When I write, I want to give the reader a purpose to stay with me and listen. Whether through academic research papers or creative writing, I want to make a connection and share a bit of joy along the way.
Whether I am drafting a research or reflection paper or creating my next creative writing piece, the following samples of writing are samples from some of my favorite written works.
Research & Reflection
A Never Ending Journey
This reflective essay discusses my writing process in college. While it can be laborsome and chaotic, often the story worth telling is the one made while writing it.
This sample is from “A Never-Ending Journey: Learning Through the Writing Process.” A complete version of this essay was published in the fall 2018 edition of “Stylus an Anthology of College Writing.”
The writing process is a journey. Like most purposeful expeditions, it can be carefully planned: day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute. Even though this method is proven to be the safest way to reach a destination, it is the seemingly insignificant encounters and unique detours along the way that make the journey itself worthwhile. No matter where it takes me, the writing process has allowed me to explore new perspectives, visit new places, and ultimately, mature as a college-level writer.
Purposeful writing has led me to learn about and seek new perspectives. In English 1230 students are challenged through a variety of prompts with a primary focus on argumentation, analysis, and research documentation (“Course Overview” 33). When I can choose my topic, I find it is an opportunity to learn more about something I already enjoy or feel comfortable with, but often, the more rewarding papers I write allow me to work slightly outside my comfort zone. For example, when I was tasked to write about and interview an individual, I thought it would be interesting to introduce myself to the Director of the School of Business. It was daunting to meet someone new, but I now realize that the campus is quite complex. There are so many people whose efforts may go unnoticed, but nonetheless, they work hard every day. (…)
Ultimately, maturing as a college-level writer is not an easy task. There are stories written in writing and there are stories made through writing, but it is the complete journey that makes a written prose so special and unique. Countless drafts and ideas may pass through more than one set of hands before making it into the final draft, but it is the culmination of all the steps, ideas, and opinions bound together that make a piece of writing more than just words on paper. There is no single person I have met, perspective I have sought, idea I have had, or draft I have composed that has single-handedly contributed to my success in English 1230. Writing is a process and can be a journey well-traveled with time, commitment, and a sense of adventure. (…)
Creative Writing
Something Different
True to its title, this piece of flash fiction offers its readers an interesting experience. Starting promptly and ending with a twist, careful reading of this piece will reward readers at the end. In this selection, new hire Jeremy Tide is welcomed to his new workplace.
This sample is from the flash fiction piece “Something Different,” a creative fiction finalist in the Thomas Hickey Creative writing contest in spring 2019.
“Good morning,” chirped the receptionist as an aging man entered through freshly polished front doors.
“Hello, I’m Jeremy Tide—”
“Ah, the new hire,” interrupted the woman moving a plate of buttered toast on her desk out of sight. “I was given strict instructions to send for Mr. Anders as soon as you came in. I’m Janeen by the way. If you could hang tight in the waiting area to your right, that would be great. Help yourself to some water if you’d like.”
“Right, thank you.”
The man navigated the waiting room space. Taking a paper cup and filling it with water, he inspected an odd glass container about the size of a large fish tank next to the water cooler. The man jumped as something caught his eye, and a large bubble broke as the water level fell in the jug nearby. He looked closer while taking a drink to see four round, soft-furred rodents with large black eyes.
A low chime rung across the lobby as another man stepped out of an elevator adjusting his tan suit coat, “Morning again, Jan. The new hire is here?”
“Yes, he’s waiting over there.”
“Excellent,” remarked the man walking over. He stopped abruptly and smelled the air. “Jan, you eating toast again?”
“Yeah.”
The man shook his head, “What a disgraceful way to treat bread.”
Jeremy met the man half way, holding out his hand, “Hello again, Mr. Anders.”
“Good to see you again, Tide. Follow me to the elevator, and we’ll get you settled in.”
Mr. Anders hit the button to the sixth-floor, and the two men stood awkwardly as the silver doors clanked shut and the floor began its dizzying shift.
Mr. Anders reached into his suit coat, took out what looked like a fat gold pen, and bit the end like a cigar.
“So, Jer—I can call you Jer right? Remind me what brings you to my law office again?”
“Yeh—uh, I was just looking for something different. The kids have grown up, and I just wanted a change of pace.”
“Yeah, I remember when the kids all moved out. Me and the misses started a gerbil farm.”
“Oh! That’s what you were keeping in the lobby.”
“Right. Beautiful animals, those gerbils are. They’re social animals, you know? The wife loves them. You ever bored with life, Jer,” began Mr. Anders pointing his pen at the man, “you go get yourself some gerbils.”
At a loss for words, Jeremy nodded as the elevator opened to the sixth-floor. ●