By Lexi Amedio

The other day, while exploring the depths of pinterest, I stumbled upon a quote by Victor Hugo. 

He said, “A writer is a world trapped in a person.”

I stopped for a second to really appreciate his words and the way that it nearly made me emotional. 

He articulated exactly what writing feels like to me. What I imagine it feels like to not just other writers, but all human beings. An outlet, a boundless opportunity, and a way to be a part of something bigger than yourself. 

I am completely enamored with writing. Not just because it comes easier to me than speaking, but because it truly does feel like a way to actualize this world that exists inside my head. It's a place to escape to when my environment gets too loud. Anything can happen in my world. 

People say what I want them to, things happen the way that I hope they will, and in the end, this world is a manifestation of everything I’ve ever dreamed. Only constricted by the bounds of my imagination. Characters can be real people or figments of my own creativity. I can go places I’ve only ever seen pictures of in mere seconds. There are no obstacles or fear or anxiety. I have adorned my world with color and joy. My favorite songs play constantly, and I can hear the voices of people I miss. 

Sometimes when I close my eyes all I see is the back of my eyelids, but sometimes I see this world, and oftentimes, I can’t bring myself to leave. This is why I write. I yearn for this world to exist outside of my head. 

Maybe you don’t dream of writing novels and have no plan of ever exercising your skills outside of a classroom, but at the very least, everyone has a world inside their head. 

That’s what I love the most about writing. There are no rules. Nothing that you write has to make sense to anyone but you. Sometimes I can’t even understand the chaotic ramblings of my old journals, but who is to say that that isn’t allowed. Writing can take endless forms, and the decisions about what words to tether together and what stories to tell are solely up to you. You decide how much of your world you want to share. 

This was a glimpse into my world, so now, what does yours look like?