Growing up, I didn't cling to writing the way I do now. In fact, I had messy writing and the only time it looked good was in cursive. You see, in kindergarten I went to a private christian school where I was taught how to write cursive. Apparently, it was close enough to scribbling that it appeared well on paper!

I credit my disliking for english courses being the reason it took me so long to explore writing and language. Despite not ever knowing any other language, I had always struggled noticeably more in english classes than I did in other subjects. I wasn't ever a standout student in school, it's not that I was stupid - I think - but I didn't care to learn the curriculum. 

In middle school, I began challenging myself to journal daily. Lacking the actual routine and commitment to keep up with it, my journaling days soon fizzled out.  When the use of a planner became mandatory, I strayed from writing even further. Associating writing with school and homework, I no longer saw it as a leisure activity. Even though my father always encouraged me to write down my tasks and goals, I did so very lightheartedly. 

Early 2021, I began writing poetry as a way to get my thoughts down. I had so many feelings and ideas to express and release and after covid I had lost a little bit of the skill to talk to other people. Poetry gave me an easy outlet. I began by sharing with a couple of my favorite teachers. After receiving positive feedback (which as far as I know was paramount in the beginning of my writing), I began to continue thinking of new poems, allowing my creativity to take flight.

What furthered my writing was my love for reading. The more pages I read the more inspiration I experienced.  I read a lot of nonfiction books out of my excitement to learn. Prior to that, I spent my time reading fiction, as it goes; Once I picked a book up, I didn't set it down until I was reading the epilogue.