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Time for a Journey Back



This academic year has been two of the most academically challenging semesters I've had—taking college algebra should be hint enough. Since August, one particular thought has echoed in my head at the due date of every assignment, I could be doing better. I love academia, and I plan on entering a profession that lets me learn for the rest of my life. But I also love to create. I love to paint and draw and craft words.



I knew that this season of my life would come—the one where I can't write. I even offered my small wisdom on the topic to the writers at Go Teen Writers. But, I never knew that this season of my life would come—the one where I'm afraid that I can't return.




I'm ready to make a journey back to writing, although I know that my writing life won't ever look like it did a few years ago. But, where do I begin? It's been so long, do I even remember what makes a great story? If it won't come as easy, will I still enjoy it, will I find it worth it? Have I gone so far without writing that I can't get back into it. Nothing I have done in the past year and a half has helped prepare me for being a writer—right?



But, my life has prepared me for writing. I lived. I got to know people. I spent myself for the sake of others. I got to know dozens of real stories about hope in the midst of pain, about the tensions and climaxes of real life. If only for a few minutes, I got to interact with hundreds of people because of my job. Every single one of those people had a story, from the five-year-old girl who wants to be a paleontologist, to the mom who was having an awful day and cursed at me. I got to witness real heartache and real joy. Sometimes, I felt it all myself.



Maybe the way back into writing isn't actually a journey back. Maybe getting back into writing is using the year without writing to move forward. I'm probably going to have to relearn some skills that I haven't used in a long time. But I know I will have to revisit all that I've learned about people, about life. It is my goal to write edifying stories that make people consider important things, and it is my prayer that God gives me the words to do just that.



//Alyson Schroll






Comments

  1. Stephanie Kehr4/26/17, 7:47 PM

    I love this beyond words, Alyson. Your posts always hit me right where I'm at. Thank you! <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alyson Schroll4/26/17, 9:31 PM

      It makes me smile to know that you found my words encouragement.

      Delete

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