Yasmeen Owens on Crafting Her Novel
Yasmeen Owens is a creative writer and poet whose work speaks authentically and deeply. From college poetry classes to crafting horror video game narratives, she uses words to express freedom and spark change. Her exploration of identity and experience makes her a compelling voice in contemporary literature.
This writer's journey began early. Inspired by her writer aunt and her middle school dream of writing a novel that reflected her world, she dove into creative writing with purpose. Over time, she turned classroom assignments into published work online, overcoming challenges and growing as an artist. Influenced by the perseverance of writers like Tomi Adeyemi, Yasmeen continues to push boundaries and redefine what storytelling means.
“I wanted to have characters that looked like me.”
For Yasmeen, writing is pure freedom. She says, "I just had the fun of writing different ideas and words in my mind, just putting them down on paper and letting them flow." Her creative process is a mix of intentional exploration and spontaneous inspiration. Some days, she finds herself scrolling through BookTok or Book Instagram, discovering new Black voices that resonate with her; other days, she's deep in thought, crafting the perfect line for a horror video game narrative.
Her influences run deep. The perseverance of writers like Tomi Adeyemi, who once said it took her seven years to get her first book off the ground, has been a constant source of inspiration.
“It took [Toni Adeyemi] at least seven years to get her first book off the ground.”
Yasmeen also draws energy from her current reading list, which includes works by Tracy Deonn—like Legendborn and Bloodmarked—and even thrillers such as The Other Black Girl, a story so captivating it's been adapted into a Hulu series.
Currently, she is in the thick of editing a novel that has been years in the making. With beta readers weighing in and plans to connect with literary agents, every revision brings her one step closer to sharing her story with a broader audience. With a clear focus, she's working to build a literary legacy that mirrors the stories of the community she represents and ensuring that every creative soul sees themselves reflected in the pages of a book.
Yasmeen Owens is more than just a poet or a creative writer. She's a storyteller who redefines what it means to put your truth on paper.
Follow her on Instagram at @yowens0330 to catch her latest poetry drops, writing projects, and creative musings. As she puts it, "Even if I don't get paid for it, at least my work's out there for other people to read, to enjoy, just to discover what kind of writer I truly am."
