I had an unrequited love to English writing before. I loved writing, but writing seemed never love me. Countless of times my compositions were given a "fair", if not "below satisfactory", grade by my English teachers way back during my elementary and high school days.
But such misfortune didn't get in my way to woo English writing.
Instead of watching cartoons on TV and reading comics, I shifted my interest into reading more serious articles and books and watching non-fiction films on a variety of subjects, like history, literature, business, economics, current events, among others. Moreover, I attended some free seminars and workshops about creative writing and journalism.
It was a long and tedious process, indeed. I could say that making myself become an effective English writer was more arduous than courting a girl. I had to stay awake most of the time, writing and reading and reading and writing, to maintain the momentum going and keep my train of thought flowing.
Those hardships paid off as I've seen the progress of my romance with English writing improved a lot. I finally made the upper hand when I entered my sophomore years in college. I remembered the first time that I attained a grade equivalent to "very good"—and that was so motivating and a euphoric experience. I felt that I wanted to do more. My creative juice was overflowing, filled to the brim. The next good thing that had happened to me was that I was accepted as a member of the literary staff in our college's school organ, The Benildean.
After my graduation from the De La Salle University - College of Saint Benilde with a degree in business administration, I had an opportunity working with several big and reputable companies, performing various capacities in management. My writing skills were honed all the more—composing business correspondences everyday, preparing reports and press releases, and contributing write-ups to the company's newsletter.
My biggest break in commercial writing, however, came when I tried my luck flirting into copywriting. That was a perplexing experience to me since I didn't have any formal study in advertising. I just learned the field through osmosis.
Armed with a stock of knowledge and determination to succeed, this bold move to do copywriting for an industry advertiser had opened the door for me to enter the realm of publishing. I became a regular contributor of a real estate magazine Space+ and at the same time contributing write-ups as freelance writer to some other industry magazines. Then, an opportunity to level up went my way. I became the editor of an architecture magazine—the same position which I'm still holding presently.
Being the editor Archikonst is daunting but quite fulfilling for me. It came to me as a surprise; thus, I considered myself as an "accidental editor" of the Philippines' longest-running architecture and construction magazine. I was able to bag the highest position in the said publication for being at the right place and at the right time.
Yet this won't stop me from learning more to master the craft of writing. For me, the quest for knowledge must be never-ending. Like an app, a writer must always "upgrade to the latest version" to enhance his or her performance and "fix the bugs".
Writing for more than seven years now, my perseverance and patience have made the waiting all the more worthwhile. I've no regrets pursuing to master English writing. In fact, I feel like I'm tying the knot with it for writing occupies most of my regular and spare times. And this is the only marriage that requires never-ending courtship for I need to always please and entertain my audience. Much more that it is the only marriage that allows "flirtation" and "extracurricular affairs" for I can still do some work stuffs with no conflict at all.
As a writer/editor, I've already flirted with so many subjects and toyed with a lot of topics. Until now, I'm still entertaining the thoughts of having an unusual, or should I say "kinky", and out-of-the-box compositions. I would always get a natural high whenever I would finish a good composition.
Moreover, I've been together with writing through thick and thin. I write for a living. I write as a hobby or past time. I use to write my happy moments as well as my sad experiences. Or simply, I write to while away my time.
When I'm very angry, I will resort to writing as my outlet to express my anger. After a while, I would feel my anger subside. Writing, in a way, controls my emotion. It is my punching bag, my shock absorber, and my cushion.
Hence, my love for writing will never dissipate. That's why I consider my affinity to writing as a perfect union. This is a kind of marriage that can never be divorced or put asunder. This magical affinity will stay with me forever... till kingdom come.
Coursera - Writing II: Rhetorical Composing
The Ohio State University
Assignment 1: Getting to Know You
By Ludwig Ritchel A. Kalambacal
25 April 2013
Follow this link to read the draft and original manuscript: http://www.daln.osu.edu/handle/2374.DALN/4051
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