My History of Composition
In August of 1990, I was compelled by my muse to start a love for the arts. I delved into
all kinds of artistic genres but most of them did not suit me. For example, I loved to draw but for
some reason I found myself getting laughed at by my peers. I played a musical instrument but I
was no symphonic prodigy like the guy sitting next to me. The inspiration for the arts slowly
began to fade, until my elementary school, L.P. Miles, created a contest to make a school motto
that would be used for the rest of the school’s existence. I thought to myself, “What kind of brain
do they think I have?” However, I rekindled my inspiration because I won the contest with my
slogan, “We are the best because are ‘Miles’ ahead of the rest.” This revelation began an ongoing
compilation of essays and poems that has given me the foundation to be the writer that I am
today.
Being the writer that I am today was not easy; it took time for my ‘certain style’ to come
to surface. When asked the question, “How do you write,” I realize that my style is the product
of numerous factors. My most important influence would have to be my mother. My mother has
been teaching high school English for twenty-eight years in the Atlanta Public Schools. Having
her to critique my papers was worse than having the great writers of our time to grade them. She
has taught me so much about the art of literary style. I consider myself fortunate because she
always kept me one step ahead of my language arts classmates. If it had not been for her diligent
efforts to assist me in my writing endeavors and to keep my love for English alive, I would not
have been selected for the English honors classes during my high school years.
Growing up with an in-house instructor also put me into numerous experiences as a
writer. As a developing writer, I encountered numerous essay contests and writing projects
throughout my early matriculation. One example of my experiences is also the most vivid one.
When I was in high school I was reading a student newspaper for the entire Atlanta school
system, and happened upon an article about why every school should practice the uniform code.
I was appalled at the statements made in the article and decided to write a response essay to the
paper about the article. The following month, the editors and executives of the newspaper gave
my essay numerous accolades including printing my essay in its entirety in the newspaper. This
only forged my love for writing more and opened doors for numerous awards for different
contests all over the city. I also had some unsuccessful writing experiences, but this too increased
my need for pen and paper.
While I do love my style of writing, there are a few dislikes that are coupled with my
likes. My writing form is a basic five-paragraph format. I try to watch grammar and use
anecdotes and vivid imagery where necessary. Many of my teachers have loved the way that I
evolve from the cocoon of a thesis and turn it into a colorful butterfly of paragraphs. I have also
enjoyed my ability to create and expound. However, there are many things that I try harder
everyday to work on in my writing. For example, in composing my thoughts onto paper, I tend to
use enormous words in my vocabulary that can be easily reduced to a simple word that everyone
can understand. Also, after I finish writing my papers, I always have to check the congruency of
my verb tenses. My biggest downfall when writing papers, is the consistency of verbs in present
and/or past tenses. With much applause comes many tomatoes, so I have learned to accept
criticism and make myself stronger for the next fight/write.
Even as I write this paper now, I begin to wonder what kind of writer I have become. I
conclude my style in the following way: I write what I feel and hold nothing back but I try to get
it across as smoothly as possible. Being who I am today makes me glad that my muse geared my
love for art forms, especially writing, into overdrive. If it had not been for my influences, my
victories, and my defeats as a writer, I would not be the writing machine that I am today.