I go by Claire D’, but the full version of my name is Claire Rose D’Agostino. Over the years, I have found my last name met with confusion, failed attempts at its prnounciation, or silence for fear of saying it wrong. After exchanging stories with my family and self-reflection, I concluded that it is the apostrophe that stops people in their tracks. I formerly saw this pesky piece of punctuation as a setback, but I believe it has actually taught me more about writing than my English degree (just kidding, GO DAWGS!). Language is always shifting, and there is always more beyond the page than the words we see. In my own writing, I try to carry that same perspective: emphasizing rhythm, focusing on nuance, and remaining firm in the belief that words make us human. Every story has a pause, a gap, or something unsaid that gives it depth. Whether I am writing copy, editing a publication, or creating a narrative, I always want to produce memorable language; which is why I choose to keep the apostrophe in name. It is a reminder that stories never end; they keep going, just beyond the mark.