Placing Yourself in Poetry

A local author and business owner is trying to move people to understand the importance of reading. 

Vanessa Shields, owner of Gertrude’s Writing Room, wants more people to see language arts as equal to math and sciences. She says without language arts there would not be the possibility of reading and understanding scientific and mathematical equations. 

Gertrude’s hosts a number of different workshops and classes for a variety of ages. According to Shields, this gives her unique insight to how people consume and understand different kinds of literature. With all the experience she has working with a wide group of people, Shields believes she is in a good position to be the person who argues against the idea that young people today are not reading.  

“I’m at a lot of schools. Elementary, secondary and university…and young people are reading,” said Shields. “They’re excited about books from the smallest kid in junior kindergarten to the kid who’s in high school.” 

Shields is also a firm believer in group reading exercises and group discussion about books as an effective way to help young people understand what they are reading and making sure everyone feels included.  

“I think it’s great to make young people read and it’s great to make young people read collectively,” said Shields. “It’s really powerful.” 

Shields offers a perspective on why she believes so many young adults fall back into reading for leisure. She jokingly reminisces about going through that time in her life, mentioning she remembers it as a tough time.  

“If you’re in post-secondary school and you’re in your 20s, those two things coupled together, you’re having existential, metaphysical life examination going on,” said Shields. “You’re going to want to read classics, or poetry or whatever it is to help you figure out who you are.” 

Rachel Dagenais, 19, is a student at the Ontario College of Art and Design and said she relates to what Shields had to say. On top of how helping her find her place, Dagenais said reading is also a good way to go without staring at a screen for a while. 

“I’m at a point where I don’t really understand what’s going on or where I should be (in life),” said Dagenais. “And reading helps me feel a little more grounded.” 

To visit Gertrude’s website, where you can discuss literature and check out the array of workshops offered, visit https://gertrudeswritingroom.com.