This month’s SUN Magazine features a personal essay by Ahlia Bethea. Written for last year’s Creative Writing Workshop, the essay reflects on Ahlia’s trip to South Africa. Ahlia is the first NA student to break into this prestigious nationwide publication. If you would like to read the essay, it is currently on display in the Hawkes Memorial Library. Feel free to leave a comment here. Congratulations, Ahlia!
Congrats, Ahlia. I read your piece and was curious how much the magazine edited your submission. How did you feel about the shape of what the magazine selected to publish? You tell your story vividly in few words.
When I submitted my piece to SUN I expected them to edit it quite a bit. When conparing ny orginal to the one published, the most notable difference is the beginning. I had a few sentences of introduction which the editors cut out so the reader just jumps right into the story. That being said, I appreciate the fact that they didn’t alter too much of my original wording. There were certain phrases that I really wanted to stay in the piece, ie the “tattooed to my forehead” line. I feel as though this final product reads a lot quicker than the original piece I submitted, while still getting the same point across. Looking back I can’t say that there was anything they took out that I felt really needed to be in the piece. I really like how it turned out.
I’ve read this magazine & love it. Bring copies!