I’ve
just been thinking about writing a lot lately and how as a writer you want to
write down what goes through your mind. Otherwise it’s constantly there trying
to break free of your mind to be on paper. But that’s not always enough,
sometimes it doesn’t stop until you share it with someone or put it out there
for several others to see. This happens a lot with me because I want to know
what others think of my writing. If I go back to read it, the words still paint
a vivid picture of what is going on or being said. But I sometimes wonder if
that’s how it is for others who read it. If it isn’t, I want to know so that I
can become a better writer and be able to captivate them in that way.
But
then we come to the issue of what if some of the stuff I write is considered
inappropriate or offends someone? I know that there are some stories that are
supposed to get some sort of emotional response from the reader. That is to
help them feel connected to the story. But what about a piece that is maybe a
bit risqué or even very opinionated? While I may write it down, I don’t know
that I would ever feel comfortable sharing it with others.
I
have also heard that writing is supposed to challenge the writer. Believe me,
this has challenged me immensely. Growing up, you learn that there are certain
things you do not share with others or say. But what about when it’s running
through your mind and begging you to write to share its story? How can you say
no to something that makes you wish you could say yes? To feel as though you
will cry and mourn if you turn such a story away? To share that emotion, that
level of intensity through words is the ultimate goal. But how do you deal with
people, even people who may be close to you, that would feel offended by it? To
have them tell me that I cannot write about that which moves me the most is
like telling me not to feel the emotion it calls forth. To block out the
intensity that requires a level of self-control that I lack. I choose to lack
though because if we restrict our writing, we lose the creativity that sparks
the imagination.
In
a sense this also shows how strongly I feel about the need to read and the need
to write. Those two aspects are the motivation I use to complete my training to
become an English teacher. I want to be able to share that passion with my
students, and even greater than that I want my students to feel the fiery
passion that such reading and writing requires. Somewhere between high school
and elementary we as educators drop the ball and are responsible for the
students’ loss of interest in being more than just literate. I know that I
cannot help every student rekindle their love of words and stories but even if
I can only help a few students a year that is enough for me. I will be making a
difference in their lives that they can carry with them throughout their
careers and their lives. Not only will they see my love of reading and writing,
but they will also see that it is possible to enjoy my chosen career. Hopefully
that will inspire them to choose the path that leads them to a career that will
bring them just as much joy. No one said it would be easy, but if it was, it
wouldn’t be worth the risk.
