Name: Annie Love
First clue you wanted to be a writer; summarize the situation:
I don’t really think of myself as a writer and I have not aspired to be one. I’ve just always heard from teachers and a certain writer that being able to write would help me go far in life.
Earliest remembered writing and publishing experience:
My second grade teacher Mrs. Loman has given me samples of what I believe to be my earliest works. My handwriting has changed since then, but I believe the basics of my abilities are still intact.
What part of your education helped you most on your path to writing?
Being forced to write term papers, short stories, poems, etc. for school assignments really was the best writing education. This helped me learn how to write for the “audience” for which my writing was intended. Science teachers didn’t want the same writing style in papers that I would use for my English essays. This has been directly applied to where I use my writing skills today. On a daily basis I am using writing to help people all over the world who have different levels of education and different levels knowledge of the English language. If they’re going to understand what I’m saying, I have to write in a style that they will be familiar with.
Who influenced you most along your way and how?
My mom’s a teacher and a writer so that’s always been the greatest influence. My high school English teacher Miss Tibbs and one of my college English Professors Devan Cook both pushed their students to give a little more – with me, the pushing helps.
Most satisfying piece(s) you’ve ever written----its audience:
A couple of papers in college that I wrote at the last minute and got A’s on. While waiting until the last minute is not a good idea, the fact that I could write a quality paper with little time for revisions made me feel like I was a decent writer in general.
Your publications or venues for writing:
Emails to geocachers all over the world helping with every kind of issue imaginable in the geocaching world.
Nuggets of advice for young writers in middle school and high school:
Listen to your teachers when they say being able to write well can take you places. I got my current job from writing an email to the company.
