"The Evil Hairnet"

It all started with “The Evil Hairnet.”

I have no idea where this story ended up, or if it even exists anymore, but I will always credit “The Evil Hairnet” as being my first piece of fiction and the beginning of my complicated relationship with the craft of writing.

My favorite book series when I was a kid was “Captain Underpants.” There was something so funny about a superhero in his undies that just left me wanting more. The stories were always filled with laughter, adventure, action, and the goofiest characters that I had ever come across. I made it my mission to write a story of my very own, a story that would rival “Captain Underpants” and leave my mark on the literary world. Thus, “The Evil Hairnet” was born.

The story followed a sentient hairnet who was seeking world domination. Traveling around the neighborhood, the hairnet left a path of rubble in his wake when the citizens wouldn’t agree to put him on their head. Fortunately, one kid who lived in the last house left standing in the neighborhood managed to outsmart the hairnet, capture him, and turn him over to the police before anyone could get hurt. Despite the property damage, everyone in the neighborhood walked away unscathed with a memory that they’d never forget.

After coming up with my characters, writing my story, and even illustrating the entire thing, I asked my mom to hole punch the edge and tie it with string so that you could turn the pages like a real book. I was so proud of my work, and I couldn’t wait to show it off. Unfortunately, not a lot of people understood my creative vision, and “The Evil Hairnet” wasn’t rocketing onto a bestsellers list anytime soon.

I became self conscious in regards to my ideas and my writing. I was afraid that the things I was thinking or the way I wrote them down weren't good enough, so I stopped sharing my stories. I stopped sharing my writing. Besides writing for school, I never allowed anyone to see my writing. It wasn’t until Vocal (cliched, I know), that I finally decided to just put my writing out there.

Since posting to Vocal, my confidence in my writing has grown exponentially. I have finally become confident in my voice.

The little kid who wrote “The Evil Hairnet” would be blown away if he could see how far he’s come.