Gina Rice

In third grade, my teacher told Mom and Dad I should be a writer. I gave it consideration, but decided I would still rather be a veterinarian. Anywhere I went, one might find me carrying a Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook. Today it is wrinkled and water damaged and handmade tabs stick out of several sections. I loved that book. I fell in love with several more books after that. I fell in love with reading.

Eventually, my thoughts ran in streams of theatrical lines that I would sometimes edit and recompose in my head. Then I started journaling. My journal entries turned into songs, Saturday Night Live skits and book ideas. I could lose myself for hours writing.

But math satisfied my perfectionism. Algebra is exacting and precise. Architects utilize math, I thought, so I job shadowed an architect who I learned designed warehouses, and I shuddered imagining myself repositioning loading ramps and fire exits or a career.

One day, I overheard the teachers of my high school honors classes talking about me from one of their desks about fifteen feet behind me. I had just turned in my essay -- late ... again. The English Department Head said to my history teacher, "But she can write." I peeked over my shoulder and saw my history teacher nod her assent then place my essay on the stack of others.

I resisted it. I really did. I thought my aptitude for writing could be put to better use than "just writing." An art did not seem to be a practical career choice, you see. I decided on politics and law, then, to make a difference in the world. What a difference that made, indeed. The egos surrounding political science majors repelled me, so I dropped my major without knowing what my next one would be.

When a time came that I needed a source of additional strength, I found it in -- what else? -- the arts. Stories, music, films and poetry moved me to laughter and tears during a period of hardship. Articles motivated me academically and professionally when I was ready to take on the world again. Instructional pieces taught me how to do it better. Writers of all types empowered me, and I felt what I can only describe as a purposefulness to pass it on.

Abandoning my perfectionism and practical nature, I pursue writing. Not just writing. Artistry of words.

I aim to communicate ideas on multiple platforms. Words are everywhere and people like me put them there. Writing serves many object