Blog Prompt #3

My Identity as a Writer

When considering my identity as a writer numerous elements and events come to mind. The individual style of my compositions, along with the progression of my writing persona has evolved this identity into what one may define it as currently. Along the pathway one travels as a writer both of these elements have been molded and constructed, not only by the events occurring in one’s life span, but also with the guidance of editing and revising, the growth one experiences as an individual (not only as a writer), and the discernment of one’s own personal beliefs and opinions etc. . With this in mind, one may reflect upon one’s thoughts, doing so to unmask one’s voice and how one may use it to direct the effect and intentions one wants to display to the reader.

Divulging into the events that makes one a writer, or even more specifically a single event, may be difficult to pinpoint at first. However, with careful consideration on part of the writer one can identify the moment one found oneself starting to stroll along the way of establishing their role as an author. Throughout one’s academic career the notion that one is a true writer is realized. For it is the knowledge acquired from numerous English and Literature classes that morphs into the final producer of one’s writing. As the years pass, many link a time in their life to the acknowledgement that one doesn’t have to be a professional author to view themselves and to be considered as a writer.

For myself this moment occurred during my attendance at Schofield Middle School, in the 8^th grade. I was in English I honors at the time, with an amazing teacher whose passion for reading matched her passion for her profession. This made writing for a tween more enjoyable of course, being that she would assign compositions, all of which were different genres, where we could take the time to express ourselves and let our individual voice be heard. One assignment in particular actually was considered extra credit. It consisted of constructing a poem or short essay in correlation to a piece of art work from the Morris Museum of Art in Augusta, Georgia, only later to be submitted to the Museum for determination of the contest winners. From here we had to meditate upon the meaning of the work of art, providing it with a perception, and apply the indications of the guidelines to the essay or poem. Choosing to create a poem, I decided upon a work of art that interested me and began. After submission, a few weeks later, to my astonishment, I had won Honorable Mention. For the first time I realized I was a writer indeed, and I from here I continued to work with my compositions establishing a style all of my own. Extending on, from that significant moment, the rest of the years of my academic career consisted of constant essays, research papers, short narratives, poems, etc. that built the structure of what one may find when reading what I write today.

As one flourishes as an individual growing and finding oneself, one does so as a writer as well. The growth one experiences as person reflects over into one’s writing, as one forms opinions and ideas of their own. From beginning high school to graduation, the editing and revision process one goes through after writing each and every draft aides in this; one notices mistakes, finds new ways to express one’s thoughts onto paper, and discovers different ways to formulate a composition, of any genre for that matter. This is the expansion of quality of work one may find from reading a paper done years and then reviewing one written of recent years. I have found that as I have expanded my writing capabilities that this is true for me as well. I have recognized the fact that as I matured over the years, my style of writing did too. I developed a sense of what the reader would look for and apply literary elements. I would define myself as a “free” writer, because when composing something I gather all the thoughts in my head, visualize them, and then simply apply them to paper. All the while, constantly thinking of ideas, letting them flow onto the page. I pay attention the smallest detail, analyzing, detailing sentences with what I intend the reader to see as well.

Thus, when comprising a piece of work everything from a moment in one’s life, a specific event, to the numerous papers written throughout their school years, comes into effect. All converging into making up the style of what the reader examines presently. The voice one discovers throughout the progression or evolvement as a person in the writing and in their life explains the very essence of the authors design and approach to the subject.