November is National Novel Writing Month and we’d like to especially acknowledge recent graduates Kyandreia Jones ’19 and Amy Zhang ’18 – published novelists who started writing their first work while on the Hill.
Kyandreia Jones ’19
Creative Writing major
Published novelist, Spies: James Armistead Lafayette (2019)
Kyandreia Jones ’19 says Hamilton expanded and strengthened her writing skills. Her first book was picked up by the Choose Your Own Adventures children’s series and hit the shelves in May.
Jones has always been on a creative path, writing fiction since she was in fourth grade because she was tired of reading about people who did not look or sound like her. Though she often explores personal themes of mental health, family dynamics and love, Jones looked to history for inspiration for Spies.
“I was constantly inspired by the wackiness of history when I started writing this story back in December 2017,” Jones said. I had no idea how interesting, bizarre and hilarious history was until I was asked to write this book.
In a departure from previous medium, length, style and subject matter, Jones hopes to engage with not only young readers, but with anyone who has a hankering to make change.
“I hope children learn that, if given the opportunity, they have what it takes to make the world better and kinder to them,” Jones said.
Amy Zhang ’18
Creative Writing major
Published noveist, Falling Into Place (2014) and This is Where the World Ends (2016)
“My freshman year I used to write in the library while my friends were doing homework. People assume that writing is a lonely activity, and sometimes it has to be. But coming to college I found that I work better in environments where everyone else around me is also working hard and vastly interested in what they are doing.
“On the first floor of the library there are these collaborative spaces with big tables and art supplies. There’s always such a beautiful energy there — it’s so great to be able to turn to a friend and say, ‘Read this paragraph I just wrote; I’m excited about it.’ Having this external accountability to be productive with friends is important because it’s also a reminder to unwind and have fun. On occasion, my roommates and I trudge home from the library around midnight and read poetry aloud to each other before bed.”
