Sanika Babtiwale 

     I could not “get along” with this piece. The minute I started writing my first draft, I knew there were a series of obstacles to overcome. The first was my writer’s block. From the beginning, I tried to make it seem as if I had an answer to why I write. I thought about my time in Model UN and student journalism, to see whether I had an answer there. Although some of my fondest high school memories relate to those activities, giving my involvement of those reasons still did not feel right. Moving on from there, I tried to see whether other reasons suited me. I write to understand myself. I write to find my voice. I write for the benefit of others. Yet, I could not fully identify with those either. What was I going to do? Several of the pieces I had read had an answer to this question.

 

    For my first draft, I decided to discuss key events that were essential to my development as a writer and turn them into reasons for why I write. At the same time, I acknowledged that my true reasons were still “lost in translation,” and that the ones I listed in the piece were those I could come up with after several revisions. The feedback I got back for this draft was that my motives contradicted my claim. I think it was quite obvious to my classmates and instructor that my piece was not genuine, but I was still conflicted between writing that I had reasons or admitting that I did not at the moment.  

 

   Eventually it occurred to me that I was taking this piece too seriously. I wanted my work to “wow” the readers, especially since my repurposing had gone smoothly. Yet, my subconscious desire to have a perfect draft ready was leading to frustration, which would not benefit anyone in the end. Finally, I decided to go “rogue” and approach this piece differently. Keeping in mind my instructor’s and classmates’ feedback, I wrote my whole piece as if it were a perfect draft. Then, I went back to each paragraph and looked at how I could explain that while these reasons were good, they still did not match why I write. I wrote my commentary in red, even adding in remarks mid-sentence. Finally, I was satisfied with this essay.

 

   In a way, this piece reflected my journey in writing it. The writing in flawless Times New Roman font is how I wanted my piece to be seen by others, with no mistakes or hesitations. The red Times New Roman represents my thoughts while writing the piece. The comments are uncertain truths that were supposed to remain invisible to the reader’s eyes.

 

   Before you read this piece, I would like you to consider that one does not need a reason for a hobby or a passion. They should simply enjoy doing it, and a purpose will ultimately come to them.