Modern-Day Shakespeare...Maybe | Teen Ink

Modern-Day Shakespeare...Maybe

August 27, 2009
By Sara Beg SILVER, Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey
Sara Beg SILVER, Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey
6 articles 0 photos 2 comments

I should have been born with my fingers permanently glued to a keyboard. From the age of five, I’ve known that I want to be a professional writer: a journalist, a novelist, a modern-day Shakespeare, maybe. Okay, not Shakespeare. Will used to give me terrible headaches back in my freshman year as I tried to figure out what he was talking about in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Macbeth in my sophomore year was much easier to understand.
Regardless, I’m practically addicted to books, whether I’m reading or writing them. I can’t go a single day without writing something – a short story, a novel chapter, an article – and if I do, I feel a tingling in my fingers, an itch that won’t go away until I sit in front of a computer or pick up a well-sharpened pencil and just let my thoughts out.

I can be inspired by anything: an expression, a song, a movie. Once I get inspired, it’s like a series of bells going off in my mind, the gears turning faster and faster as I spin out one possible story after another. Ghosts? Vampires? Shape-shifters? What about bogeymen, fairies, and…Desis? Well, why not let my Desi – my South Asian – heritage inspire me too?

My extended, very Desi family is so widespread that whenever I meet with a cousin or an aunt I only vaguely remember, I tell him or her I’m a writer because I know it will distinguish me from all the other “kids” in the family and make me memorable. I tell my relatives about the stories I used to write as a child, the projects I’m working on now, and why I’m working so hard to make a breakthrough in the competitive world of publishing. One aunt hugged me and told me, “Just don’t forget about the rest of us when you become the next J.K. Rowling.”

Smiling, I replied, “Don’t worry, I won’t.” Call it a hunch, intuition, or confidence, but I know that I will become the next J.K. Rowling. I have the ambition, I have the means, and I have the talent. My English and History teachers don’t praise my writing and tell me I have an innate writing talent because they want to be nice – they know how passionate I am about writing, and how that passion slips through my fingertips to the paper.

I don’t really know why I love writing so much, I just do. There’s something about putting a story down on paper for friends halfway across the globe to read and understand, about finding just the right word to describe what I can see so clearly in my head, that lures me in like a siren’s song. Writing makes me who I am.

Maybe I just want to leave my mark on the world, and since I can’t sing if my life depended on it or have the patience to create a majestic work of art – although I am a pretty decent actor, and a guitar recital in my sophomore year permanently rid me of my state fright…but acting doesn’t seem like the right path for me – I’ve chosen writing to make a name for myself. Sara B., novelist, journalist, graduate of Columbia University. It has a nice ring to it.



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This article has 19 comments.


Bones96 BRONZE said...
on Nov. 4 2012 at 9:28 pm
Bones96 BRONZE, Charlotte, North Carolina
2 articles 0 photos 108 comments

Favorite Quote:
Life isn't about finding yourself it's about creating yourself-

  This isn't bad and I can relate to the passion for writing. I have read some of your other work and you defiantly have talent. I also have some criticism. J.K. Rowling is a very good author and is a good role model (as well a Shakespeare.) But is it the fame you want or the level of skill? Rowling's fame and Stephanie Myers's is pretty rare most authors don't make that kind of money or get that famous. There is also a line between being proud of your work and boasting. I'm telling you this because it's good to be confident and proud of your work but if you come off as boastful people are less likely to want to read your writing. I think that's is something to keep in mind with publishers. This article for example makes you come off as arrogant and conceited. So my advice would be to keep writing and practice also every writer has their own voice. No body's writing will sound quite the same as someone else. It's good even healthy to have goals no matter how big or small. But it's good to remember not to get lost in them.

JoshuaChen said...
on Nov. 4 2012 at 9:09 am
JoshuaChen, Westborough, Massachusetts
0 articles 0 photos 20 comments

Favorite Quote:
"All this philosophy Confucius me"

J.K Rowling isn't that great of an author. There are talented writers, and then there are talented marketers, and then there are just lucky donkey holes. The fact that Eragon became a best seller proves that good sales =/= good writing.

JoshuaChen said...
on Nov. 4 2012 at 9:03 am
JoshuaChen, Westborough, Massachusetts
0 articles 0 photos 20 comments

Favorite Quote:
"All this philosophy Confucius me"

Thank God. There're people on this site who know how to say things other than "I love this!" and "This is amazing!"

.Dimples said...
on Sep. 21 2012 at 10:32 pm
.Dimples, Long Beach, California
0 articles 0 photos 15 comments
I completely agree.

WriteItOff said...
on Aug. 31 2012 at 3:11 pm
WriteItOff, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
0 articles 0 photos 15 comments
Just from reading this article I don't  think your quite as good as you think you are, sorry, but if you would stop calling yourself the next J.K. Rowling or the next Shakespeare then I wouldn't be so harsh in my judgement, but you are definatley not up to the level you think you are. Practice, practice, practice.

Ekf07 GOLD said...
on Aug. 30 2012 at 6:43 pm
Ekf07 GOLD, Huntersville, North Carolina
16 articles 0 photos 27 comments

Favorite Quote:
“The expert at anything was once a beginner.All writers are crazy. So never mind what the editors, your family and your critique group tells you. Submit your manuscripts and keep submitting until you get an offer. Then you can be crazy, with a payc

This was absolutly amazing! I could really relate to it, now I havn't been a writer my whole life, but I will always be one. This was a wonderful piece, and actually, my aunt said that to me one time too! (how funny is that?) I hope you do become the next J.K Rowling. You never know, I may read your book someday!

on Jul. 17 2012 at 3:45 pm
nelehjr DIAMOND, Lingle, Wyoming
60 articles 11 photos 379 comments

Favorite Quote:
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.

Never give up on your dreams!

on Jun. 3 2012 at 7:51 pm
beachychick BRONZE, Grass Valley, California
2 articles 3 photos 11 comments

Favorite Quote:
Perfection is not doing everything perfectly all the time, perfection is being able to look in the mirror and say at you tried everything you could- you've given it your all, you've done everything you can to make yourself better. That is perfection

 I love this!! Its funny, and entertaining, and heartfelt and just, just... just amazing!

RMoore BRONZE said...
on Jun. 3 2012 at 6:40 pm
RMoore BRONZE, Springfield, Massachusetts
2 articles 1 photo 5 comments

Favorite Quote:
There is strength in numbers, that is unquestionable, any yet, sometimes we must fight alone.

And here I was thingking that i was the only one whose fingers itched. Its really great to know that we're not alone in that massive world of soon-to-be-famous writers. Keep up the awesome work! I loved thearticle, by the way...

on Apr. 20 2012 at 5:08 pm
LexiClare BRONZE, Allentown, Pennsylvania
1 article 0 photos 5 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Carpe Diem: make your life extraordinary."
~"Dead Poets Society"

This is really wonderful, and very relatable; it's practically all I've wanted to say about my life, as well.  Brilliant essay, you can do this.

on Mar. 29 2012 at 9:04 pm
AubreyJordan PLATINUM, Flagstaff, Arizona
25 articles 0 photos 39 comments
I admire your commitment :) I wish I were that devoted to a career in writing!

SElahi BRONZE said...
on Mar. 28 2012 at 8:32 pm
SElahi BRONZE, Burr Ridge, Illinois
4 articles 1 photo 52 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Be the change you wish to see in the world."

Awesome job! Very easy to relate to. 

P.S. Go Desis!!!!


KatsK DIAMOND said...
on Mar. 27 2012 at 7:52 pm
KatsK DIAMOND, Saint Paul, Minnesota
57 articles 0 photos 301 comments

Favorite Quote:
Being inexhaustible, life and nature are a constant stimulus for a creative mind.
~Hans Hofmann
You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.
~Ray Bradbury

This is great. It really shows how passionate you (and we) can be about your writing. It's really cool that you feel that way. Keep writing, and good luck!

GeeGi BRONZE said...
on Mar. 27 2012 at 9:09 am
GeeGi BRONZE, Park City, Utah
3 articles 0 photos 51 comments

Favorite Quote:
“Being crazy isn't enough.”
― Dr. Seuss

“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?”
― Dr. Seuss

I could relate to every (well, almost every) word. When you mentioned being the next J.K Rowling, I sort of stopped, becuase that's my dream :) Botom line, I really liked your peice. Hey, if you could, do you think you could read my story? It's called the Story of the Demons. Rate and comment if you can. Thanks :)

on Feb. 11 2012 at 6:38 pm
Doves_and_Ravens SILVER, Orlando, Florida
5 articles 1 photo 39 comments

Favorite Quote:
"It is not in the stars that hold our destiny, but in ourselves."

-William Shakespeare

I can completely relate to this. This almost sounds like something I would say. Keep writing. I believe you can be the next J. K. Rowling! I hate to rig the comments system on such a good article, but could you comment on some of my work?

on Feb. 11 2012 at 2:32 pm
zadiekatie23 PLATINUM, Rio Rancho, New Mexico
39 articles 4 photos 69 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

This is really easy for any and all writers to connect to. We all have these same feelings, though maybe not as intense as yours. :) Thanks!

WordsRUs GOLD said...
on Feb. 11 2012 at 12:26 am
WordsRUs GOLD, Jefferson City, Missouri
10 articles 0 photos 18 comments
I think her point with the J.K. Rowling thing was that she'll actually be famous for her writing. Most of the writers who win the Pulitzer Prize and the Nobel Prize aren't very famous among most people. Sure they're usually the better writers, but they're not raking in the cash like Meyer and Rowling.

Benjamin101 said...
on Dec. 12 2009 at 7:00 pm
Wow, very nice stuff. There is a certain voice that you show in your writing; I rather like it. However, I do have some constructive criticisms. J.K. Rowling is by no means the gold standard of writers. Perhaps you might want to compare yourself to someone who is more appreciated by the literary community? Just a thought. Also the final line of the first paragraph, "Macbeth in my sophomore year was much easier to understand", is this necessary? I feel as though you added this in only to make the college, I'm guessing Columbia, feel as though you weren't incompetent. I don't think it is necessary from reading your essay an admissions officer should be able to deduce that you are a healthy reader. I even recommend changing it to, "Macbeth in my sophomore year wasn't much easier to understand". Macbeth really isn't very much easier than either A Midsummer Night's Dream or Julius Caesar. Just a thought.

on Sep. 29 2009 at 12:50 pm
MeagaroniNCheese BRONZE, Mountain Home, Arkansas
4 articles 0 photos 8 comments
From what I can tell, you seem like a fantastic writer. Just don't get distracted from your dreams as most of us easily are. Don't let anyone tell you you can't. One day you'll be able to tell them "I did."