In elementary school we used to get these writing prompts such as “What did you do this summer?” or “What’s your favorite color and why?” or even “What do you want to be when you grow up?” They were silly and basic, a quick little assignment that wasn’t worth anything except maybe a piece of candy if you read yours out loud. While the other students rolled their eyes and hastily wrote something for credit, I was the student who carefully wrote. I was the student who always shared what I wrote, and not because I wanted the candy – that was a bonus. I shared what I wrote because I was proud of it. I liked the writing assignments, even as silly as they were. In elementary school, my love for writing began. In elementary school, my dream to be an author began.

In middle school, I was the same way. We did the same silly prompts, only now the responses had to be longer. I still wanted to be an author. I once wrote this play called “Vampirella.” It was dreadful. Seriously dreadful. It was some Halloween-esque Cinderella story. Interesting idea, poor delivery. But at the time, I was very proud of it. (Of course now I look at it and mentally cringe.)

Writing for me as always been a way to express myself, whether through a play, a poem or a short story. Writing was a way to get out those emotions that I wasn’t always comfortable showing. Writing, in many ways, has saved my life.

In high school, I wrote a lot of poems. Seriously angst-y typical teenage girl poems. Were they incredible? No. Trust me, most of them were not good in any fashion, but it helped me.

Writing is therapy. Not only for myself, but for others.

My goal when I write is to make people happy. But it’s more than that. I want to change their lives. I want them to read my writing and have a “huh” moment. I write not only to save myself, but in the hope that maybe, just maybe, I’ll save someone too. Just like reading Harry Potter, Inkheart, Eragon, The Lord of the Rings, etc., saved me. Those stories helped me to forget – even just for a moment – about what was going on in my life. And I hope that one, my stories will do the same.

Why do you write? Feel free to comment!

-K