Silvana Corrales Cantelmi came to Case Western Reserve University to pursue biomedical engineering, ultimately planning to study gene editing. But their first SAGES course with Timothy Wutrich in the Department of Classics changed their plans.
Now a fourth-year student majoring in classics, world literature and French, Cantelmi has leveraged their interest in Greek tragedies to inspire their creative writing—a venture for which they were recently published by Blue Marble Review.
Their short story, “Firebug,” brings to life two characters Cantelmi had been developing for some time. Drawn to dark, macabre stories, Cantelmi leaned into those themes when writing about Elijah and Silas—each of whom have something to hide.
“Firebug” is New Jersey native Cantelmi’s first published work, but they are adamant it will not be their last. Set to graduate with their bachelor’s degree this spring, Cantelmi plans to attend graduate school to earn a Master of Fine Arts—and continue their characters’ stories.
“‘Firebug’” is only the beginning. Since the piece was written, and before it was even published, I’ve taken a different version of the characters and put them in a book project,” Cantelmi said. “While I’ve written a manuscript-length story before, I plan for these characters, Elijah and Silas, to be the two protagonists in my debut novel. I hope you love the characters as much as I do! Happy reading!”
Read “Firebug,” then learn more about Cantelmi’s writing and experiences at CWRU below.
1. When did you start writing? What do you enjoy most about it?
I suppose I’ve always been a writer, albeit on and off throughout the years. I specifically remember writing a short story in fourth grade for our creative writing unit, and I remember taking it so seriously for such a young kid. Then in sixth grade, I distinctly remember a piece I wrote for a practice state exam. I had written a story set during The Dust Bowl in the 1930s in America. I think it was at that point that I decided I was serious about writing.
2. What interested you in pursuing world literature, classics and languages in college?
Having grown up in a trilingual and tricultural household, I have been around languages my whole life. My maternal grandparents are Honduran and my paternal grandparents Italian, while my parents spoke both their respective native languages and English. Because of my upbringing, I’ve always had an ear for languages, picking them up piece by piece, either by myself or with help in the classroom. At this point, I can’t imagine my life being monolingual. I wouldn’t be who I am today without all the languages running around in my head.
3. What are your career aspirations? Do you hope to integrate your areas of study together?
Ideally, I would love to be a full-time author and dabble in the publishing industry. I want to be a part of helping others voice their stories, not just my own. I hope that my studies will help me in being able to recognize the power in each story I come across.
4. What is your short story about? What inspired you to write it?
“Firebug” is about the chance encounter between an arsonist and a man carrying a bag full of something that isn’t so nice, who catches him in the act. I have always been drawn to dark stories, and have studied many Greek tragedies to sate that curiosity. I like to tell narratives that are off-putting and even macabre. As for the inspiration of the characters? These two characters have been rolling around in my head for so long that I can’t quite remember a time before they existed.
5. Does it relate to your studies in classics and language?
Absolutely. I mentioned Greek tragedy, and I believe that my interest in such a genre has shaped the way that I write. I find myself drawing upon the classics when I am low on inspiration. I’ll go back and read a favorite play, for example, even if it’s just to spark some vocabulary I can’t quite think of.
6. In what ways are you involved on campus?
I am the elementary and intermediate French tutor, as well as the elementary Italian tutor. I am on the executive board for the Polyglot Gathering Club, and the current president of Atlantis, the classics club. Come by to our meetings!