Writing 101 – Who Are You…Really?

We met a few months ago on the first day of my teacher training course. “I want to be like you”, I thought after the first hour or so. Such confidence. Such a commanding way yet not aggressive. Such great dress sense! For the sake of protecting the innocent, we’ll call her Daisy.

By day 2 of the 4 week course, my rose-tinted glasses seemed to be faulty. There was the odd sarcastic remark (or was I just being sensitive) and the quick unjustified retort to one of my fellow learners. Still, someone with that good taste in clothes (by my tastes, of course) can’t be that bad and must just be having a bad day week. Hmmm, or was she? Each day would start with us wondering what mood to expect and whether a good mood would be sustained. This isn’t exactly how you want people who depend on you for guidance to feel about you, right?

(I could become really unpopular at work for this post)

Who are you really, Daisy? You say that you’re a hippy but almost everything that comes out of your mouth is negative. The complaining and moaning is almost constant. The way you talk to some people is awful. Where’s the flower power? Where’s the peace? Where’s the love, dude? I get none of that from you. No, wait. That’s not right. I do get that from you (when you’re not blanking me) but others don’t. No self-respecting hippy (and I happen to know some hippies) would spew the kind of negativity that comes from you on a daily basis.

Who are you really, Daisy? You say that you don’t believe in wearing labels. You say that you’re surprised when one of my classmates wears perfume by some well known label because you thought he’s a hippy, like you. So why wear Converse and Havaianas? Those are labels, right? Exactly. In fact, why make the comment about the labels in the first place? Just let him be. He smells nice. Make the compliment. Ask what it is. Move on.

Who are you really, Daisy? You say that you’re a vegetarian and a hippy. When you learn that I’m breastfeeding my daughter and expressing milk for her while I’m at school, you show on your face that it disgusts you. In fact, your words to me are “I’m a hippy, if you know what I mean.” Umm, actually, no I don’t know what you mean and I really don’t give a sh!t. I’m going to feed my daughter for as long as I like and maybe right in front of you. So there! Hippy, my arse. P.s. vegetarians don’t eat fish.

Who are you really, Daisy? You have so much negativity inside of you but you are one of the most amazing teachers and tutors I know. You have an ability to bring out the best in people. You have such a nurturing manner sometimes but the things you say and do make you seem like a totally different person.

So I ask you…who are you when no-one’s watching?

Thanks for reading x

The assignment: 

Writing 101: A Character-Building Experience

Who’s the most interesting person (or people) you’ve met this year?

Our stories are inevitably linked to the people around us. We are social creatures: from the family members and friends who’ve known us since childhood, to the coworkers, service providers, and strangers who populate our world (and, at times, leave an unexpected mark on us).

Today, write a post focusing on one — or more — of the people that have recently entered your life, and tell us how your narratives intersected. It can be your new partner, your newborn child, or the friendly barista whose real story you’d love to learn (or imagine), or any other person you’ve met for the first time in the past year.

Today’s twist: Turn your post into a character study.