I am a writer, I am a painter, I am an illustrator, and, on some days — not only because of Instagram — I am a photographer.

Through preschool and kindergarten, all of my instructors and teachers showed me how to embrace my individuality through different forms of expression. In elementary school, I was taught that expressing myself in my own words was important, as long as I did it discreetly. Once I entered junior high and high school, our teachers made it a point to always focus on how something should be rather than allowing a student to form their own opinion. If I ever questioned an unfair grade for a paper based on opinion, the usual response would be, “I see your point, but I just don’t think that’s what the author meant,” or, “I understand that’s how you felt about the story, but it really isn’t how I taught it in class.” But is it right? “Well, yes, but not for this class.”

During their grading process, the teacher did not want us to be original with our opinions but rather to mirror their opinion.

Later on in college, a professor questioned the class, asking if originality even existed anymore. He explained how every “original” idea was just influenced and inspired by someone else’s original idea. He had a good point, but my opinion was still my own, even if it mimicked someone else’s original thought.

When I write anything, from short stories to blog posts, I always have my audience in mind — assuming I have one — but at the end of the day, I stay true to my specific voice and style of writing. I may not know how millions of readers like consuming their information, but I sure as hell know my preference, and I assume, if not hope, that other people share a similar taste.

I have been writing for Germ for about a year now, and I have loved every minute of it. From my seemingly ridiculous but truly sincere articles about Big Foot to my more serious posts for readers who are having problems in life, I truly enjoy writing across the board. Germ has opened so many doors for me, and in many ways I have been spoiled with the most amazing staff and editors a new writer could ask for.

One of the opportunities that came along because of Germ was being asked to write an article for another publication, which involved conducting an interview. I was approached because of my specific style of writing, which made me nervous, but excited nonetheless. The idea was that I would write an article as a favor, and in return I would be promoted through the outlet.

I did my part and even bonded with my subject, handed it over, and waited patiently to see what would happen next. After a few days, I was forwarded my new article, which was edited by someone with more experience and clearly more respect than me. My name was put at the bottom of the article, but the work was unrecognizable to me. The information I had collected was given, and a new article was written. If people liked the article, great, if people hated it, great; but, either way, this was not my writing.

My voice was muffled by someone else’s louder tone. Bad writing was not replaced with better writing; good writing was replaced with an entirely new article that was someone else’s version of good.

For every person that enjoys my specific style, I am sure that there are hundreds who hate it; but, either way, it is my style, and that goes for everyone who has a creative outlet and wants their form of expression to reach a wide audience.

At a young age we were all taught to express ourselves in our own way, but as we got older we were told — usually in the form of a red pen mark — that our opinions, our expression, and our originality were wrong. Yes, there are clear rights and wrongs for everything, but everyone should have the opportunity to get as close as possible to right and wrong without being corrected or questioned.