This Moment

Bold Voices from Writegirl

Keren Taylor (Editor), Writegirl (NOV 2) Softcover $19.95 (350pp), 978-0-578-49912-3

With nearly two hundred literary entries from young women authors, This Moment is partly a celebration of girlhood, partly a guide on writing, and fully inspirational.

Part of what makes This Moment such a special book is the diversity of its subject matter. Alyssa Ho’s “What I Regret Saying” is a powerful reminder of the importance of taking a stand; Makena Cioni’s fantastical “Sunlight Smiles” praises sisterhood. Madison Huggin’s “Acquired Taste” is beautiful as it concentrates on the act of writing itself, while Sabrina Youn’s “Writer’s Fever” delivers a lighthearted diagnosis. Youn and Huggins, in particular, capture the spirit of the collection; their descriptions and images are vibrant.

The book is divided into sections covering topics like family, life, and music; all are easy to navigate. Excellent at praising the power of the pen, the text includes advice on how to write throughout. One section is dedicated as a writer’s starter’s kit, with activities to get the mind flowing, ideas to inspire, and examples of each suggestion in practice.

Some entries are excerpts from larger bodies of work whose context is lost; wondering about the pieces of origin can be a point of frustration. This hurdle is offset by the brief descriptions of full works that are provided by each author.

This Moment is a collection that can be read in one sitting or savored bit by bit. Whatever the method of entry, the book is a treasure, worth being cherished and shared with girls everywhere. In total, it is a celebration of life and a quiet reflection on darkness—in a word, inspiring.