There they go again…is all I can think when I heard my parents arguing outside my bedroom door. Sometimes it was about money, other times it was about my mom’s insecurities and every time I just wished they could get along. Every day my mind paced back and forth like a family member at the hospital waiting to hear back from the doctor about their loved one, except I was thinking of a master plan to get away from mine.
The first part of my plan was to hurry up and turn 18 already with only a year away even that seemed just a bit too far. I had to think quick on my feet I was growing, learning, and realizing that happiness was all I wanted. I wanted to explore what life was like whether I made mistakes or not, I was curious to see what my dad was keeping me away from. Most importantly I was over the bickering and the arguments my mom started whether it was with my dad or me.
I applied to a SUNY school and it was the best decision I made thus far, it fulfilled the curiosity I had inside of me and I was finally free to spread my wings. Its time to go and my mom wasn’t there to witness my first few steps as an adult but all that mattered to me was that my dad was there and I knew as long as he knew where I was and that I was attending school was enough for him.
- So I am having trouble on trying not to think about jumping from one idea to another because I’m focused on making my story interesting. Like for example I’m writing on the most difficult times of my life by chapter and I’m beginning from when it all started which was when I graduated high school. I want my story to bring the reader in but I don’t want to give away the good stuff right away, get me? I’m going to get into slowly discovering my mom had a serious illness for longer than I even knew and the separation of my parents after being together my entire life and the changes. Help
Hi there,
I see where you are going. It’s good if you give something away in the beginning to grab a reader’s attention. Perhaps, begin with detailed emotions of your parents’ argument: sound of their voices, body movements, maybe describe your mom’s and dad’s voices in just two adjectives. Instead of saying how you feel and what you are planning to do, simply write what happened. For instance, in the first paragraph, present in a glimpse your home to set the scene for the reader. Try to leave your feelings for the last sentence of the first paragraph to have a mystery, ” I just wished they could get along.” Just it. Remember “show don’t tell.”
I am looking forward to read your final piece. I know what it’s like to grow up hearing arguments and wanting to escape. Your story’ve already found one person who can relate to it. Therefore, you are on the right track! 🙂