This is a moment for me to de-stress, a moment that I so very often take for myself, a moment to put my life back into perspective. Writing has always served that purpose for me. From the time I received my first diary, I have used writing as a way to reflect and relax.
Whether it was complaining about how life was so unfair, revealing my deepest secrets or writing poetry, I have found that as a person who has not always been outspoken, writing has given me a voice.
I discovered that I wanted to be a writer when I wrote my first poem in the eighth grade.
It was entitled “I hate you,” and it allowed me to express my feelings toward an individual whom I was not too fond of. That day began a journey into another chapter in my life in which I found something that I was passionate about.
I created a journal dedicated to poetry, in which I would commit myself to writing a poem a week about various subjects in my life.
In high school I took journalism as an elective and wrote my very first article for the Rialto High School “Medieval Times.”
I don’t remember my first article in detail but I do remember my first opinion piece, which dealt with how music can send different messages and can affect society as a whole.
Having the responsibility of taking digital photographs, interviewing and writing for this newspaper inspired my interest to pursue a career in journalism.
Before entering college I decided that I was going to be a photojournalist who would inspire the world with my words and photography.
But somewhere along the way I found public relations and declared it as my major.
And although my career path has changed writing is still an integral part of public relations, most importantly writing well because it is a necessity to be successful in the field.
A recent reality check has helped me realize that I am not as good a writer as I have made myself out to be.
An assigned reading for my public relations method class, “On Writing Well,” by William Zinsser has helped me see that there are so many mistakes that I have made and continue to make as a writer. For example the importance of simplicity, word usage and clutter in writing.
I am guilty of misusing and overusing these very concepts in my own writing, but this is why I continue to write.
This book, along with being a staff writer and editor for the “Campus Times,” has continued to help me develop my skill and become a better writer.
I learned that the first draft is never the last, big words are not always the best and allowing others to review your work is nothing to be ashamed of; it only makes your writing better.
Some people say that they are good at singing, dancing, drawing and claim to have many talents.
I am a writer, and although some people may not understand or believe that it is a talent, it is something that I am proud of and will continue to develop.
And as long as my hands are able to reach for a note pad and pen or keyboard, I will continue to write. As long as I continue to generate thoughts I will write.
Francine Gobert, a senior communications major, is news editor of the Campus Times. She can be reached by e-mail at fgobert@ulv.edu.
