certain style or technique, but on the energies and imagination behind their creative efforts.

Assassinate reveals the true motivation of my writing. For me, there is no mold to which I want to have to fit. I want to explore all facets of this great art form without boundaries. I want to show my readers that truth has many different faces.

Digging describes the beginning of this process. The words do not always appear quickly or perfectly formed, but when you dig and scratch below the surface within yourself and on the page, your resources are limitless.

• • •

Assassinate

You slay wholesome purity
with your senseless, eccentric corruption.

Your extreme execution wastes innocence
with wild antics; impure ways.

You snuff transparent chastity
with ventures zany and bizarre.

You are labeled a mad fanatic
with outlandish, ridiculous ideas.

You are unrelenting, ravenous;
unsatisfied with false truth.

You continue to kill the sheltered
with your passion, your oddity.

You vow to remain foolish until those
with unsullied perfection,
taste the stain
from the ink of your pen.

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Digging

I scratch until the lines between
bleed viscous puddles
blue oceans of inspiration

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