Hey All!
My name is Jordan Banks, and I am honored to be the first staff member to blog. Each week, a different staff member will post on here about the current status of our literary magazine, an insight about ourselves, or just a random rant on current literary issues. Today I want to discuss my first love, writing, and how it led me to becoming a part of this staff.
I am from the small town of Greensboro, Alabama. I have been writing ever since I could hold a crayon. My mother would buy me numerous writing tablets and coloring books, but I was obsessed with writing on the walls. At that age, my writing seemed to be more permanent that way. In grade school and middle school my favorite subject was English because I was urged and allowed to just write from my heart, soul, and imagination.
I remember writing stories of dragons, witches, and dreams coming true. I remember staying up until my mother would have to pull the pen from my clenched fist while in motion. I loved writing for the sake of writing because no one could tell me I was wrong. By the age of fifteen, I had filled over 20 composition notebooks of stories, poems, and mostly ideas. When I was in the 7th grade, one night while writing and complaining about not having anywhere to publish our work, my brother and I started our own ‘zine entitled “Rising Artists.” It consisted mostly of our own stories, drawings, and writing tips for other young artists. We made our master copies by hand and photocopied them at our local library. A lot of the text was hand written at first, but after a few issues we fixed that problem. We sold them for 50 cents per issue and surprisingly, we sold out faster than we could print them. It felt amazing producing a product that I was so passionate about and seeing it sell. But… high school happened, so my brother and I decided to put a hold on “Rising Artists.”
When we started this new project, our faculty advisor asked, “What can we bring to the Sucarnochee staff?” I am bringing experience I have had from my previous publication. Although, “Rising Artists” was a small self- publication, I know how much hard work, discipline, and time goes into making a quality magazine. I am bringing passion for seeing other undergraduate writers seeing their work in print. I am bringing a positive attitude and the willingness to fulfill a passion of mine.
Is there anything you are currently passionate about? What is it- and what is it that makes you so passionate about it?
Let us know in the comments!