Of videos games and passions

This archived article was written by: Katrina Wood

I was 7 when I saw the commercial for “Kingdom Hearts,” and goodness did I want to know more. Little did I know, how fully my wish would be granted.
My elementary years were rough. I had little confidence, few friends and limited opportunities to make friends and get to know people. Beyond a lack of opportunities, though, there was a harshness in my school towards those who didn’t fit the bill. To my misfortune, I was labeled a crybaby early in elementary school. From the moment I first shed tears in my kindergarten class, I was considered less than everyone else.
I wanted to belong and wanted to have friends, so I tried my hardest to fit in. I acted how the cool kids did and did what they asked to me to do, even if it made me look silly. I did everything I could, but all I ever was gifted with was unforgiving words and blatant unkindness.
Before long, I hated school. I hated that I was never good enough, that there was nothing I could do to please others and that everything I did was considered worthless. There was nothing I wanted more than friends, but there was nothing others wanted more than to not be friends with me.
I was a lonely 7 year old when the commercial for “Kingdom Hearts” first played in my grandma’s kitchen. Despite my lack of confidence and ever lingering sadness, I had a big imagination. Flashy, colorful and brilliant shows, video games and books often caught and captured my attention, causing me to bury myself deep within their pages, episodes or levels.
The “Kingdom Hearts” commercial was no different. It intrigued me, sparked my imagination and forced me to speak. “I want that game.” It looked so unique and inviting, and though I knew I would never have the chance to play, I wanted to try it all the same.
Time passed, and against all odds and beliefs, my impossible desire came true. A PlayStation 2 and a copy of the game fell into our possession, and I was gifted with the opportunity to play the game I had wanted so badly to try. At the first opportunity I dove into the world of “Kingdom Hearts”, and immediately I was hooked.
Though the game was cheesy and frustrating at times, I was captivated and awestruck by the experience, characters, story, themes, gameplay, everything. There wasn’t a part of the game I didn’t like.
There wasn’t a part of the game that didn’t feel natural or safe for me. When I played “Kingdom Hearts”, I was happy.
When I immersed myself within its world, I was home, and had friends.
Needless to say, I became a bit obsessed with the game. All I ever talked, drew and wrote about was Kingdom Hearts this, and Kingdom Hearts that. But given my circumstances, who could blame me? After so many years of feeling like I didn’t belong, I reveled in the reality that, while they were fictional characters, there was someone who wanted to be my friend. There was someone who cared for me, and that was enough.
I spent a lot of time thinking about the game. After I finished it, I wondered what would follow. I daydreamed, pondering as to where the hero and his friends would go next. Eventually, I put my ideas to paper, and soon after, to the computer. They were goofy, absolutely, but they were my heart and soul put on paper.
There came a day where my mom had the opportunity to read my work, and to my astonishment, she complimented it. She read my stories to my aunt, and together they marveled at the at-the-time-impressive skill of a passionate 11 year old. Who knew I would have unlocked such a skill from the love for a game?
They hadn’t realized it at the time, but their words set off a chain reaction. Although it remained a hobby for a time, eventually, that quiet desire to write would spark into something much stronger. Before long, it would explode into a burning thirst to write, to share my ideas, to tell stories of brave and not-so brave heroes and heroines.
From a game so simple and clean, I discovered a love for writing. I discovered my passion, a sanctuary, a place I could be myself without any worry. Within Kingdom Hearts I found peace, and within Kingdom Hearts, I discovered a desire to write stories that would do the same for someone else.