Grayson Lee

Reigniting Passion: Finding Creativity in Academic Writing

For Grayson Lee, storytelling was an early obsession. As a child, they filled the family computer with sprawling 40-page fantasy stories, crafting characters named after best friends and building worlds inspired by the books they loved. Their family, strong supporters of literature, encouraged this passion—both as a reader and a writer.

But as school became more demanding, creative writing began to slip away. In high school, writing turned into just another academic task, a series of assignments dictated by strict prompts and rigid structures. Gone were the fantasy worlds, replaced by essays written solely for a grade. Over time, writing lost its spark.

Then, in sophomore year, everything changed.

A teacher—who would later become a mentor—introduced a new kind of writing assignment: the “Topic of Choice” essay. Instead of writing solely about assigned books, students were encouraged to pick subjects they were passionate about. For the first time in years, Lee was excited to write again.

They explored their favorite movies, breaking down the intense psychological dynamics of Whiplash. They analyzed albums like Igor, dissecting how music and storytelling intertwined. They even delved into classical compositions, writing about Pines of Rome.

Though these essays followed academic conventions, they also became a way to explore creativity, proving that writing—even in structured formats—could still be deeply personal and engaging.

Redefining What an Essay Can Be

For many students, academic writing is just another box to check—a formulaic exercise designed for grades, not enjoyment. Lee understands that mindset well because they once shared it. But through their experience, they discovered something important:

Academic writing doesn’t have to be soulless. It can be an opportunity to explore what you love.

There is an art to deconstructing and analyzing something that excites you. The process of breaking down a film, album, or idea isn’t just an intellectual exercise—it’s a way to engage with art and media on a deeper level.

"I think a lot of people miss out on the opportunity to write essays like this in school," Lee reflects. "It’s either writing under strict guidelines about a book you don’t care about or writing creatively with poetry and fiction. But there’s a middle ground—writing academic essays about things that genuinely interest you. More schools should allow teachers the freedom to assign work like this."

After all, if Lee had ended up with a different English teacher, they might have never rediscovered their love for writing.

A Call for More Meaningful Writing Assignments

Lee’s experience is a testament to the power of thoughtful teaching and open-ended exploration. They believe that more students could fall in love with writing if given the chance to connect academic work to their interests.

For anyone struggling with writing, they offer this advice:

Find a way to make it yours.

Instead of seeing essays as tedious assignments, try approaching them as opportunities to break apart something you love, to understand it in new ways. Writing can be a tool for discovery, whether it’s about literature, music, film, or any other passion.

With the right approach—and the right teacher—writing doesn’t just have to be an obligation. It can be an art form of its own.