Alexis Montague

UWRT 1101
Suzan Ingram
29 October 2014
The Writer Within Me
10/24/14
Dear Journal,
I havent written in a while so this is refreshing. I love the smell of a new page in my
journal. I also love the scent of my black ink dispersing on my paper, giving my words life. Today
in class Ms. Ingram told us to write a portrait of a writer essay. I have never heard of a portrait
essay so it was intriguing to listen to the conversations around me to find out more information
about it. Im guessing that the portrait essay is basically designed to show who you are as a
writer in essay format.
Who am I as a writer? I have no structure and I love conversational pieces that contain
personal experiences. But Im not exactly sure on how to fully define myself. I never thought I
would be sitting in my room, looking out of my window, thinking about how I write? I walk to
my journal, unlock the tiny lock with my journal key, and write with my favorite black ink pen.
Thats the beginning of every journal entry I have ever made! I always write in my journal in the
afternoon or right before bed because thats the best time for me to get everything off of my
chest that I have went through or experienced during the day. Writing in my journal helps me
relieve stress so that I can go on happy and energized. I dont expect to gain any knowledge
from writing in my journal. I guess as Im writing now Im learning about myself and how I think

as a writer. I just flow. Whatever is on my mind I just let it all out. Theres no goal that I set. Its
just word after word after word. How am I supposed to write this essay?
A portrait, I made a portrait of myself back in the second grade of myself and won 1 st
place. But is that what Ms. Ingram is asking for?
Today I was rushing to get to class because I had to walk all the way from the Flats to
McEniry. It was a 15 min walk and I was so hot by the time I got to class. The weather here in
Charlotte is always changing; it started at 46 degrees and went all the way up to 81 degrees!
How is that even logical? I never know what to wear to class anymore. But as the day went on it
got cooler eventually. I went to Crown today, our school cafeteria, and the food was actually
pretty good. Im sitting in my room now watching cartoon network trying to write my portrait
essay but I keep thinking about how I want to go to Chipotle.
Hi Journal! I just got back from Chipotle and I ordered a chicken bowl with sour cream,
cheese, lettuce, hot sauce, Pico, rice with cilantro and my favorite table spoon of Tabsco sauce!
It was so good! I just enjoy Chipotle so much!
Well now Im sitting in the library still thinking about my Chipotle which has nothing to
do with my portrait of a writer essay. It is currently 12:16 am and I am listening to Wu-Tang
by Drake trying to focus on writing my essay. Its not going so well. It is hard for me to connect
my thoughts. I always end up becoming unfocused. I guess this is why I love writing in my
journal because its just a safe place where I can get down my thoughts. I have three papers
due tomorrow and my portrait of a writer essay is only one of them. I need to stop
procrastinating so that I can catch up on sleep and not have to stay up so late. It is so hard not

to wait to the last minute sometimes. At least Im always on time with turning in my work so I
guess its not so bad. I also havent missed any classes yet. The other day I was talking to some
friends on my hall and they were telling me how they miss two classes a week. I couldnt do
that even if I wanted to because I would feel guilty.
Now its 1:04 am and Im still sitting in the library listening to No Type by Rae
Sremmurd. I am sitting with 3 of my friends now, the other 3 of them left. The library is getting
empty by the minute. Im pretty sure if I dropped a paper clip the people on the ground floor
could hear it and Im on the 3rd floor. I cant even focus. I started off trying to brain storm about
this portrait essay now Im just thinking about the next song that is going to show up on my
Pandora. Then I started thinking about how to define what the assignment is asking. Im still not
sure how to answer all of the portrait questions but Im trying to the best of my ability. Who
knew that I would be up this late doing a paper for my UWRT class? Back in high school I could
write a paper in like 30 minutes and be done. Now I have to stay up and actually apply myself.
In high school I didnt have a voice in my writing as far as academics but my journal was always
my safe heaven. I remember when I wrote my essay about my first day of high school: I put
forth no effort whatsoever, and the teacher gave us so many guidelines that the paper was
basically a reflection of how she wanted my first day of high school to go.
I write in my journal because it helps me relieve all the stress from my long hard day at
school. Its my escape sometimes from the outside world because I can talk about whatever is
bothering me or on my mind.

9/13/12
I am so stressed. I am so over school right now. I cant believe I have three tests
tomorrow. There is no way that I am going to be able to study for each test in one day. Now
that I just thought about it I have a writing assignment due tonight also. High school sucks on
days like this. I really just want to lay down and watch the episodes of X Factor that I missed. I
guess studying for my Calculus test would be effective.
This is an excerpt from my journal. I always manage to wait for the last minute. Procrastination
is my hobby. Im pretty sure that I am a professional procrastinator. A week from now youre
going to wish you started today is something I can hear my grandma saying to me now.
I know that its too late to still be working on a paper thats due tomorrow but at least
Im trying to get it done. This portrait of a writer essay was really hard for me. I had to convey
what kind of writer I am using modes of writing and also answer the key concept questions. Its
a lot harder than it seems. Most papers dont keep me up so late because they are usually
straight to the point and I dont have to say too much. But because this portrait essay has to
reflect me I can write forever. This portrait essay also interests me so I want it to be effective
and interesting. I dont want my peers or Ms. Ingram reading some dry, stale paper about how I
am an exquisite unique writer using big words that make everyone want to rip my paper in
half.
Writing in my journal has been a struggle this semester because I havent had as much
time as I usually do. I try to write in it at least once a week. But Ive only written in it probably
twice since Ive been here which may contribute to why I am more stressed than usual.

Sometime I write in my journal right after something happens which helps me to let go or
become more calm about a situation. It helps me to think clearly also. Maybe this journal entry
will help me think of effective ways to portray myself as writer.
I appreciate having my journal as a way to express myself. I also appreciate how writers
produce pieces that can have impact on other writers. I just appreciate knowing that other
writers can show how they connect to other people. Now that I am in college I am more
expressive in my writing and I also see that I have grown from not speaking my mind to
expressing myself. My goals when I write have become relieving stress and letting my thoughts
fall out onto my paper.
Well its getting late and I keep getting distracted so I will be back journal. I dont know
what I would do without you journal! Wish me luck on my portrait of a writer essay!
Alexis Montague