(1211) The act of writing

There are three groups of people.

1. Those who write naturally
2. Those who write with great difficulties
3. Those who work really hard to write well

It is easy for group 1 to become writers.
It is inevitable that 99% of group 2 do not write daily for enjoyment.
I can think of two individuals from group 3: a form mate of mine became a staff writer in the main English newspaper. She was in my class at age 13. Later I joined the science stream but she chose the arts stream.
My youngest daughter's bus mate who became a cub reporter for a weekend newspaper in Silver City.

From the time I was nine years old I was aware that I enjoyed writing and could produce work that was passed around among the Chinese language teachers in the staff room. Most of the time I was embarrassed because I did not work hard and didn't really deserve to be praised.

At age 12 the headmistress offered me a private scholarship to a private Chinese High School. She promised me that should I continue to write well, the scholarship would extend to a journalism degree in Taiwan. The sponsors were a group of wealthy women who would like to see a female become the executive editor of a Chinese national daily.

I kept quiet about the offer because I knew that my mum and dad would force me to accept it. They both feel that I should confine my natural talents to serve the Chinese language, culture and community.

Being stubborn, I went to a Malay school and pursue my dream of becoming good in English. Looking back, it was a mulish habit to fight a disability. It would have been very natural and easy to pursue what I was born to excel in and become a specialist in that field.

That was not to be.