Wordslave Monologue

I was in my sixth grade when I discovered the world of writing through my Journalism classes. And it was one of those sessions that I finally realized that I wanted to be a writer someday, a published one.

From my childhood ambition, my passion to write turned a scale higher. I was in loved with how words work and what sentences can do. So, I worked very hard to fuel the burning desire. For a starter like me, I did pretty well: I did top several writing contests, won three Regional press tilts and nearly touched the National levels. It is in this reason that I took up Journalism; and face the consequences of my profound urge that is writing.

But to my disappointment, my first year in college makes no difference at all from my usual high school classes. Yes, there is still writing but the 'real' writing consumes only a ridiculously small part of our actual time. And we are more likely to spend half an hour listening to our professor's favorite color or what she had for breakfast. Worse, the examinations were not meant to test what one has learned. It was designed to test how much one has memorized. So, I tried finding ways where I can freely publish my works and stuff.

Inspired by a great professor that keeps one, I started a blog. Upon creating my site, I vowed that this will be the extension of me- of what I know, of what I did not know, and of what I wanted to learn. This very blog will serve as my training ground; and my publishing house where I am the writer, editor and the publisher all at the same time. And from that day on, I had myself ready for the praises and criticisms I am yet to encounter through the course of my blogging. For blogging means to publicly air what you wanted to say, I should remain as objective and responsible as possible with what I will write.

The amazing thing about blogging is its capability to carry message over unlimited spaces and time. Not until Sumerians wrote their first pictogram on a lump of wet clay, transmitting a message that can withstand time is difficult, if not possible. Thus, blogging gives one a key to immortalizing thoughts and ideas- minus the clay tablet and stylus, of course.

Since I was not good in formal writing (like those that you see on Editorial pages), I tried to write in a 'formal' manner so I can improve my writing. I choose to plow against the tide and write about socio-political issues. Every time I make a draft, I aim for a penetrating article that would hopefully stand as a critical catalyst to the reigning status quo of this society. I write about familiar topics of importance, research for valuable information and then start to weave words. I would objectively weigh both opposing sides and come up with my own stand. With every word said and opinion stated, I would prepare myself for the jury's decision: the comments.

What others have to say about my write-ups are all vital. I consider every comment as equally important as the article itself. Though, brutal comments are inevitable, I welcomed, and will always welcome, all of them here in my home, be it a positive comment or a negative one. For in the end of the day, these responses will operate as my motivating tool to write even better.

Yet, writing is a demanding discipline. It intently pushes you to your boundary until it reaches perfection. Perfection, however, is a misunderstood word- it is not about how you satisfy and make readers drop their jaws, but how you satisfy yourself. Because writing, for many, is still a hunger to be fed and an itch to be scratched- every accomplished write-up is a relief.

Blogging then is a complete form of communication and argumentation. It explains in detail what an ambush conversation cannot. It expresses the entirety of an idea or story without searching for a missing word from your memory. Hence, blogging co-exists with writing, but it is no less than a writing form- it takes thoughts and ideas to bloom into a word, then words to make sentences, sentences to form a paragraph. And the whole makes an art form of its own.

It takes most people five long (and sometimes boring) years or so to become a full-blooded journalist. But it took me only an hour or two to publish this article through my blog-- making myself the published writer I always wanted to be. #