Not many can say they had an inspirational writer come to their class as our class can. Katherine Vaz was such an inspiration for writers in college to pursue there dreams. From the tips she gave us to start a story to her own journey of becoming a published writer, Katherine Vaz gave us useful information for our futures.

Many of Vaz’s stories stem from her some of her own life experiences. Her first story came from her school bus experience as a child. She was protected by a boy who she helped with his homework. A lot of her work was based on Saints she had to read about in second grade. But although Katherine Vaz used real life experience’s she also wanted us to understand how much should we can create. We can use our own imaginations to expand our writing.

My favorite quote that Katherine Vaz gave us in class was, “I think we fear the death of those we love, then our own.” This quote has stuck with me since she came to our class. Vaz explained she has a connection with death which is inevitable. She lost her grandma during the birth of her father. She attended high school during the Vietnam War as Vaz describes this as a time of “upheaval.”. Vietnam started in November and JFK also passed away in November. This was a month of loss.

I can also relate to Katherine Vaz . I recently lost my grandfather in August. He was my best friend and I feel privileged to be able to have spent 20 years with him. After his death my life changed. I felt a piece of me missing. Not even 3 months later, his sister (my great aunt) passed away. My family feels she died of a broken heart because my grandfather and aunt were the only two who came to America. From August to November of this year, I have done nothing but attend shiva calls and wakes.

While I was listening to Katherine Vaz, I felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I wasn’t the only one going through hard times in my life. It has helped me be able to write about my own experiences in stories.

“We are all in this together.”

Katherine Vaz was a very helpful mentor as a journalist.