Meet Molly Rivkin | Writer & Outdoor Recreation Guide

We had the good fortune of connecting with Molly Rivkin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Molly, why did you pursue a creative career?
Becoming a writer was less of a choice and more of an impulse. I have been journaling since I learned to write, but did not consider myself a writer. Journaling was just a way of organizing thoughts and processing emotions.

The idea of actually becoming a professional writer did not occur to me until my mid-twenties. I was serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine, and was writing a lot more than usual, for several hours each day. I realized I was living a unique lifestyle, and should organize my journals into a book.

I was also mesmerized by spoken word poetry, and had started writing in that style as well. In Ukraine, I was still learning the local language, and often could not properly communicate with anyone for weeks at a time. This lack of verbal communication amplified my need to express myself, so I wrote more and more and more.

My peace corps service ended with the 2014 Euromaidan revolution, and my program was evacuated. I returned to the United States with a story to tell. I started right away, lecturing about the experience at my local high school, writing a piece for a regional magazine, and having stories from Ukraine published in a Peace Corps quarterly.

In the months following the evacuation, I organized and edited my journals into a manuscript. I had been accepted into a creative writing master’s course in London. I wanted to bring the first draft of my manuscript to London to workshop with other writers.

Over the course of my master’s degree, I continued to edit and polish the manuscript. I also attended as many spoken word poetry events and writing workshops as possible. I began to perform spoken word poetry and did quite well. Upon completing my degree, I was published in the University’s anual anthology and won a prize for poetry.

After earning some success during my studies, I returned to the United States again. I have since been living and working as an outdoor recreation guide. I have continued writing, and have had more poems and short stories published, although, the pursuit of professional writing took a backseat to my day job. I still journal everyday, and am committed to the journey and practice of writing.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Writing and reading did not come easily to me. I struggled with written language into my early teens. I was diagnosed with mild dyslexia. The difficulty with reading and writing instilled a steadfast determination in me. I could not get by in life without these basic skills, so I learned that continual failure was not a roadblock to success. I found ways to mask my learning difference, and in the quiet sanctuary of my bedroom, relearned all that I had not absorbed during school hours, at a pace that worked for my brain.

This early experience set into motion my ability to fail; to have my work rejected often, but to persist, knowing that success is not only possible but inevitable. My writing is raw, honest and from the heart. I write with humor, emotion and vulnerability. My goal in writing is to share my story with the reader as if I were talking to a close friend. I want to inspire, expand and uplift those who interact with my work.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Missoula, Montana which is a mix of a modern mountain town, university center, and small professional city. This eclectic and artsy city has both an urban vibe and a small town aura. If a friend were visiting, I would schedule hikes, whitewater rafting or skiing at Snowbowl Ski Resort during the winter. A concert at the historic Wilma Theater would be on the itinerary. We would dine at The Top Hat, a restaurant and music venue, and have a cocktail at Montgomery Distillery, a local artisan distillery. A visit to the newly rebuilt public library would be in order. During the summer months, we would visit the bustling Farmer’s Market for crafts, flowers and vegetables. An attendance of a First Friday event, which showcases Missoula’s emerging artists though a downtown gallery tour, would be a must.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I grew up in a small town in Northern Idaho. I had immense support from my community as I ventured out into the wider world for the first time. I had been a high achiever and star athlete. Along with my family, there were so many friends, coaches and parents who loved, encouraged and supported me through my formative years. I attribute my successes to the recognition and belief in my character and talent. The community I was part of in Bonners Ferry, Idaho was the basis for all that has transpired in my lifetime so far.

Website: www.mollyrivkin.com

Instagram: @mollyrivkin

Linkedin: @mollyrivkin

Twitter: @mollyrivkin

Facebook: @mollyrivkin

Image Credits
These are personal photos.