As an avid reader, I know that the escapism provided by books can save someone's life. They can inspire people, can convince them that there is still good somewhere, show them that no one is alone, or allow them brief moments of respite when the world they're in is just too difficult to bear. I was really lonely when I was younger-a lot of my friends would transfer in and out of the school I went to, people didn't often like talking to me because I was boring, and my older sister still resented me for making her share the spotlight. When I didn't have anyone else, I had books that showed friendship, love, hope; I had books that showed people like me finding people who liked them. Those books encouraged me to keep trying to make friends, to keep picking myself back up when I failed, because I knew there was someone out there who would want to be around me. And there was. That strength and hope books gave me, the joy and will to persevere, I want to pass it on to others who need it. I want other kids and preteens and teens who will be like me to know that they are not alone, I want them to have a way out when things are scary or hard, I want them to know that there is a whole world out there filled with people who may help or cherish them in unlikely ways in the future. Further still, I want my writing to show people how complex others can be. I want those who read it to think "maybe I should get to know this person", "maybe this person feels things just like I do". I want my writing to encourage people to see others as human, because if they can give their empathy to even the most outlandish of characters in a fantasy novel, they can give that same empathy to someone who is a little different from them. I want to represent people like me, people who don't fit in, people who look different then some would like; I want to represent those who know society would like to see them fail and show others that they do not deserve it. I want to connect people with a conversation about a novel. I want others to be able to make new friends by reading and talking about my work, to bond with people they never expected because they want to talk about it with someone. I want to bring people together with my creations, to write things that will mean something to someone and outlive me with how large and important they become to others' hearts. I want to bring people joy, and writing stories is how I can give that to the world, how I can give people joy and catharsis and hope.