Elise Spiller
Bio
I write to express.
Stories (7/0)
Straddling the Fence
I had no idea when I wrote “If You are on the Fence about Leaving Your Sport: Read This” that it would be my most popular piece on Vocal, nor that it would actually resonate with so many people. At the time, I believed myself to be more of a creative writer so to have just a simple story about my personal experience attempting to pursue the sport I love, only to quit at the collegiate level, gain the most traction, I was shocked. I was even more shocked when I received a direct message on Instagram from someone I did not know and had never met before, a whole 6 years after my original story was published, asking me for advice because they were facing the exact same scenario in their life and somehow stumbled upon my piece and felt compelled enough to find and reach out to me for advice.
By Elise Spiller2 months ago in Unbalanced
The Never-ending Story
I sat in my chair and opened to the spot of my bookmark. I glanced over at the bed to see if he was still sleeping, he was. I resumed my place reading and got a few chapters in before the rustling of the olive-colored bedsheets signaled he was waking up. The familiar head of brown wavy hair fell away as he turned to face me when his outstretched hand didn’t fall on me when he reached it over to my side of the bed.
By Elise Spiller4 years ago in Humans
Fraternal Quinns
Quinn let the rising heat from the stove burner warm her cheeks as she waited for the water in the tea kettle to boil. She detached from her thoughts to turn her attention back towards the TV to continue watching tonight’s entertainment. Her ears picked up the all too familiar tea kettle whistle and she carefully poured the scalding water into her mug. She reached for her phone to check her messages while the tea ruminated. When she felt enough time had passed, she glided her fingers around the mug’s handle and walked around to continue watching TV. As Quinn nestled into her couch corner, her shoulders dropped and the wave of calm crested, crashed, and washed over her as each muscle in her body began to relax.
By Elise Spiller4 years ago in Horror
If You're on the Fence About Leaving Your Sport: Read This
From the moment I could walk, I had a basketball in my hands. Of course, I tried almost every sport under the sun from softball to soccer to volleyball but in the end, I knew basketball was my sport. In middle school, I was a leading scorer and in 8th grade, made the game-winning shot to win the championship. During travel ball in the summer, I got more MVP and All-Tournament trophies and medals than could fit on my shelves. In high school, I helped lead my school to the first district championship in girl's basketball and by my senior year, to their first state championship appearance. A lot more happened from my freshman year to my senior year. My name was in the paper, I was interviewed and posted about online, and I played in multiple All-Star games even after my senior season was over. That's just the short version.
By Elise Spiller6 years ago in Unbalanced
My Introvert
Walking into the cafeteria is like being dropped in the middle of the ocean. You stare up at the rising wave of voices and see thousands of eyes looking at you and you only. Sitting at a table by yourself, you get up only when completely necessary. No need to risk the apology tango as you and another both grab a fork and turn, move right, exchange sorry's, then go your separate ways. You eat slow. Not too big of a bite, people will look. Not too much on your fork, people will look. Don't look up, you might make eye contact with someone. You finish eating and walk out the door. The wave settles, you survived.
By Elise Spiller7 years ago in Psyche