Writing
As a young girl in middle school, I thought I wanted to be a writer. I loved making up stories and fictional people and ideas. I was constantly reading and clearly well advanced among my classmates. I took part in advanced reading courses offered to those students whose English abilities far exceeded those of children the same age. I also enjoyed reading the work of others and connecting it to previously studied literature. Literature is so relevant because it teaches history and gives subtle pieces of advice through stories and experiences that can be analyzed and deciphered into a broader meaning. It is important for me, as a Latter-day Saint, that I am able to connect my reading and writing to my beliefs and literature helps me do this. It gives me the chance to test and question myself, and determine what my real values are.
I have been writing in journals since the age of thirteen. I am currently on my twenty-sixth journal of reflection, self-analysis, and have also utilized it to record significant and faith-instilling moments in my life. Though I am still too young to appreciate their significance now, I am certain that as I age, their value and worth will increase and I will ultimately be grateful for my dedication to such a permanent and lasting memorial of my achievements, failures, and discoveries in this life. In truth, I began journal writing because, as a young Beehive in the LDS Young Women program, we were encouraged to. I struggled to remain constant, but ever since I have managed to find that steadiness, I have found greater learning from my actions and thoughts and have gradually learned how exactly one finds balance in his or her own life.
As stated, my original intention as a young girl, was to become a professional, world-renowned author. Since then, my dream has altered. In part, because I discovered another, equally great passion, and in part because I did not believe myself to be cut out for writing a great, noteworthy novel. Truthfully, I still doubt my capacity to begin and finish a carefully thought out and complete book, but perhaps someday I will try. Until then, I have other important endeavors to attend to and address in this life.
I have been writing in journals since the age of thirteen. I am currently on my twenty-sixth journal of reflection, self-analysis, and have also utilized it to record significant and faith-instilling moments in my life. Though I am still too young to appreciate their significance now, I am certain that as I age, their value and worth will increase and I will ultimately be grateful for my dedication to such a permanent and lasting memorial of my achievements, failures, and discoveries in this life. In truth, I began journal writing because, as a young Beehive in the LDS Young Women program, we were encouraged to. I struggled to remain constant, but ever since I have managed to find that steadiness, I have found greater learning from my actions and thoughts and have gradually learned how exactly one finds balance in his or her own life.
As stated, my original intention as a young girl, was to become a professional, world-renowned author. Since then, my dream has altered. In part, because I discovered another, equally great passion, and in part because I did not believe myself to be cut out for writing a great, noteworthy novel. Truthfully, I still doubt my capacity to begin and finish a carefully thought out and complete book, but perhaps someday I will try. Until then, I have other important endeavors to attend to and address in this life.
Editing
My experience with editing began just before I began high school in Gilford, New Hampshire. I participated in a summer English course of sorts, held in the public library and taught by high school teachers. As we wrote creative literature and critiqued the work of one another, it became apparent that I had an uncanny ability for improving the work of others. I was very cautious in my grammar use, and for whatever reason, I seemed to grasp the concept of punctuation, spelling, and also the use of a thesaurus, better than most other students my age. (Another reason I doubt I could ever become a successful author--I am too critical and cautious of writing and it would be an endless flood of drafts and edits if I were to correct my own work). I have no known basis for this talent, having, though very bright parents, no background or history of English teachers or writers. As I progressed in age and skill, I became more and more interested in the concept of editing. I sincerely enjoyed reading the work of others (poor or not) and gaining even an inkling of their unique perspective. Perhaps this was the reason I enjoyed reading the comments my teachers would leave on my graded work so much. Although it was also most likely because I rarely received less than an "A" grade on an essay and relished in the positive feedback and praise of my work.
During high school, I was provided with many other opportunities to edit the work of my peers. It was not long before my fellow classmates recognized how helpful I was in discovering mistakes and making improvements in their work. Soon I was editing more than my share of papers before papers needed to be turned in. Although it was time-consuming, I felt the work was calming and interesting. I recall sitting under a lamp in my home, settled in a comfy chair, with a stack of essays next to me. I even had a red pen (which made me feel more professional--almost like a teacher or professor) which I used to mark up each page with my comments, suggestions, and alterations. I quickly realized that my greater passion lay not in writing but in editing. I was soon invited to become a member of the high school's exclusive editing club for the school literary magazine. It was perhaps around that time that I decided I wanted to become an editor. I wanted to be able to work from home and read and read the writing of others, and help them improve their books. Maybe I could not write a book myself, but I knew I could certainly improve one.
For these reasons, I am studying to become an English major with an emphasis in Professional Writing, or--more specifically--editing. Not only will such a profession permit me to perform work I love and contribute to our family's income, but it will allow me to remain in the home where I desire to be, so that I might be able to focus on the most important aspect of my life--my family.
During high school, I was provided with many other opportunities to edit the work of my peers. It was not long before my fellow classmates recognized how helpful I was in discovering mistakes and making improvements in their work. Soon I was editing more than my share of papers before papers needed to be turned in. Although it was time-consuming, I felt the work was calming and interesting. I recall sitting under a lamp in my home, settled in a comfy chair, with a stack of essays next to me. I even had a red pen (which made me feel more professional--almost like a teacher or professor) which I used to mark up each page with my comments, suggestions, and alterations. I quickly realized that my greater passion lay not in writing but in editing. I was soon invited to become a member of the high school's exclusive editing club for the school literary magazine. It was perhaps around that time that I decided I wanted to become an editor. I wanted to be able to work from home and read and read the writing of others, and help them improve their books. Maybe I could not write a book myself, but I knew I could certainly improve one.
For these reasons, I am studying to become an English major with an emphasis in Professional Writing, or--more specifically--editing. Not only will such a profession permit me to perform work I love and contribute to our family's income, but it will allow me to remain in the home where I desire to be, so that I might be able to focus on the most important aspect of my life--my family.