Just Write

It’s the first week of 2012 and I find myself looking back at the year that just ended.

It was a rollercoaster ride. An almost unbelievable string of ups and downs. But it was the year I got some projects and started writing again seriously. Since then I’ve been writing almost everyday.

Towards the end of 2011, I’ve been thinking about what’s been making me write all these years. Because looking forward to a new year and beyond, that’s what I want to do – write.

Appreciation means a lot to me, but…

… it can only take me to a certain point.

I admit I’m encouraged to write more when I come across people appreciating my work. Who wouldn’t be? I think I still have to come across someone who’s not motivated to go on with his work when he’s been properly acknowledged for what he’s done. But while others’ appreciation of my work boost my writing, it can only push me to a particular level.

I’m not saying that I don’t value other people’s appreciation. It does mean a lot to me. It helps keep me going. In fact, one of the things that made me think about writing more and honing the skill is a positive remark from one of my teachers in college about a short paper I’d done. But I can’t dwell on that alone. I have to move on and write new stuff.

I’ve been reminded many times through experience that I shouldn’t treat others’ appreciation or the lack of it as the center of my world. Because if I do, what would happen if my hard work’s taken for granted or someone puts me down? Because these things happen. They’ve happened to me countless times. Should I stop writing? Of course, not. That’s why I’m still at it.

It’s something deep inside me.

The very core of what makes me write is something deep within me. All the ideas, knowledge, experience, inspiration, and everything I need to start writing are all there. I don’t know what to call them collectively, but I know they’re there.

Sometimes they just float in the air during those rare times when writing comes so easily. I have to dig deep often to make even just an ounce of them come out for just a moment. How to make them come out is the challenge.

I read.

Reading triggers my writing without fail. I believe that anything that can be read can make that spark to write something – from the dumbest to the most brilliant. Newspapers, books (even my little girl’s books), writings on the wall, and anything I can read can be a start of an idea, inspiration, and imagination.

Reading, for me, is traveling. When I read something, it’s like being transported into another culture, an alien profession, or someone else’s mind. I may have a different interpretation of it, but that’s how physical traveling is, too. You get bits and pieces of what your senses feed you and that’s what you bring with you from your trip.

I remember my mom telling me that, since I was a toddler, I’ve always loved turning the pages of books and magazines, even if I never understood any of them. Guess what? 35 years after, I haven’t changed.

Last but not the least, I write.

Not too long ago, I’d slack off on some projects and never even get to face a blank sheet of paper. As I got older, I realized the wisdom of just writing down anything – even if it’s just a word. When nothing’s coming to mind, I set aside my laptop, get myself a real notebook, and scribble with a pen. Sometimes, that’s when great ideas start pouring in.

Even this piece started out with words, phrases, and whole paragraphs like pieces of a Picasso jigsaw puzzle. Maybe in all these ramblings that’s called a blog post, someone would pick up a thing or two and be inspired, or amused. Who knows? Maybe one of my friends would be.

I’m running this article, not because I know a lot of things about writing. I’m so far from being someone like that. I’m doing this, because I recently revived my passion in writing. And I’m doing my best not to let the fire die down again. I’m sharing these thoughts, especially to those who love to write.

As we enter a new year, here’s what I’m telling myself: I drink in other people’s appreciation and enjoy it whenever it’s poured into my glass. I don’t dare ask for it and never think of buying it. I promise myself never to get drunk with it – not even for a second. Then I wake up in the morning without any hangover, no excuse for not writing new stuff. It’s up to me to find out how I’ll bring back to the surface all the ideas and inspiration. Even when every idea in my head seems to be wrong, even when everything seems to go wrong, just write.

Postscript

I just couldn’t let this article go without acknowledging my husband with whom I share the love for good reading, writing, music, food, and traveling. He’s also introduced me to the genius of acclaimed novelist Stephen King, especially his book On Writing. It’s a piece of literature that’s teeming with ideas for people who love to write. In that book, he said “Write what you like, then imbue it with life and make it unique by blending in your own personal knowledge of life, friendship, relationships, sex, and work.”