"About the Author" circa age 16

While searching for an old notebook (in stacks and stacks of old journals--ever the writer) among the smoky contents of black garbage bags that hold everything from my life that was saved from after the fire, I stumbled upon my "Literary Anthology." This was a traditional assignment given to juniors in Southold High School. Mine is full of The Ghey and general anti-establishment ranting. Poems include: "The new american Dream," "I see you crying," "What is a Republican?" "Dear Mr. Bush," "Two Weeks of Marriage" (about a crush during GYLC), "Everything Begins and Ends in." (about the war in Iraq), and "Little Girls" (about gender-stereotypes). While it's all incredibly 16-year-old, there is one part of my anthology that I still read and think, Man, I was awesome!

This was my about the author page:

Colleen Ryan Heaney is
Sixteen-years old, for now.
An actor, a writer, and a superhero.

I <3 the 1920's, women's studies, English, politics, peace, computer graphics, photography, creating, and music.

I am incredibly adolescent,
I'm waiting not-so-patiently for this to change.
I am everchanging.
My myriad of outward appearances over the course of 3 years can vouch for that.
Southold is not my hometown, but I've made everyone think so.
Being a superhero, I take on extra-extracurriculars.
Because of this, everyone knows me.
I could get away with murder, but I pick my battles.
I'm old for my age.
I've learned a few of life's little secrets early.
Thoreau swore me to secrecy.
I used to be shy, but now I'm mostly and open book.
My skeletons sit on the front porch.
Why hide who you are?



There are a lot of little jokes in here--as well as little hints of my writer's voice that seem to never change. At the time, I was obsessed with mixed-metaphors and thought, when used consciously, they were hilarious. I still, knowingly, put a period in the middle of a sentence and continue it with a capitol letter for emphasis. Seriously. I do it all the time. I don't know why, but this just made my day.