Her Story
About Michelle
Michelle Smolarski is a poet, writer, and creative professional based in Michigan with more than 21 years of experience in writing and the arts. Her creative journey began at age 18 and has since expanded across poetry, creative writing, screenwriting, skit writing, performance, and filmmaking. She currently creates and sells poetry books through Etsy while developing original screenplays and theatrical projects that reflect her imagination, interests, and distinctive storytelling style.
In addition to her writing career, Michelle has professional experience as a florist and brings a strong background in arts, design, advertising, event planning, public speaking, and creative expression. She has written screenplays incorporating subjects such as protest poetry and mathematics and performs poetry readings in period attire, using performance and visual presentation to make her work more engaging. Her involvement with the International Association for Screenwriters further reflects her commitment to developing her craft and expanding her work in the screenwriting community.
Michelle attributes her accomplishments to tenacity, perseverance, and a willingness to transform her diverse interests into creative ideas. Her multidisciplinary background allows her to approach storytelling from both artistic and practical perspectives. Looking ahead, she plans to complete and submit her skits to theater and film companies while continuing to develop additional books and creative projects, building on her long-standing passion for writing and storytelling.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Michelle
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my tenacity and perseverance, combined with my diverse interests and creative ideas. I bring those qualities into my writing, allowing me to approach my work with originality, determination, and a strong commitment to producing meaningful results.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the most meaningful sources of career inspiration for me has been Frida Kahlo. I admire her authenticity, individuality, emotional honesty, and ability to transform personal experiences into meaningful art. Her example encourages me to embrace my own creative voice, take risks, explore unconventional ideas, and approach my work with courage, authenticity, and perseverance.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering my industry to recognize and develop their natural creativity, stay open to exploring different creative paths, and not be afraid to evolve. Most importantly, turn your ideas into completed projects and keep pursuing your goals with persistence, even when your career takes unexpected directions.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field is balancing my many creative ideas and projects while turning them into finished work. At the same time, there are exciting opportunities to explore poetry, writing, performance, film, theater, and collaborations. I see my ability to work across different creative disciplines as an opportunity to grow, reach new audiences, and continue developing a unique artistic voice.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Creativity, originality, and artistic freedom are the values that matter most to me. I believe in expressing myself authentically and exploring different forms of creativity, from poetry and writing to performance and filmmaking. I also value connection and using my work to inspire people, encourage deeper thinking, and bring different forms of art and expression together.
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