Reading
For a while, books were all I had. They transported me to a world that was far from mine and introduced me to characters that cared about me. Stories provided comfort for me in a way that friends did not for a while, becoming a sort of refuge. While I am less emotionally reliant on reading now, I cannot deny the impact it had on me in making me understand storytelling is what I am meant to do.
In the top two photos, I was beginning to enjoy reading more for pleasure instead of using it as an emotional crutch. The bottom right image of me at a younger age best reflects the wonder and joy I get from reading now,
The stories that grew close to my heart inspired me to write, beginning my creative journey. I started some original projects, but none really got off the ground until I joined Horizon. My reading habits elevated my writing habits, as exposure to more prose allowed me to see words in combinations I never thought of before. This also made me a better editor as I could identify mistakes easier.
Reading is at the center of why I am a creative person today, being essentially an origin story for me. With a more mature and healthy relationship with the hobby today, I have developed some favorite books that I have become enamored with. I recommend everyone who wishes to become a better reader or writer (or who simply wants a good read) to check out the following:
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde