Writing Portfolio!
By: Janora Brown
"With A Lot Of Success Comes A Lot Of Negativity"
About the Author!
I love to write realistic fiction stories. Making up stories that could possibly be true is my strong point. My imagination has a mind of its own, so writing those types of stories comes with ease for me. This writing portfolio revolves around universal themes the average person goes through in their lifetime. Such as "Trusting Other's", "There is always some bad in the good", and "Love".
Behind all the Work!
Project Overview
I came about this story with inspiration from the Disney movie "Tangled". "Tangled" really impacted m story, I just put a slight twist to it.
Brain Storming!
Outlining
- Introduce Goldie Braids and her Mother
- Goldie-Braids sneaks out from being held hostage by her mother
- Goldie Braids meets the first thug, but he is terrible.
- Goldie Braids meets the second thug, he is alright but not what she was looking for.
- Goldie Braids meets the Third Thug, and he was just Right!
- The third thug turns out to be awful. He rapes and shaved off Goldie Braids hair!
- Goldie Braids return home to her Mother
- Goldie Braids is pregnant and mother is helping her through her pregnancy
- Goldie Braids gives birth to Goldie Locks
- Goldie Braids Mother kills Goldie Braids, and take Goldie Locks into her own custody.
Explanation
- I chose to outline this story this way because I wanted the reader to be super shocked in the end. In the beginning I wrote in a nonchalant way, only to make the ending unexpected.
Drafting
She heard a voice from the distance yell “aye ma bring yo fine hair over here!” Goldie-Braids approached the thug that was sitting on the corner of the sidewalk. She got so happy because maybe this was it, her future soulmate sitting right in front of her. Goldie Braids- approached Frank, the homeless crackhead of the neighborhood. Frank smelt like he hadn’t washed for months, and his clothes were ripped and he had only 3 teeth in his mouth when he had smiled at her. Goldie-Braids knew she shouldn’t base a person on their looks, it was all about personality, but she didn’t want Frank to be her future husband. So before Goldie Braids could come any closer to Frank, she ran the opposite direction to the next street.
Goldie-Braids was walking peacefully enjoying the breeze when she heard, “Hey, what’s up little momma?” She saw a nice handsome man and started to walk toward him. She thought to herself “maybe he is the one.” They shook hands and he told Goldie-Braids his name was Andre. When he spoke his name, Goldie-Braids took a wiff of his stinky stinky breath. His breath made Goldie-Braids eyes water and made her want to puke. He then said to Goldie-Braids “Are you trying to let me have some of your hair?” She told him she had to go, and quickly escaped from his presence by walking very quickly to the next street.
She began to think maybe her mother is right. Maybe there is no one in this world who will love her for who she is, and not for her hair. She began to sob while she was walking down the street. Then she felt a hand on her back, she quickly turned around to find a very very handsome tall man with gorgeous eyes wearing a tuxedo, greeting her with a box of tissues. Goldie-Braids mood quickly change from depression to embarrassment. She took a tissue from the stranger and wiped her eyes. The man introduced himself as John and told Goldie-Braids “There is no need to cry, you are too beautiful for that.” To Goldie-Braids surprise his breath smelt like cool fresh mint. She was really loving his professional style, and his white smile really made Goldie-Braids know that this man in front her was definitely the one, because he was just right in her eyes!
Peer Comments
- Malita Robinson
"Don't rush details take time to explain."
-Malita Robinson
"I love how you added "Tangled" in your story!"
-Ms. Miles
"Great job not straying away from the main plot of the story"
-Malita Robinson.
Revising
9 months later Goldie-Braids was giving an at home birth to her daughter, Goldie-Locks. The sweet baby had hair more luscious and more golden than Goldie-Braids. Her mother was the midwife who helped deliver Goldie-Locks. Goldie-Braids asked could she hold the baby, and her mother ignored her wishes and took the baby and locked her away. Goldie-Braids was so confused and barely had strength to stop her mother. Her mother came back with a knife in her hand, and said “Now I need to get rid of you just like I did your father, because you both are worthless to me now!” Her mother screamed! “I will make sure she doesn’t escape like you did!” her mother added. Goldie-Braids barely had time to process what her mother was saying to her when a knife pierced straight in her heart. Goldie-Braids laid there motionless. While her mother went and rocked Goldie-Locks, caressing her golden locks.
Final Text
In a far away hood in the ghetto and the rundown projects. There lived a girl named Goldie- Braids. Goldie-Braids was very well known all over the street for her gold braids. Everybody wanted her hair, just for their own benefit. You’re probably thinking Goldie-Braids must’ve been rich? Wrong, Goldie Braids is actually very poor and her single Mother is struggling to pay the rent. There has been countless times where friends, strangers, and other family members, besides her mom, tried to cut off her Gold Braids to pawn them. So to keep Goldie-Braids safe, her mom locked her away in her room. Her windows and doors were sealed shut, so no one could get in or out.
Goldie-Braids has been locked away since she was born. She knows it was only for her safety, but Goldie-Braids is now a 18 year old teenager. She wants to explore the world and finally meet the boy of her dreams, who loves her more than her hair. The only question is, will her overprotective mother let her?
One day Goldie-Braids worked up the courage to ask her mother when she got off from work, to see if she can explore the world and meet the one. She recited her speech to herself over and over. Very nervous so ask her mom the big question. Then she heard her mother walked through the front door. She yelled “Mom, Mom may you come here please?” Her Mother took a while to come to her room door, even though her room wasn’t that far from the front door. She heard the locks on the door unlock as her mother peeped her head in. Goldie - Braids mother looked very tired with bags under her eyes. Goldie-Braids murmured and stuttered, “mm-may I please um come out of my room to see the ww-world and meet my baby daddy?” There was complete silence that hovered over the room. Her mother came in her room a little further and walked towards Goldie-Braids. Goldie-Braids inched back from her mother and she tripped over her mattress that was laying on the floor. Her mother was standing above her with rage in her eyes. “How dare you ask such a thing child!” her mother screamed. Goldie-Braids optimistic eyes immediately filled with fear. Her mother lowered her voice, “You know there are bad people in this world who only want your hair. No one will ever love you for you. You see that your own daddy didn’t love you. That’s why I had to send him away.” Goldie-Braids lowered her head and stared at the dusty hardwood floor. Her mother squatted to be at eye level with her daughter. She picked up Goldie-Braids head and told her “The only love you need is mine, besides if it wasn’t for your beautiful hair, I would have put you up for adoption.” Goldie-Braids heart fell to the bottom of her soul when she heard those words. “You will never leave this room, so don’t ever ask a stupid question again!” Her mother gave her a slight kiss on the forehead and exited the room, never forgetting to lock all the latches behind her.
nhm Goldie-Braids whole world turned upside down in just that small amount of time. To know no one, not even her own parents, would ever truly love her. Then she sat there in the silence to process what had just occurred. Later that night when she knew he mother was fast asleep, she used her bobby pin out of her hair to unlock her doors. Goldie- Braids snuck out the house and was finally outside living her dreams.
Goldie-Braids was a very stubborn girl, and she really wanted to prove her mother wrong. She wanted to find someone that loved her for her, and to clarify that mother does not know best. Goldie-Braids was out in the middle of the street, and the sun was about to rise. Goldie-Braids hair started to shimmer when a touch of the sun’s ray grazed her head. She heard a voice from the distance yell “aye ma bring yo fine hair over here!” Goldie-Braids approached the thug that was sitting on the corner of the sidewalk. She got so happy because maybe this was it, her future soulmate sitting right in front of her. Goldie Braids- approached Frank, the homeless crackhead of the neighborhood. Frank smelt like he hadn’t washed for months, and his clothes were ripped and he had only 3 teeth in his mouth when he had smiled at her. Goldie-Braids knew she shouldn’t base a person on their looks, it was all about personality, but she didn’t want Frank to be her future husband. So before Goldie Braids could come any closer to Frank, she ran the opposite direction to the next street.
Goldie-Braids was walking peacefully enjoying the breeze when she heard, “Hey, what’s up little momma?” She saw a nice handsome man and started to walk toward him. She thought to herself “maybe he is the one.” They shook hands and he told Goldie-Braids his name was Andre. When he spoke his name, Goldie-Braids took a wiff of his stinky stinky breath. His breath made Goldie-Braids eyes water and made her want to puke. He then said to Goldie-Braids “Are you trying to let me have some of your hair?” She told him she had to go, and quickly escaped from his presence by walking very quickly to the next street.
She began to think maybe her mother is right. Maybe there is no one in this world who will love her for who she is, and not for her hair. She began to sob while she was walking down the street. Then she felt a hand on her back, she quickly turned around to find a very very handsome tall man with gorgeous eyes wearing a tuxedo, greeting her with a box of tissues. Goldie-Braids mood quickly change from depression to embarrassment. She took a tissue from the stranger and wiped her eyes. The man introduced himself as John and told Goldie-Braids “There is no need to cry, you are too beautiful for that.” To Goldie-Braids surprise his breath smelt like cool fresh mint. She was really loving his professional style, and his white smile really made Goldie-Braids know that this man in front her was definitely the one, because he was just right in her eyes!
After that special moment John and Goldie-Braids went on several dates, and became really close to one another. One day John asked Goldie-Braids did she want to come see his house. Of course Goldie-Braids being so blinded by love said “Yes, of course!” John and Goldie-Braids were all alone in his house. John turned on Netflix and they sat and chilled on the couch to watch a movie. As they were sitting there John inched his way closer and closer to Goldie Braids. Goldie-Braids noticed he was getting closer to her, but she didn’t stop him. She pretended that she didn’t notice what he was doing. Then John leaned in and gave Goldie-Braids a kiss on her lips. Goldie-Braids didn’t pull away, she kissed John back and thought “so this is what it feels like.” Soon John got a little rougher with her. Goldie-Braids assumed this is how things should go. Then John quickly pinned Goldie-Braids down to couch holding her wrist extremely tight with all his might. Goldie-Braids didn’t like the discomfort, she yelled “Ouch you’re hurting me, get off!” John ignored her wishes and tightened his grip. Goldie-Braids began to scream, and John swung and hit Goldie-Braids right in the face, knocking her out cold.
The next day Goldie-Braids found herself lying on a cold sidewalk in a dark alley. She was feeling really cold, but only on the top of her head. She grazed her head with her hands to find that she was completely bald. Goldie-Braids couldn’t believe what she was feeling. She began to really sob the hardest she ever sobbed before. After a couple of hours, Goldie-Braids began to walk back home to her mother for some type of comfort. She was unsure if her mother was the right person to run to. While Goldie-Braids was walking back home, Frank and Andre didn’t say a word to her. No hey baby, what’s up gorgeous, no nothing. A tear fell out her eye when she walked pass them, “Am I ugly?” she thought. “Maybe mother does know best” Goldie Braids whispered to herself. Goldie-Braids was not feeling very well. She found the nearest trashcan and threw up every bit of food and acid out her stomach. Goldie-Braids ignored her outburst of sickness and continued to walk home.
She arrived at her house and knocked on the door. She began to tremble and her hands had gotten really sweaty. Her mother cracked open the door, and ask “who is it”? Goldie-Braids was surprise her mother didn’t even recognize her. “Mother it’s me, Goldie- Braids.” Her mother pulled her in and slam the door. Her mother took a minute and stared at Goldie- Braids. “What happen to your hair child?” she asked. “A boy named John raped me and shaved my head when I was unconscious.” Goldie-Braids explained. “Are you pregnant?” her mother asked. Goldie-Braids shrugged and lower her head. Her mother embraced her with a hug, and said, “I’m just glad my little girl is home.” These were not the words Goldie-Braids were expecting to hear, but she just let all her emotions out and treasured her mother’s warm hug.
Days later her mother bought her a pregnancy test. This was the day Goldie-Braids found out she was to become a mother herself.
Goldie-Braids Mother treated her daughter so differently when she found out that she was indeed pregnant. Her mother didn’t keep her locked away, she let Goldie-Braids join her when she went to the supermarket, and she even let Goldie-Braids hang out with some of her new friends she met outside. She wasn’t sure if her mother was being so nice because she was bald and worthless or because she was pregnant. Either way, Goldie-Braids loved her mother’s new personality.
9 months later Goldie-Braids was giving an at home birth to her daughter, Goldie-Locks. The sweet baby had hair more luscious and more golden than Goldie-Braids. Her mother was the midwife who helped deliver Goldie-Locks. Goldie-Braids asked could she hold the baby, and her mother ignored her wishes and took the baby and locked her away. Goldie-Braids was so confused and barely had strength to stop her mother. Her mother came back with a knife in her hand, and said “Now I need to get rid of you just like I did your father, because you both are worthless to me now!” Her mother screamed! “I will make sure she doesn’t escape like you did!” her mother added. Goldie-Braids barely had time to process what her mother was saying to her when a knife pierced straight in her heart. Goldie-Braids layed there motionless. While her mother went and rocked Goldie-Locks, caressing her golden locks.
Reflection
Published Writing! "Success"
Everybody want the Money
Everybody wants the Fame
Everybody wants to be like Beyoncé
Christina Aguilera, 2 chainz or lil wayne
Everybody want to be heard
Everybody wants to be seen
Everybody wants their name in flashing lights
So they can watch it glow and glim
No one wants to be unrecognized
No one wants to be outcast
Everyone wants to leave the world with a bang and a blast
You see all the other superstar on TV and magazines
They look flawless, untouchable, happy as can be
That’s where you’re wrong they are still human beings
Don’t let the camera fool you in thinking they have everything
They may have the kicks they may have the clothes
They may have the big mansions and limos
That all sounds wonderful and great
But money can’t buy happiness let’s get that straight
They don’t have the people that love them for them
Honest, true for their Genuine self
They have yes yes people that tells them yes on everything
They treat them differently because they have the fortune and the fame
Sometimes they have haters that want to see them fail
They spread false rumors just so they can have something to tell
Don’t get me wrong being famous is the dream
But with a lot of success comes a lot of negativity.
I submitted this poem in the "Poetry Slam" my freshmen year. I composed this poem based off an interview Beyonce gave on a talk show. She basically described how the famous and rich life isn't all what most people think it's like. She describes the pros and cons in being rich and famous. I tried to explain everything she said in a poem. I even ended the poem with the exact quote Beyonce said, "With a lot of success comes a lot of negativity".
Writer's Choice!
Prologue
Home
My Grandmother’s house was the main place I spent my childhood. A old house that had more than 3 generations living inside. When I visited, it was always an adventurous fun time. I always had cousins to play with to explore and use my imagination to its fullest potential. My absolute favorite thing to do when I went to my Grandma’s house was to play on the dirt road which was out in the front yard. While having fun in the dirt, my elders were always disapproving of my hygiene. The only disadvantage at my Grandma’s house was how many adults there were to monitor your behavior. Aunts and Uncles and also 2 Grandmother’s to decide whether to award you or give you some disciplinary action. But even still, I saw my Grandma’s house as my safe heaven. The inside of the house smelled like old things. Old wood and old couches that were there from the beginning of time. Outside smelled like a windy country breeze that was full of natural smells and acorns and pine trees. That smell always brings me home to a warming familiar place. The house has 6 bedrooms but 1 bathroom. It has a living room, dining room, and kitchen. The walls were covered with frames of memories. Some people in the frames I knew, and some I didn’t but they were all related to me somehow. My Grandmother’s house was never quiet during the day. The kids were always playing and laughing and the grownups were having a discussion that the young ones were never involved in.
Chapter 1
Birth and Early Childhood
I was born on July 31st of 1998. I was delivered in Florence, South Carolina at the Florence Hospital. I’ve been told many stories about my birth. Some good and some bad. My older sisters remember the morning my Mother started having contractions while they were getting up from their beds ready to eat breakfast. My sister said that was the most pain she ever saw our Mother in. My Grandma drove my Mother to Florence Hospital where later that night I was delivered. My Mother told me out of all her 3 children that I hurt her the most. She also told me that she was very cold and exhausted during my birth. Friends and family and close neighbors were all there to support my Mother. They all had blue balloons, and “it’s a boy” congratulation cards. But there was one problem, I wasn’t a boy. My father was a little late to the event due to distance of where he was when he heard the news. When my Father arrived to Florence Hospital, he was so excited to have a son, but he was very shocked when he found out his fourth child was actually a girl. I am the baby of my family. I have three older sisters and no brothers. I was born a healthy baby girl with no health conditions. After a week or so, I finally got to go meet my new home. We lived in Johnsonville, South Carolina. A 3 bedroom, 2 full baths trailer in the country. I lived with my Father and Mother and my 3 sisters. We lived in that house till I was 5 years old. That house held some of the best memories of my childhood. Until we moved to North Carolina.
Chapter 2
My Siblings
I am the youngest of three girls, I have no brothers just sisters. My oldest sister is five years older than me. Her name is Jasmine Lakosha Brown, but we call her Kosha. She is our Mother’s and Father's first born. She is the one who gave them the title “mom and dad”. My second oldest sister is four years older than I am. Her name is Keyanna Hood. She and I do not share the same Mother. She is my half sister since we have the same dad. My third oldest sister is also four years older than I am. Her name is Jasrelle Daniel Brown, but we call her Relle. No, Keyanna and Relle are not twins. Keyanna’s birthday is August 3rd 1994, and Relle’s birthday is October 22nd 1994. This makes Keyanna slightly older than Relle. Kosha’s birthday is April 20th 1993. Then there is me, I came along 4 years later after Relle. My birthday is July 31st 1998. Having three sisters, was a lot to deal with everyday. Catty fights occasionally, sharing of clothes, hair, and eventually make-up. Since there was an age gap between my sisters and I, there were many times I was excluded from things they got to do. I still remember the days where I couldn’t ride a theme park attraction because I was too short, but they were all allowed to ride. The days where my mother told me I was too small to hang with the big kids. I missed out on the fun times that my older sisters got to experience together. Currently Kosha is turning 23 and she has grown into a beautiful woman, even though she has been facing Lupus since the age of ten. Keyanna is turning 22 and she now has a handsome son, my nephew Jay, and is also a mature grown woman. Relle is also turning 22, she is currently striving to be in the Army. There was also good times when all four of us had incredible memories together. I love my older sisters to death, and I wouldn’t trade them for the world. We may have our ups and downs, but that is just apart of sisterhood.
Chapter 3
Living in North Carolina
I moved to North Carolina when I was 5 years old. We moved here because my dad found it easier to travel to his job. I hated that we moved away from all our family and friends. All that I knew vanished when my family and I moved to North Carolina. There were countless times I asked my parents if we could move back, but the answer was always no. We visited South Carolina frequently though, so I guess that was okay. Now, I am glad we moved here, because I met so many incredible people. For instance my best friend Malita Robinson.
Chapter 4
-My Best Friend
Malita and I have been best friends from our early childhood since we were seven. I met her at a mutual friend’s birthday party/sleepover. I use to see Malita very often walking her little brother in our neighborhood. I never spoke to her because she looked way older than me. To see Malita at the sleepover was very surprising to me. Turns out she was the exact same age I was and she lived down the street from my house. At the sleepover me and Malita officially classified ourselves as best friends. Just from that one night, I knew she was going to be by my side forever. She was so nice and a funny little girl, you would’ve been crazy not to like her. Malita moved away during the time we just met, and my little heart was shattered. I finally had a friend and she had to go. Eventually in the 8th Grade, Malita returned to Wingate and we were reunited. Since Malita has returned we have been inseparable ever since. Now, Malita and I are about to turn eighteen and our friendship is stronger than ever. Malita is more than my best friend, she is my sister. I know in the future her and I will still be together til we're old and wrinkled.
Chapter 5
My Hobbies
I have many hobbies. I love to play basketball. Basketball is such a fun sport to play, it is definitely not just for boys. There is always that great feeling when you score a basket for your team. I love to hang out with friends and family. There’s nothing like spending some time with the people you love the most. My passion that tops everything, is singing. I absolutely love to sing. I sing each and everyday, sometimes I can irritate the people around me because I possibly sing too much. When I sing, it’s like my soul can be exposed to every listening ear. It simply gives me an insight of heaven, because I know my voice is God given. I try to use my gift to make others have a better day.
Chapter 6
My Favorite Teacher
Mrs Erica Miller. My 1st Grade Teacher at Wingate Elementary. This lady was the driving force in my childhood, and still today. She was a ball of joy and excitement everyday. There was never a dull day in 1st Grade. When I wasn’t feeling well or wasn’t haven't a good day, Mrs Miller turned it around in a heartbeat. She will forever be the world’s greatest teacher in my book. She made me feel like albert Einstein when we did math. She made me feel like I can do rocket science, when we studied science. She made me believe that I was the world’s smartest kid. Mrs. Miller really gave me all the confidence I needed to succeed in school, but not just in school, in life as well. She taught to never give up when it gets to hard, and if I fail to try again, and again till I succeed. She was my biggest role model in my childhood. I distinctly remembered when I let her hear me sing, and I remembered her exact words. She said “Wow, Janora. I never heard a child that can sing so good. I will be looking for you on American Idol one day!”. Then she gave me a huge hug, and I remembered feeling like my dreams just came true. Mrs. Miller was an amazing, absolutely amazing teacher. She made me want to come to school each and everyday, even on the weekends. I still see Mrs. Miller today, and she still looks the same after 12 years. Even in 12 years she still holds the title as best teacher that impacted my life.
Chapter 7
Appearance
When I was younger, there were countless times where I heard “she is so cute”, “Your daughter is so pretty”, “Aww she is adorable”. I was my Mother’s real life baby doll. She dressed me up in cute dresses and fixed my hair with bows and beads. Looking back on old pictures, I could see why I recieved all those sweet comments. I wondered, if they only made those comments because I was a baby. Because as I got older, I noticed the comments started to fade. My mother didn’t put bows and beads in my hair anymore. It was flat irons, and ponytails that I regularly wore in my hair. I started to think was I ugly? I didn’t know, so my self-esteem lowered tremendously, and I ask many people what their thoughts were of my appearance, terrified of their answer. In six grade, I had my first encounter with a bully. I never thought I would meet someone that didn’t like me, because I was very likable by everyone. I remembered the exact reason why she didn’t like me, and it was because I was dark skinned. Every since that terrible time in my life. Many sleepless nights, and tears I cried to my mother, asking her how can I become lighter. I hated my skin, I absolutely hated it. There were times I considered bleaching my skin. Dark skin was not pretty in my eyes, and in everyone else’s eyes too. So from that moment on and still today I have trouble accepting my skin tone for the way it is. I have trouble seeing myself as “pretty”. I find myself jealous of lighter skin tone African Americans. I wondered, why couldn’t I have lighter skin. Why am I trapped in skin, where no one finds appealing to the eye. I also hated my dad, because his skin was dark, and my mother was light skinned. I knew that he passed down his unfavorable trait to me. Eventually as I got older, I realize that I would never be able to change my skin tone. I had to learn to accept it and love it. I had to realize that dark skinned women are pretty too. I still struggle with it from time to time, when I hear “not to be rude” comments. Those comments still haunt me, but I try to look passed it. God is my comforter when I think that he made me this way for a reason.
Chapter 8
The person I admire the most
Beyonce Giselle Knowles Carter is the most inspirational women I know. She is the epitome of a driving woman, who does not let herself fail. I admire her the most because she can sing, she is gorgeous, and she is determined in everything she does. Her passion for music has touched so many hearts and her voice is like an angel's voice sent from heaven. Beyonce is a well known name, and a well known person to support women's rights. I admire Beyonce so much, because she is living my dream. Beyonce is so talented and so humble, I never wanted to be like anyone else but myself, but Beyonce is an exception. Beyonce will forever be my role model throughout life. My favorite quotes from Beyonce that I live by is “All things are possible if you put God first.”, also “With a lot of success, comes a lot of negativity”. These quotes mean when you succeed by hard work and thanking God for your incredible success, someone is always going to try to put you down, because you’re succeeding in life. To me, this is so true, and Beyonce is so wise to spread those words of wisdom to her many fans. Beyonce is my guideline to my life.
Chapter 9
My goal
My goal in life is to simply be successful. Have a job that pays very well, where I don’t have to struggle or worry how to pay for my bills. My dream job is to be a famous singer. How awesome would that be, doing something you love and getting paid for it. In my opinion nothing is better than that. My second dream job is to be associated in the medical field. Such as being a dentist or a pharmacist, or a medical therapist. I didn’t choose those jobs base off money, because money cannot buy happiness. I simply am interested in them all, and they just so happen to be a great paying job. Having a worry free life and a happy family who also doesn’t have to struggle in poverty, and can live life carefree is my goal. I don’t care where I live or what car I drive, simply want to live a happy life with the ones I love, and having a job I love. In my opinion that goal is what everyone should strive for. To get to my goal, I have to do well in school to have some type of education. I also have to meet someone that has determination to succeed, so there can be two of us striving for the same goal. My goal may take some patience, but I am absolutely willing to wait.
Chapter 10
My religion
Christianity is my religion. I love my lord and savior. I know there are many religions out there in the world, and I respect other’s belief, but God is my soul and heart throughout my lifetime. To know he died for our sins, is incredible to me. It just shows how much he loves his children. When I am having a hard day, or simply want to give up, just simply praying gives me so much relief. To know that there is always someone there to catch you when you fall is so comforting. Someone who loves you unconditionally no matter what. God, is why I live, God is the reason I’m the person I am today. I am eternally grateful for all the many blessings I received from him. Without God in my life, I honestly do not know where I would be today. He is such a huge part in my life, I would never dream of living without him. Janora Brown is a child of God, forever and always.
Experimental Writing!
I started from wooden boards and bolts and screws. Frederick James Carter, my creator, made me with his two bare hands. He gave me a tattoo of his initials on my front board. He put irreplaceable, sentimental, and priceless items within me. It was an honor and privilege for him to trust me to keep these valuable items safe for him. Objects within me. Such as his pictures of his family and his wedding ring that I kept locked away for him. I did my best to never let any intruders inside to plunder or take any of Mr. Carter’s things.
Inside Mr. Carter put family pictures of him and his late wife. Mr. and Mrs. Carter had one son. His name was Frederick James Carter Jr. After Mary Carter passed away from a heart attack, Jr. moved out and hardly came around to visit his father.
So there was many lonely times where Frederick came to me for company. I was always there for him when he needed some comfort. He retrieved the key from under his mattress and opened me up.
I watched Frederick as he smiled looking at old photos of Jr. when he was first potty trained. I heard him giggle when he saw a picture of Jr. shocked that his first tooth had fallen out, and there I was lurking in the background. I love seeing Frederick full of joy, it reminded me of the good old days. Where the house was rarely quiet, and there was always activity going on. I saw Frederick’s smile slowly fade when he looked at the picture of him and his wife Mrs. Crater when they gotten married. He picked up another picture of a portrait of Mrs. Carter, I saw his eyes fill with tears. He held up another picture of a family portrait the Carters took 3 years ago. Tears rolled down his face and dropped on the top of my lid. My boards weakened for him, when I saw the picture of the three of them smiling together. Frederick then reached inside and grabbed his wedding ring. He gave it a slight kiss and I heard him whispered that he still loves Mary. He replaced everything inside me, and locked me away with they key closed beside.
Weeks later, Frederick laid in an underground bed. I watched him lay peacefully as his son held me close. His son held me with a firm grip as I watch him shed many tears for his father.
Now it was just me and Jr. together in his home. Jr. had grown into a fine young man just like his father. As time went by Jr. had a family to call his own. Then more pictures of new memories entered inside.
Author Reflection
- In this writing class, What have you learned?
2. What frightened you the most throughout your writing experience?
I was very afraid of how much we had to write on every assignment. I was afraid I had to write 8 pages in a short amount of time. Deadlines are my biggest weaknesses. I love to write to a ceratn extent. So my fear was writing too much, to where I probably didnt want to write anymore. I didn't want to lose interest. But Mrs. Miles did an excellent job with page requirements. Besides the paper is about quality and quantity.
3. How did you grow as a writer?
I learned how to brianstorm, outline, draft, revise, and also know when to publish my paper. I learned how to draw in reader's attention with vivd details. I feel as if any paper i'll write would be phenomenal.
4. What project was your favorite to work on?
My favorite project was the memior. I loved how I could just let the words flow on my paper with ease. My memior is based on every importanat moment in my life, so of course it was an important paper for me. It also reminds me what is really important in life and it doesn't let me get side tracted or distracted from things that are less of importance.
5. When in your life did you know you enjoed writing?
I knew I was interested in writing when I was in elemenetary. But I discovered I really enjot writing my senior year in Creative Writing. This class relly let me express myself on paper. It was a canvas to release all my imgaination into words for other's to view.