I’ve been writing ever since grade school. Our bookshelves are filled with numbers of old stories I’ve written, both in and outside the classroom. This winter break, I decided to glance through them and relive my beginnings as a writer. Below are some pictures, quotes, and comments from "pieces" that I found particularly notable.
"Knight Laura and the Horrible Dragon"
Brief Synopsis: Princess Laura wakes up one day and decides that she wants to become a knight. Spoilers, there might be a dragon involved.
1. The dedication page:
For the poor, the hungry, and the sad.
2. This picture that was probably drawn in because I accidentally skipped a page:
3. This particularly riveting exchange between Knight Laura and her father, the king of the land:
"Do I have to?"
"Yes, you are going to take a bath."
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are."
"Am not."
"Are to."
"Am not."
"Are to."
4. And of course, this terrific example of poetic license:
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"The Cheese Palace"
Brief Synopsis (as written back in elementary school): A completely normal girl named Julie goes off to school like normally. But when there is a gigantic crack in the wall, her normal day turns into an adventure of a lifetime. Then when she sees there are two boys in the crack, they take her away to another planet. Together they will battle a small man that loves cheese, flying brains, a robot, mindless aliens, and flying cheese with huge knives in them. Will they be able to make it out alive on this journey? Will they defeat all evil and live happily ever after? Read the book and all these questions will be answered.
1. The fact that I wrote that synopsis on the back of the book.
2. This dedication page:
I dedicate this book to my friends and family and all the people who gave me many different insperations for this book. Thank you!!
That's right. Insperations.
3. This book is longer than some papers I've written in college.
4. My love of cliffhangers:
That night, after everyone went to bed, the sky turned a dark color of purple, and that meant Evil Ed was back. Dun dun dun.
"Yarc Book, A Book of Poems"
Brief Synopsis: This is a book of poems I wrote in my third grade class.
1. "A Witches Brew" poem:
The things to add to a witches brew are quite easy, although you might feel very queasy. All you need is: a purple cat, an orange mat, a yellow dog, and an ancient log!
Great use of rhyming, Rach.
2. "Blues" poem (pure evidence that I was a clutz even back then):
When I'm sick with the flu,
when I fall on my knee,
when I hurt my shin,
now that's the blues!
The falling basketball hurt my head,
I tripped and fell in the kitchen,
when I got a huge bruise,
now that's the blues!
3. " I Want To" poem:
I want to write, really write. Not just a five page story, but a thirty page story! I want my books to be best sellers at Barnes and Nobles. I could make author appearances & autograph the texts! It would feel great! I would be so happy 'cause I love typing and think writing is fun and relaxing. Maybe I'll write a one hundred page book for kids, like J. K. Rowling!
4. "Profile" poem (proving that some things never change):
Rachel Santarsiero
Who cares deeply about children in third world countries.
Who needs to see if the universe has an end.
Who fears the night.
Who would like to see a better world.
"Immigration Book"
Brief Synopsis: A unit in fifth grade conducted around learning about immigration and our ancestors from other countries.
1. This picture is really all that needs to be shared:
Looking back through some pieces of writing, even from elementary school, was a very fun and nostalgic experience. And while my writing style may not be the same anymore, some things really never do change. Perhaps maybe the things we're passionate about as children are our truest and purest hopes and dreams.
