From Fantasy Writer to Aspiring Journalist

I’ve always loved writing. It has been a way for me to ground myself, untangle my emotions, and, sometimes, escape. I have found all types of fiction fascinating, fantasy in particular. I could get lost in the magical worlds and fantastical legends of novels like Six of Crows and Throne of Glass. I typically stay away from contemporary books and realistic fiction. The main appeal of writing for me came from distancing myself from reality, rather than immersing myself in it. 

That is, until this summer. 

As an intern for the Korean newspaper Manna24 News, I interviewed Korean-American figures in my local community, penned news articles for the website, and designed online banners for advocacy. I’d never worked in journalism before, but this experience gave me new opportunities that I didn’t even imagine could be possible. In the beginning of July, I got to interview Mr. David Moon, a candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates. This was my very first in-person interview, and in the days leading up to it, I was so nervous that I almost wanted to back out. Upon meeting Mr. Moon, though, I realized that he was a regular human being, just like me. I was inspired by his passion for policy and drive to act on what he believes in. While putting together the article about his campaign, I learned to exercise a new part of my writer’s brain, creating something that teaches and informs and impacts the community. 

Through my internship this summer, my passion for writing took on a new sort of significance. Rather than focusing solely on creative writing, I was able to sharpen my skills in journalism and communication. Not only did I get better at note taking and writing informative works, but I also improved my organizational skills and learned how to effectively converse with a wide variety of professionals. Writing became a way for me to connect to the world and the people around me. It brought me closer to reality than ever before, but this time, instead of shying away from it, I leaned into it. I learned how sharing my words can shape other people’s lives and how it can create meaningful change.