This piece was actually for an English project. It was inteded to be the brief cover letter to my English portfolio. Instead, I think it became my portfolio at the time. Is it bad when the best piece of an English portfolio is the portfolio itself, and not the contents of it?
The majority of the peer reviews I got on this piece were interesting. Rather than my peers returning to me to inform me of their thoughts and feedback, they instead turned to the student next to them, handed them the paper and said “You’ve gotta read this! This is awesome!” I am pleased with this piece of work. To me, it seems like a wonderful portrayal of how rhetorical writing can be an art. And with that pretty much being the purpose of the paper, to talk about artistic creativity, particularly in my writing, it works well.
Self Evaluation of C.J. Baird as a Writer
“…While it is impossible to make a competent writer out of a bad writer, and while it is equally impossible to make a great writer out of a good one, it is possible, with lots of hard work, dedication, and timely help, to make a good writer out of a merely competent one.”
“If you’re a bad writer, no one can help you become a good one, or even a competent one. If you’re good, and want to be great… fuhgeddaboudit.”
— Stephen King [On Writing, pg 136, 138] —
“What is a life that leaves nothing behind? Not a thought nor a dream that might echo in time?”
— Paul O. Neil [Trans-Siberian Orchestra, What is Eternal 3:25]–
* * * * *
I have always loved writing. It is an activity I have enjoyed since I was at least twelve years of age. At that age I started writing my own creative stories. Throughout the years I have developed the creative portions of my brain, often forsaking the logic and hard facts needed. Occasionally I feel the effects of poor writing in regards to the rules of grammar, but it’s not something that I consciously neglect. I am striving forever to improve my knowledge and ability here, but it is not my focus.
There is something that I have learned from the uplifting encouragement of others despite my often poor use of the English language. That is, anybody can learn the rules and write a thousand page book with perfect grammar; not one error present in the text. Yet, once this book of perfection is written, in spite of all its correctness, it may be drier than the Sahara and less entertaining than watching three men sit around a table while discussing the isosceles triangle for eight consecutive hours. The ability to describe the effulgent emotion of a radiant sunset as its forlorn rays say goodbye to the dying day so that the chipper moon may rise to greet the mysterious night with its friends, the blinking stars, is something that I believe cannot be taught (though it can be taught how to prevent run on sentences like this one). This is the ability upon which I thrive as a writer.
I’ve never once had a teacher successfully instruct me on the subject of “how to create.” Those who make the attempt to inform and uplift the uncreative only struggle for words. Assignments are given that basically encompass the task “write a fictional story,” with just as much clear instruction. I do not believe it can be taught. I’ve seen tutors for math, for rules of grammar, for engineering, for drawing the proportions of the human body, the mechanics of the arts, but I have never heard of tutors lasting long when it comes to creating an original, breathtaking piece of art. Did Picasso or Van Gogh have someone teach them how to reach into the deep recesses of the mind to conjure up the unique images that dance across their canvas? I am sure they had a fair knowledge of the mechanics taught in schools: proportions, complimentary colors, et cetera. Why were they recognized when it is certain that there were plenty of artists who knew the rules better than they? Because they could create. They were original. They were not just painters, but were true artists. It is that talent that I thrive on.
Tolkien and his writings fall under the same stem of artistry as the previously mentioned artists. Of course Tolkien had a powerful grasp on the ability to write, but despite that, he is not acclaimed as being “a perfect, grammatically correct writer,” although he may be. Elves, trolls, and goblins were not perceived by the population in general as Tolkien saw them. He took already perceived mythological elements and creatures, recreated them using the medium of writing, told a story and created a world that lingers powerfully in the minds of all its readers. I am certain there was not one tutor who instructed him on how to create a Middle Earth. How is one to teach a class on “How to write an epic tale to reshape the way people think about mythology?” Tolkien possessed an inborn talent. A natural ability. The same talent possessed by Native American shamans in their ability to tell tales. The same thing that set apart ancient bards such as Shakespeare, Homer, and Cervantes. That same ability, I feed on as a writer.
These artists are masters of originality and non-conformity. When has history ever recognized someone for conformity? Those who break away from the mold, suggest, and even push change on any front are the ones who make a difference. Sometimes that difference is for the betterment of the world, and sometimes that difference is only for the betterment of one or two souls. But a difference was made.
Although I am able to write non-fiction, educational pieces, I do not prefer it. Anyone can research and write about a historical event simply to inform another. I take great pride in my ability to conjure and tell a story; to be able to weave from the fabric of language, tales that live, flow, entertain, and maybe even inspire. Originality and creativity are what make legends in the world. I don’t expect to become a legend to the world, but I hope to be remembered as such to those close to me.
I cannot say one of my biggest reasons for writing is inspired by the quote I have used by Paul O. Neil since this idea has long been within me before I heard the quote, but that saying does exemplify some of my feelings. I wish to leave something for people. My brain is not so welcoming to practices of science that require years of mathematical studies, so winning a Nobel Peace Prize for finding the cure for cancer is not a foreseeable option in my future. Instead, I hope to leave a smile, a story, and perhaps a dream with some person who may come across my work. In that way, I will become immortal. Truly, what is a life that leaves nothing behind? Not a thought nor a dream that might echo in time?