Sara Pisak, of Sugarloaf,, is the 35th #NEPACreative of 2017. Sara brings creativity to the area through writing creative nonfiction and poetry.

In addition to her personal writing, she conducts creative writing workshops on the elementary, middle school and high school levels so students can learn to express themselves through writing while learning the fundamentals of language, literature and creativity.

Sara publishes works regularly in both print and online journals. Her most recent publications appeared in the online journal Five 2 One Magazine and Poetry in Transit (an NEPA Program).

“As a child, I would compose short stories about my friends, family, or animals. I would illustrate them and staple the edges to give my ‘book’ to friends and relatives. However, when I was 12 years old, a journal printed my work for the first time,” Pisak explained. “I always enjoyed the thrill of creating a work that others would enjoy, learn from, and discuss. It’s as if you are giving an audience a little piece of yourself through your insights.”

Sara explained that each time she sees her name in print it is exhilarating. Each time she sees a student in one of her workshops discover this feeling, Sara knows she made the right choice in pursuing her childhood dream.

“To me, writing has been a tremendous gift in that I have never felt like my job was ‘work.’ Even in research or critical analysis scenarios, writing has never been worrisome or has bogged me down,” Pisak said. “All in all, writing has afforded me a unique way to find my voice and to connect with others. Writing also offers me ways to assist others in my community in finding their own voice and passion.”

To Sara, being creative is a chance to express yourself, to come to terms with the often chaotic world around you and to bond with an audience. But being creative also comes with a responsibility to create works that explore marginalized experiences and people. Creativity should be utilized to assist the community by having the audience consider and discuss — even if it is an uncomfortable conversation — their impact on the world and people around them.

When being considered as an NEPA Creative, individuals are asked to explain how they bring creativity to the area, how long they have been doing it and why, and finally what being creative means to them. Once chosen, the next step is to bring each creative into CoalCreative’s studio space to be filmed for a 60 second video that is shared every Wednesday across all their social media platforms. The series plans to highlight all sorts of creatives throughout the rest of the year. There are no limits to who could be considered. Photographers, musicians, barbers, magicians, and improv artists are just a handful of the submissions CoalCreative has received thus far.

Sara Pisak writes creative non-fiction and poetry and holds writing workshops at the elementary, middle and high school levels.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_Submitted-by-CoalCreative.jpg.optimal.jpgSara Pisak writes creative non-fiction and poetry and holds writing workshops at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Courtesy of CoalCreative
Sugarloaf woman expresses herself through writing

By Holly Pilcavage

For Weekender

To be considered for the series, submit a consideration form at www.coalcreative.com/are-you-a-nepa-creative or send an email to holly@coalcreative.com.