I love this quote because I believe it is true. When I first began to get into writing was around 14 years of age. I hated anything to do with English at that time, because schools just don’t know how to get kids engaged in regards to language studies…
Anyway that’s another rant for another time.
At first when I started writing I found it a chore, but as I continued on my mission to – at the time – make the best book ever, my desire to write grew. Soon I found myself writing every day – morning, afternoon, evening and even sometimes through the night. As I continued to write so did this strange need or desire to write.
Now, I’m twenty-four years old and can’t go a day without writing. It is my release, my passion and my therapy. All my emotions and creative ideas grow in my garden that is made up of Word Docs or notebooks.
That is another reason I have this blog. To give me a way to write, and let out what I am thinking to the world while keeping my mind busy with expression and creative thought. I get to meet like-minded people and gods it is awesome when I talk with some of you because then I know I am not alone in the world feeling this way.
Writing has grown into a passion for me when I never thought it would when I was younger, because I did at first force myself to write.
Don’t give up and keep trucking through. You’ll find your passion for something if you stick with it.
September 17, 2015 at 6:49 pm
I so feel you on the English thing. I hated my high school English classes. Writing essays was so dull, and not only because I found the subjects I had to write about dull (books I didn’t want to read as opposed to the books I was reading by choice). An essay always had to have a specific structure, had follow every rule set for it, and had to be completely serious. For me, that’s a recipe for squashing creativity. And it made me wonder if my high school instructors huddled together and collaborated on how to make writing essays the least enjoyable experience anyone could possibly have.
When I got into college, though, I was lucky enough to have English instructors who enjoyed reading something that wasn’t the same exact thing they’d already read a thousand times over. My humor went over well and one instructor didn’t mind me throwing in a swear word or two for added color. While essays still had their structure, I was free to deviate a little bit as long as I could make it work. I think the enjoyment I had while writing essays to entertain my college instructors as well as inform them of things they already knew is what led to my taking a dive into a creative writing class (which led to more creative writing classes). And I think it helped my creative writing that I approached every essay asking myself, “How can I write this in a way that the instructor has never seen before?” It was challenging, but I wanted my instructors to want to read every word of my essays rather than simply skimming through them as they did with essays from everyone else.
So, for me, it was the freedom to enjoy what I write that made me want to write more.
But I love that quote. It’s so true. 🙂
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September 17, 2015 at 8:06 pm
I agree with your comment. It was probably more that I didn’t want to read and writer the things they had for assignments. The book that forced me to pick up a pen and write something I wanted to read was the Hatchet. A good book now that I’m older and have the ability to explore the deeper meanings of it, but at a self absorbed 14-year-old I wanted nothing to do with it. I found more pleasure in doing my own thing and finding ways to entertain others with my writing than I did with any school work. University gave me more opportunities to learn different methods of writing expression, but my English degree manly focused on professional essay writing, which sadly didn’t allow me to be creative as my professors didn’t like people trying new things. University almost killed my passion with making me write but not allowing for much creativity. It made writing a chore…
Luckily I graduated and was free to go back to writing how I wanted, without marks relying on them. XD
I’m happy to hear that you found a way to develop your passion while doing your school work, though. That is a rare opportunity I think.
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September 17, 2015 at 8:32 pm
I absolutely agree with you on this subject. I wasn’t terribly good at English as I believe I wasn’t engaged and challenged in a way that made me want more. I had to follow the curriculum; it is that one size fits all mentality. Needless to say, I didn’t let that stop me and now, like you, I sometimes find it hard not to write because I’m so motivated and inspired by my love for the subject and for the inspiration I gain from reading other’s work.
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September 17, 2015 at 8:39 pm
Exactly. Blogging I believe is a great platform to express yourself and to practice finding your voice when it comes to writing. If schools somehow incorporated this into their class or found out what the class interests are, more teachers could find ways to engage their students and make learning English fun.
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September 17, 2015 at 8:40 pm
Yes, in an ideal world, that’s how it should be…. even taking the class and working outside. Sitting in a stuffy room, post lunch, is a recipe for disaster, especially when there’s a whole world happening outside.
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September 17, 2015 at 9:17 pm
That is so true. Kids are found to have better attention spans learning in an outdoor environment than an in room environment. They get fresh air, exercise and if done right, a chance to explore the world around them in a safe way.
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September 17, 2015 at 8:58 pm
For me, I hated English in high school because none of my teachers encouraged me to write. They didn’t like my writing, so needless to say it hurt my confidence. I didn’t quit though, mostly cause I want prove them wrong that I am a good writer and also like you, it’s my way to release my stress.
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September 17, 2015 at 9:22 pm
This is so true! I think I’ve been writing ever since I learned how to hold a pen. I was writing my first diary before I even went to school. As a teenager, I started writing more regularly – random thoughts, journal entries, fiction stories – and it slowly became an inseparable part of my life. Writing is my escape, my safe haven. And the fact that there are people who actually enjoy reading my scribblings? Nothing could make me any happier!
Btw, English has always been one of my favourite subjects – but that’s probably because I’ve been learning it as a foreign language, which makes it so much more exciting 🙂 I wasn’t a fan of my Polish class though. We only wrote essays and weren’t given much freedom – if what I thought was different from what the teacher thought, it automatically meant I was wrong. I wish schools would encourage kids to write and think outside the box!
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September 18, 2015 at 7:55 pm
Yes! Writing….in whatever medium….can be…often is extremely liberating. Certainly hones our senses and creative gifts. 🙂
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