Dear Future Jordan,
Do you remember when we discovered Percy Jackson? I picked up this book from the school library. It sounded really interesting and it had a pegasus on the cover, and we both know I can’t resist a horse—especially one that can fly.
After I started the book, I realized that I accidentally picked the last book in the series, oops. But then I was even more intrigued to start from the beginning. WOW do I love Percy, and Annabeth (obviously). There are just so many Greek myths packed into the books that I recognize. So. Cool. I really hope that you still like this series in the future. Ugh, I wish I could actually go to Camp Half-Blood over the summer. How about we imagine I’m sending this letter from there?
I also really hope you remember how you got into Twilight, you know, that vampire book saga you heard about for years before you finally caved and checked it out? Do you still remember that movie marathon that we forced our family to watch with us? Best six hours of my life (so far at least)! I am still, and will always be (I hope) Team Edward, it’s not even funny. Book Jacob SUCKS after New Moon. Jacob/Edward drama aside, there’s something so comforting about this series that I can’t explain. I don’t know why, but I have the feeling that I might end up reading and rewatching this series at least like 4 or 5 more times. Best comfort movies ever!
I always thought of myself as a reader, but maybe I can be a writer too.
Anyways, I was inspired to write this letter because I’m really enjoying 8th grade English! Do you still remember Mrs. Walker, our 8th grade English teacher? I think she’s really nice, and she compliments my writing. She makes me want to be a writer! Are you a famous writer now, or at least an English major? That sounds so fun, spending your college days reading and writing! I always thought of myself as a reader, but maybe I can be a writer too. Our friends aren’t really doing the whole BookTuber thing anymore, but I think I can incorporate what I love about books into my writing! The poetry and creative writing units for this class have been so fun.
Creative writing is so refreshing, I am so SICK of “academic” essays. Some of my friends are doing a lot of writing in their free time outside of class, and I’ve started to join them. I wonder if you’ll still remember the stories I’m writing. Have you kept them or written better ones? I’ve been struggling to finish my stories though. Sure, I can write a good few paragraphs, maybe even a chapter, but I never know where to go from there. Have you figured that out? I hope you’ve written a full story by now. Maybe one day we’ll even write the next Twilight or Percy Jackson! A girl can dream.
Team Edward always!
Middle School Jordan
Dear Middle School Jordan,
I am delighted to inform you that yes, you still love the Percy Jackson series. In fact, our Percy Jackson “phase” (it’s definitely not just a phase) was just reignited for me. Just a few months ago Disney released a show adaptation of the first book that Rick Riordan worked on himself, can you believe it?! The show differs from the books a bit, but it was so comforting and affirming watching an accurate portrayal of the books. Not to mention, Walker, Leah, and Aryan are the perfect cast, they were born to play our beloved trio. I watched the show with our parents, and they actually really enjoyed it too! It was really nice bonding over the same media.
I reread the main series during the first week of January, which is now the second time we’ve read them. I can’t believe it took me so long to return to this world. College classes have picked up, but I’m determined to slowly work my way through the Heroes of Olympus series. We actually never finished this series, never made it past book four because high school got in the way, but I am excited—and nervous—to finally discover how the series ends.
There’s something about the series that pulled us in and hasn’t let go of me since... Perhaps knowing the story is set in stone, and the characters are so sure of themselves and each other, is why we keep coming back
Now, about Twilight, it’s safe to say it’s still a large part of my personality, for better or for worse. At this point, it’s at least a yearly event to rewatch the movies (if not more) and my special talent is that I can quote almost the entire first movie. And of course, I can quote the iconic “you nicknamed my daughter after the lochness monster?” scene in its entirety. I also have a Twilight shirt, dolls, and special edition DVD set.
Much of this is for the bit—how can Jordan feed into her obsession even more—but this series still means a lot to me. While you could never catch me falling in love and marrying a man, there’s something about the series that pulled us in and hasn’t let go of me since. I can’t chalk all of it up to nostalgia, but that’s definitely a big part of it.
Perhaps knowing the story is set in stone, and the characters are so sure of themselves and each other, is why we keep coming back. I can’t imagine deciding to marry—and become an immortal vampire—at 19 years old when I’ve barely experienced the world, but perhaps that’s why I like Bella. In many ways we’re similar, but in this one, significant way, she’s more put together than I am. Also, vampires and werewolves are cool, always have been, always will be.
Another thing we will always return to: writing! I have to admit though—and I’m not sure how you’ll take this news—but we did not end up becoming an English major.
We are definitely creatures of habit, and by habit I mean obsessed with revisiting the same media over and over. Another thing we will always return to: writing! I have to admit though—and I’m not sure how you’ll take this news—but we did not end up becoming an English major. However, I am glad I went a different route and chose my focus on WGS because I have still found other avenues to let my creative juices flow. And trust me, you still do a lot of writing in WGS.
You might be surprised by this, but I want to warn you and tell you to be prepared for next year because freshman English changes everything. The praise you’re receiving for your writing right now? All of that confidence? She withers.
And we continue to doubt ourselves for the next few years, slowly trying to grow as a writer not for ourselves but to get a good grade. And I know how hard this might be to hear, but we lose that spark you have.
Just nurture that confidence our teacher gave you. You’re going to need her.
But don’t worry, it’s not all doom and gloom. During our senior year of high school, we take a creative writing class again, and since then, I’ve slowly been nursing that passion back to health. College us is starting to love writing again! I’ve even joined Iris Magazine—we are published writers! And of course, even with a bit of that confidence back, I’m still plagued with doubts because there’s always room for improvement. But, I am glad to be writing again and to be surrounded by such amazing writers. I can only dream of writing what they can.
Unfortunately, I have yet to write a full fictional story as you hoped, and I honestly haven’t written my own fiction since high school creative writing, but that doesn’t mean I’m not a writer. Both of us are writers, even if you and I have different goals. Maybe I won’t be the next Young Adult fantasy author plastered all over BookTok, and that’s okay. Who knows what the future holds? For now, I am content to discover more of myself as a reader and writer, so there’s hope for us yet. Don’t let this letter scare you too much. Just nurture that confidence our teacher gave you. You’re going to need her.
Keep dreaming—Yours,
College Jordan
