Is This Really What Being A “Writer” Means?

At the University of Kentucky, I am an English Major. Like many of you, my major requires a great deal of reading and writing. When I signed up as an English major I had envisioned myself in much of the classes that were like WRD 306. In simpler terms, I thought my major would be much about getting a profession in the writing field, looking deeper into current publications, and strengthening who I am as a writer. While my courses that I am taking may be strengthening my writing skills, I am mainly writing about work that I could care less about and do not find interesting in the slightest. While some people in the English field may enjoy writing essays about literature before there was a first president of the United States, I do not. I had a discussion with my mother not too long ago and she asked the typical motherly questions when her son is away at college. “How are your classes going?” “Are you studying hard?” “Do you love the college life?” While I usually give her the typical son responses such as “Everything is great with me,” I decided to be honest and tell her that I am sick and tired of writing about fiction that that makes zero sense to me. I don’t always take my mother’s advice but she helped me to stick it out by explaining to me that I may not necessarily enjoy writing about what I am now, but if I do well with what is put in front of me, it will allow me to write about what I am interested in the future. I thought I would share a piece of advice that my mom has told me in case some of you were starting to feel burnt out with writing and may be thinking about not staying the course. I am someone who loves writing when I’m absolutely feeling what I am talking about and with the guest speakers who have come to speak in class and some motherly advice, I have learned that it is possible as a profession.