Siobhan Darling: Writing Through Darkness, Finding the Light

Siobhan Darling has always been a storyteller. From an early age, she found solace in words, using them as a way to make sense of the world around her. Writing began as a necessity - an outlet for emotions too big to contain - but it wasn’t until she shared her work with her best friend that she truly embraced the identity of a writer. Her friend’s unwavering belief in her talent continues to inspire her to this day.

Siobhan Darling

A queer mother of three, Siobhan’s life experiences shape her poetry, infusing it with raw honesty, resilience, and an unflinching look at the complexities of love and trauma. Her debut collection, Sunflower Shin Splints, is a deeply personal work pulled straight from the pages of her trauma journal. It delves into the pain of abusive relationships, the quiet triumphs of reclaiming selfhood, and the beauty of human connection. Through vivid imagery and fearless vulnerability, Siobhan’s writing reaches out to those who have ever felt lost, offering them a light in the darkness.

Siobhan’s journey as a poet is intertwined with her activism. Having worked as a patient liaison in a New York abortion center and led special projects at the YWCA of Western New York, she has dedicated herself to advocating for reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ inclusivity. As the co-founder and Vice President of Be the Rainbow in Central Florida, she continues to create spaces where authenticity and acceptance thrive. This same commitment to truth and empowerment is reflected in her poetry, which does not shy away from difficult topics but instead embraces them with courage and compassion.

When it comes to writing, Siobhan follows a simple but intentional ritual: she makes a cup of coffee, selects a playlist that fits her emotional headspace, and commits to crafting one meaningful piece. Music plays a crucial role in her creative process, often leaning towards darker, romantic, and alternative tones - what Spotify aptly calls “spooky Victorian cabaret.” She also practices a technique she calls “off the dome,” where she records spontaneous word rants on her phone, letting inspiration flow without judgment.

Her literary influences are as varied as they are profound. She first fell in love with storytelling through Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, but as she grew, her relationship with literature shifted. No longer reading to escape, she turned to poetry to feel deeply, drawing inspiration from Sylvia Plath, Edgar Allan Poe, Pablo Neruda, and Shel Silverstein. Their radical romanticism and fearless exploration of emotion continue to shape her work.

Siobhan’s writing is rooted in themes of human connection, love, trauma, and healing. She believes in the power of storytelling to mend wounds, challenge perspectives, and foster empathy. Her advice to aspiring writers is simple but powerful: “Start identifying yourself as a writer. Say it aloud until it stops feeling ridiculous, and then start telling others. Introduce yourself by your passion instead of what pays your bills.”

Like many writers, Siobhan has faced creative challenges, but she sees writer’s block as a symptom of burnout. When she finds herself struggling, she turns to self-care - whether through music, good food, time in nature, or crafting - to refill her creative well.

Her greatest dream is to one day make a living as an author, but what truly keeps her going is the idea that her words might help someone heal. She writes for the person searching for the language to describe their own indescribable wounds, hoping to offer them a sense of understanding and solace.

If given the chance, Siobhan would love to collaborate with Gertrude Stein, whom she admires for her avant-garde vision and creative fearlessness. When asked where she’d teleport for writing inspiration, she dreams of the Regency-era Irish countryside, early 20th-century Paris, or modern-day New Zealand. And if she could attend a dinner party with three fictional characters, she’d choose Elizabeth Bennet, Jane Eyre, and Esther Greenwood - complex, intelligent women who challenge the world around them.

Siobhan Darling’s work is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. She reminds us that healing, though often messy and nonlinear, is no less divine. Through her poetry, she offers a space where brokenness is beautiful and connection is limitless. And as she continues on her literary journey, one thing is certain: her words will resonate, heal, and inspire for years to come.