Kerry Graham knew she moved to an arts district when she bought her home in Highlandtown in 2016, but her real goal was to be close to Patterson Park. Once she started exploring nearby blocks, she realized how much creative activity was available within walking distance. This helps to inspire her work as a writer, focusing on creative non-fiction and personal essays about mental health, body image, and life choices that offer hope and light to readers. She also draws inspiration from her students at Patterson High School, where she teaches English. Her students, or “her lovelies,” as she refers to them, inspire some of her vignettes – super short stories of 100-1,000 words that are 100% true and anonymous. These vignettes are also inspired by one of her favorite books, “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros. Kerry also partnered with artists Joann Dewwealth-O’Brien and Rachel Shifreen to pair these vignettes with visual art inspired by the story.
Overall, writing is cathartic for Kerry. She writes in the comfort of her home, though she wrote at the Southeast Anchor Library and in various art galleries during her time as the first Highlandtown Writer-in-Residence a few years ago with Yellow Arrow Publishing. Her current writing practice includes hopping into her big, comfy chair in her writing room (no desk involved) and handwriting in purple pen in her journal. She then types it up, prints it out, and revises directly on the printout (yes, sticking with her go-to color, purple) before preparing it for electronic publication. You can read Kerry’s work on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linktree @MsKerryGraham
www.mskerrygraham.com
Facebook @MsKerryGraham
Instagram @MsKerryGraham
Twitter @MsKerryGraham
Linktr.ee @MsKerryGraham
Contact: kerry@mskerrygraham.com
