Serendipity
Have column, will write
I was racking my brains today thinking of what I was going to write for this column. I have an aversion for deadlines (as all writers are prone to have), writing my articles at the very last minute and submitting them just before TNT's mild-mannered editor Erly, goes berserk (if he ever does). I'm an editor myself, so I know how it feels when a recalcitrant writer fails to submit writing assignments on time (and unlike this paper's editor, I really go berserk). It's particularly difficult for me now because I'm in another continent, so the time difference is making it harder for me to remember my deadline (excuses, excuses).
To tell you the truth, this column is both a blessing and a curse. Yes, it's great to have a weekly column. I can say what I want to say, criticize whatever and whoever I want (short of getting a lawsuit), make catty comments about someone's tacky bird's nest hair-do, or talk about anything and everything that interests me at the moment. It's a treat and a thrill to see my name alongside a cute snapshot of me (yes, I can say I'm "cute" because this is my column and I'm shameless) above an article that I took pains writing (even if I only wrote it an hour before the deadline). Of course, these are just some of the shallow perks of column-writing. Above everything else, I am truly blessed to have found a venue for my passion. I don't believe in writing for myself (if I did I would have written in the privacy of my bathroom and not 'prostitute' myself like this) because in my opinion, serious writers write to be read. To be able to write and have my works published on a weekly basis is a joy that I truly, deeply relish and cherish.
But there's always a downside to everything. Having my own column may look like I'm having a (weekly) blast. But what readers don't know is that I'm always grasping for something interesting and substantial to write about. (I don't know about other columnists, but I speak for myself when I say it's a pain with a capital "P" to think of topics to write about week after week after week.) As a columnist, figuring out the topic is only half of the battle won, the other half is making sure that you don't sound like an opinionated, shallow blabbermouth who cannot connect with your readers (and oftentimes I think I do connect -- albeit negatively). And then there's the part when readers misinterpret, misread and misunderstand what you've written and you get hate mail, nasty text messages and emails with irritating emoticons. (But oftentimes, getting a violent reaction especially from the subject makes me feel triumphant because it only means one thing: guilt.) And of course, in my case, since I sometimes write about my personal life (call it exhibitionism of the literary kind), there's also that danger of being irrelevant and self-absorbing.
Column writing is really not for all writers. It takes a lot of guts, a certain penchant for 'exhibitionism' and a strong stomach to take it all in. So what will I write about next week? Well, I have to rack my brains again for that, but definitely, I'll come up with something. (And who would have thought that my ramblings about what to write for this column have actually become my topic for this week? Now that readers, is the beauty of writing.)