Blog Assignment #2

"The breeze of fall crept into the sunny mid-September day. As beautiful as the day was I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with hopelessness. I had one recurring thought taking over my being, that thought being California. To some it is home. To others it’s a vacation or a dream. For me it was a barrier and lingering thought that weighed heavy on my heart.                            
                I sat in bed for some time, sulking in my sadness until I could no longer bear it. I couldn't think of California as just California or as some beautiful city with palm trees and endless sunlight. I couldn't think of California without feeling my heart sink or without feeling an uncomfortably cold chill penetrate my soul. I needed a break from my fast paced and fixated mind, from California and its guaranteed discomfort."

                This piece was inspired by my boyfriend’s plans for his future. We were already in a long distance relationship and he had been planning to go even further for college. While writing this I thought of “A Million Little Pieces” by James Frey. I thought of how he longed to be with his lover who was also far from him, except she was in a rehab center. I thought of the sadness that came along with their distance and it set the internal mood of the character (or narrator) in my vignette.

                I have written short stories in the past but none like this one. This is my first short story that was an assignment so I paid more attention to detail and clarity. Also, I made sure to include a good sense of setting along with a sense of self and sadness over the issue of California. Writing this non-fiction piece gave me more freedom as a writer as opposed to writing an academic essay. There were fewer restrictions on my writing and there was no definite form or rules I had to follow throughout the entire piece that would take away from my creativity. I was also able to embellish in this piece.

                I've learned write carefully and clearly for the readers understanding. I've learned that the reader may be unclear on particular things that have a big impact on how my piece will affect the reader or confuse the reader.