How did you get started on your writing?, a friend once asked.
Short answer: Nature and nurture.
Nature vs Nurture (taken from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-nature-versus)
The nature versus nurture debate is one of the oldest philosophical issues within psychology. Nature refers to all of the genes and hereditary factors that influence who we are—from our physical appearance to our personality characteristics and talents. Nurture refers to all the environmental variables that impact who we are, including our early childhood experiences, how we were raised, our social relationships, and our surrounding culture.
For me, nature means from God. This gift to write is by His grace. Grace is God’s undeserved gift. Many times, when I read what I wrote long ago, I am surprised and wondered: Did I really write that? Where did that come from? Grace reminds me this gift to write comes from God. His still small voice, the Holy Spirit whispers as I listen intently when I read His Word. My seminary professor told me to write things that kept knocking at my door. He wisely taught me that inspiration comes from God.
Nurture is about practice. The more I write, the more things to write about. The more things to write, the more I like to write. Where did I get practice?
I remember my mom drilled me on writing… not writing as in writing thoughts or stuffs but writing as in 写字 (write words). I hate writing exercises especially writing Chinese words to fill up every blank squares on the writing pad for assignment. So my writing started with copying words to recognise, memorise, learn and apply.
My writing skills and habits were formed and shaped in school. We’re required to write regularly formal and informal themes in English. In Chinese classes, we had 造句 (writing sentences) in early grades and eventually, 作文 (essays) in high school.
Eventually my writing extended to pen pals. I had friends from Germany, Finland and France. In those days, we ‘mailed’ our letters = stationery pads, envelops, stamps. Writing letters formed my habit to let my friends know me (my likes, dislikes), tell stories what I’ve been doing, etc. Letters back and forth through long periods of time, formed bonds of friendship. So I did the same when my friends from school and church migrated to the States. The friendship continues even till today – though we no longer write long letters regularly, we pick up where we left off – just like old times. The bond of friendship stays strong.
Writing is therapeutic. It helps to put my thoughts in words to read and reflect, to chew and digest when I read the Bible, when I struggle with life’s challenges. It is a means to pour out in black and white my heartfelt responses to people, events and circumstances I live with each day. As I tell my stories honestly, I learned that I am not alone. People especially my friends, who read my stories in one way or another are encouraged and helped because they too relate to what I am going through, how I feel and think in my journey.
These days I have dry eye syndrome. I can no longer go on and on. Too much screen time makes my eyes uncomfortable. I need to stop now. Also, the trend nowadays is to write short and concise as people’s attention span is getting shorter and shorter. Ways of communicating, reading and writing are evolving with all these social media flatforms like tiktok, instagram, etc.
The point to all my writing is just to tell my story as candidly and honestly as possible. As I write, I pray that my friends would know me and the God who made me, who gave me this gift to write.
A blessed day to you, my friend. Read God’s Word – He alone gives Word of life to enable us to live life abundantl
