"Honey is sweet and so is knowledge, but knowledge is like the bee that made that sweet honey, you ave to chase it through the pages of a book." Patricia Pollok wrote this many years ago in her book, 'Thank you, Mr. Falker'; and though she may never know, these words have impacted me tremendously. These words aren't just a sentence on a page to me. It's a string that's tied to me and follows me through every season of my life. This book follows a young girl that struggled with learning how to read. When one person entered her life, everything changed. From a young age, I've always known what I wanted to be. I wanted to create worlds that would inspire, and create people that would bring joy, laughter, and sadness. When asked what I wanted to be, I would always respond with "A writer!". I remember writing short stories and saving them on a hard drive, while my dad figured out ways to get them published. Though I'm not a published author yet, it's my top goal in life. My first memory of reading anything, like many others was a picture book. Books like Patricia Pollock taught me about the pursuit of knowledge and how simple worlds can be transformed into something much more. Thinking back, fictional characters and stories have consistently influenced who I am. Characters like Curious George and Peter Rabbit kept me curious, always wanting more. The Berenstain Bears taught me the importance of family, relationships, and values. Most importantly, these characters welcomed me into their worlds. They became friends on rainy days, and family when I was sad. Picture books have not only served as entertainment but they taught me important lessons. I learned how to be a good friend through 'Frog and Toad'. I learned how to be kind to the Earth through 'The Lorax'. It made me realize, that I have a unique standing in the world. I have a chance to inspire others and make them think. It often only take one person to change everything for someone, like Patricia Pollock who learned to read out of one man's kindness. I want to be that encouraging person. Just like Patrica Pollock's words that cut so deep into my little seven-year-old self, I iam to write in a similar way. To write prose in such a way that children will carry my words with their feet, following them wherever they go.

"Honey is sweet and so is knowledge, but knowledge is like the bee that made that sweet honey, you ave to chase it through the pages of a book." Patricia Pollok wrote this many years ago in her book, 'Thank you, Mr. Falker'; and though she may never know, these words have impacted me tremendously. These words aren't just a sentence on a page to me. It's a string that's tied to me and follows me through every season of my life. This book follows a young girl that struggled with learning how to read. When one person entered her life, everything changed. From a young age, I've always known what I wanted to be. I wanted to create worlds that would inspire, and create people that would bring joy, laughter, and sadness. When asked what I wanted to be, I would always respond with "A writer!". I remember writing short stories and saving them on a hard drive, while my dad figured out ways to get them published. Though I'm not a published author yet, it's my top goal in life. My first memory of reading anything, like many others was a picture book. Books like Patricia Pollock taught me about the pursuit of knowledge and how simple worlds can be transformed into something much more. Thinking back, fictional characters and stories have consistently influenced who I am. Characters like Curious George and Peter Rabbit kept me curious, always wanting more. The Berenstain Bears taught me the importance of family, relationships, and values. Picture books have not only served as entertainment but they taught me important lessons. I learned how to be a good friend through 'Frog and Toad'. I learned how to be kind to the Earth through 'The Lorax'. Most importantly, these characters welcomed me into their worlds. They became friends on rainy days, and family when I was sad. It made me realize, that I have a unique standing in the world. I have a chance to inspire others and make them think. It often only take one person to change everything for someone, like Patricia Pollock who learned to read out of one man's kindness. I want to be that encouraging person. Just like Patrica Pollock's words that cut so deep into my little seven-year-old self, I aim to write in a similar way. To write prose in such a way that children will carry my words with their feet, following them wherever they go.

It's a cool autumn day in NYC, I'm wearing jeans, uggs, and a warm sweater. I'm walking to my favorite cafe, just around the block from my apartment. I have my backpack in hand, full of pages scribbled with notes. I open the door to the cafe, order a coffee with a croissant, and sit in a dimly lit corner. As I wait for my order to be ready, I think back on how I got here, living in NYC, and about to publish my first novel. It started when I first got accepted into the college I had been hoping and praying for. Through my time at this college, I went on mission trips to spread the gospel and preached about the good news all around my college campus. I read classic literature in my college classes. Learned about the life of Edgar Allen Poe, and laughed at the witty charm in Jane Austen's novels. This is what I hope my life will be like 5 years from now. I've always wanted to write, but ever since I became a Christian, I've felt a calling to write for Christ. The Christian faith isn't commonly seen in fiction books, but my life pleasantly revolves around movies and books. When it's autumn and I'm outside, I'm reminded of Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables. Her bright orange hair with her wild imagination, running through the grassyness of Avonlea. When I braid my hair, I'm reminded of Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games. A girl my age getting ready to lead a rebellion, her hair braided in intricate details. When I'm going on a walk I feel like Elizabeth Bennet, when she walks over a large field and meets Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. Every time I reread these series I'm reminded of the beauty and craft that is creative writing. I'm in awe, that writing words can bring people to tears, and make them feel joy, excitement and hope. It creates a palpable sense of nostalgia and comfort. It's these things that push my passion for writing and encourage me to continue to college. I want to write stories that will be left behind past my existence, and the only way I can accomplish this is by pursuing higher education. I hope that through my experience at college over the next few years, I will be able to achieve this aspiration of mine.