On the Shelf: My Pen, My Voice

MY PEN, MY VOICE | VANESSA GRILLONE | SELF-PUBLISHED | 2011

My Pen, My Voice artfully records the trials and errors one girl endures in order to become an independent and strong young woman. Through a mixture of prose and poetry, Grillone digs into the heart of the often difficult teenage years, when emotions are high, changes are fast, and life is all-consuming. Grillone’s entries encompass the turbulent range of teenage angst. From struggling to understand her need to go her own way to trying to come to terms with her frequent mood swings, her poems reveals with painful intimacy the confusion and heartbreak of growing up. Her vivid language and heartfelt words convey not only her honesty, but her fragility. Journey with Grillone on her path to self-discovery, one that ultimately offers insight into the female mind during its most fragile years.

I purchased My Pen, My Voice earlier this year after getting to know Vanessa through her blog. I've always admired how personal her posts are; she has a way of speaking directly to your own heart. Her book, a collection of poetry with a few prose pieces thrown in the mix, sat waiting on my to-read shelf until Vanessa asked me to write an honest review.

The poems in My Pen, My Voice take place throughout the difficult years of change: being a teenager through to becoming a young adult. The poems are dated accordingly, so you can follow the author as she grows up and faces the issues thrown her way. I had trouble taking the earlier poems seriously - the exaggerated importance of first loves and final exams isn't something I can relate to now - but they're a startlingly accurate portrayal of what a teenage girl's mind is like during these times. I can't imagine ever publishing most of the things I wrote during high school, so I am in awe of Vanessa's bravery and willingness to share her experiences with the public. 

This collection works because of Vanessa's honesty. I disliked some of the poems, and loved others, but never once did I doubt Vanessa's sincerity. My Pen, My Voice has true emotion written across the pages. I think readers a similar age to the narrative voice would really appreciate and connect with the poetry. 

There are a few poems in the collection that really show off the writer's talent. Most of the pages read like diary entries, but the ones I really appreciate are a little more crafted: "The Crescent Moon," "Wet," and "People Come and Go." "Love Makes Hunters Of Us All" is by far my favourite, the sort of poem I'd like to rip out of a book and place on my fridge to read every morning. 

The final section of My Pen, My Voice shifts to prose, symbolizing not only a change in Vanessa's personal growth but also her writing style. These prose excerpts are similar to the style of writing found on Vanessa's blog and I think it's where she truly shines. "Me" and "My New Beginning" were exactly what I was hoping for in a book written by Vanessa Grillone. The simpleness and honesty in her prose is unlike any writer I have yet to encounter.

I recommend following Vanessa's blog to experience her writing style. My Pen, My Voice is available for purchase on Amazon.