“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” ― Toni Morrison
I have a plan, reader. For the first time in a long time, I've set up a writing goal for myself. I am forcing myself to finish the first draft of my novel by May 31. It's been a tiring struggle against doubt and writer's block. However, I've reasoned with myself that I must fight onward,… Continue reading I Made My Characters Steal a Horse: a Tale of Writer’s Block
WARNING: POST CONTAINS TRACE AMOUNTS OF TONGUE-AND-CHEEK HUMOR. Author's Note: Big Ben actually refers to the bell inside of the tower and not the tower itself. However, since everyone calls it Big Ben regardless, I will refer to Big Ben as the tower, clock, and bell for coherency's sake. As part of the British Isle… Continue reading The Big Ben Conspiracy
I was using the bathroom before my 11:00 class, when I noticed the utility cupboard was open for some reason. It had multiple quotes written on the inside of it, all in magic marker or pencil. I have no idea why people wrote on the cupboard or why it just happened to be ajar when… Continue reading Finding Life Advice in the Restroom
There are two weeks of school left before summer vacation. Normally, I would be in full-fledge panic mode, but seeing as this is my 5th year in college I give myself a slap on the back just for showing up to class. I've changed my major two or three times which has hindered my progress… Continue reading Fighting the Apathy: a Writer’s Senioritis
WARNING: Contains a substantial amount of bellyaching. Those who do not wish to subject themselves to ranting about American literature should flee immediately. Hide your librarians. The Great Gatsby was one of the few novels I remember people liking in high school. I was not one of those people. In fact, I thought it was… Continue reading Unpopular Opinions: The Great Gatsby
WARNING: The following contains shenanigans. I don't like the term "people watching." There's something distinctly stalker-isque about it. I prefer to call it "spontaneous character building." When I'm sitting alone in a public place and I spot a person with a strange tattoo, haircut, or distinctive clothing, I'll make up a story about them. It's… Continue reading A Writer’s Guide To People Watching
Author’s Note: If you’re a librarian and you’re reading this, I’m sorry... I’m horrible at returning library books. I thought my mother raised me right, but I guess society turned me to the dark side. I used to be diligent about giving back borrowed items, particularly those taken from the library, but I’m pretty sure… Continue reading Library Books: an Overdue Apology
When I was about 8 years old, I went to a three-day equestrian camp during the summer and enjoyed several rain-soaked days riding on the backs of beautiful horses. The animals smelled like manure and my clothes were usually drenched all the way through, but I loved every second of gently trotting along the red… Continue reading To All The “Scary-Glarey” Girls
The Crooked Pen 