There are hundreds of names that line the shelves of the Hockaday library, all published authors with work released into the world. Now, Hockaday students are joining their ranks, whether through publishing poetry and novels or submitting to nationwide competitions. 

Golden Liars 

Earlier this year, sophomore Natalia Salem published “Golden Liars,” a book she worked on for four years. “Golden Liars” is a fantasy novel about a group of assassins with supernatural abilities, a secret protected by the government.

Taking inspiration from her own life and beloved books such as “The Hunger Games,” the idea grew into a project spanning many of her middle and high school years. 

“My greatest inspiration comes from other books, authors, and texts, and sometimes even photos or moments in life,” Salem said.  

Through her writing, she includes observations she makes about the world around her, or ideas she reads in other works. Through her writing, she hopes to spread enjoyment to other people.  

“By writing, you’re able to convey certain messages and emotions that millions and billions of people are able to access,” Salem said. 

Currently, she is working on her next book, which she hopes to publish before she graduates.  

Escape from reality 

Inspired by historical fiction, junior Louella Jacobsen is working on a novel that she hopes to publish in the fall. 

“Ruta Sepetys’s books were some of the first books I really loved,” Jacobsen said. “They just inspired me.” 

The war-related themes of Sepetys’s books have manifested in Jacobsen’s novel as a futuristic, dystopian, war-centered plot.  

“I decided to do a dystopian genre because it’s kind of a little escape from reality,” Jacobson said. “There’s so much freedom in writing things yourself because you get to pick what happens.” 

She has reached over 20,000 words since starting her draft, and is aiming for 40,000 by summer. Writing a chapter a week, she’s become very invested in the characters and plot. 

“I love doing this,” Jacobson said. “I have a lot of fun with it.” 

An emotional outlet 

While some authors use writing as an escape, junior Mischa Rutledge uses it as an outlet to journal her emotions and opinions. 

“Writing in the form of poetry makes it easier for me to get my thoughts out,” Rutledge said. “I’ll write small poems almost every day.”  

Rutledge has had poetry published through competitions such as the Poetry Society of Texas and discovered her love for writing through an English class poetry assignment during her freshman year. 

She likes to write about more emotional topics, many of them rooted in her own life. 

“I don’t know every perspective of the issue, or whatever I’m writing about,” Rutledge said. “Poetry requires me to look at something from every angle and get a more holistic view on things, which I really appreciate.”  

She wants to keep writing poetry in the future, in hopes of gaining insight into herself and connecting with others. 

“I want to continue sharing my work with people who it might help,” Rutledge said. 

Poetry for the soul 

Sophomore Carolyn Mitchell is a rising poet who views her writing process as her way of making sense of her own life. 

“I love writing poetry because it’s easier for me to discover and express myself on paper rather than out loud,” Mitchell  said. “Poetry especially is a more socially acceptable way for me to ask the strange questions and just allow myself to be reckless, curious and weird.” 

She regularly submits poetry to competitions and publications, such as the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.

Mitchell has been writing since Lower School and looks up to poets like Richard Siken and Ada Limon. Her sweet spot for writing typically involves coffee ice cream, a giant blanket and a bit of inspiration. 

“Writing is a lot of staring at screens and then a lot of mad dash typing,” Mitchell  said. “There’s not really a sane, understandable process involved.”  

However, Mitchell has found magic in the madness. 

“Writing has had a huge impact on me,” Mitchell  said. “When I write, it helps me figure out why I think what I think and why I feel what I feel; it’s added a whole new facet to my life.” 

Writing has been able to help Hockaday authors process, escape, and tune in to their lives and emotions. It has also inspired them to help others see ideas and issues in a new light. For these writers, the journey doesn’t stop at one competition or work. 

“I would like to eventually publish a book of poetry,” Mitchell said. “I don’t know how long that will take, but I know writing will definitely remain an integral part of my life.”