Freshman Year: A Self Reflection

My freshman year as a creative writing major was quite an interesting one. I understood that I’d probably have a bit more work than my peers, but I didn’t realize how much work that’d actually be. Sometimes I’d be reading three books at a time or writing two stories and an essay at once. It was very difficult and daunting at times; all of that work did nothing but make me a more effective and efficient worked. I learned to use my time more wisely and more productively. I’ve also learned that it’s okay to actually work at home. In terms of actual writing and reading, I’ve learned my strong suits. Fiction works best for me, more specifically, realistic fiction. No matter what the story or the subject matter, I’ve always been drawn towards fiction more than any other genre. Fantasy (with goblins and such) has a tendency to bore me, as well as non-fiction. It’s been nice to figure out what I’m appealed to and what creates my best work. Some of the stuff I wrote in the beginning of the year is very cringe-worthy, but there was some good stuff. My more recent work is some of my best.

The Snow Child: Review

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey is a 2011 novel based on a Russian folktale of an old man and woman creating a snow girl and it coming to life. The story is centered on Mabel and Jack, who are both at their lowest after their move to a homestead in Alaska. Mabel was so unhappy she even tried to kill herself. The couple was childless after having a miscarriage years before. They also refused to get to know anyone on any other homesteads, as they wanted to be alone with each other. When money troubles, they gradually have to suck it up and make friends Esther and George and their family. When Mabel and Jack go outside one snowy night, they build a snow girl, giving her a hat and gloves. The next few months is spent by the couple trying to get this girl, who starts to randomly appear in the forest, to actually sit down with them. When they eventually do, it turns their life in a whole new direction. The novel from then on out shows us the troubles and good times Mabel and Jack have with the little girl, watching her grow up, and it's up to you whether or not to believe to she's real.The Snow Child was an amazing story. The detail and description and the magic (even though it was explicitly expressed) made the novel that much more special. I'd definitely recommend reading it.

Issues in Our Society (Part 3): Identity

For the past few years labeling yourself and putting yourself into a select group has been a priority among young people. People think you have to be gay or straight, weird or normal, etc, when in reality there is a whole spectrum of things you can be. You can pick whatever gender you please (not just male or female) and you can pick your sexuality (gay, straight, pan, bi). You don’t even have to label those if you don’t want to. There’s so much pressure to find a group of people who are just like you, and then you guys mimic each other until you part ways after Senior Year. Individuality is the only thing you’re guaranteed in life, don’t give that up.

Issues in Our Society (Part 2): Racism

Although many say it died when slavery was “abolished” racism is still very alive and well. Internalized racism, racism against Asians, Jews, Latino’s/Latina’s, Hispanics, Islamphobia, and anti-blackness are at their height in 2015. “Time Magazine” did a cover on the Baltimore Riots, crossing out 1968 and covering it with 2015, showing us how little everything has changed. People try to cover it up with “Dr. King wouldn’t have wanted this!” or “It was just a joke!”, when peaceful protesting didn’t work for Dr. King and just because it’s a joke doesn’t mean it isn’t offensive. People who are protesting are justified in their anger and pain. They’re people are being shot down and killed just for simply belonging to one group of people. The older generations have left all their problems for us to fix, which is hard to do considering they’ve also implemented their mindsets on us. The only way things are going to change if everyone has an open mind to change.

Issues in Our Society (Part 1): Guns

      Like it's foundation, America has always solved it's problems with violence.With the greater accessibility of guns and weapons this problem has just gotten worse. There are two sides to this though: those who abuse this privilege and those who are genuinely afraid. Those who abuse this are mainly those who will shoot you on sight if you "bad talk" the Stand Your Ground Law. If you have the privilege to genuinely defend yourself, your family, your friends, etc. why do you need to have seven large guns in a display case in your living room. I'm pretty sure if someone knows you have all those, they won't be bothering you anytime soon. On another spectrum, (though no one should have to endure such intense fear) some genuinely need guns for protection,. It's unfair they're lumped in with those who abuse their power. Some even use them rationally, for hunting or shooting at cans, nothing extreme. I believe no one should use or own guns, but given the circumstances, knowing some have it for the right purposes and use them wisely is slightly comforting.

Hint Fiction

Ghost

The soulless body next to me stirred. I’m searching for something I can’t reach.

Hurricane

She is a wanderess. She doesn’t belong to a city, doesn’t belong to a man. She is a brewing storm.

Somewhere

White sheets, bright lights, and crooked smiles. He says, “This is where it begins.”

Where are You Now?
I gave you the key when the door was locked, but now I need you.

White Teeth Teens

The girl walks, ashamed, with her head down through the halls. The others stand by watching, laughing.

Blank

I’m trying not to let it show. I don’t want to let this go. I promised you wouldn’t complete me.

Refraction

I sit on the bed with a heavy sigh.

Just a few more hours

and everything will be packed up.

Cardboard boxes

covered in marker and

thousands of layers of tape

are scattered around the room.

Everything, of course,

is going to her parents house.

It’s been hard for everyone she knew.

The slow drag of each day

knowing you won’t be able

to make weekend plans,

or text her goodnight.

The slow drag of each day

knowing I don’t get to see her

walking towards me

in a snow white dress.

A few weeks ago

she came home to me

and taught me about refraction--

a term for

the bending of light.

She made news,

which was what she wanted in life,

to be noticed,

to have a meaningful death.

Young woman dead--

Crashed car found on the side

of the highway,

driver of other car

appeared to be intoxicated,

he received no life threatening injuries.

It’s kind of funny how life works.

One minute you’re perfectly happy,

the next it’s bent,

your light

trying to find stability.