It turns out that a couple months ago I, on a whim, entered a writing contest called the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest. I totally forgot about this, until a few weeks ago when I got an email informing me that I had won an honorable mention. I couldn't even remember what story I entered. After a bit of emailing back and forth, I discovered that it was a short story I wrote in one sitting back in May. The story is entitled "A Ghost Story," and it was inspired by the French screenplay Les Jeux Sont Faits by Jean-Paul Sartre. Today I finally reread it, and I'm actually kind of proud of myself. I figured, since stories are supposed to be read, I might as well share it here. And so I am. Without further ado, "A Ghost Story," by Audrey Goates.
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There is no reason to hold back on being profound.
There is no reason to hold back on saying something deep. There is no reason to hold back from saying something you find remarkable, whether or not it's something you came up with on your own. There is no reason to tread lightly on saying something that could change whole world views because you are afraid someone will not agree. You cannot afford to limit your world and your discussions because doing so would go against something that someone once told you. We all have quotes and sayings and thoughts that we hold dear, we all have heard something once that changed how we see the world. Whoever it was the originally said that thing was brave enough to say it, to write it, to whisper it in someone's ear or shout it from the rooftops. If you have something to say, say it. Don't hold back on a moment that will change the world because the person to your left might disagree with your statement. No one tells stories about bland discussions on topics already understood. No one remembers the speeches or lessons that followed the book exactly or restated long-known ideas. Branch out. Tell a new story. Reinterpret something. Don't leave that to the "professionals," be a great mind yourself. The professionals didn't become professional without trying something new themselves. I am so tired of people deciding they don't need original thought. I am so tired of people telling me only what they've heard others say before. Do not be afraid of analyzing and criticizing and reimagining. Do not be afraid of doing or saying something remarkable. Do not ever shut people down because you read once in a textbook that their idea is impossible. Let them be philosophical. Let them wonder, and ponder, and think for themselves. And let yourself do so too. Not just for yourself, but for everyone listening. |
I'm Audrey, a college student and existential rambler.
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