Since middle school, I have always used writing as a creative outlet. My passion has always been fiction. I was never one for op-eds (ironically enough), they always seemed tedious and I would just prefer to write a bunch of mish-mosh about whatever strikes me. I could create characters and control their actions. It's as if I could create a perfect society. But lately, that's changed.

Unfortunately, we live in a world of nonfiction. Everything is articles and facts. Nobody ever takes the time to appreciate beautifully crafted stories. And when we do we overanalyze it to the point where everything is picked apart. Everything has to be warped and twisted into facts and analysis.

I call for a shift. I say we all should get lost in a land of make believe, even if it is just once in a while. Take the words for what they are. The drapes are blue because the characters like blue because blue is a pretty color. Don't force the blue to represent something abstract. Save that for the classroom. Just sit back and appreciate the story. Enjoy the beauty, enjoy the tragedy. Enjoy the work on the page.