Student explores what it means to be ‘Beyond Existing’

Junior creative writing major Danielle Shorr had her first book published this summer Aug. 4. Photo by Kaitlin Homan.

“What’s the point of waiting 7.6 billion years when the sun is already shining, and the moon already loves her?” reads the last line of junior creative writing major Danielle Shorr’s poem “Snapple Fact.”

The poem is a part of Shorr’s book “Beyond Existing,” published by the nonprofit organization Say Word L.A.

Four years ago, Shorr was selected to be Say Word L.A.’s 2016 One Mic candidate. The One Mic candidate works with Say Word L.A. for one year, developing as an artist and ultimately putting out a product.

That’s how “Beyond Existing” was born.

“It’s a compilation of new things and old things I’ve written, but basically my story and my life through poetry,” Shorr said.

Shorr’s poems cover many controversial topics such as mental illness, depression, body image, sexual assault and general trauma. All of the poems are spoken word poems meant to be read out loud and performed. Shorr wanted to compile her life experiences in a way that was accessible.

“If anything, I want someone to read my book and feel less alone,” Shorr said.

The entire process of compiling poetry takes longer than most people think. Most of the poems may already be written, but the book has to feel cohesive as a whole. Kat Magill, director and founder of Say Word L.A., worked with Shorr on her project.

“Keep in mind, the process with every artist is different,” Magill said. “We collaborated on what she wanted her messaging to be throughout the process of dissecting her work, looking at order, figuring out who she’s grown to be and pushing her (to put out) the best representation of herself.”

“Beyond Existing” was published and had its release party Aug. 4. Say Word L.A. provided all the funding for the publication of the book as well as the booking of the venue and other expenses for the release party.

“When you’re a young artist just starting, you don’t have a trillion dollars to throw into your own artwork, so we want to make sure our artists aren’t burdened with any financial crosses,” Magill said.

At the release party, held in Los Angeles, Shorr read a few poems from her book while accompanied by her brother, Jonny Shorr, on piano.

“I think speaking [poems] out loud is a lot different than reading them off the page and so being able to actually read them makes them so much more accessible,” Shorr said.

Shorr’s book is available for purchase online at Amazon for $12.