For her, some words are just impossible still to define. “Writing” is one of them. Yet to any writer who has felt the pangs of the first dot of word knows how intoxicating and transfixing it is.
This was her answer when I’ve asked her, What does it mean by “writing” as well as being a “writer”. Meet my classmate, my friend and my subject for today’s vlog- Ms. Rebecca Billao!
She added that to those who have gained insight in the euphoric world of writing, everyone would know that the irony of being a writer is the struggle of writing one about himself. But if she could have one quote to describe herself as a writer, this Roald Dahl’s is the one for her, “A person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is absolute freedom. He has no master except his own soul, and that I am sure, is why he does it.”
As a friend, I’ve known her already. But as a writer? Not quite yet. So here are some series of questions in looking within a life of a writer.
1. How was your humble beginning as a writer?
Martin Luther once said that, “If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write.”
From a tabula rasa state of mind, possessing nothing but a pen and a heart, she braced herself as an amateur journalist way back in 2009. Her third grade had drawn the first line for her light-sensitive sheet. Since then, she had been an active staff of their elementary Official School Publication’s “Dongdong” firstly as a cartoonist before she shifted as a feature writer. Among the highlights of her blueprint, important landmark was her as a 2nd place winner in feature writing contest for Filipino category during the 2012 Regional Schools Press Conference in Baguio City. This milestone had qualified her to be the CAR’s representative in the 2013 National Schools Press Conference in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
In pursuit for her passion in writing, she became a dedicated editor- in chief of “The Hills” publication during her junior high school for three consecutive years (2013-2016). She became a nominee for the Search for the Most Outstanding Editor-In-Chief in 2016. During the 2015 Division Schools Press Conference, she ranked 1st place for the news writing English-Secondary competition.
Aside from her journalism skills, she was also able to exhibit her theatrical side after winning as the Best Script Writer during the 2017 Green Is In! with her piece entitled, “Nayun.”
In 2017, she became a formal staff of the Official Student Publication of the University of the Cordilleras, the Alternative. At present, she holds the position of News Editor of the said publication.
Aside from being a writer, she supports social change by being a devoted environmentalist as well as anti-drug abuse and anti-teenage pregnancy supporter. She is a member of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), Organization for Industrial Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA), PINE TREE, Baguio Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) and Commission on Population- Teen Facilitators (PopComm).
2. For you, what makes a writer a writer?
I cannot really tell you what makes a writer a writer. Since anyone can be a writer or everyone is a writer of their own stories ever.
Therefore, you don’t have to be a graduate of mass communication or literature degree just to be called a writer. I remember, a teacher once told me that, you can’t be a writer if you don’t master proper grammar. I don’t always believe it’s true. I believe that if a person with autism can be a photographer I do believe also that even a person with Dyslexia can be a writer.
After all, it’s their stories that would be read and not their life or errors.
3. How was your style as a writer?
I’ll answer that question with a quote from Ernest Hemingway that goes, “There is no rule on how to write. Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly; sometimes it’s like drilling rock and then blasting it out with no charges.”
So for me, I’ve got no definite style actually. Being a writer, you have to be flexible and diverse with your style especially that I’m more into the field of journalism. I tend to follow how my heart and pen would lead me depending on the story itself.
But personally, I’ve got this inevitable style of capturing the humanistic of emotional side of the writer. So, sometimes even for news writing I tend to go beyond and be more dramatic.
4. What’s your philosophy as a writer?
I believe that there is at least one quote that gets a writer and is fitting to how we feel at any moment in life. So this is mine.
“Write while the heat is in you. The writer who post postpones the recording of his thoughts uses an iron which has cooled to burn a hole with it.” –Henry David Thoreau
I believe that once the inspiration struck you write it down. This keeps the emotion real as well as this will keep the flow of your words genuine and spontaneous. Since you are in the moment already. You can stop whenever you want- cry a little, rest and then write again.
Thought I think that all aspiring and professional writers out there will agree when I say that ‘We are never fully satisfied with our work. We always feel that we can do better and that our best piece is yet to be written’. Nonetheless, the light of inspiration only happens once. So write while you can still have it.
For me, time really matters in writing your perfect masterpiece.
5. Any tip for other writers out there?
“Don’t forget- no one else sees the world the way you do, so no one else can tell the stories that you have to tell.” –Charles de Lint
Just keep on writing and writing. No one is a perfect writer. But what matters most is that we can ourselves in progress in every article that we used to writer. May this be 10 years ago a month, a week or even just a day, these pieces matter. For they will tell you who were you before and now, and would even be used as a determinant of the things that you aspire in the future.
I also believe that a writer doesn’t only write things but he should also read a lot. So book is life to all my fellow writers there! Especially with journalism that we are more into the serious side of the notebook.
Also, I believe that written articles are meant to if not read, to be spoken. Don’t be ashamed to share it and be criticized by your readers. This will help you grow more and more. Believe me.
Overall, just be true and be confident with your words and dramas!
To wrap things up, writing is not just writing for her… she sees it in a different angle wherein there is a lot more going on and not just plain writing. You can see the passion, the enthusiasm, and the love of writing that thrives within her.
May this all be an inspiration to all of us that we should not give up on the things we love. As for her, just keep writing and writing and writing.
That’s it for my second blog guys, hope you likes it and see you in the next one.
Chivalry's World 