To warm up the media writing class at NTU, I invite the undergrads to introduce themselves and then ask me any question about myself. This opens me up to the risk of potentially embarrassing questions, but I tell them, “Don’t worry, my skin is very thick, just ask.”
Yesterday, one student asked: “What is writing to you?”
I had never received this question before. How fascinating!
But the answer came readily, I didn’t even pause to think: “Writing is life.”
“Let me explain. As I speak to you, the words that come out of my mouth dissipate into thin air immediately. You probably won’t remember what I just said. That’s why we say ‘talk is cheap’.”
“However, when I write, the words do not disappear. We make them tangible and real, and we can now share them with one person, or a million people. Thus, when we have something important to say, we must write them down. Now, the words can exist for posterity, and we can make things happen with our words, we can even change people’s lives.”
I stopped there to avoid rambling, but let me continue here.
I have been writing professionally since 1998, and over the years, I know my writing has impacted people because my readers have told me so. I’ve helped people embrace new tech such as Generative AI, discover simple ways to stay healthy, understand the joys and dangers of motorcycling, and learn the dangers of social media.
Over time, I observed that my writing reflected my desire to help people see reality and do things in better ways. This desire springs from my gratitude to my mentors and teachers who have helped me do the same.
Writing doesn’t need to feel like a passion or a job. It’s something you choose to do. You can write to dazzle others with your jolts of inspiration, to walk through the halls of your broken heart, to put up your fists against injustice, to cry alongside those who are hurting, or to sing about the beauty of the world your eyes can see and your heart can feel.
Writing costs nothing except your time and your brain cells. You could write for yourself in a journal and keep your innermost thoughts secret and personal. But if you have something to tell someone else, write it down first. You can always say it later, but your words now have form, they now have life.
(Image generated in Midjourney)