Reflection Of Personal Writing: Red Vs. Blue

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A week ago I almost gave up again. Saturday was spent on my in-law’s porch with a coffee and Baileys stewing over my frustration in losing my 14th scholarship contest. I sat out there, posing myself like an author; leaning on the arm of the chair with my chin rested on curled fingers, holding my pen like a cigarette, hoping to channel King or Orwell. I started this project, writing scholarship essays, at the beginning of the year honestly believing if I just wrote enough essays statistically I would win something. Two authors, Kristina Ellis and Marianna Ragins, won $500,000 and $400,000 respectively while they were still in high school. Their books gave me the jumpstart to try writing as a way to pay for school, and the idea grew into considering …show more content…

Ellis and Ragin never mentioned a well organized writing process in their books, but I assume they had some kind of system in place to be able to win as many scholarships as they did. Everyday, the time I spend researching and writing becomes more enjoyable as I force myself to be more aware of my thoughts and mannerisms in order to put them onto paper. There is a deeper appreciation for the emotions that good writing makes me feel whether it be books, movies, or TV shows. The creators of Red vs. Blue managed to make every character enjoyable to follow and Parks and Rec is relatable to nearly anyone who watches it. Books like Fight Club can pull me into the scene with its dark descriptions or House of Leaves with his strange layout of words like working through a maze of thoughts. Even if I never win a scholarship essay I’m curious if I could ever write something as emotionally stimulating as those authors I appreciate so much. My first challenge was to win money like Ellis and Raglan, now also I’m challenging myself to someday write my own inspiring piece someone will want to read. I imagine a little further, the idea of being my own boss and using my love for Chemistry to write articles for magazines or as a literary device to teach the science through storytelling. The concept at this point in my life is freeing as I don’t know if I want to drive to a 9 to 5 job everyday, paying off debts, and “treading water” until I

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