Writing Evolution

I have always been writing. I have been filling up journals and mastering the art of typing quickly (and improperly with my two fingers) for as long as I can remember. So, it made perfect sense when my mom signed me up for my first writing workshop with Project Write Now in sixth grade. The class specifically focused on taking art and photography and turning them into a story. This was different from any creative writing assignment from the English classes I had taken previously. All of my former writing teachers primarily focused on the quantity written, in addition to how much description one could include. Of course, these can be important skills to have, but the lessons were lackluster in approach and left out the rich arsenal of literary techniques that I required to properly share the stories I wished to. This workshop, held through PWN Teen, was a welcome change and not only gave me new insights into writing, but it also provided me with innovative ways to generate ideas through visual media. 

There, I was also introduced to—and published in—Bridge Ink, the literary magazine run by PWN Teen. It was my first experience with publishing my creative writing, and it served as an important lesson about putting myself out in the world. It was one of my first attempts at comedic writing, and although I was proud enough to share it with the class, I was unsure of its quality and never thought that it might have value to outside eyes. Yet, it was selected and posted online, a sign to me that I was a capable writer and that I should and could put myself out there to be recognized. 

Unfortunately, my journey with PWN Teen paused when COVID hit in the middle of seventh grade, and it remained at a standstill for a while. Of course, I never lost my love of writing, but after the world returned to normalcy, most of my time typing away was spent on high school applications and graded papers. It was not until Sophomore year that I was reintroduced to PWN Teen, when I crossed paths with them during a literary magazine field trip and later started to periodically take Zoom workshop classes. Throughout high school, I worked with several dedicated instructors who encouraged me and helped me develop pieces ranging from poetry to essays. Slowly, Project Write Now reentered my life, and my writing skills and range grew with their involvement. 

These past few months have been the pinnacle of Project Write Now’s presence in my professional and personal journey. I attend Communications High School, a vocational school with industry-level programs in film, television, radio, art, journalism, photography, and coding. During senior year, every student must secure a semester-long internship position to gain the credits necessary to graduate. I was given a list of local businesses and nonprofits to reach out to that had mentored Communications students in the past, but none of them quite spoke to me. After what felt like endless contemplation, I decided I wanted to find somewhere that correlated to my desired major for college—English. 

Where better to reach out to than the very place that helped develop my love of creative writing?  

Now that I am reaching the end of my mentorship, I can confidently look back and say that I am overjoyed I contacted Project Write Now. I have tested my creativity by making writing prompts for the PWN Teens’ Instagram, worked with other writers, and assisted middle school students and adults alike in advancing their writing. It has been an incredible experience being able to help others share the stories they wish to, and being able to learn from them in return. 

Of course, I cannot talk about how amazing Project Write Now is without talking about my mentors, who have been eager to guide and support me. I especially want to thank Ms. Lisa Hartsgrove, my longtime teacher throughout those past workshops and my mentorship, for always being such a positive force in my life. I do not know where my writing would be without her, and certainly know that my mentorship experience would not be nearly as special without her warmth and enthusiasm. I will never forget the first time we met in person to discuss Communication High School’s mentorship program, and how she ended our conversation with a hug. I am so grateful for this opportunity to work with Project Write Now. It has been incredible to be a part of their vast and impactful community outreach, and I hope that I can do more with them even after my mentorship has ended.