Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Marissa: On the Spot, On the Dot


By: Alissa Perske

ENGL 336.001

Marissa Nedved’s story began April 16, 1991, in a town just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This setting wasn’t permanent. Nine years later, the family moved to Ohio, only to move to LaVale, Maryland another year after that. Moving so often was difficult for Marissa. “It’s hard to feel like you belong anywhere when you aren’t in one place for too long,” she explained.

Though it was difficult, she was never truly alone. She has a twin brother. Being a twin is not what people think; at least not in her situation. “My brother and I, even though we’re twins, are complete opposites in every aspect,” Marissa laughed. There has only ever been one case of twin telepathy to her knowledge. “The weirdest thing that’s ever happened is once I felt sick in class for no reason. It turns out that he had blood drawn and felt nauseous, and I felt it too!” she shares, chuckling.

Marissa’s love for writing was planted at an early age, but it bloomed once she joined the newspaper at her high school. She particularly enjoyed deadlines, and the thrill of writing under pressure. Now, at twenty, Marissa is working a Mass Communication major as well as minors in Journalism and Marketing. She may be sure of her college plans, but when it comes to what follows, she claims to be torn between advertising and journalism. When asked why she chose this general career path, she shares, “I have always written, ever since I was little. I’d write, like, stupid, little fairy tales just for fun. It wasn’t until high school, when I joined the newspaper, that journalism became my path. I like deadlines, as weird as that sounds. It makes me write better.”

Outside of schoolwork, Marissa writes for The Bottom Line. One particular moment she states as one of the best, and coolest, is interviewing Greg Garcia over the phone. She also enjoys working out, snowboarding, collecting books, collecting shot glasses, writing, and reading in her spare time. Her favorite genre to read is realistic fiction, but that doesn’t necessarily mean she doesn’t enjoy other genres. In fact, her favorite books include Harry Potter. Other favorites are Megan McCafferty’s books Sloppy First, Second Helpings, Charmed Thirds, Fourth Comings, and Perfect Fifths. “I like things that can happen; things I can relate to,” she says.

Overall, Marissa Nedved is a very kind, polite, and good humored girl. Her passion for writing keeps her striving for the best, seeking experience and success. It seems Marissa has already taken to heart and made her own of Karl Kraus’ attitude, “Journalist: a person without any ideas but with an ability to express them; a writer whose skill is improved by a deadline: the more time he has, the worse he writes.”

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