Oscar Montes
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My name is Oscar Montes, I am a graduate student pursuing a Master’s degree in English and American Literature. My personal hobbies are all tied to aspects of my life and ideas I hold; playing piano (I think everyone should learn to play at least one instrument), cosplay (I like to design and build things), weightlifting (I believe a healthy body leads to a healthy mind, plus it’s fun), playing video games to relax, and of course, writing.
My work at the UWC and my courses require me to constantly write and revise academic material, which itself is often formal and without personal identity from authors. It is not a bad thing; this exposes me to a variety of ideas and concepts that broaden my perspective of the world. Although, as an aspiring novelist, I find myself seeking a break from academia by writing my own personal fantasy stories and poetry.
Though there are some writers whose style I admire, my experience in creative writing has taught me that we should not try to be like those writers but instead find and develop our own artistic identity. Besides this, the advice I would give other aspiring writers and my younger self is to write. It’s like going to the gym; if you want it you must practice it yourself, nobody will do it for you, but in time you will develop the habit yourself and the self-resistance diminishes.
As for my own writing, I use it to take breaks from reality. Humans are imaginary, crafty, and artistic creatures. When life is too much and we need a break, it is good to do something, not for profit or self-improvement, but for the sake of making it. My writing purpose is to allow myself to express creatively, even if some works no one will ever read.