I’ve always been insecure about my writing because I really don’t feel I’m any good. I often envy writers who seem to just have the knack for pouring over their thoughts on paper. Without much effort or the need for thorough editing, they just seem to have full control of their creative side, an overflow of creative juice. Until now, I’m still not convinced that I’ve ever had the juice. I’ve never really been that good, at least as far as I know. Despite the fact that I was able to make it to the editorial team of my highschool paper, got a medal for English excellence and became a Journ student in UP, I still can’t bring myself to claiming the title of ‘ writer’.
Professionally, I am a technical writer, a research analyst to be exact. I write research reports and provide analysis based on data and statistics. But what I usually write is not what you can consider creative writing. I know that I have a firm grasp at grammar. I know most of the rules and follow them. I try to edit, edit and reedit as much of my work as I can and won’t usually be content until I’ve reviewed every word. And I know good writing when I read one. But I really think there’s more to writing than abiding by booked rules and guidelines. I’ve heard and read from some writers that writing to them is a passion and it really seem to come naturally without effort. I’ve always wished to feel that kind passion for writing. I guess, writing for me was really more of a frustration.
Then I found EPH. I came across an ad posted on sulit.com. What I was looking for then was a writing stint of some sort to practice my skills. When I read that I needed to submit 2 articles before I can make it as a member, I suddenly got cold feet. But I took on the challenge and wrote my very first SEO article about the Internet. The second article was ready-made, one I wrote for my church a few months back. About 3 days after submitting my samples, I got the letter of acceptance from Sir Paul saying that I am officially on the red team as one of the ‘new writers’. I couldn’t explain how I felt. I felt a surge of a different kind of excitement and a certain feeling of triumph, sort of similar to how I felt when I received my acceptance letter from UP. I felt reassured and somehow vindicated. It felt like I finally won my battle over my writing insecurities.
But of course, it did not end there. In fact, it was only the beginning of my writing journey. I braced myself for conflict, as I was sure my boss in my day job would notice that I seem to be engrossed over something else aside from my work. I told them that I joined EPH because I wanted to hone my writing skills. Half shocked and half bemused, my boss allowed me to continue with my new writing venture as long as it won’t affect my performance at work. I cheerfully assured them that it won’t take much of my time at work. But of course it did, at least for about a month or so. For a time, I got so hooked and couldn’t stop writing until I finish the batch of assignment. I was only able to take on 1-2 assignments a week but I felt so good about being part of EPH.
At EPH I met people from all walks of life, people with different reasons for joining the company. After a month I was able to make friends with a few, most of whom were at least 7 years younger than I am. Our conversations over the writers lounge and even via ym made me feel like I was close their age. I even had a teeny-bopper crush on one writer whom I really admire for his mysterious ways. I’m quite sure that at least half of the girls feel the same. Yes, for months EPH indeed made me feel young again.
Amid the tight deadlines, GCs and fear of being ’warned’, I breezed through a quarter with EPH. But because conflict with work took its final toll on me, I had to give up my EPH writing. Sad as I was to leave my super active status in EPH, reality had to finally set in.
But I hope that someday I can finally decide to quit my job and work at home full-time. When that happens, I will surely run back to EPH, my virtual home. I truly pray that when that day comes, EPH will still be around to accept and help wannabe writers like me.
Professionally, I am a technical writer, a research analyst to be exact. I write research reports and provide analysis based on data and statistics. But what I usually write is not what you can consider creative writing. I know that I have a firm grasp at grammar. I know most of the rules and follow them. I try to edit, edit and reedit as much of my work as I can and won’t usually be content until I’ve reviewed every word. And I know good writing when I read one. But I really think there’s more to writing than abiding by booked rules and guidelines. I’ve heard and read from some writers that writing to them is a passion and it really seem to come naturally without effort. I’ve always wished to feel that kind passion for writing. I guess, writing for me was really more of a frustration.
Then I found EPH. I came across an ad posted on sulit.com. What I was looking for then was a writing stint of some sort to practice my skills. When I read that I needed to submit 2 articles before I can make it as a member, I suddenly got cold feet. But I took on the challenge and wrote my very first SEO article about the Internet. The second article was ready-made, one I wrote for my church a few months back. About 3 days after submitting my samples, I got the letter of acceptance from Sir Paul saying that I am officially on the red team as one of the ‘new writers’. I couldn’t explain how I felt. I felt a surge of a different kind of excitement and a certain feeling of triumph, sort of similar to how I felt when I received my acceptance letter from UP. I felt reassured and somehow vindicated. It felt like I finally won my battle over my writing insecurities.
But of course, it did not end there. In fact, it was only the beginning of my writing journey. I braced myself for conflict, as I was sure my boss in my day job would notice that I seem to be engrossed over something else aside from my work. I told them that I joined EPH because I wanted to hone my writing skills. Half shocked and half bemused, my boss allowed me to continue with my new writing venture as long as it won’t affect my performance at work. I cheerfully assured them that it won’t take much of my time at work. But of course it did, at least for about a month or so. For a time, I got so hooked and couldn’t stop writing until I finish the batch of assignment. I was only able to take on 1-2 assignments a week but I felt so good about being part of EPH.
At EPH I met people from all walks of life, people with different reasons for joining the company. After a month I was able to make friends with a few, most of whom were at least 7 years younger than I am. Our conversations over the writers lounge and even via ym made me feel like I was close their age. I even had a teeny-bopper crush on one writer whom I really admire for his mysterious ways. I’m quite sure that at least half of the girls feel the same. Yes, for months EPH indeed made me feel young again.
Amid the tight deadlines, GCs and fear of being ’warned’, I breezed through a quarter with EPH. But because conflict with work took its final toll on me, I had to give up my EPH writing. Sad as I was to leave my super active status in EPH, reality had to finally set in.
But I hope that someday I can finally decide to quit my job and work at home full-time. When that happens, I will surely run back to EPH, my virtual home. I truly pray that when that day comes, EPH will still be around to accept and help wannabe writers like me.
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