Übermensch – Why Write?
by: Ruby Rose R. Cruz It is when you don’t have the initiative, it is when you’re not inspired, it is when even the corniest idea or the silliest thoughts didn’t even bother to cross your mind—it’s these times when you are mostly required to write. Ironically, the sources are all widely available, you just have to choose, yet you still cannot write. I’ve spent the last five-and-a-half semesters of my college life in this college publication (two semesters as a staff writer, and the rest as part of the Editorial Board). Being part of this publication brings pressure since I always have to prove my skills to others especially because I’m here. I always try not to be the cause of headache of the other editors, but unfortunately, sometimes, I cannot help but be one. And because of these faults, I always make it a point that my presence is felt every EB and Ed staff meeting, but due to some inevitable circumstances and conflicting schedules, sometimes still I fail to do so. I always attend journalism skills training for I know I badly need plenty of it. I am regularly ready for shoe-wrecking legworks, since I know that is the only way I can help my co-editors. I always try to visit the office every Saturday presswork even if it means spending my allowance for the coming week. I’m always ready to solicit monetary assistance from politicians and other affluent personalities so that we could have funds for office expenses because I know I cannot give that by myself. I do these things though I know that being part of this student publication requires more than just presence during meetings, presswork, seminars, and the likes. It requires more than just doing legworks or soliciting monetary help. I didn’t know that all along, I was missing the very essence of this student publication. Only after almost three years did I realize that I haven’t produced any true column article for the publication yet. True article because I had written one before but it just did not fit the standards of the other editors. In conclusion, it was not published and was just posted on the website instead. Only now did I realize that probably this is my chance. I merely have no more than two-and-a-half semesters left in college (I hope) and I expect to still spend it with this publication—writing articles. But, why write in the first place? Who cares if I would not write at all? People would not mind seeing me not writing any article. But since I choose to be a part of this publication that requires me to express, I am now more than obliged to finish this article. But, why did I begin writing only lately? Maybe, most people, including me, probably consider the beginning as the toughest part of writing. It is as if all the thoughts you gather in your head suddenly scatters like a wide variety of irresistible sweets you’ll choose to take after a meal thus, making it really hard to pick, organize and plan—making it difficult to start writing. It has never been easy starting articles particularly if you do not have any experience in writing. I lacked self-confidence and I did not have the courage to be criticized especially by the past editors who are far better than I am. Since the better ones had already proven themselves and produced better articles, I have to come up with their expectations and with that of the readers. I couldn’t start writing prior to this since most of the time, I always find myself gazing at nowhere and struggling with my vocab. I also find it hard to arrange my thoughts that are essential for writing and so I just begged off myself from writing instead. But I learned that behind everything, there would always be something or someone that will persuade you to continue writing, and at the end of the day, you’d be surprised of the results of your struggle. At first, the main reason that I came up in writing this article is a former friend. He was the reason that I took the last two Editorial Board Examinations and fueled my interest in writing. He, who always underestimates and criticizes my abilities and worthiness to be in my position in the Editorial Board, made me so eager to finish this one off so that I could slap it to his face and prove to him I that I could go beyond what he expects from me, and that I deserve to be where I am now. But, as I progress in writing, I came to a realization that I’m not writing for him and that even a bit of this is not intended for him. I am writing because this is my avenue of expressing my thoughts and emotions and to share to the readers what I know that they may not know. When we are required to write, we can hardly find the best inspiration and the best topic to dwell on. On that note, I learned that being a keen observer will help a lot. Outside, you will find the best source of inspiration. It can be in the jeepney terminal, it can be the scenarios on your way to school or while just hanging around the campus. You’ll see different phases or faces of people that will motivate you to write. It can be about your new haircut, or the campus cutie that everyone screams about, or the birthday of your bestfriend. It can be anything under the huge, illuminating sun. Sometimes, all you need is just a pen and something to write on. Writing is also a conversation between the writer and the readers, where the former submits a part of him to make the output more natural for the latter. It is also a conversation among the conscious, subconscious, and unconscious self of the writer where the output is the product of exchange of thoughts. While for some, including me, it is a way of escaping from the realities of life. We write because there is something that haunts us, and only in writing can we express it—especially when no one would want to listen to all of our angst in life. When we write, we discover who we are as people. By writing we can express ourselves in a more different and creative way. We are armed by our experiences and circumstances in life that makes it easier to start the writing process and in the same sense, we may be able to know ourselves better. Another good source of motivation is when we are evaluated by our mentors, whom we consider as the skilled ones in the writing process. It always feels good to be assessed by someone who is more enhanced. Honestly, I immensely enjoyed it. Hearing the remarks of the ones you consider experts will really, if not immediately, slowly-but-surely help you in improving your writing skills. But, after all of this head-banging-mind-popping-balloon-bursting-know-how-to-why-to-write-experience, I realized that I can no longer escape from my call of duty to write, I must write whether required or not. Because, sometimes the best inspiration comes from nowhere and the best output comes from the time you are least required to write. Just believe in yourself and in the power of words. It can take you farther than you expected. I always believe in the saying “to write is already to choose”, when we write we are required to offer a part of ourselves to our readers, critics and to the community where we are. In the same sense we choose to accept the appraisal, criticisms and the what-not of the public. Possibly Related Posts:
|
