The beginning of something new is always exciting for me because I am very curious and hungry for knowledge. I find it really interesting to always start something new. One of the recent and most outstanding growth of mine has got to be writing reviews perfectly. English generally is not an easy thing if you're looking at being perfect in speaking and writing it. I just didn't know about that till it became my course of study.
I've always loved storytelling, newscasting, acting and presentations since I was a little girl of about six. I've actually been doing all these while I was in primary school so a passion for all of them was built. Acting was tasking, repeating scenes till I got perfect was exhausting so I left that part and focused on books. I read books for fun and would stand in front of my class to tell it to my classmates when there was no teacher in class and everyone would really listen to me. I would try to act out the scenes as I tell them and it was just fun.
A few years later, my first year in the university precisely, I heard about book reviews. It's not like I didn't know about it before, I did but not in the way I was taught. I definitely visited the Hive Book Club from time to time and I saw book reviews from other writers but I was satisfied with just a few and it was still nothing like what my lecturer taught me.
The learning process was scary for me. I have this bad habit of panicking about something that I haven't done before, especially if it's a compulsory requirement. I'd feel like I'll not get it right, I can't do it. I almost paid someone to write my review for me but I decided against it. I have a Big Friend which I have so much respect for and every time he tells me to learn. He says it's better I learn and make mistakes repeatedly and he is of the opinion that it's the best way to learn. This is because you'll know much better than people who learnt it right. When you fail at something and finally get it right, while teaching others you'll be able to tell them emphatically why they can't use certain methods, because you first used those methods and you know where it led you. There so much confidence and pride in making mistakes and finally becoming a pro at something so I went the hard way.
Rather than chat up my classmates who I feel were better scholars, I decided to write with the guide my lecturer gave me and create my own writing style identity. It took a long while to get my review written to perfection but I wrote it and I submitted it. I don't know what the result is because it won't be returned to us and the scores will be merged with our examination result but I know I did well.
The most amazing thing about my journey is the way God ordered my steps. I wanted to be a lawyer so badly. I applied for that course thrice and I wasn't given admission. Through my years of waiting I decided to work in a school close to my house as an assistant. There my passion for education, books, writing, reading, got maximized. I began to review articles for the school's Press Club. I found a new dream and went on to apply to study English in school and it worked out with ease.
After my first review, I decided to make it a habit to write a review on all the literature I read and sometimes movies too. In order to challenge myself to be much better, I joined a community called Booklysis Hub. There we read books weekly and write reviews on them. My leaders have been super impressed and they always tell me that. I also started to put out my reviews on Hive. I started two weeks ago and the goal is to keep posting reviews here on Hive weekly or twice a week. Below are links to those I've posted so far.
Book Review - Season of Crimson Blossoms
Book Review: Sally Thorne's The Hating Game
If you need book recommendations or want to know which books I've read, I'll implore that you visit my blog weekly for some interesting updates. It's been a fun ride and I'm proud of myself. I look forward to coaching other people as I advance over time. I want to encourage other learners too. Don't deter, don't fret, keep learning and best believe that you'll get to the top someday because with consistency and hard work, you'll get there.
Am I an amateur at something else? Yes, writing books. I really want to be a publishing author. I want to write literature so badly and I'm still nowhere good at it. I'm equally still an imperfect Hivan. I'm still trying to get much better. I won't say I'm an amateur but I'm not just very great at blogging yet. I'm trying to find a balance with my school life, social life and Hive. Little by little, I trust that I'll get there.
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About The Author
I am a witty, adventurous and nicheless writer who loves to sing, take pictures, teach and travel. I am currently an English Education student at the University of Nigeria Nsukka. I am also a young children's teacher who homeschools kids during holidays. I love to share my life experiences through writing with the hope of inspiring as many people as possible on the Hive space.