Thrill Ride (The Journey Of Writers)

Thrill Ride 15

Hi! I am Red Argento, which obviously isn't my birth name, and I go by drunkenpalates on Wattpad.

On 11th grade, my Filipino teacher told me that I have a way with words. That was after she read the short story I submitted as a requirement for her subject. It wasn't even exceptional, just a bit above the level she expected from our age, I guess. I was so nervous when she asked me if I had someone to help me write the short story. But deep inside, it felt euphoric that I was praised for what I did.

That wasn't the first time I wrote something, though. The class I was in on 8th grade was so hooked with novels and e-books. The physical books go around the room for everyone to read before the owner gets hold of it again. It was fun times. But of course, it never lasted. It was hard to say goodbye to that phase, but the fact that it was what started the spark I never knew I had in me makes it worth remembering.

I started drafting cheesy romance stories. I scribbled words on the empty pages of my used notebook. But, I never finished anything. The only reason I was able to create something beautiful on 11th grade was the void I had in me. I filled it with making art, and writing poetry. I filled it with words that were close enough to describe how I feel, but it never reached my heart in reality. It was enough. Or I thought it was.

I stopped writing during the course of the pandemic. I had problems, and my mental state was in a bad place. At some point, I even stopped reading. I was lost So lost. Literally and figuratively.

Now I'm back to writing again. Some days are cloudy. The horizon is fuzzy. The waves are crashing hard on the shore mercilessly. But I am determined to sail. No, scratch that. I will sail. My ship will prevail.

-drunkenpalates