Turning The Writing Switch On (Again)

It’s time for me to write for myself again.

I remember the first time my writing switch turned on.

It was 16 and it was the 90’s, where you had to save documents on typed on the desktop on floppy disks.

I wrote a little mini romance of the classic unrequited love between a shy, girl-next-door and a popular, extroverted boy. I even went the extra mile and printed it out on computer paper, but after reading them, decided it was terrible and tore the pages into tiny pieces and threw them into the bin.

Somewhere between disks becoming corrupted and me growing up, I stopped writing stories for myself. I thought about them occasionally, wishing it had turned out differently, but never did anything about it.

Years later, at the age of 29, trying to establish a life for myself in Melbourne, Australia, I had time on my hands and felt the need to write after a long time.

I surprised myself then, coming up with what I would call a short piece. It was based on my interactions with my newly acquainted Punjabi family I had grown to love while I was there.

I called it Rhythm In Passion: How I Caught The Balle Balle Bug

I showed it to a few friends and family, and they seemed to genuinely like it. And just like that, the Balle Balle bug was taken over by the Writing Writing bug.

When I decided to move back to Malaysia in 2006, I entertained the idea of writing for a living, but the introverted, unsure, scaredy-cat me wasn’t ready to take that leap. So I took on a job that would keep me close to words — as a Library Assistant.

A year and a half later, fed up of putting books back on shelves, I saw an advertisement for a sub-editor role for the country’s oldest newspaper — and went for it.

The rest is, as they say, history.

Initially tasked as a Journalist for a month to learn the ropes, my plans of making a quick move from reporter to subeditor disappeared into thin air after an article I wrote about the capital city’s public transport system. Considered well-written by a News Editor, he decided that I had what it takes to be a permanent journalist, back in 2008.

It must have been written in the stars.

I’ve come a long way since then. From Journalist to Senior Writer, Freelance Writer, PR Executive and Chief Content Officer, and now Copywriter, I am glad to have tried on these different writing hats.

I have interviewed and written about artists, musicians, managers and CEO’s. I have spoken to the common men, community leaders, activists. I’ve learnt about their issues, concerns, problems and victories.

But after writing about so many things and people for many companies, I ask myself why can’t I write for myself as easily as I do for others?

I’ve written a story here and there, but it pales in comparison to my professional achievements.

So, I’m hoping (fingers crossed!) I’ll find that missing link, the elusive switch that has the ability to restart my writing journey for myself.

Here I go!