I was over at my parent's place this week (getting a much needed break in the babysitting department) and discovered that my mom had several large envelopes filled with my old school stuff. Not only were there many examples of my non-artistic abilities and horrid class pictures but there were also report cards spanning my entire educational experience. What I found really interesting were the comments on the report cards detailing my ability to write creatively.
Now, I've always known that my need to write started quite young but to actually see it documented by my teachers was amazing. Starting from the time that I began stringing together sentences (about Grade 2/3) my teachers always made mention of my enjoyment where creative writing was concerned. It was really amazing to see - a documented map of my journey as a writer. I have some of my earliest pieces tucked away in a portfolio but I didn't realize that my desire to write was witnessed by so many people - I thought I was just a solitary thing.
The funny thing is, I don't really remember ever talking about it with my teachers until high school. Sure, I attended writing workshops in elementary school and even won some awards because of my writing but the only memory I have of these events is in the bits and pieces my mom hid away for me.
It got me thinking - where did this creativity come from? Was I born with the need/ability to write fiction? Does it strike everyone and only some of us pursue it?
It was a lovely boost to my confidence and being somewhat superstitious, I'll take it as a portent of sorts - perhaps it really is my destiny to succeed in this crazy publishing world.
Angie, I truly believe a writer is born to be! Of course, hard work, persistence, patience and discipline is essential too.
ReplyDeleteOh, and a little crazy always helps ;)
I mostly wrote lines in school. "I will not talk in class." lol! I'm with Anne, I think a creative mind is born, but I don't really think it's limited to one thing. I love to write stories, prose, poetry, but I also love to paint and craft, and write songs...variety is the spice of life. I'm so glad you were able to find your treasures, what a lovely thing your monther kept them all. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL, my school reports all state "Try's Hard."
ReplyDeleteBahaha!! Gareth is so funny!! But, seriously its nice to have those memories. I have all my report card and class pics too. I haven't looked at them recently, but I can remember the need to be creative in everything and anything. I wanted to be an inventor, an architect, a designer, a painter, a writer...anything that wasn't analytical appealed to me and still does. Its just a creative gene I believe. We are all born different...its all a matter of the path we choose or take and what inspires us or drives us in a certain direction. I will always believe the passion for creativity is innate, and some have it and some don't. It can be learned but if you don't have a passion for it, that's the hard part to learn if you ever can. Keep doing what you love and what you're good at. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, how cool to see that history. I think writers are born to be writers too. It just depends on if those people born to write answer the call or not.
ReplyDeleteJulie/Firewolf
What a cool experience to go back and read all those notes from your teachers. I guess it's just meant to be. :)
ReplyDelete