The thought of sitting down and writing can often seem scary and daunting. It’s sometimes hard to put your thoughts into words, or to craft that perfect sentence. When you’re all finished, however, there’s no feeling quite like having written something you’re proud of—something you want to share with the world. Writing doesn’t have to be intimidating, especially when you think about all the benefits that come with it.
Writing and reading go hand-in-hand. Becoming a better writer will make you a better reader, and vice versa. It’s an essential job skill, equips us with thinking and communication skills, and preserves our ideas and memories. Most importantly, perhaps, we can use writing as a form of expression. Creative writing, in particular, is an excellent way to showcase our unique voices—and a fun way, too!
Mid-State Literacy Council encourages their students to write as often as they can, and they recently launched a creative writing project. The idea was for the students to write creatively about a topic that interests them; something they care about and have something to say about.
Zully, a published author from Venezuela, used this project as an opportunity to write her very first story in English. Her story, The Witch and the Magic Mirror, is a story of love and empowerment and is filled with imagery and symbols. In the future, Zully hopes to have her previously published books translated into English.
Özge, another student here at Mid-State Literacy Council, wrote a story titled Where Does Tradition Come From? It shares the true story of early morning rituals in her native country, Turkey, and is written in a beautifully simplistic style. Özge enjoys reading novels, as well as historical and research-related books.
Inside of everyone is a great story, because everyone’s thoughts, ideas, and opinions are uniquely and personally their own. For those who are reluctant to share their story, simply write for yourself. You’ll be amazed at how soothing and comforting writing down your thoughts can be. As Anne Frank once said, “I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.”
Never underestimate the power of writing!
– Meghan Harvey
