Ever since I was little, I had an obsession with creating and writing my own stories. As an only child with two working parents, I was tasked with the impossible job of entertaining myself for hours on end. So, I read books to gain inspiration and then would build off of them, creating elaborate stories with me as the main character. As I grew, I became more and more obsessed with these fantasies, even going so far as to pull other friends in. We reenacted shipwrecked kids, dueling forest clans, farms animals, earthen kitchens, and underfunded school adventures for hours on end.

When I first starting writing down my ideas, I was in middle school. I created an online social media account that allowed its users to create and share their stories. It started off with mostly dumb ideas -- fan fictions and the like(yeah, I know, cringe). But as it grew, it became something more. It became a way for me to formulate ideas I never would have had regardless. It was stimulating and invigorating, an emotional escape. I based my main characters around my own mannerisms and situations, meaning I got to control the outcome. I also developed a more advanced vocabulary by researching words that I needed to describe my surroundings. I was also encouraged to consume more media, learning more in the process. I learned about ancient cultures, worldwide mythology, biology, chemistry and more by doing simple research.

To all the young fiction writers who are getting criticized endlessly for small errors and mistakes, I'd like to remind you that every day is a new day. It's hard to put yourself out there; it's even harder to put your ideas out there for the world to view. Regardless of what you're writing, you're refining and honing a skill that could be endlessly useful later on. Keep your ideas stashed away somewhere you can find them again; you never know how they might come in to play later on. My acute jargon skills led me to many an accomplishment, including my gig here at the Odyssey and a scholarship that allows me to go to my dream college. Besides, I still use writing as a fun brain exercise -- I even have a 40 page story that I'm working on, but that will never see the light of day because it will never need to. It's there for my enjoyment and my enjoyment alone. That's what writing is really about. If it becomes a chore more than an adventure, something isn't quite right.

To all the parents and friends of young fiction writers, I implore you to encourage your loved ones. Without support and praise, the next Stephen King, Maggie Stiefvater or J.K. Rowling will be lost to time. You never know what world you can unlock simply through a few kind words.

This article is inspired by and dedicated to Maddie Downie. If you haven't read her stuff, you really should -- she's the kind of talent you only see every once in a while.