I think young writers are often misunderstood. Especially when writing for a platform such as Odyssey or a personal blog, it's difficult not to get caught up in what people want to read. We get judged for our opinions, berated by angry commentators, or made fun of for being that person who constantly posts their own content. What most people don't realize is that to writers, the written word comes naturally, like breathing. It's relaxing to us and can also be thrilling when we get on a roll and simply can't stop.
That being said, our goal is never to force you to read our content. We write because something is on our minds or we think the general public will really enjoy a specific topic. We write to better understand the news, pop culture, and each other. We write open letters to thank our friends, families, and other influential people in our lives. We write as a way to better understand ourselves and the world around us.
What sometimes gets lost in translation is our purpose. Odyssey is a platform that allows young adults to voice their opinions in order to get other college students talking about important, and sometimes even silly topics. While we do try to relate to our readers, what makes us unique are our varying experiences. Odyssey never tells us what to write. We are free to express ourselves in whatever way we feel necessary. For some of us, this is something to do. For others this is a hobby, a passion, or even a career choice.
I write for Odyssey because it gives me an excuse to empty my mind. If I think of something that would make a great article mid-week, I write it down. Sometimes an article writes itself, and sometimes it takes some research, but the sense of accomplishment that comes from writing something you believe in and something that is truly meaningful is powerful. The confidence that I've gained from having a platform like this is immeasurable and this outlet means a lot, not only to me, but many of my peers.
"I write for the Odyssey to give a voice to the voiceless. People often think our generation is foolish and doesn't know how to act or think. But, I think the complete opposite. The Odyssey has given me an outlet to express how I feel and has allowed me to solidify my passion." -Lauren Freid, Content Creator
"I write for Odyssey because it's not only an outlet for college students to share an opinion, but an inspiration for others who can relate to the words we share." -Allison Lavelle, Content Creator
"As an aspiring journalist, Odyssey is the perfect platform to write....about literally ANYTHING. Although all the freedom can become a challenge at times it only benefits myself and everyone else as a writer. Personally speaking, I've written articles ranging from personal to humor to tributes to music to sports (since I want to work with sports in the future), so as a writer you truly get to expand since the topics are limitless. Plus, at Odyssey we're our own little family." -Victoria Leonardo, Content Creator/Social Media Director
"I write because the Odyssey gives me an outlet to share my beliefs on a unique social platform that stretches across the world! Who wouldn't want to be a part of this?" -Gretchen Riker, Content Creator
Despite the confusion that often surrounds our purpose here at Odyssey, our aim shines through each and every one of our unique articles with various perspectives and backgrounds. We aim to give a voice to the voiceless and to be a part of a large conversation between millennials that seeks to challenge ideas and shine some light on what is important to us. Thank you for reading and for supporting us!
To learn more about Odyssey and read more articles, go to https://www.theodysseyonline.com/.
