Add to FavoritesWhen I started grad school at age 30, I barely knew what a personal essay was, let alone how to write one. Personal Essay is the New BlackBrody opened the panel by asking whether it seemed like everyone is writing personal essays these days. Advertisement“It remains difficult to write a personal essay and more difficult to do it year after year,” said Lopate. On the walk across Midtown to catch my bus, I thought about when Brody had asked the panel why they write personal essays. Advertisement“I think personal essays are a public service,” Calhoun said.