Writing the first episode to this saga, I gained some followers and likes and was the deciding factor for many of you to keep reading what I post. So first off, if you’re reading this, thank you much! I appreciate each and every one of you, every comment, every like, every follow, it really encourages me to continue writing and fills this empty void that I have in my heart.

Without writing, I would truly be nothing. From a young age, I was told by my mother to read, write, or draw before bed every night. I was a very avid reader as a child. I was reading, “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott when I was in the third grade. Mind you, that is a book meant for college aged kids and while my peers were busy reading books like “The Diary of a Wimpy Kid” and “Captain Underpants”, I was reading that. With my avid reading, I was always writing, creating story lines, characters, plots, protagonists and antagonists, etc. I was always interested in creative writing and was elected by my fourth grade class to go to a writing convention with other kids my own age.

As I grew older, my love for reading and writing only grew. I excelled in English class, especially when having to write essays or personal stories. Once I went into high school, I joined the speech and debate team which championed those who had excellent research and writing skills. As a freshman, I triple lettered in debate and to answer your question, yes you can letter in debate like you would any other sport. I also had competed in the state tournament as a freshman.

As my mother’s drinking and pill usage continued throughout my high school career, I clung to writing and my debate team. I was never very popular in high school nor had many friends, but I always was accepted amongst my fellow cunning linguists. I became a captain my senior year of high school and was in the debate class, where my teacher had entrusted me to teach most of the lessons since she had never been involved in the sport before. I would give hour long presentations and teach those to speak in public without being afraid and provide those with writing skills to articulate what they had to say.

Even to this day, I volunteer and judge debate tournaments. I help students learn those skills as I stated previously. Without being in an academic arena, I have put my writing aside for the past 3-4 years. But my sister and many others have recommended to me that I should write a blog to state my experiences and to show off my writing skills. I forgot until I began blogging how much I enjoy getting my thoughts out there.

It is interesting to witness my writing progress through out each blog post. I never know what I am going to write about until I am halfway through with what I am writing and then somehow I am able to tie my rambling words together with a bow and give it a working title. Somehow with this website I have been able to establish and keep up a theme that has been consistent through the beginning of it all.

Without writing, I wouldn’t have a voice. If you are in the process of trying to find your coping mechanism for your mental illness or your vices or just find a hobby, I suggest you look for an activity that allows you to express your voice just like writing and volunteering with speech and debate has helped me find and explore my own voice.

Til next time,

Dani