Staff Q&As: Courtney Collar

Name: Courtney Collar

Grade: 12

Position: Editor  in Chief

Semesters spent on  TCT: 4

1. Why did you decide to join TCT?

“Ever since seventh grade, I’ve been interested in journalism in one form another. Until freshman year, I always thought that I would be a news anchor. However, I took Media Comm. that year and realized that making videos wasn’t my strength. I liked using words to tell a story, not camerawork or creative shots. So naturally, joining The Central Trend was my next step, and it was everything I was looking for.”

2. How has TCT helped you grow as a writer and person?

“Being immersed in a culture and community with words at the epicenter has changed the way I write, changed the way I think. Nothing is ever ‘good enough.’ It has challenged me to search for that perfect word, that perfect string of words, to concisely convey a precise message. TCT is a safe platform that has encouraged me to be bold, to take risks, without the fear that is usually connected with those two things.”

3. If you were a type of cheese, what type of cheese would you be?

“I think I would be sharp cheddar because I’m pretty regular, but I do have a bit of a twist. Is it weird if I describe myself as tangy? I have a little bit of an unexpected kick or bite to me. Or maybe it is expected? I don’t know, I really just like sharp cheddar cheese. And parmesan. I could really go for some cheese right now— I’m sorry.”

4. What is your favorite thing about writing?

“I adore the way I can use words. When I’m speaking, nothing comes out quite how I mean. But writing—it is the purest form of my thoughts and emotions. It soothes every rough edge, calms every anxious tick. Writing is the perfect mix of structure and exploration. I love my grammar rules because of the order they bring, but I love the sense of adventure writing brings just as much.”

5. What’s your funniest story of complications while working on a story? 

“Oh, I have had my share of horror stories. I’ve misread the calendar and not known I had a story due until an editor came up and asked for it. Needless to say, I sobbed for a  good five minutes and then cranked it out that night. I’ve written a feature based completely on email interviews because either nobody wanted to meet with me or they blew off the interview. Speaking of which, you’d be surprised how often people skip interviews. I am sometimes a last-minute writer, so I’ve had a good number of sticky situations because of the unpredictability of people. Last year, I had a feature due on Friday, but I was leaving for Florida on Thursday for my dance team’s national competition. I needed one more interview—an important interview that I couldn’t write the article without— but the teacher who shall remain nameless couldn’t fit me in before I left. I hounded this poor teacher over email for answers, and I didn’t get them until Thursday night. Well, I didn’t get out of practice until eleven that night, and I had approximately eight words written. I popped open the email and discovered that this teacher had given me brief answers that were not even full sentences. Yeah, no, the article never was completed. I can’t even remember what it was about.”

6. Who’s your favorite literary character and why?

“My favorite character usually depends on what I’ve read most recently. Basically, give me character development and I will fawn over them. There are two sides to my reading passion: classic literature and YA novels. For all the literary nerds out there, I’d have to say Dorian Gray. Gosh, Oscar Wilde is such an icon. Can I answer this with my favorite authors instead? I love Shakespeare and Mary Shelley, Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo, Maggie Stiefvater and J.K. Rowling. I should stop— I could go on and on forever with this question. I think I read too much.”

7. What is your favorite type of story to write and why? 

“I like reviews because I’m quite opinionated. When I like something, I can’t help but rave about it to anyone who will listen; TCT saves my friends from that earful. As bad as it sounds, it is just as fun to drag something I didn’t like. But then I always feel bad because I think about all the time and effort and love that the creator of whatever it is put into it.”

8. What are your aspirations for the upcoming decade?

“I have big plans. I’d like a nice, hefty scholarship to college and acceptance to high-ranked law school after. I want to be living my best life, to be loving what I do, and to be surrounded by healthy relationships.”