Reflection

As I reflect on all the writing I have done throughout the semester, I have found that I have become more passionate about writing. About a year ago I would have dreaded writing a story because I didn't know what I would write about. Now that I have taken both sections of creative writing I find myself coming up with new ideas for a story. I've started a list of ideas for stories that I would like to write. It has become a passion to write.

Continuing to write does help your writing skills, but reading is also important. For reading it's not about the quantity of books but the quality that you get out of them. After I read a book I like to think about why I liked it or why I didn't like it. I try to focus my writing on literature that I found engaging and interesting. I think that's the same way with everything in life. Everyone is different so there is not a right or wrong way of doing things.

The most helpful advice that I got from this class is to fill in the gaps of time that I leave out of my story. The reader feels drawn away from the story if it is constantly saying "a week later, a day later, etc." without filling in the gaps of what happened during that time period. I'm going to try to write as if I am seeing the story from the perspective of the reader. What questions would I have after reading my story?

I don't think I'm a great writer. I have ideas for what I want my story to look like, but I can't seem to get it out on paper. I am passionate about writing, but I often feel like I can't express myself. I need a lot of improvement. I don't feel like my story was the best, but it's a starting point for something better.

I've always wanted to publish a book. I want people to see the world through my eyes. I want to pick up a book and run my fingers across the pages. It's like holding your thoughts in your hand. I image that's a great feeling. I want to say that I at least tried. My plan is to work on a novel over the summer. I have about three ideas for books that I want to write, and I'm excited!

I do believe that I will try to send the query letter. I'm not sure if it will be for the story that I have been writing in class. What do you guys think? I feel like I need to come up with a better ending for the story. I don't know.

If I was ever asked to be published I would probably publish under a pen name. I don't want people knowing that I wrote something. I want to hear honest feedback from people.

Thanks for reading. I had a great semester with you guys. You are all awesome and wrote amazing and unique stories. I hope that at least one of you publish a book someday! Keep writing!