Sitting in the campus coffee shop, Colsen Kay gives Ivy Leaves readers an overview of themes found in his several published works. Many of his pieces center around nostalgia. Kay explains why nostalgia makes an easy muse, saying that “it’s easy to envy a past version of yourself.” Other frequent themes are control and consequences, both natural and the direct result of actions. Kay’s favorite of his pieces in the journal is “Buried,” a poem which offers a fresh perspective on all three of these abstract ideas.

The desire to process mental battles is what often drives Colsen to write.  He tells me, “I don't have an internal monologue, fun fact for you!” He uses writing as a way to represent his mental health. Writing is an escape for him; a safe space to process any huge development in life and love. Colsen’s loved ones have also inspired him to write. Rather than a specific mentor, he credits friends, family, and Anderson University staff with giving him motivation. Apparently, it takes a village to create an author.

Since Ivy Leaves is a journal that showcases both writing and visual art, Colsen reflects on the connection between literature and art. He says he does consider literature to be art. Taking the point of view of an unnamed artist, he explains his thought process like this: “They're saying, ‘hey, the world is beautiful enough that it requires means of expression.’” Kay considers that ability to create very powerful.

When asked if he wanted to divulge any specific meanings through his art, Colsen explains that all of his works have a message, but not all of the pieces require the audience to read it the same way. A couple of Colsen’s selected pieces, such as “Track’s End,” are more cut and dry. Colsen wrote the ending of “Tracks End” with one ending in mind that he hopes all readers will understand. Other works such as “Boy” are left up to interpretation. Colsen feels very strongly about letting readers interpret this one because the major theme is helplessness, which people have different experiences of.

Colsen is apparently diversely talented, because he is not majoring in any English concentration. He is a double major in finance and accounting. When asked if he would continue to write after graduation, he tells me, “I do, writing for me is indicative that I'm going through something.” In addition to the several poems and short stories submitted to Ivy Leaves, Colsen is also working on anthologies based around his worldviews. So as long as life keeps coming at him quickly, he will continue to create art.