When I was 12 years old, I found myself spellbound by the incredible stories I discovered about my favorite fictional characters. They came to life in ways never possible in their original mediums. Fan-fiction enables writers to create alternate universes that place characters in places and situations they may or may not have usually found themselves in, being under the watchful eye of the author. After having read so many stories online, I began creating my own. For nearly 10 years, I have dedicated early mornings and late nights creating fan-fiction for people to enjoy.

When I first began writing these stories, I was so excited to share them that proper grammar and formatting didn't matter to me. Eventually, I was guided by an experienced writer that demonstrated how to properly express my ideas and properly respond to criticism. As my writing improved, so did my growth as a better person. I learned that it was okay to reach out to people when trying something new.

While most girls were thinking about boys at age 13, I was thinking about how I was going to write the next chapter of my story. My stories were more than a hobby to me; they were a way of life. In middle and high school, I spent my free time sitting down and writing out chapters, laying out ideas, and even sketching out complex scenes. I was so invested into my writing, it distracted me from the loneliness I endured throughout all of middle school. At a time when I felt silenced by everyone around me, writing gave me a voice that I thought I lost. When I was filled with insecurities, fan-fiction became something I could be proud about.

Writing fan-fiction opens windows of opportunities. It can drive you to test out other forms of writing, including poetry, lyrics, movie scripts, and even original stories. It was because of fan-fiction that I found a passion for writing in both a creative and professional setting. It is an instrument that can release a tremendous amount of emotions, ideas, and knowledge.

Ten years of writing has taught me that life goes on, and that you keep learning from it. You get better from the experiences and struggles you endure. In life, you learn to take influences from a variety of places, including movies, music, and books, helping create the unique people and stories we have today. The same concept is applied with the life lessons we obtain as we grow older. The more you learn, the more you can apply to stories and in your personal life. While fan-fiction is an idea of taking a given universe and manipulating it at your will, the same can be done with one's life. It's your life and you have control over what the next chapter of your life will look like. Sure, the circumstances will limit your control, but what's a good story without conflict?

"You are the author of your own story..." -Anonymous