These finds show my chronological development as a writer. By beginning with first grade (1985) and ending in the first year of my PhD (2005), I trace my early engagement with writing to the isoaltion my work engendered between me and my family and friends to my acceptance of my work. In some sense, these finds show the pain, resistance, frustration, and struggle that even professional writers go through as they live and compose.
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first grade award
In first grade, we has an end-of-the-year assembly in the playground. At this "galla-event," many of my classmates got awards for being the best speller, best at soccer, etc. I rember the award for best writer being the last award (although I may be mistaken), but I was sure it was going to Brandon B., To my surprise, my name was called. Although I was excited to recieve the award, as time went one I thought it was more and more silly. However, when I pulled it out of the wreckage of my storage after the flood, I realized that I was working (in the PhD program) on becomming the best writer I can be. Although I was not a popular kid in school, and surely did not expect an award, this early encouragement most likely kept me writing throughout my life.