Personal Writing History

Before I was able to get into English Honor classes, I used to struggle with my writing a majority of my school career.

The main thing that was complicated for me was comprehending what I was reading. I was a fast reader luckily, but if you asked me what I just read, I would look at you with a blank face and answer with uncertainty.

Not being able to fully comprehend a reading you’re supposed to be writing about was complicated and frustrating. Moving from school to school didn’t help me much either. When I would finally get comfortable enough to ask my teachers for help, I would be moving off to a new state.

When I finally moved out to Nevada, I would feel left out during discussions in class and found myself being shy and quiet. I began to start reading at the library and seeking out opportunity to talk with teachers to help me with my reading comprehension as well as my writing skills.

It wasn’t long before I was being noticed for my improvement. The study groups and one on one teachings really began to finally click something in my brain. I began to feel more confident and as if I had a voice that I was proud of in my writing!

Staying in a school district for more than a year made me more comfortable with asking questions and overall learning how to actually socialize. I began to write in my HSM diary at home that contained my day to day life. I not only started to fall in love with being to say whatever I wanted, but also being able to say things I could have never said aloud.

I began to start writing whenever I could. Often if one of my family members were sick, I used to make fake forms to fill out as if I was the doctor just so I can write and make a “diagnosis”. I would even practice writing my name in cursive just in case if I became famous one day!

My imagination of course didn’t stay young forever and eventually I went off to High School. Not to sound depressing, but high school was probably one of the worst times for me! The English honor classes drained me, my social life was chaotic and full of drama and school began to feel like such a chore.

This is when I began to lose my touch with writing. I stopped writing in my diary and holding in my feelings daily. The lessons in English class were boring and long and no light bulb was turning on in my head. My senior year was a year of wanting to just pass my classes and get it over with.

During class time, it was difficult for me to be told to write about such an uninteresting book that I could barley wrap my head around. I understand that we have to read books that we’re not fans of, but I believed that being able to write about a story that you personally found interesting would result in a better grade.

After taking two years off after I graduated, i finally started college! I’m slowly remembering how much I missed learning from teachers who actually like to teach. Especially teachers that make sure you have the tools and help that you need to succeed. It’s only my third week and I think I’ve written more than any other English class but I don’t mind at all!

One of the most literate people that I know is my boyfriend, Andrew. I’ve never met someone that can read as much as he does. Everyday he’s reading a new topic and genuinely enjoys doing so. It inspires me to take more time of my day to read about things that actually matter instead of scrolling through social media every other hour.

When Andrew texts or calls me to just chat, we often discuss what he read about that day. He not only makes the topics more interesting but shows me that I also have the power to make my listeners/readers hear my voice when I write or talk.

I want to be able to have my readers be interested in my writing or to read something they’ve never read before. I’m all about having the patience and an open mind to grow with my writing. I just need to not compare myself to the other amazing writers out there.

As I get older, I usually spend my free time trying to catch up on sleep, homework, or family time because I work so much. On the other hand, I would like to start writing more as a hobby to not only improve my writing skills but to also make that little light bulb go off in this head of mine.