The writing challenge

I just came from taping The Bottomline’s second anniversary episode, and we were extremely previleged to have THE Nicholas Sparks on the show. To be aired next Saturday, the episode with the bestselling author known for his tearjerker books-turned-movies reminded me of when I started my journey as a “writer” one year ago. This October, I am also celebrating a personal anniversary, my first as a columnist here in The FREEMAN.

 The experience Nicholas Sparks shared, his first works, his struggles with rejection, deadlines, the perennial case of writer’s block and procrastination, succeeded in making him more human to me (I could relate to him!).

 In my case, it was never a dream to write a column, much less to be a novelist like Sparks. While an avid storyteller like most everyone else, and while believing that we can all write a thing or two owing to English and Filipino formal themes throughout elementary and high school, I never thought I had the discipline, talent, and technical training to do it on a regular basis.

 Besides, I’ve become quite accustomed to writing policy during my stint in government—drafting position papers, official letters, resolutions, policy recommendations, and outlines of executive orders—that I dreaded the transition to column writing. The qualified freedom of writing opinion, I thought, might make it extra difficult for me to adjust back into the factual and rigid world of policy writing if need be.

 But as fate would have it, I’ve been blessed to be in the company of exceptionally talented writer-friends like Orly Cajegas, Gavin Bagares, Nathalie Tomada, Niza Mariñas, Joebert Ocao, Evert Lato, Lis Baumgart, Jude Bacalso, and my college teacher, Radel Paredes, and so their creative vibes must have, to an extent, rubbed off on me. I think it also helps that I took up Fine Arts in college, the creative process being very similar amongst the various creative fields.

 My conversations with writers (from spirited discussions to mundane musings), though seldom about their work or thought process, is intrinsically instructive, and many times, didactic, even without them knowing it. You learn their writing styles and preferences oftentimes through their spoken word, their opinion of others’ work—some like it simple, some love it verbose. Those whose backgrounds are more journalistic tend to favor short, simple, sharp points. While there are those who enjoy exploring, even testing, existing boundaries in the name of artistic or poetic license. Suffice it to say, the time I’ve spent with the above-mentioned friends and the many others I cannot anymore enumerate served as a crash course of sorts for this stint, an interesting facet to my never-linear way of living.

 I remember when Debbie Duraliza (former opinion editor), Nathalie Tomada (now assistant editor of The Philippine Star entertainment section) and Joeberth Ocao (copy editor) invited me to write for The FREEMAN. I found it hilarious that I was considered, but being the way I am, I never say no to an opportunity, especially if it allows me to experience something new. Then again, even after Sir Dodong Gullas officially welcome me to the paper, it took me a few more months before I finally sent my first column.

 While it is a great honor to be part of The FREEMAN, I honestly wanted to back out. Apart from the apprehensions I stated earlier, I maintain a crazy, erratic schedule that feels like I’m catching my breath each time, my frequent trips to the Capital always leaving me exhausted. I didn’t know how to start, what to call my column, what to write, when to write or when to rest. Luckily, Debbie, my editor at the time, made the transition easy for me.

 Any first time writer would be blessed to have an editor like Debbie (we became instant friends soon after I started). I truly appreciate her efforts to encourage, motivate, and reach out. For me, a good editor is like a mentor, a teacher. And a good teacher is one who inspires his/her students to shine, to discover, to want to learn more, not one who competes with students, who terrorizes them, or who power-trips. But even bad teachers have a purpose; if we will it, they allow us to try to rise above adversity and be the best we could be.

 I can’t believe it’s been one whole year since I joined The FREEMAN. Writing continues to be a challenge for me, but I’m happy I took the offer to explore the joys (and pains) column-writing has to offer. Thanks again to all the friends who believed I could contribute through my words, and to those who I run to for advice and mentorship, I will be eternally grateful. For everyone who’s shared my column on Facebook the past year, to those who post their comments, those who email me for their reactions, thanks to all of you, it means a lot to me.

 And so my writing challenge continues, taking into account past mistakes and lessons learned.

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 Tonight on The Bottomline with Boy Abunda: 2nd of Boy’s 2-part birthday special, former guests and close friends continue grilling him with the toughest personal, even political, questions.

 Watch it after Banana Split on ABS-CBN. Encore telecast on the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC), Sunday, 1:00 pm.

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