Inspired by Bryn

The Writings (and more!) of Bryn Wolanski

Cleveland, OH

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Writing Samples/Freelance Writings

  • Flashback: Writing for Local Publications!

    In 2024, I was just starting to really dabble in freelance writing. An acquaintance-turned-friend met with me and offered me the opportunity to write a few articles for the local magazine she wrote for and edited. I took the opportunity to get practice and exposure, of course! None of the articles are available online, but…

  • Links to Libraryland!

    Part of the writing experience I’ve been fortunate to have is contributing to my library’s blog. At the moment I am on hiatus from writing more posts because I’ve been busy developing my own writing. However, I realized I’ve never actually linked my backlog of those posts here! It counts as part of the portfolio,…

  • How Reading and the Power of Imagination Saved My Life [Freelance piece for Inspire the Mind]

    Read the full article here: https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/how-reading-and-the-power-of-imagination-saved-my-life Trigger warnings for suicidal ideation, but also happy endings. An excerpt: I have never told my story like this before, and never in this much detail. I’m hoping it gives others some comfort and strength to know that life can get better and is worth living. Keep in mind…

  • My Analog Imagination: Exploring Digital Nature in Reality [Freelance piece for Dangerous to Go Alone]

    Read the full essay here: https://dangeroustogoalone.site/pokemon-go-imagination/ EDIT: In light of the website shutting down, the full text of the essay is below! For many people like me, video games can be used as an escape from their everyday lives. Being able to assume the role of a character with a defined purpose and step into…

  • Where to start with the massive Warhammer franchise [Freelance piece for Winter is Coming]

    Read the full article here: https://winteriscoming.net/where-to-start-with-warhammer An excerpt: There is no safety, no mercy, and there are no “good guys.” There are only war, battle, sacrifice, and power. 

  • Books, apps and games to help fantasy nerds reach their fitness goals in 2025 [Freelance piece for Winter is Coming]

    Read the full article here: https://winteriscoming.net/books-apps-and-games-to-help-fantasy-nerds-reach-their-fitness-goals-in-2025 An excerpt: As one who has struggled getting started and/or maintaining a flow when it comes to this sort of thing, I come bearing a variety of fantasy, science-fiction, and generally geeky fitness ideas for you to try!

  • Winter is Coming: Stay warm with these Game of Thrones cookbooks [Freelance piece for Winter Is Coming]

    Read the full article here: https://winteriscoming.net/winter-is-coming-stay-warm-with-these-game-of-thrones-cookbooks-01jcztnevyd3 An excerpt: Overall, I would highly recommend you look into the cookbooks reviewed above. If you’re looking for an interesting dish to add to your upcoming gatherings, these books have an awesome variety. The dishes I mentioned, having been tested by a dinner party, can be confirmed as delicious.…

  • Every professor from the Harry Potter books, ranked by how good they were at their jobs [Freelance piece for Winter Is Coming]

    Read the full article here: https://winteriscoming.net/every-professor-from-the-harry-potter-books-ranked-by-how-good-they-were-at-their-jobs-01jbakpxat29 An excerpt: In the Harry Potter series, readers encounter a variety of professors teaching the magical curriculum at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Which of these professors is the worst, which is the best, and how do the others shake out in our lineup? We take a look at each…

  • ‘Silent Hill’ (2006): A Love Letter to Cybil Bennett [Freelance piece for Horror Press]

    Read the full article here: https://horrorpress.com/movies/6585/silent-hill-2006-a-love-letter-to-cybil-bennett/ An excerpt: In a world full of horror adaptations, it seems many of them feature women with shoulder-length or longer hair (looking at you, Alice from Resident Evil), which I couldn’t identify with because I’d always kept my hair on the much shorter side. When Cybil graced the screen, it…

  • “Living Dead Girl” (Essay – Monstrous Femme Magazine Spring 2024)

    Link to the publication: https://monstrousfemme.com/living-dead-girl/ EDIT: In light of the website shutting down, the full text of the essay is below! The funeral of my inner child was not well-attended.  That little girl with the white blonde hair and big blue eyes… Alyss could never keep a straight face for pictures. She was always silly…

  • “Witching in a Winter Wonderland” (Essay – Monstrous Femme Magazine Winter 2023)

    Link to publication: https://monstrousfemme.com/witching-in-a-winter-wonderland/ EDIT: In light of the website shutting down, the full text of the essay is below! The winter season is all good and fun, but putting the “Christ in Christmas” as the “reason for the season” doesn’t necessarily resonate with me. When people think of witches, I think a lot of…

  • May Day/Beltane [Freelance Article for The Busy Witch (2021)]

    Note: As this post was part of a temporary series on The Busy Witch website, the full text of the essay is below! May Day occurs May 1st every year and marks the pagan holiday of Beltane and the return of the summer season. Because Beltane and Samhain are exactly half a year apart, some…

  • Ostara/Spring Equinox [Freelance Article for The Busy Witch (2021)]

    Note: As this post was part of a temporary series on The Busy Witch website, the full text of the essay is below! Ostara, the Pagan holiday celebrating the spring solstice/Vernal equinox, occurs on Saturday, March 20th, 2021 this year. Finally, it’s spring time! Gone is (hopefully most of, depending on where you live!) the…

  • Winter Solstice [Freelance Article for The Busy Witch (2020)]

    Note: As this post was part of a temporary series on The Busy Witch website, the full text of the essay is below! The Winter Solstice, also known as Yule, will be observed in the Northern Hemisphere on Monday, December 21, 2020. It happens for a moment, at 8:30am, but is recognized for an entire…

  • New-You November [Freelance Article for The Busy Witch (2020)]

    Note: As this post was part of a temporary series on The Busy Witch website, the full text of the essay is below! Having celebrated the pagan New Year in October (Samhain) it’s time to refocus on setting new intentions and shedding what no longer serves you. It has a little bit of a different…