How would you describe yourself?
“Collinsworth”: A Writer-Videographer-Artist; whose pencil is the sharpest. I am probably one of the most passionate individuals you will ever meet when it comes to doing what I love. I am an ageless Libra soul searcher bent on creating a legacy for myself. I live and breathe the Hill City, and ever since the age of 10, I’ve been inspired by my surroundings and the great friends I have met along the way. Originally born at Virginia Baptist Hospital, I was moved from VA and placed in Shreveport, LA and soon after, Pawley’s Island, SC, but fate brought me back to my home in Lynchburg, and I have thankfully been here ever since. I am and always will be proud to say that I am a Heritage Pioneer. I am a graduate of CVCC’s Communication Design program and currently pursuing a degree in Education here and plan on transferring to a four year college and hopefully becoming a Writer/Teacher. I continue to blaze my own trail that hopefully will someday lead to my life goal of leaving behind work that will outlast my own life.
How did you become interested in writing?
When I was a teen-ager, I wrote poems and lyrics to songs I would record in my Stepdad’s basement. I would also write short stories as a teen-ager, which I wanted to shoot videos of, but I couldn’t put them together due to lack of support and not knowing actors. I wrote poetry growing up and attended poetry reading sessions where I was merely a kid among adults. My imaginative writing improved the more I wrote, and when I eventually found people willing to act, I started to write and develop stories for skits and short videos. Later in my adult years, I wrote short story ideas that I thought would make for good videos but once again, didn’t know the right people in order to bring them to life. I eventually came up with the idea that-instead of writing short stories intended for video-why not just write them with the intentions of people just reading them? I honestly didn’t figure that out until I came back to college recently. I have to also admit that Lana Velez pushed me to write and submit some work to Polis, so I did and a year later, here I am: Featured writer in CVCC’s Art and Literary Journal.
What are other hobbies/interests of yours?
Not only do I love to write (short stories, poetry, rhymes, and video material), but I also love to shoot and edit (hip-hop music videos, promos, and skits), create graphic design (for the web and my own indie t-shirt brand), and perform in front of audiences & record hip hop music in the studio. I consider myself an imaginative thinker with good ideas that I always try to bring to life. Since 2003, I’ve developed my own brand called Oktobervision that is made up of: Guerilla Video, Graphic Design, and Storytelling. These are all things I plan on doing until I kick the bucket.
What advice would you offer aspiring writers?
My advice, if anyone is truly listening, would be for aspiring writers to “Get it out”. Don’t hold back. Write and speak from your heart, and don’t be afraid to be yourself. Don’t ever leave it all in. Be an individual, but bring your individuality to a group of likeminded people, and make your mark together. Build and Destroy. Sometimes you have to fight fire with fire-use the fire inside of your soul and convert it to words. Don’t let time pass you by. Last but not least, find Love for yourself and spread it to others who are worthy-you deserve it and they do too.