by Raydia Osborne

Created on: August 01, 2008

I am a Creative Writing major at Emory University, and I am not ashamed. I have been waiting for the longest time to say that to the many skeptics I run into each month, and I am glad I finally got that off of my chest. It is hard watching the expression on many people's faces when I tell them that I attend one of the most prestigious pre professional schools in the nation and am a creative writing major. The small smirk on their lips disappears. Their foreheads wrinkle slightly. And I stand in front of them, dying to crumple into a ball and roll away. I can only imagine what goes on in a person's mind as they look at me, attempting to be polite and encouraging. "Why is she wasting her parents' money at Emory University if she is going to be a creative writing major?" they may be thinking. "How is she going to make any money after she graduates?" But I have always succeeded in keeping a painful smile on my face. Recently, however, I have come to embrace my talent despite the skepticism of some of my friends, family, and many of the other Emory students who are pursuing a pre professional track. I have realized that writing is what I love to do. Words are what God has chosen to give me.

"How do you do it?" you might ask. "How do you overcome some of the discouraging opinions that many people have about aspiring writers?" I cannot give you a special formula, nor can I give you a magic potion that can cure all insecurities about dedicating your life to being a writer. All I can tell you is to keep writing anyway. Every single word you write is a word that defies all negative comments and opinions. Every single sentence you write is a sentence closer to success. Perseverance is what makes writers some of the most bold and daring people there are. It takes a lot of guts to have so much confidence in a talent that cannot necessarily guarantee monetary success. It takes daring people to declare that they will write a book or short story that everyone will love, to declare that their words will stir readers' emotions or cause readers to search their souls. And that is why writers, along with being bold and daring, are also selfless. It is true that writers write for themselves to a certain extent. Most writers get enjoyment from creating complex yet relatable characters, developing plots, and creating images. But a writer's true passion is to make sure that whatever is written influences another person in some way. All creative writers want their work to be remembered.

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