"...here comes the disclosure which is not easy for me: I am a writer. That does not sound right. Too presumptuous; phony, or at least unconvincing. Try again. I write. Is that better? I try to write. That makes it worse. Hypocritical humility. Well then? 

 

It doesn't matter. However I put it, the words create their space of silence, the delicate moment of exposure. But people are kind, the silence is quickly absorbed by the solicitude of friendly voices, crying variously, how wonderful, and good for you, and well, that is intriguing. And what do you write, they inquire with spirit. Fiction, I reply, bearing my humiliation by this time with ease, even a suggestion of flippancy, which was not always mine, and again, again, the perceptible circles of dismay are smoothed out by such ready and tactful voices - which have however exhausted their stock of consolatory phrases, and can only say, 'Ah!'"

 

                        Munro, Alice. "The Office." Dance of the Happy Shades. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited, 1968. 59-60. Print.

 

Some of my writings are fictional, some philosophical, some academic, and others are a sporadic mixture of anything and everything that comes up in life. I use many forms and genres to get my point across - whatever my point is in that moment, which can vary drastically within a small amount of time and text. I often wear my heart on my sleeve and reveal too much of myself through my literature, but in the end that's what defines my voice and how I present myself on paper (as well as in real life). 

 

I have always had a knack for expressing myself in words. I have always had a vivid imagination. I have always felt relief and satisfaction after scribbling something down that had been gnawing at me for days. I have also always been fearful of that awful judgmental moment when everyone just says "Ah!" and changes the topic from my foolish aspirations to their practical ideas of what I could amount to.

 

I didn't write confidently for a very long time. I hesitated with every word, possibly even every sound, for fear of sounding as foolish as they lead me to believe. My passions, talents and innate disposition for the arts lead me to a fair-minded group of friends who helped to change my mind about the topic. I started slowly and almost mockingly during my first writing objective in English. Then I started to push the boundaries a little bit in my first creative writing course. After that though, I took a dive off the deep end. I began writing with fervor and expressing ideas that I never thought to dig up out of my sub-consciousness. Suddenly my imagination and borderline obsessive compulsive word choice turned into readable material that was able to win minor awards in children's literature. 

 

I kept going from there and I don’t intend to stop. Now I play with all types of literary expression and love every minute of it. My advice for anyone who hesitates, even in the slightest: Let your passions wash over you; anything is possible; do it!

 

A very motivational video that supports following your dreams can be found here. 

 

For a taste of my writing, please visit my Blog.

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