English Symposium

At the English Symposium on Friday I decided to go to the panel on Creative Nonfiction to fill my hour requirement, and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. It’s not that I didn’t think that the pieces would be good, because I thought they would be amazing (which they were). But I also thought that their writing would be over my head, or that it would be something that only experienced writers could fully appreciate. So I was surprised when I really felt what the writers were talking about. I haven’t had the exact same experiences as the writers but I could relate, because they talked about feelings and emotions that I think everyone has experienced in one form or the other.

I was especially impressed by my teacher’s essay. She talked a lot about regret and the pain of losing someone close to you, which I can really relate to. I think I was specifically impressed by her story because it introduced to me a person I hadn’t met before. When she talked she was not my teacher anymore, but a woman who has had experiences and emotions that I could relate to. What I loved most was her ability to perfectly describe an instant. She was able to describe what it feels like to be sitting next to someone you love, and those moments when pain overwhelms you. I felt like I was there, feeling what she felt while also remembering my own experiences. I didn’t know that was possible.

 I am not the best at writing; in fact, I even have a hard time just saying what I feel most of the time. I am glad I went to this symposium because it taught me that your writing can be an outlet, can build a deep connection with your audience, and that it can perfectly preserve moments and memories. I learned that through your writing you can share with people who you really are, and I think that is amazing!