Photo courtesy of Wislande Letang
Holly McCoach/Staff Writer
Anyone can follow their dreams, but who better to tell you than Wislande Letang? This University student has a poetry book hitting the shelves at the beginning of the school year.
Wislande Letang, a senior broadcasting journalism major, will be releasing her first book titled, “Bare,” written under the pen name Wes L. Lotus. Letang’s book is brimming with encouragement and positivity.
“It allows me to rest myself. I’m in my own little world. I tell it how it is. I think it is very therapeutic,” said Letang.
Letang has always loved writing, which feels she inherited from her father’s side. She began writing poems in the eighth grade when her cousin got into a relationship – the poem stemmed from their love and the writing came naturally. From then on, Letang knew her passion and was compelled to write a book. She entered college where she met a Miami-Dade English professor who really pushed her to continue writing and to write the book she dreamed of.
“The idea of writing the book was there since high school, it was just that professor that gave me that extra boost,” said Letang.
Letang’s book speaks about love, wisdom and how to obtain a better life. Her poems have been influenced by the life of her friends and family, but also Maya Angelou, LeBron James and Paul Brunson.
“I feel like everybody can relate to the book. That’s what the whole book is about: keep going and eventually you will make it,” said Letang.
Brunson, a modern day matchmaker and life coach, was particularly helpful on her journey to write. After messaging him on Facebook, Letang was sure he would not even bother replying to her, but he proved her wrong.
“I reached out to him to read my manuscript and he didn’t turn me down,” said Letang.
After his feedback, Letang realized that you should not think that you are not deserving of someone else’s time. She was further motivated to go the distance and do what made her happy.
After Brunson read the manuscript, Letang did her research and sought out a publishing company, despite the doubt and uncertainty she had to face by friends and peers.
“I think this is a pretty big deal for [me] and Haitian culture. I want to be someone who represents FIU and says, ‘I made it,’” Letang said.
Letang will not stop there. She plans to write both fiction and poetry until old age, and hopefully work in the film industry.
“In the epilogue, I introduce a fiction story that I hope will turn into a movie one day,” said Letang.
According to Letang, “Bare” will be available sometime between July and August, under the name Wes L. Lotus, in the Barnes and Noble website and Amazon.com.
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