Tag: writing

If you’ve been reading my blog this summer, you are well aware of my passion for all things theatre and may have read my post about the lifelong impact that theatre has had on me. I’ve always had a second passion, as well—one that has been present in my life for almost as long and one that influences my life daily: writing. 

Perhaps an unusual choice for most children, I spent my summers growing up attending Author Quest, a kids’ sleepaway writing camp in Ocqueoc, Michigan, owned by Michigan Chillers author Johnathan Rand. I first attended Author Quest in June of 2009 at only 10 years old. I remember being terrified of going to sleepaway camp knowing only a single person, and on top of that, feeling nervous of what other people would think of my writing. While I enjoyed writing, I had never received any sort of praise or encouragement about my writing from anyone other than my parents. My fears were quickly alleviated, however, as I stepped into the lush wilderness of Ocqueoc with 40 other campers who loved to write as much as I did. At that first camp, the staff and instructors at Author Quest took me under their wings and fully embraced me as a writer. They gave me a place where I felt safe to share my writing and deepest inner thoughts with others. They gave me the confidence to take risks with my writing, and to keep going, even when I may feel discouraged.

My first Author Quest in 2009

The effects of Author Quest on my life go far beyond improving my writing. Because of how much the people at Author Quest believed in me at that first camp session and all of the sessions following, they made me believe I can do anything I set my mind to—whether it be becoming a professional writer or pursuing whatever else fulfills my soul. Author Quest was also the first place where I got true leadership experience, first as a counselor-in-training, and now as a counselor. It inspired me to become a better person, and it made me want to lift up the current campers in the same way the staff has lifted me up all these years. In addition, Author Quest has given me some of my most treasured friendships, people that I talk to on a weekly basis and eagerly look forward to reuniting with every summer.

My camp friends

At the end of June, I returned from my 12th Author Quest camp session and my fifth session being a full-fledged counselor. I thoroughly enjoyed spending the week reading and writing for copious amounts of time, catching up with my friends, and listening to the campers read their newly crafted stories around the campfire every night. As a counselor, I’m thankful that I now get to play a small role in the experience of the current campers and give them similar encouragement and care that I received at their age. Each year, I am blown away even more by the talent of the campers who attend Author Quest. At 10, 11, 12, and 13 years old, they are using words I’ve never heard and creating such expertly constructed, inventive stories that I never could have dreamed of in a thousand years. Each camp, Ann Rowland, Author Quest’s camp director, stresses to the campers that they are good writers, not just good writers for their age —which is true and what I believe is a testament to the respect the campers at Author Quest receive. 

There’s a reason I’ve now attended Author Quest for 10 years. I’ve come to realize that the feeling of having someone believe in you is invaluable. The people at Author Quest have remained both positive and encouraging but have always challenged me when I needed it most . Because of Author Quest, I’ve worked diligently to foster my passion for reading and writing throughout my life. Author Quest is the reason I was brave enough to raise my hand in English class throughout school. It’s the reason I feel confident enough to publish my thoughts and writing on two blogs this summer. It’s the reason I want to incorporate writing into my future career, no matter where I end up. I’m grateful that my 10-year-old self somehow ended up at that writing camp in Ocqueoc all those years ago. I guarantee that if I hadn’t received their support, I wouldn’t be the same person or on the same path in life that I am on today.