The Evolution of Writing: A Personal Journey

Introduction

Every journey in writing begins with an initial step. For me, that first step was taking pen to paper, or more accurately, finger to keyboard, in kindergarten. Today, I look back on my early efforts with a mixture of amusement and recognition. It's a journey of personal growth and the improvement of skills that often seems to require a poet's attention to detail and a philosopher's introspection.

Kindergarten Writings: A Bumpy Start

Remember my “wolf story”? I started it like any other five-year-old, but it quickly spiraled into something more nuanced. My early writing was as behemoth as a young wolf, wild and untamed. Here's a sample from probably a ten-year-old:

Maddie howled erect mourns for her dead pup. It was custom in these lands because her coyote mate James killed her youngest son. Now her two other girl pups Kate and Savina were playing in the yard and didn’t know what had happened.

Notice the awkward grammar and the words I used without understanding their meanings. While the structure was there, it was all still juvenile and filled with uncertainties.

Current Day: Remastered Chapter One

Scene Reconstruction

Now, let's move forward to the present. Here is the same scene, reconstructed and refined:

Madelyn, naked but for the chainlink medallion glimmering at the base of her throat, whispered a prayer that tonight would go well. Again. For the upteenth time. Because it never did. The Mentourus Council building, elongated across the street, was joltingly pristine in comparison to the rest of New York City. The asphalt around the building was sheeted in a rainbow sheen of oil. The city was rank with the stench of rotting food, exhaust fumes, and sewer scents. It was not a good place for beings with exceptional senses like Madelyn. Filth clutched her bare feet, and she attempted to calm herself by leaning forward and inhaling the more welcoming scents of the council building—the soapy smell of asphalt and the artificial aroma of an air freshener reminiscent of a hospital.

The Eavesdropping Scene

“Kshhhk.” Kate Eden whispered into her hand feigning a walkie-talkie. “Target in sight. Course of action, Madam.”

Savina Eden leaned over the ledge that overlooked the council building on a third-story balcony. Safe from view in the shadows, she traced the fine shapes: the clipped hedges rising in the shivering shapes of wolves, the fountain that bisected a driveway, water weaving a glittering, twirling dance like ballet, the gold luster of yard spotlights. Madelyn there, rapping her knuckles on the door. If Savina leaned forward a bit, she might hear her. But not over the tumult of wind or the mock static coming from her sister's mouth.

Character Development and Environmental Description

The scene is rich in detail, carefully constructing Madelyn's character and the environment around her, revealing both the physical and emotional states of the characters. The city is not just a backdrop; it is a character in its own right, filled with contrasting elements, reflecting the complex world of werewolves and their struggle for acceptance.

Reflections on Writing Improvement

The journey from kindergarten to now is one of steady improvement. Early struggles with grammar and vocabulary have been replaced by a writer's sensibility, a keen eye for detail, and a narrative voice that has found its rhythm. While there are still borrowed elements, like Kate referring her friends to the “wolf story,” it is evident that my writing has evolved significantly.

It's not just about becoming a better writer. It's about understanding the world, appreciating the complexity of human (and werewolf) emotions, and navigating the intricacies of interpersonal relationships. Each piece of writing is a step along the path of self-discovery, a means of exploring the depths of imagination and the contours of reality.

Concluding Thoughts

Encountering my early works today is like a nostalgic journey into a past that feels both absurdly distant and shockingly close. There's a long road ahead, but I know that with each step, my skills will continue to improve, and my voice will grow stronger. Writing is more than a craft; it's a journey of self-discovery and a means of understanding the world we inhabit.