2024 Goodlit Poetry Fellow Brittany Olson shares her passion for writing and learning – Niner Times

Brittany Olson makes a lasting impact on each student and peer she works with in the Charlotte community. Olson is an adjunct instructor of English at UNC Charlotte and has been recognized by Charlotte Lit as the 2024 GoodLit poetry fellow. She has spent the last year expanding her craft through the fellowship while obtaining a master’s degree at Charlotte.

Olson is now finishing her first semester of teaching at the college level. This experience has been a perfectly fulfilling opportunity for her.

“After graduating, I jumped right into teaching. Right now, I’m teaching two sections of Intro to Creative Writing and one section of the freshman seminar. My students are wonderful and eager to be here,” said Olson. “I was the vice president of the English Grad Student Association during my grad program. I loved being in a community with other English students who were so serious about their studies, craft and careers.”

She credits the welcoming presence of the campus community at UNC Charlotte to her success.

“During undergrad, I fell in love with the English department. There was a really good culture that I wanted to be a part of. I came back here for grad school, which was phenomenal. I graduated with my Master’s in English in May. My experience was special. I had a close-knit and supportive cohort, which is important for a creative writer,” said Olson.

Charlotte Lit named Olson their 2024 GoodLit Poetry Fellow. The fellowship is awarded to a promising individual who is given opportunities to grow as a writer and enhance the poetry community throughout Charlotte. The opportunity came as a pleasant surprise to Olson.

“I was encouraged by my wonderful thesis advisor, Allison Hutchcraft, to apply for the GoodLit Poetry fellowship. I did not think I would be accepted; I just thought the opportunity would be rewarding and challenging. I was amazed when I was accepted and it has been an amazing experience,” said Olson.

The fellowship has provided Olson with exclusive opportunities to develop her craft. She has not taken this for granted, soaking up and appreciating every experience offered to her.

“There are so many things I have been able to do thanks to the fellowship,” said Olson. “I have met and worked with incredible people who have taught me so much and welcomed me with open arms. The fellowship has provided me with a community that has been so warm and supportive. I have worked with some of my idols I could never have dreamt of learning from on such a personal level.”

Olson emphasized the importance of learning from great writers and some of her favorite poets through fellowship opportunities. She shares that this not only helps expand her own writing but also the knowledge of her students. It is because of her that they are also inspired to enhance their creative writing skills.

Despite being an educator, Olson still believes there is room for growth in her craft. She still has a curiosity that drives her to learn more, no matter how much she already knows.

“I am first a student of writing. I then see myself as a teacher of writing and then as a writer. The fellowship has provided me with an opportunity to grow as a student, teacher and writer,” said Olson. “One of the opportunities I get through Charlotte Lit is to take classes with very well-established writers. I take what I learn from them and share it with my students, so it has not only helped me to grow as a writer but as a teacher.”

The fellowship has allowed Olson to strengthen her teaching skills, helping fuel her passion for sharing her knowledge with eager writing students.

“I’ve had the opportunity to teach some workshops as well in the Charlotte community,” said Olson. “We are working to make the poetry community in Charlotte as accessible as possible. I learned so much from mentors on how to open doors for other writers in the community.”

The fellowship has also taught Olson how to fully express the details of life through poetry. This is an important tool for a creative writer to bring them to their full potential. The wisdom she has gained from her mentors is something she will carry throughout her entire career. 

“Their craft and poetry are fully aligned with their values, and what they value more than anything is the people around them,” said Olson. “Our friends, family, partners and communities become the subject of the writing we do. That is the most inspiring thing I have learned from the fellowship. The greatest writers are not living flashy, unattainable lives. Their gift is being able to take these day-to-day moments and interactions and transform them into something so beautiful.”

Olson showcases these values through her interactions with everyone she meets on campus. She takes what she has learned and shares gratitude and kindness with those around her.

She views poetry as a way of living and understanding life. To Olson, poetry is a way of interpreting the world and a tool to help individuals figure out who they really are.

“I apply what I have learned not only to my writing, I try to emulate it in my life,” said Olson. “I am a more grateful person and more attentive to the world around me and my relationships. That has been the most inspiring thing about my journey.”

Olson has always felt passionate about writing. Her love of creating art started her poetry journey and led to her success in her studies, fellowship and teaching. 

“After my first creative writing class at UNC Charlotte, I fell in love with the community. The people really received me and my writing,” said Olson. “I knew then that this is what I want to do with my life. This is the type of person I want to be. I want to facilitate these kinds of spaces where people can be who they are and share who they are. In poetry, we put our entire selves on the page and are seen and appreciated for it. That was the permission I needed to start my own writing journey.”

Olson has put every ounce of her energy towards developing her skills as a poet and teacher. It is her love of creating art and community through writing that drives her. Olson hopes to continue making a positive impact on others so that they can have the same rewarding experience.