“Writers are artists who paint with words.” -Nikki bee Williams

While growing up you’re asked the same question over and over again “what do you want to be when you grow up?” When you’re young everyone responds to your answer with a “that’s great!” and a laugh; But as soon as you start to get older they are much more strict on what you want to be. In sixth grade, I discovered the amazing world of creative writing. Around that time, I wanted to be a teacher. But when I had put my pencil down after writing my first short story for a class I knew, I knew this is what I wanted. So from then on when someone would ask "What do you want to be when you grow up?" my response is quick "I want to be an author." If I had a dollar for everytime someone asked me "Okay, but what is your real job going to be?" I'd have enough to pay for my college tuition, in full. Being an author is a real job, it's just as real as any other job out there. Life is about doing what you love and I will not stop doing what I love to satisfy you. So even when I hear the same phrases repeatedly:

"You should pick something more useful."

"That's not going to pay bills."

"Why don't you become a nurse?"

"That's not practical."

"That's not good enough."

I am not listening to your 'advice' so stop shaming me.

I wanted to become an author because this is what I want to do with my life, this is what makes me happy I will not be forced to be a doctor, nurse, engineer, accountant, or teacher just because you believe that you need to go to the safest job. I am not trying to say these jobs are not good enough but those jobs do not bring me the joy I get from writing a story. Why pay all this money to study something you have no interest in, even worse spend your life doing something you hate when you have an opportunity to be something you've always wanted to be. So stop shamming people for following their hearts. If you want to be a doctor, be a doctor. If you want to be a singer, go and be a singer. Gosh, if you want to be mermaid, go be a mermaid. Be who you want to be and stop belittling someone for their choices.