Inspired

            I just watched the movie The Help. I realize I’m a bit late to the party, but now that I’ve finally seen the movie so many have ranted and raved about, I can’t help but to do the same myself. The film was fantastic. It was emotional, inspiring, tear-jerking, and just wonderfully put together. Obviously, it portrayed a magnificent message, and was a must see for many, but I feel as though I took a slightly different turn toward the end of the film than most.

            Considering the character Eugenia (Skeeter) was a writer, I bonded with her from the start. When I saw that she was against the racism that was all around her, I bonded even closer to her. Falling for cinema’s sympathy trap, I fell more and more into the part of the audience this movie was intended for when she said she didn’t get many dates. But, while The Help spoke to me greatly about racism (and I would like to go shout on the streets about equality), I also felt a more personal message from this film.

            With how closely I bonded with the character of Skeeter, I did put myself in her place (proof of fantastic writing for the movie). Because of this bond, when Skeeter’s mother sat her down to tell her that she couldn’t be more proud of her daughter than when she got her (controversial) book published, I felt tears in my eyes. At that moment, I began to realize how badly we as humans want others to be proud of us. We have this unbelievable desire to have our actions justified by somebody, and that feeling of accomplishment is twice as good when the justice comes from someone we care about.

            That is why I will reach my goal of getting published. I will write and write until the day I die, because I will become a legend through text. I will, one way or another, make somebody, somewhere, proud. I will inspire that person to do great things, so that they can make someone in their life proud, and the cycle will continue, beginning with a dream to become a legend.

            (Yes, yes, I realize this comes off rather narcissistic, but if I don’t keep telling myself this sort of thing it will never happen! Wish me luck, everyone!) 

Determination

Obvious by the time stamp delay between this update and the last, I haven't been terribly true to my passion. Since winter break began, I've been relishing in the relaxation (which I do not regret) and have begun to feel guilty about neglecting my stories. I've dabbled here and there with thoughts of what political issues caused the war in my story, Elite, but I haven't done any actual formal writing.

Meanwhile, I watched the movie 500 Days of Summer for the first time today. Toward the end, once Tom regains control of his life, he writes a list of architecture companies he wants to work for on a blackboard in his home. As he applies to each company, he crosses them off of the list. That scene inspired me.

I plan to find ten publishers that I would like to send my story to, polish up a sample for them, and send it. If nothing comes of it, fine, but I'm sick of saying "I want to be an author". It's about time I grow a set and become an author.

Wish me luck.