When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down most in-person learning nationwide, most teenagers might have spent their free time playing video games, watching television or scrolling through TikTok. But for one Centre Region teen, pandemic-fueled isolation provided a chance to unleash some pent-up creativity.
Myah Robbins, a 15-year-old sophomore at State College Area High School, recently published her debut poetry collection, “One Perspective from the End of the World.” Throughout the coming-of-age story, she explores the many ups and downs of life as a teenager in one of the most turbulent periods of recent history.
“Beyond being a 13-year-old with frequent mood swings, there was a lot going on during the pandemic – a lot you see just by observing the world around you,” Robbins said. “When you’re writing, you might think of things in a different way than you ever did before. I focused on feelings, and during the pandemic, that might have been loneliness one day or gratefulness the next. Every poem had a contemplative sense behind it.”
Across roughly 100 pages of poetry, Robbins explores senses of optimism characterized as glistening seashells or frightening, unexplored forests. Some additional chapters focus on Christmas holidays, unexpected loneliness and memories of better days.
First organized out of a pile of hundreds of poems on Robbins’ bedroom floor, “One Perspective from the End of the World” is not delivered chronologically. Instead, it’s deliberately presented with a climax and resolution that aim to validate readers’ thoughts and feelings following a complicated few years.
“I hope that it might change how someone feels about something, even in some small way,” Robbins said. “Or perhaps it reassures them about themselves, their state of mind and whatever adventure they’re headed for.”
Robbins began writing poetry nearly a decade ago during a dedicated unit in her third-grade class. Although her interest in the art never waned, she developed a more focused approach during the pandemic as she wrote hundreds of poems to catalog thoughts and decompress feelings. Winning the youth category of a pandemic-themed poetry contest at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church boosted Robbins’ confidence, too.
“At 15, I haven’t had a lot of life, so my ‘always’ has been shorter than most other people’s ‘always.’ I would say I really go into writing during the pandemic, though it seemed interesting before, even if I didn’t put too much time into it,” Robbins said.
Throughout Robbins’ upbringing, teachers served as a constant source of confidence and inspiration as she displayed her creativity. A few years back, one instructor indirectly provided the lofty challenge that laid the groundwork for Robbins’ debut publication.
“My seventh-grade science teacher once commented how, with all the free time middle school students have and waste playing video games and watching TV shows, they could write and publish a book. I thought that was funny, and I guess he was right,” Robbins said.
Those who know Robbins best say her recent publication isn’t too surprising. Her stepmother, Heather Robbins, said Myah is consistently creative while showing maturity during a time of transition for many teenagers.
“Myah has always been a thoughtful person and a little bit introspective and inquisitive,” said Heather, who’s been in Myah’s life since she was 2 years old. “I don’t know what I was doing at 15, but it surely wasn’t writing a book. I’m so proud of her and how she’s brave and trying something so important like publishing a book. If you put your mind to something and want to try something, don’t be afraid to try it. Myah’s a great example of that.”
Family played an important role in getting “One Perspective from the End of the World” into print and onto shelves. Charting a course without an agent, Robbins and her family of eight connected with a publisher, Atmosphere Press, and worked with an editor to fine-tune dozens of poems. New to publishing, Robbins also needed to navigate legal waters to ensure her work would reach the finish line.
Robbins’ grandmother, Debbie Hottle, illustrated the poetry collection’s cover. Hottle also drew the book’s on-page illustrations, presented to Robbins as a Christmas present last year.
“My grandma really helped bring the piece together,” Robbins said. “I presented a shoddy illustration of the cover, but she brought it to life.”
Now with a published work under her belt, Robbins’ future is bright. In honor of National Novel-Writing Month, she’s working on fictional stories and experimenting with vignettes, a more descriptive style of poetry. In a few short years, she hopes to be off to college to study creative writing and computer science.
“One Perspective from the End of the World,” officially published on Sept. 14, is available in digital and paperback editions through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Robbins and her family will host a public launch party for her book starting at 3 p.m. on Sunday at Tempest Studios, 140 Kelly Alley in downtown State College. The event will feature light refreshments, a Q&A session and an open mic setup to encourage guests to read poetry and share their creative talents.
Registration for Sunday’s launch party is available online. Those interested in purchasing a signed copy of “One Perspective from the End of the World” are encouraged to inquire via email.
