Scatter Plot

E.i.g.h.t

I had a really great idea for this chapter but it totally slipped my mind because I didn't write it down. That got me thinking about writing, and I wrote an entire chapter in an hour. Of course...it wasn't a chapter for this book. Being on Wattpad helped me get into the habit of writing inspirations down. In the middle of class, if someone says something that triggers an idea, I'll break out my tablet and type it out on Wattpad... then go back after class to get my tablet back from the teacher that took it because I was using it in class. It's both a blessing and a curse. I think Wattpad is the reason I survived my computer literature class. I was assigned a computer conveniently facing the wall, and spent majority of class on Wattpad. Yeah, I ended that class with a D.

The thing about Wattpad, you can write as many drafts as you want, so naturally I have well over a hundred drafts. Majority are stories I will never publish, I just had an idea that wouldn't leave me alone. I write to relieve myself of stupid thoughts. Half of my drafts are silly little one shots or short stories, most are fan fictions of what I wanted to happen but was probably not a popular opinion. Needless to say, I have a lot of Merlin, Rangers Apprentice, and Danny Phantom one shots. Don't judge.

Now, I have many reasons to have multiple accounts. This one is separate from my original because I didn't want certain people finding it. I have another account I started for the same reason, I then quickly forgot about it and then forgot the password. So I have three Wattpad accounts, I use two, and one is dead. I really hate how this one is separate because I actually have to remember my username, and I hate logging out of my original. Now spread across the three accounts, I probably have over two hundred drafts.

Writing is my escape. I leave a world full of anxiety, hate, and doubt to express my very soul through words. Now I know I'm not that eloquent, but I try my hardest to have correct grammar, to keep things interesting. Wattpad has been one of my saviors through middle and high school. I wish I had discovered it before middle school, because I only had it for the last few weeks of eighth grade. To be able to write so easily would have been a lifted burden as I was bullied. I wrote on paper, but it wasn't efficient, and it took to much effort. I've never been one to keep notebooks clean either. Another thing that troubled me with notebooks was the constant worry of my bullies finding it and reading it. I needed something personal, something protected. I think that's why I have so many drafts, I just can't bring myself to share my thoughts so publicly. Wattpad is used mainly as my secret keeper. It's simply an easily accessible journal for me.

Well, I talk about secret keeper, and then Wattpad goes and puts the dang publish button so close to the save button! Do you know how many heart attacks I've had where I accidentally pushed publish after ranting about my best friend who happens to be on Wattpad? Thank goodness for the little pop-up asking if I really want to publish. Way to keep me on my toes. And yes, I know what you're probably thinking, I shouldn't be ranting about my best friend behind her back, but gosh dang it, I'm a teenage girl with ADHD and she is a perfectionist. Our personalities clash a bit...okay a lot. I already mentioned before, I really only am still friends with her because she had my back in middle school.

One thing I do hate about Wattpad, (not to diss anyone at Wattpad, love you guys) I hate the recommendations. A lot of weird stuff pops up there. I'm just innocently scrolling passed my feed and suddenly a very explicit cover shows up. Why on earth would that be a recommendation? What I have done to make you assume I would want to read that? Keep it PG my friends. At least the covers, because those of us who want to keep it PG don't appreciate seeing stuff like that. You should put more Danny Phantom in my recommendations...I'm a very immature teenage girl who loves a fictional character that was fourteen when I was two.

Honestly though, I love Wattpad. It's been there for me through thick and thin for five years now, and I really appreciate it. Now I don't want to get sappy, so stay in school, or work, or whatever, because all have unique situations.

***

"You're going to put that as an ending?" Belle, my obnoxious sister asks.

I glare at her and put a protective arm over my tablet.

"No one asked your opinion." I mumble.

"I'm just saying," Holding up her hands in defense. "Just seems a bit boring." She backs out of the room and I stare at my screen, contemplating whether to publish this or not.

Dear Journal,

Belle doesn't even know what she's talking about, she goes around and judges my work when all I see her doing is watching YouTube all day. I know I'm guilty of that too, but at least I can say I did something productive when I...

...wrong draft.