<p>I’m planning on applying to several creative writing programs (you know, to express myself and things), and, as such, my personal statement includes some discussion of some of the writers who have had a large impact on me, both stylistically (with Mary Gaitskill and Joan Didion) and personally. One of the people I mention is Ray Bradbury.</p>
<p>Ray Bradbury died this morning. In short, his writings taught me how to love words. In my early drafts of my personal statement, I unapologetically gush about him. His short story “The Night” taught me that life is not about the big events–the weddings and the deaths and the prom nights and true loves–but about all of those soft, uninteresting moments that swath the big ones. Life is about the anticipation, the waiting. I love Ray Bradbury dearly for teaching me that.</p>
<p>However, I’m worried that leaving him in my personal statement would be seen as an attempt to capitalize on the death of a beloved human being. Which I really don’t want.</p>
<p>So, what do you think? Should I talk about the late and great Ray Bradbury in my personal statement, or is it just too topical to be seen as sincere?</p>