Assignment Nineteen – Jessica Ewing

"Don't do something because someone else loves it. Do it because you love it." -Jess Maichel

When I first started writing full-length stories, novels, if you will, in sixth or seventh grade, none of my friends were very interested in anything I had to write. A lot of my encouragement came from one or two friends I met online through my writing, and that was about it.

Around eighth grade, my enthusiasm had begun to die out. I didn't feel as inspired, as motivated to continue writing my stories, though I'd already become too invested in them just to give up. I didn't know what to do, so I consulted my friend, Jess, who was a senior in high school at the time and enjoyed writing (and still does) more than I do. 

I told her I felt discouraged, let down that no one was interested in anything I was writing. It felt like no one cared about my talents and that if they weren't valuable to anyone else, I should just give it up.

She told me that was ridiculous, first of all, and that I should do something not because other people tell me they like it, but because I enjoy doing it. That's what a hobby is. Something you enjoy doing. If you don't enjoy it, don't do it. But just because you aren't getting the encouragement from your friends that you want, doesn't mean you should just give it up.