Meet Orenda | Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Orenda and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Orenda, is there something you believe many others might not?
I remember reading somewhere: “Art that is safe is art that doesn’t matter”.

If I could talk to my past self about writing poetry, I would tell her to stop adhering to the algorithm. Instapoetry is one of the most accessible forms of poetry there is and because of that, it is so easy to get sucked into creating content for the likes and the views and the engagement.

As my poetry account grew to an overwhelming following, so did my lack of willingness to explore new writing styles and vulnerable topics beyond what I’ve always written (or rather, what I was expected to write). I felt myself constantly writing poems about love and heartbreak, because I knew it would get the most traction. After all, no one wants to read about my experiences as an Asian woman in Canada or my mental health issues. Numbers don’t lie. As a result, I wrote what I thought was safe and popular. Topics that didn’t challenge the reader and certainly didn’t challenge me. If I was to grow as a writer and as a person, I needed to change.

Over the years, I went through a process of unlearning. I stopped looking at my follower count and was no longer fixated on whether a poem was getting enough engagement. Sharing my poetry on social media taught me: I write for myself, not for others.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

Risks are scary and daunting, but they also take you to places you would never imagine.

I tend to keep my emotions locked in between the spaces of my ribcage. Sometimes, they bubble out on paper. Writing has always been my safe spot. There was an understanding that my words were sacred secrets held between myself and my notebook. No risk was involved. When I finally had the courage to share my poems on Instagram, it gave me opportunities and friendships I never fathomed.

I started Poetry by Orenda back in 2016 as an outlet to express myself. My poems consists of very sad and very honest glimpses of my life, my depression, and my personal growth. It was a journal of some sort; a space I could be vulnerable. And for some reason, it blew up on Instagram. People loved my poems and after only one year of being active, my following grew to a whopping 20K! I’m still reeling just thinking about it.

Someone once told me that my vulnerability is relatable, and that my writing is a shared experience between myself and my readers to reflect and just feel. As more and more people began to read my words, they also learned about who I am through my words. By extension, I began to learn about myself through my words. As my popularity grew, I was able to build connections not only with my readers but also other poets, artists, and publishing houses. It’s all I could ask for, really.

In fact, as result of these connections, I was able to be a part of Yoni Sambo’s first solo art exhibition, Liwanag, where I collaborated with various artists to create, design, and sell exclusive prints of my poems.

But it wasn’t all good things.

When starting to write poetry, I wish I had known that being a writer meant being serious as a writer. If I was going to build a brand centered around my poetry, I had to show up and write regularly. I couldn’t wait for inspiration to knock on my door; they were a flaky friend. It didn’t matter how many words I wrote or how long I committed to write with my butt tied to the chair, I needed to put in the time.

Over the years, my passion for writing felt like a second job. Though I made my own deadlines and developed a pattern to stave off writer’s block, it gave me crippling anxiety when I couldn’t meet my own goals. I felt depressed, burnt out, and overworked from both writing and my actual job. The quality of my poems displayed that.

So for the last three years, I took a step back from writing and unplugged from social media. This “break” made me realize how important your work life balance is. We all lead very busy lives, but we often forget to take the time to stop and reflect on our emotions, our mental and physical health, and our personal relationships. After all, time is important. We shouldn’t waste it.

Though my current following is nowhere near what it was before, I wouldn’t be where I am if I didn’t take a risk and simply kept my poems to myself. I can’t thank my readers enough for sticking around and inspiring me to continue doing this as a result.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

This is the hardest question in the world and all I can think about is food! The haam, Pai, La Vecchia Ristorante, Saku Sushi, MyMy Chicken, Kinka Izakaya, Dzo, Bar’kada, Dakgogi, Mother Tongue, Buk Chan dong Soon Tofu, Konjiki Ramen, Kinton Ramen…. I wish I could list all the amazing places to have a drink and enjoy food with your loved ones in Toronto! And this doesn’t even touch brunch (MIA Brunch Bar, Sophie’s), pastries (Hazukido), bubble tea (Mr. Sun), and cafes (Cafe Inside, Boxcar Social, Anotherland Coffee, Coffee Lunar). There are way too many!

In terms of places, I can spend hours writing, drawing, and being inspired at the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Royal Ontario Museum.

A week with me would be filled with food and art for sure!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

There are so many amazing artists, writers, and creatives I’ve met over the years since I’ve started my poetry account who inspire and motivate me to do better. If I named them all, we would be here for a very long time!

But if I had to name a few, major shoutouts to these amazing creatives: Yoni (Yoni Creatives), Lisa (thelisadoan), Avista (Artist), Hannah (hanndrawn), Jake (Roam Co.), Connie (congee.draws), Christina (wisdomshewrote), Shy (_allthethingsinevertoldyou), Katt (theartoffresco), and Harper (harpernightingale). Thank you for everything! Your support, love, and encouragement throughout my writing career has shaped not only who I am but my poetry as well.  And of course, a HUGE thank you to all my friends, family, and readers who have been with me since day one! I adore you all to the moon and back.

Website: https://www.bio.site/poetrybyorenda

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poetrybyorenda/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/poetrybyorenda/