Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by amazing writers (not just the kids that made the classroom wall in fourth grade (also I was not one of them). I read book after book throughout middle and high school, and it completely changed my perspective on what writing is as a whole. I daydreamed about living in NYC, going to my book publishing event, signing my name on teen girls romance novels.

After one conversation with my counselor in school that dream was shortly crushed. She told me, "not everyone makes it in the publishing world, actually most people don't." I stuck with reading my books for the next few years and decided on elementary education as my committed route.

One day when I was sitting in the Bate bathroom, I saw a flyer with the odyssey symbol that I see everywhere (mainly my Mom on Facebook). I didn't even know I had the opportunity to write with such a big online publishing company, but when I saw the "NOW HIRING" sign, I knew it was my time to share my ideas with the world.

Ever since then, I have been able to express myself in every way that I so choose on this amazing platform. I don't have to worry about if a topic is too risky or cliche, it was all accepted by our team. In fact, the entire community at East Carolina, and the Odyssey, in general, is more than open to publishing out of the ordinary ideas, and that was why I chose to continue writing for such an amazing company.

So no, I didn't get to live out my dream of publishing a book in NYC (yet), but 'The Odyssey' is even better. I now know I have a platform where I can publish stories from my ridiculous ex to the definitive ranking of frozen pizzas.

I encourage everyone and their Mother to consider publishing for 'Odyssey' and see where it can take you.

Thank you, 'Odyssey.'