Small towns: you either love them, hate them, or both. In a small town it is easy for you to feel intimidated when it comes to pursuing your goals. I grew up in Northeastern Pa in a small town called Carbondale. I would say that in college when you are first introduced to someone, the main question you are asked is, "Where are you from". I have grown use to the confused looks I get considering nobody knows where Carbondale even is. But, hey, that's part of the small town charm! In return, I just tell them I'm by a more well known city, Scranton. Then, they will finally have an idea of my location. Growing up, wanting nothing more than to be a writer, and now I’m entering my sophomore year of college as a writing major. It's been a fantastic journey so far, and my small town has inspired my writing in many ways. While I hope to move to a big city, this town will always be where I came from and continues to inspire me throughout my journey.

1. People will doubt me.

Very few people have had faith in my writing, which is both discouraging and hurtful. I guess to them, my goal to become a writer just seems impossible. Especially since opportunities for writers in my town are incredibly rare. But, I still choose to follow my heart. I trust myself to make the right decisions in order to accomplish my goal. Their negative comments are nothing but fuel that I use to keep going. To me, my goal is simply a mountain that I have to climb.

2. Everyone seems to know each other.

You seem to know everyone, and it seems as if everyone knows you. It’s not necessarily that everyone is nosey, but that you grew up around the same people all of your life. The kids you went to preschool with are the kids you’re probably going to graduate high school with. So when I when I create my characters for my writing, they tend to be more mysterious and misleading. This not only makes these characters more enjoyable to write about, but I've also learned firsthand that knowing everything about everyone is boring.

3. I was always a dreamer.

What can I say? Creativity runs through my veins. And because of this, my mind is always developing crazy, yet intriguing stories and poems. Eventually, I can develop these stories and poems into much more, and I believe that moving to a big city full of new opportunities will help me do just that. I like my small town, but I prefer to look at the bigger picture of what life can be.

4. Not everyone is always in a rush.

There’s always the hustle and bustle in a big city. Everyone is going somewhere and because of the crowded streets and traffic, everyone is in a rush. In a small town, things run at a much more slower pace. It's easier to talk to people, since most are probably drinking a coffee at the nearest coffee shop. This slower pace has also allowed me to become more involved in my small town. If something is changing in my area, chances are I know about as soon as I leave the house. Or if I am at the nearest coffee shop, chances are someone will just come up to me and tell me about whatever's changing. Even these little conversations influence whatever story my mind is conjuring up at the moment.

5. Town history

I always enjoy learning about my small town's history. I know that it was originally built for coal mining, but I always wonder "what if it wasn’t?" What else could my small town have been built for? These questions fire up my creativity, and I begin having all these ideas of what could have been.

6. The quietness that starry fields have to offer

My small town is loaded with country roads and open fields. In these spots, I can just sit down and write, with the only noise being the wind brushing against the trees. At night, the stars illuminate the sky in striking patterns, which you can’t see in a big city. These spots allow me to relax and put my thoughts in order before putting them on paper. and to clear my mind.

Although I am excited to someday move to a big city, my small town will always inspire my writing. It’s also where I grew up, and it will always be a part of me. So thank you to my small town, for all you have given me over the years.