Flushing resident Daniella Bernett came out with her second book of poetry on October 10, and plans to one day also write a mystery novel.
“I wanted to become a writer since I was nine years old,” said Bernett, who grew up in Bayside.
When she was in fourth grade, Bernett said her teacher would have creative writing hours, and she “just loved it.” She began writing short stories and then poetry.
During the four months in between graduating from St. John’s University and getting her first job, Bernett wrote a mystery novel. Bernett started working for Penguin Books and eventually showed her novel to someone where, who said it was a good first try. Bernett said she “chalked it up” it a good exercise, and then began focusing more on her poetry.
Bernett’s first book, Timeless Allure, was published in 2004. Her most recent book is Silken Reflections. Both were published by PublishAmerica.
Bernett said that her books have the same themes, including romance, love and nature. She said she grew up reading the romantic poets, and eventually developed her own style.
“I guess I’m a romantic at heart,” said Bernett, who also works at as research manager for the firm STV Incorporated.
A loved of reading that her parents instilled in her is something that helped Bernett develop her style. She said that she had been exposed to different styles so she developed her own based on elements that she did or did not like.
“Essentially a writer has to be a reader to begin with,” she said. “You have to have an appreciation of the written world.”
Just a few days after Silken Reflections was released, Bernett read some of her poems during an event held by the Performance Poets Association. She said that she got a “really good response” and has been invited to be a featured speaker during one of their March 2010 events.
When it comes to her poetry, Bernett said that the writing itself is not the challenge, but rather the challenge is having people appreciate it. She said that there is a very small market for poetry. However, she encouraged others to give it a try because she said it can expose them to different ideas while also starting a fire in their own imagination.
For her future writing projects, Bernett has an idea for a mystery novel series that she wants to write. She said that she just hasn’t had a chance to start yet.
“That’s my next project,” Bernett said, adding that if poems come to mind she will also continue to write them down.
Paperback and hard cover versions of Silken Reflections are available on Publish America’s web site. Paperback versions can also be purchased on amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com.
For more information on Bernett and her work, visit www.daniellabernett.com.
