Depression is something I have struggled with for a while, it was never the easiest thing to help those in my life truly understand, as well as myself, so to give my heart and mind some sort of healing, I would write about everything, especially about my depression. My grandmother had been sick with cancer, … Continue reading Life as a Writer and Creator with Depression: A Reflection
Class Is In Session
I would like to say that when I began my college career, I was fairly confident with my Cinema Studies major and what I wanted from it. I believe it was during my sophomore year or at the start of my junior year when I realized my love for writing and wanted to pursue that … Continue reading Class Is In Session
But I Don’t Want to Teach: A Meditation on Graduating with an English Degree
In just two short weeks, I will be walking across the stage at commencement. I will have a huge grin on my face, searching the crowed for my family, and praying to every God imaginable that I don’t trip. I will be ecstatic that I have finally accomplished my dream. All of that is to … Continue reading But I Don’t Want to Teach: A Meditation on Graduating with an English Degree
The Case for Paragons
In 1934, high schooler Jerry Siegel is tossing and turning in bed. Haunted by the recent death of his father, he dreams of a man who can lift cars. A man who can clear buildings in a single bound. A man who can fly. He wakes up in a cold sweat and immediately calls his … Continue reading The Case for Paragons
Show and Tell
When describing a character’s feelings, skillful writers do not just “tell” the reader how the character feels. They “show” by using imagery. Imagery is a language that paints vivid pictures for the reader. It often appeals to the Five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Sight: how does it look? Sound: What does the … Continue reading Show and Tell
Finding Peace With Your Grief Through Your Writing
Grief is an experience not many can understand or comprehend. It may be easy for some to overcome and for others the pain may feel unbearable. Over the past few weeks in dealing with it personally I've understood that. I know I have struggled with grief personally for years and recently with the loss of … Continue reading Finding Peace With Your Grief Through Your Writing
New Year, New Reading Goals
It’s nearing the end of the year and let’s just say I didn’t get anywhere near my reading goal. Now, I could blame it on the fact that I had school or that I had to work. I could blame it on not having anything to read even though we all know that isn’t true. … Continue reading New Year, New Reading Goals
Let’s talk John Green: A Look at Writing, Perspective, and Representation
So why do you read? In the world of novel readers, many people will tell you they read to expand their view of the world, to escape, or to connect. While I read for all reasons, there is something really special about reading and seeing myself represented, and I’m sure others will agree. There is … Continue reading Let’s talk John Green: A Look at Writing, Perspective, and Representation
Why You Should Look Back at the Stories You Wrote as a Kid
Ah, kids. They say the craziest things. They also tell the most interesting, compelling stories that make absolutely no sense at all. Or at least, I did when I was a kid. I have a box in my basement that’s just full of weird stories I wrote when I was younger—a kingdom of cats … Continue reading Why You Should Look Back at the Stories You Wrote as a Kid
Sappho in Paris: The Poetic Value of Lexical Cosmopolitanism
Despite the occasional vague pronoun reference or f-bomb, I've always fancied myself a relatively articulate and polite English speaker (growing up so close to Canada has its consequences). En français, however, I undergo a Jekyll-like transformation from Midwestern Judith Martin to angry truck driver doing stand up for the French navy. A typical conversation is … Continue reading Sappho in Paris: The Poetic Value of Lexical Cosmopolitanism
