My first official essay for WCT 3C, essay 1, is a metaphorical paper based on using writing as a means of gaining self-discovery and healing. Why did I even choose this topic? Partly because I was very tired of the Genesis topic nor did I have any desire to write my own myth. Anyways, of the options presented in the Dreams book, this subject seemed the most thought provoking for me. I had never even thought about this concept before writing a whole essay on it.

I pondered for a while on how to start it off. I thought that perhaps I could think of ways this issue was relevant in my experience. I have always known that it's not good to keep feelings bottled up inside, that they need to be let out to someone/something before you explode. For me, it was always my trusty journal. "Okay then..what about self-discovery," I wondered. I started to recall all those times I'd flip through my old diaries. Sometimes I'd find something funny to laugh over, other times old regrets would pop up. Sweet rememberances would put me into a dreamy mood and sorrowful times filled me up with pity for the ignorant girl I was then. Looking back, I often also realize that something really wasn't as bad as I thought it was. Reading the old ideas for strange contraptions would inspire me to really build something. After contemplating all this, I started to type.

It came slowly, peice by piece. Well..what is writing? Physically, it is simply the creation of words on paper or computer screen. However, it really does stretch further than that because it requires the mental aspect of a flowing stream of thoughts. The words "stream of consciousness" came to mind. The word stream turned my thoughts towards water, rivers, and seas. Memories are thoughts frozen in time. Well then, if thoughts are water and memories are frozen in time, then they must be....ice blocks! After all, what is frozen water if it isn't ice blocks?

I started getting into this sea metaphor. I added in rapids of forgetfulness, schools of details, various other creatures, ... I went on to elaborate on different blocks and how I dealt with them. I kept on writing until I felt the metaphor was complete. I put the essay away in my backpack, a little nervous and uncertain about the reponse it would receive.