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Creative Writing Portfolio Deitrek Gill

Reflection Essay I've never considered myself much of a writer. I've always been one of those students who is better at math and science than reading or writing. The main reason I joined this class is because I didn't feel like I had much creativity and I wanted to challenge myself to become better. This class has been really challenging for me, as I expected it would be. Sometimes, I struggle finding inspiration for my pieces of writing. When I would begin to struggle finding inspiration it was really killing my motivation for this class. The only thing that really kept me going were some of my previous works from the class. For the first time ever, I was able to read some of my pieces of writing and I was actually proud of what I had written and enjoyed reading and rereading some of my own works. Since I had some struggles with inspiration for my pieces, whenever I wouldn't be able to come up with a topic I would write about some part of my childhood or schooling, something that I knew and was able to write about my own experiences. So, for this portfolio I have put together all of the works I have written about my own life and the struggles everyone faces while growing up, and also a few extra pieces of my work that I felt I needed to add in because I enjoyed them so much. Growing up is different for everyone, from first days of school, sporting events, struggles with teachers, preparing for colleges, and writing essays to making and losing friends, first kisses, and even first loves. Even though this has been one of the toughest classes that I have ever taken, I'm really glad I did it. The feedback I have received from my teacher and peers has helped me improve my writing skills and really come to enjoy writing more. I don't think writing really has a place in my future career, but I definitely think I am going to take another writing course of some sort where I can continue to improve my writing skills as it has now become something I enjoy rather than dread.

Table of Contents: Short Stories Champion of Champions.............................................................................................................4-7 Poems I’m Sorry.........................................................................................................................................8 Toxic...............................................................................................................................................9 First Love......................................................................................................................................10 College.....................................................................................................................................11-12 Things I’ve Lost............................................................................................................................13

Champion of Champions Perhaps the biggest golf tournament I've ever played in my life, caused the nerves to set in before I even got to the airport. I was unusually nervous for this tournament because this was my last real chance to show my talents to college coaches. Playing golf for a Division I school has been my dream for as long as I can remember. On this day, as we loaded our bags in the car preparing to leave for the airport, my father said to me, "Deitrek, this is your last chance to get a golf scholarship, so you better not waste it." That just added to the doubt already in my mind. Underneath it all, though, I was hopeful. I have played well in tournaments before, at least well enough to get the attention of coaches. But with this being the summer before my senior year it was the most important time in the recruiting process. Thus far, the summer had been troublesome for me due to injuries and the inability to finish with wins. Struggling with these difficulties, I had already begun to lose interest from many colleges as the summer continued. With this being my last tournament of the summer, most colleges have already picked their recruiting class. This left the few colleges with spots available very sought after. If I was going to be one of the lucky few chosen, I was going to have to prove to these colleges that I am the best available. Winning this tournament could be my last chance, so the stakes couldn't be any higher.

After landing, my family checked out our rental car and headed to the hotel where we would be staying for the next week. Antsy to see the course, I convinced my mother to take me to go scout it out. When we arrived, there were kids lined up on the practice range and the practice greens preparing for the tournament the next day. After walking around for a while, a spot opened up on the practice range so I quickly took it, hoping to get a good practice session in. However, seeing all of the golfers around me hitting every shot so solid, I began to get nervous. I even asked my mom, "Are we sure I even should play? I don't know if I can compete with these kids?" My mom, always being so supportive and reinforcing to me, replied, "You are as good as any of these players, and you will do great this week. At the end of the day Deitrek, this is about having fun. It's no good to play a sport if you can't have fun with it." Her words soothed my nerves and I was able to calm down and begin practicing. I was hitting the ball so consistently that I lost track of time and finally looked around to realize I was the last person on the range. My mother, who had passed the time reading her newest romance novel on a nearby bench, finally came up to me and asked to leave to get some food. Reluctantly I agreed; although, in my mind, I felt like I needed to be spending every minute practicing so that I could be at my best for the tournament.

The next morning, I woke up to my alarm at 7:00 AM. I sprung immediately up out of bed and into the shower. Normally I wouldn't consider myself a morning person, but today I had no issues getting out of bed and straight into my morning routine. Full of excitement and anxiety I went into the kitchen area where my parents had prepared me breakfast. I quickly ate so we could get to the course as soon as possible. Upon arriving at the course, I headed straight to the practice range to get warmed up. As I was finishing up my practice routine, I noticed some large, dark clouds beginning to form to the North of us. I hadn't checked the weather, so I figured they would miss us and the weather would be fine. I then headed over to the practice green to get a few putts in. It was my turn on the tee before I knew it. I introduced myself to my playing partners and got ready to start. As the starter called my name to tee off, all of my confidence went straight out the window. I tried to breathe more slowly to calm myself down and was able to hit a great first tee shot about 10 yards past my competitors. I had a great start with a birdie on hole one and rode that momentum going forward. After nine holes I found myself in the lead by two shots. As we approached the tenth tee, it began to rain. Throughout my round, I hadn't even noticed that the big clouds had moved towards us and were now on top of us. I quickly got my rain gear out to keep myself as dry as possible. The rain was light for the next few holes, but by hole thirteen it was pouring on us. I was not used to this kind of weather and began to play poorly. After the next three holes, I had dug myself into a two-shot deficit. Finally, the

rain lightened up with three holes to go, and I knew I had to finish strong to give myself an opportunity to catch the leader. Making two consecutive birdies, I was now tied with the leader going into the last hole. I had honors and had to tee off first. Feeling the pressure, I blocked my tee shot right into a group of trees. With my ball in a difficult position, my competitor took a confident swing and hit a perfect ball down the middle of the fairway. As I approached my ball, my dad was telling me to chip out and play it safe so I could at least get second, but I knew I needed to win this tournament, so I decided on a very risky shot under the trees to give myself a chance to win. My competitor and co-leader hit his approach shot to about 15 feet for birdie putting the pressure on me. After a deep breath, I took the shot of my life. From under the trees, my ball rolled all the way to the green to about 10 feet. Since my competitor was farther out, he putted first and missed his birdie putt; this meant I had a putt to win the tournament. After studying the green for several minutes, I finally decided I was ready to hit my putt. I put a perfect stroke on the ball and made it in the center of the cup. I couldn't believe that I had actually won! My family came up and hugged me and told me how proud they were. After the awards ceremony that night, I checked my email to see that I had been offered by multiple colleges. Not only was I going to be able to play college golf, but I was also going to have choices on where I wanted to go.

I'm Sorry I'm sorry for ruining our friendship. The years of laughter and play, now behind us. It was always my fault when we couldn't hang out. Only I could be blamed for when the annoyance set in. If only I could have been better; maybe we would be okay. Our trust kept us rolling in the sanctity of love and respect. I'm sorry I made it so you felt you were justified to lie. I realize now that I put so much pressure on you. It's plain to see there is a reason that you were late to show. In the night, when I think back in time, it is clear to see I should have been better. I'm sorry for ruining our friendship.

Toxic Always being doubted by everyone despite proving you are Better than your competition, and it's not even Close. When you are winning, they proceed to Demoralize you and make you feel terrible without Even caring about how it makes you Feel inside. This is why I ask myself, "God, why are people so mean and Hurtful for no good reason?" I did nothing to them, yet they feel Justified to be ruthless in their insults, Killing my happiness and Love for people, all because they can't stand losing to Me. People get so defensive when they lose, Never wanting to see other people succeed, Only themselves. Even when they don't Put in the same amount of effort. Instead, they Quit and expect to still be the best without Realizing what it takes to be great. Some people have the work ethic it Takes to be great while others like to Use every excuse in the book as to why they weren't Victorious. They don't understand that Winning takes sacrifice, and you can't Expect it to be handed to You. Earning it yourself allows you to feel the Zen which is what it's all about.

First Love I had always seen you in the hallways. Never spoke till we had class together though. I wish I could go back to those days, back when my stress was light as a feather. Now things are complicated, I should have known better than to start with you. Even so, I do not know that I would ever be able to say no to you. You have had me mesmerized from the start. You acted like you wanted to give me the world. I exchanged that with my heart and you let my heart burn to flames. You see, things were great before us. You ruined it and damaged me in the process of it.

College I’m at home, wrapped up in my favorite furry throw, my eyes blurring while I am sitting at my desk. I try to take a drink from my cup, but it is empty. My mom yells from upstairs, “Are your essays done?” I respond, “Not yet.” She continues to babble about how I am running out of time. She thinks I am not taking this seriously enough. I just need a break. This last month has been so stressful, writing essays over and over to get into college. I remember watching my brother toiling over his essays, but never imagined it would be this difficult. The essays are never good enough. I feel like I could edit them a hundred times, and they would never be good enough. Lost in thought, I am interrupted by the sound of my dog scratching at my door. Drowsily, I get up to let him in. Seeing his energy brings a smile to my face and gives me enough motivation to keep working. As I sit back down, I get a call from my grandmother. She says, “Hey honey, just wanted to remind you that your essays are due today.” All of my calm is forced from my body when I hear this question, and I am suddenly filled again with rage and despair. Hearing her

say this just makes me want to scream. I am so tired of being reminded of what I already knew. I just need to be left alone so I could finish. After struggling to end the small talk with my grandmother for what felt like an hour, I was ready to finally get these essays over with. For the first time in weeks, I am actually left alone for a few hours, allowing me to finish up the final revisions of my essays. I turn off my computer and lie on my bed next to my dog. Finally, the essays are complete. My stress has been relieved. All of the work and pain of the last month is over. Yet, I feel I have done nothing. I won’t find out for at least two months whether or not these hours were worth it or not. On top of that, I barely have time to take a break. I have more applications due in a short amount of time. Thinking about this makes my relief only momentary.

Things I've Lost The belief in Santa Clause when my older brother told me it was my parents at age 8, my first tooth at age 6 that I put it under my pillow for the tooth fairy, my homework assignment in chemistry that I thought I turned in that my teacher never had, my patience with my siblings while trying to help them with homework, my temper on the golf course whenever I hit bad shots, my birthday money when I was 12 that I put into my drawer and never saw again, my mom's wedding ring when my sister and I were messing with her jewelry, my sense of direction in Las Vegas on vacation, my 4.0 GPA sophomore year when my teacher and I didn't get along, The remote control into the endless abyss of the couch cushions, my cat in the woods who we couldn't find after days of looking, my goggles in the public pool when I jumped off the high dive, my favorite shirt while doing laundry, my car keys when I was in a rush to get to basketball practice, my wallet after being at a friend's party, my sense of urgency with work since my teachers were so laid back, and my childhood as I have now become an adult.