If you would have told me a few years ago, "Zac, one day, you're going to be interested in writing," I would've looked at you and told you that you're crazy. I was never really the type of person to be outspoken or to express myself to people. Instead, I tended to stay to myself and keep my thoughts and ideas hidden from the world. Plus, when do you ever hear of a teenage boy who actually wants to write? Exactly — you don't. I guess I was just one of those rare occasions.
I didn't become interested in writing until this past year, which happened to be my senior year of high school. I can thank the arsenal of Literature teachers I went through during my time in Banks County's school system that attributed to my interest in the idea. All of those summer reading assignments, essays and dialectical journals left their mark on me and revealed that I could use writing to my advantage. While all of my other peers dreaded hearing the words, essays, or journals, I couldn't wait to dive in. Then, during one of those assignments it clicked for me. It was a way for me to show my way of thinking and to express my thoughts. This was a whole new environment for me. I had never established a way for myself to let my thoughts and ideas out and this was it. This is how I could show the world.
As my senior year continued, I kept testing myself. I chose the harder assignments, wrote the longer essays, started writing poetry (something I had hated before but eventually grew on me), and I even started writing small blogs for people to read on my Facebook. Ideas began flowing and I just kept writing them down. Inspiration came in from every aspect of my life. I started gaining feedback from my peers. They were telling me things like, "Wow Zac, I didn't know you could write like that!" It started to create a feeling like no other. My writing was beginning to affect people, and they enjoyed it. I started gaining confidence in myself. Then, I won the Young Georgia Author Award for a poem I had written. Once I won that award, I knew that I wanted to continue sharing my thoughts and expressing myself to the world through writing.
As time when on, I thought to myself, "How could I turn this into something bigger?" I started looking on some of the big blog sites and researching some other big name writers. I wanted to be like them. I wanted to share my content with bigger crowds. I researched and researched but no opportunities ever presented themselves. Nothing was coming up, but I still had a gut feeling that I had to keep looking. Then, it happened. I received a direct message through my Instagram account. The message was from a girl and she explained that she was the Editor in Chief for a team that writes for Odyssey at Erskine College (the school I would be attending in the fall). The message explained that she had identified me as a creative individual and that she would like me to join their team. Without hesitation, I jumped at the opportunity and agreed, which leads me to explain that I am now a creative writer for a team at Erskine College that contributes to Odyssey. I had received the opportunity that I had been waiting for, and for that I am grateful.
In the end, this isn't just about how I got a grand opportunity. I want this to be an example. I want it to be an example of how there is something out there for everyone. Go out and explore the world. You never know - you might find something you love to do and it could grow into something bigger. That's one of the great things of this life. You are able to do whatever you want or love and turn it into something much bigger than what you ever thought it could be. Never limit yourself. There's always an opportunity out there for everyone. I assure you, for I am a living example. Remember, God works in mysterious ways, and he will put you in positions where you can be successful and live happily for his glory. I would've never thought this would happen to me. Thank you to all of the people who have supported me and my work, because I wouldn't be here without you. I hope to see people pursue new things and turn them into something bigger. No one is stopping you. So go explore.
