Meet Élan Delgadillo of @flanpoetry in Highland Park

Today we’d like to introduce you to Élan Delgadillo.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As a fellow poet, Brian Johnson, recently recited, “That’s how it starts; that’s how they get you hooked, on the small stuff. And before you know it, your 4th-grade haiku about a tree by a pond is stapled to the classroom wall framed by piss-colored construction paper.” I have always been a quiet soul. The most you would get out of me verbally would be a smart ass remark, or a one-liner. I keeps it simple. You get more of a reaction the less you say with more precision. That’s why I write. I remember the exact moment I knew I wanted to write. In the 3rd grade, two things happened for me. The first was a bit of a bummer. I went to the same elementary school as all three of my brothers. All three of them had gotten into the music program there. I, unfortunately, did not. This same year, however, I had received praise for a magnificent piece of writing I had been working on during our creative writing sessions. My third-grade teacher had told the class that I had been working on a pretty good story and asked me to share its synopsis. The work, the Adventures of the Freaky Disco Dude. Without going into details, just think if Doctor Who and the Undercover Brother had a crossover film. I loved the recognition. Even if the teacher said my writing was “pretty good.”

Then, comes the moment, I knew had to write. This moment came with the poem: “The Rose That Grew From The Concrete” by Tupac Shakur. My sociology teacher had given us this poem, with no name cited and told us to read it. Fucking moving. I mean, I knew Tupac, everyone did, but most of us only knew his music. So, when the teacher told us who wrote it, some of us were like “Whaaaa?!” I knew then, that wanted that reaction. I wasn’t going to become a hip-hop artist, if only. Kind of like a comedian, yeah the laughs are great, but the pay off really is the reaction whether it be anger, disgust or empathy. Its not easy overcoming the neurosis of ” will the audience like it?” It took a sunset, for me to overcome that fear. I could drive through LA, with the opalescent panes, a reflection of the warm iridescent clouds. I more than likely gave it more meaning than I choose to admit, but it’s for that reason that I chose to share my writing. How I chose to define that moment, will definitely be different than someone who watched that same sunset. I cannot be offended if they do. That sunset that became my muse, for a short period. Now, I’m stuck, looking for a sunrise.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My biggest struggle, like any other writer, is waiting for that muse to come.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the @flanpoetry story. Tell us more about the business.
I’m an Instagram poet. There are many of us out there, brilliant and talented artists doing amazing work. I would certainly hope the content of my writing is different than anyone else’s.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
The qualities of life are synchronous. With love comes inspiration, with heartbreak, comes motivation. If I had fallen into a spell of good or bad luck, I would not have known, but it would most likely be reflected in my work.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flanpoetry/

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