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Campus Celebrity: Millie Guille

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Exeter chapter.

HCX caught up with Millie Guille, a second year English Literature student, about her escapades as a budding (and published!) poet. Millie was recently shortlisted for the 2014 Remarque poetry prize, a national arts competition for 16-25 year olds. As a finalist, her work will be compiled into an Ebook, which will be published by North Highland Publishing. All net proceeds will be donated to the War Child charity organisation.

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Tell us about the award ceremony in London – what was it like to be amongst such prestige?!

It was a great evening. The highlight was getting to watch the famous performance poet, Anthony Anaxagorou read his work. He was amazing.

How long have you been writing poetry for?

I did a lot of writing when I was younger, but it was mostly terrible! It is only recently that I have taken it up again, and I have been writing poetry seriously for the last two years.

Have you been published elsewhere before the Remarque Prize?

I placed third in the 2012 Christopher Tower poetry competition, and have had my poetry published in the subsequent Tower anthology ā€˜Earth Quietā€™. I found out last month that one of my poems has been selected to appear in ā€˜The Colour of Sayingā€™ anthology, which is in celebration of Dylan Thomasā€™ centenary. It will be published in December.

Who are you main inspirations?

My main inspirations? There are so many! I am enthralled by the sensuality of Michael Ondaatjeā€™s poetry, and I love Frank Oā€™Haraā€™s work. My current poetic infatuation is with the Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca. He writes so beautifully, and with such intensity. I definitely recommend his poetry!

Any future plans?

I want to be a professional writer, and Iā€™m currently gathering together material for my own poetry collection. Iā€™d love to do a Masters and a PhD in English, and my all-time dream is to write and publish a novel.