Before I started to write for Odyssey, I used to discredit some of the Odyssey articles that I would read. I was a doubter for sure. I would share some of the articles here and there, but as an English major, I knew that from an academic standpoint, to be credible, you could not just "decide" to write while expecting just anyone to want to listen to what you say. I carried this belief with me as I began writing for Odyssey; however, my experience as a creator has changed my perspective entirely.

Writing for Odyssey has encouraged me to find my voice and to use it. It's also shown me that you don't have to be accredited or famous to use your voice for the good of others. In fact, I have found that I'm a better writer because I've set goals for myself each week and worked hard to improve my writing. I haven't written a book or been published in a journal, but I have worked hard to share my heart, passions, and opinions with something bigger than myself, and that is the most important part of writing to me.

For me, writing is not all about becoming known far and wide, and it isn't about climbing the ladder, although those things are nice. It's about sharing something vulnerable and real, and doing so in the rawest form. It's reaching even one single person, affecting their perspective, life, and viewpoint, while starting a valuable conversation.

This is why I'm not a doubter anymore -- I have discovered the impact of my words, and now I am a believer in Odyssey. I am a writer because I've been through experiences and I carry a fresh perspective on many things that I think are worth sharing, and for me, that is good enough. I share my voice in hopes to change some small part of the world. I used to be a doubter, but that is why I continue to create -- because I now know how important it is to turn the doubters into believers. I know that I have something to share with the world and I want to start important conversations.