Bridget Flynn at the Yale Young Writers' Workshop
For Bridget Flynn, the Yale Young Writers' Workshop was an opportunity to immerse herself in the literary arts alongside aspiring writers from around the world. Through intensive workshops, lectures, and creative exercises, she developed both her writing practice and new ways of thinking about where stories and ideas can come from.
Bridget's workshop focused on character development, with students spending their days creating characters, writing short scenes, and sharing their work aloud. The process helped her develop a consistent and disciplined writing routine—an experience she describes as a glimpse into the life of a working writer. Learning from Yale professors, guest speakers, and fellow writers also gave her new perspectives on her own creative process.
One particularly meaningful lesson came from Danielle Chapman, a Yale poet, essayist, fiction writer, and professor whose work across multiple genres resonated with Bridget. A discussion about choosing the right form for an idea encouraged Bridget to think differently about whether a thought might become a poem, essay, memoir, or piece of fiction depending on how it first takes shape.
The program also encouraged Bridget to look beyond writing for inspiration. During an "Ekphrasis Adventure," she and her peers explored Yale's art galleries and transformed visual artwork into scenes and poetry. The experience reinforced the idea that inspiration can come from any artistic medium—and that writers can discover new possibilities by translating what they see and hear into words.
"I find myself, even more so now, looking for inspiration across mediums."
Supported by an Anthony Quinn Foundation Scholarship in the Literary Arts, Bridget's experience at Yale comes at an exciting moment in her journey as a writer. With classes at Columbia University beginning soon, she is carrying the lessons, creative practices, and inspiration from the workshop into the next chapter of her literary education.