Last updated on October 9, 2019
This post was written by Alexis Rodriguez, a student at Eastfield.
Just like most people, it took me awhile to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. I went from wanting to be a teacher when I was 6, a singer at 8, a pastry chef at 15, and now at 20 years old… a writer.
I worried growing up that I would never find out what I wanted to be. It was always something we talked about as kids, but the closer graduation came, I didn’t know what it was I wanted to pursue a career in. This worried me, but not as much as my mother, which caused her to push me into the medical field.
I kept going back and forth with her on it for awhile. Knowing that I wanted to do something else, but wasn’t sure exactly what, wasn’t a good enough reason for her to change her mind on it. Eventually, I gave in and let her talk me into studying to be a nurse. I wasn’t happy about it, but it was better than not having something planned out at all.
As I began my basics at El Centro and learned more about their Nursing program, I realized that it was going to be challenging. Not only because the program was competitive, but also because my basics would include a lot of science and math classes. I grew up struggling with math and it almost kept me from graduating at one point. I didn’t want to have to struggle for something that I wasn’t passionate about and I certainly didn’t want to take away an opportunity from someone who was passionate about it.
One day, I had bought a new book, Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen, the only author I read. I know it sounds bad, but I love her books so much! There was something about her stories that I loved. There were great messages in them and I adored her writing so much. After some time, I realized that this was what I wanted to do. I felt crazy for not realizing this before! English had always been my favorite subject and I always loved writing my own stories in elementary school.
My favorite story was called Crystalrella, which I wrote in sixth grade. It was about a girl who dreamed of being a fashion designer, but her stepmother and stepsisters tried their best to sabotage her only opportunity. YES! It is indeed very similar to Cinderella. I was only 12. It was okay for a 12-year-old to do that, right?
I grew up writing my own little short stories. I used to add my own characters into shows and movies I already loved, as well. What would it be like if Ariel from the Little Mermaid had twin daughters, Seraphina and Lucky? If you haven’t realized already, I’m obsessed with Disney movies. I have no shame in it whatsoever! I was shocked to not see that my passion was right in front of me. Writing!
I got an A+, my first one, on a research paper I had done on The Zodiac Mirror. This was it! This was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life! Write! I now realize that I want to be a book author for young adults. I want to create my own stories. I want my own imagination to be put into books. I want someone to read my books and say, “you inspired me to be a writer,” or “your books were my only escape from reality when I needed it the most.”
This is why I love writing so much. I recently talked about this with a friend who described why he loved writing so much, as well. The way he described it gave me goosebumps. “In a way, to me it felt like it takes you to a different place where you can write your own story and choose what happens, you know? Unlike in real life, where anything can happen,” he said.
This is the exact same way I feel about writing. When writing, I go into this new place. It’s like my Narnia in a way. Yeah, I know that sounds like a weird example, but it’s true. Now that I know I want to be writer, all I have to do is continue watching my writing grow and watch my dream unfold.
Thinking about taking a writing class of your own? Check out the course descriptions for English classes on the DCCCD website.