What Made Me Want to Become a Writer

I was only a little girl when I began to write poetry for just about anyone. In grade school, my favorite place was the library. Looking at the books would amaze me and reading them would bring me to another world. I would read almost every recess, every lunch, and during dismissal time while waiting for my mom to fetch me. Eventually, these poems evolved into stories and short novels. I would have notebooks—each notebook being a different “novel.” I carried these notebooks with me everywhere, so that I could write anywhere, anytime. It was in those days, at such a young age, that I told myself I wanted to become a writer.

 

In high school, I was no different. I would continue to write on my notebooks and then transfer them to the computer (where I would sometimes even try to edit my work). Come senior year and the application forms for different colleges arrived, it was so easy for me to choose Creative Writing as my first choice. I was very lucky that my parents supported me all the way. I studied two years in the University of the Philippines before transferring to Ateneo de Manila University last school year. In the two years that I studied in UP, I got a taste of some of my majors and I swear it was the most delicious thing in the world. I was in the right course, I was happy with what I was doing, and it didn’t matter to me if I didn’t become a rich or successful writer in the future. I just wanted to write.

 

I don’t know exactly why I’m so passionate about writing—all I know is that I’m really happy doing it. Writing is like my form of escape from the real world. I can write about anything and everything I want, and no one can stop me or dictate what I should and shouldn’t put in my work (but that doesn’t mean I’m not open to constructive criticism). When I write, I suddenly feel so light. Like I’m vomiting all my thoughts, ideas and feelings—then I feel incredibly content after. Taking up my majors is very fulfilling as well, because I learn more about writing. I discover new things, new ideas. And the more I know, the more I want to write.

 

When I write, I feel like I’m unstoppable.