E.G.Bierker, Essay Winner


Why do some of the greatest writers, C.S. Lewis, T.S. Eliot, and G.K. Chesterton all go by the first and middle initials abbreviated? I have decided to do the same. I am now E.G. Bierker in print. My birth name was Eric but I hated it as a kid. So, I pleaded with my mom after kindergarten one day for a nickname and we went with Rick. I didn't start going back to Eric until I started to write for the college newspaper. I thought Eric sounded more cerebral, which is probably why I didn't like it as a child. I wanted to be an intellectual at the university....

I have had two pieces published in my life where I received cash or another compensation. Just recently, I was one of three to win an essay contest sponsored by Likewise Books/IVP Press.  They gave me something even better than cash or a check...five books. Give me a gift card to Barnes and Noble, and I am happy as I can be. Not even a Chimay Red, White, and Blue 750 ml three pack would make me as happy. Books and beer, the ultimate stocking-stuffers.

Here's the interesting part about the essay. I didn't spend hours pondering each word. I wrote it in 15 minutes and pressed send. There is a moral in this I suppose. When we are not acting like ourselves and try to massage who we are to fit what we think are the expectations of others, not only do we betray ourselves, we betray them. I decided to write what I thought in the essay, take it or leave it. I wrote the type of essay I did not because I have the struggles I have articulated dealt with, it is precisely because I don't. One of the secrets about this blog is that I really write for myself. I always have. I just decide to share what I write because I think it possible that someone else might find it interesting. And, if the stats on Google Analytics are to be believed, about ten thousand views per month show that to be the case.

Oh yeah, here is a link to the winning essay.      

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