SU-GU-MU. Remember this phrase and you’re all set to write, according to #Hugot anthology writer Rod Marmol.
Speaking during the 5th Philippine Readers and Writers Festival, Marmol said there are three stages in writing: “Sulat,” “Gulat” and “Mulat” (write, surprise, awaken).
He spoke about how writing becomes tiring and how it is important to counter this immediately at early signs.
“The first stage is writing (sulat). There are lots of things to write about and when people come to appreciate your work you would be surprised (gulat) of how rewarding it feels,” Marmol said at the evening of the second day of the three-day festival. “However, there will come a point where you will awaken (mulat) suddenly having lost all will to write.”
Hurting
ACCORDING to Marmol, some writers lose the penchant for writing because “people eventually get accustomed to the thought that writing is limiting.”
“Writing is mostly done because of deadlines, to make your professor happy, to save your grades,” he told an audience of mostly young people.
Marmol admitted it’s difficult to find a reason to keep writing and, when you force it, it becomes a chore.
“Paano nga ba magsulat nang hindi nasusugatan [How does one write without hurting]?”
With memes set as references, Marmol’s wit is undeniably laced on his words, palpable from his high audience impact. He reveals that underneath wits come creative ideas.
Steps
ACCORDING to Marmol, the first step to writing properly would be to “commit to an idea.”
A lot of writers have access to the endless realm of ideas but not everyone has the ability to focus and commit to one, he explained. This mindset is important to be able to set a rough finish line on what is yet to start, according to Marmol.
“The next step would be committing to a person,” he said. “Meaning, think about someone who could serve as an inspiration to build your characters from.”
The third step would be to come up with an outline, a vital part of writing as to keep your writing on the right track, a guide to follow as to not run out of gradual ideas.
“Fourth, you have to write nonstop. What worked for me was the Pomodoro technique,” he said.
A pomodoro is a timer, which only allows up to 25 minutes before it alarms. This means that for 25 minutes, allow yourself to immerse in the work you need to finish. Once it ticks, one may either have a five-minute break or can switch to another task. Repeating this process would let you accomplish a set of tasks unnoticeably.
“A part of being an artist is being able to finish anything,” Marmol emphasized.
Proof
WRITING may be the biggest form of expression, but it also has its own complications, according to Marmol.
And because anyone and everyone can do it, it is difficult to be known or to proliferate a trademark someone might have used already, he added.
Writers struggle because it is not an easy task to articulate what their messages are with a unique spin nor is it easy to reach out to readers and make them relate. However, there is no formula in life as Marmol said, so trying until dying is not so bad if you think about it.
Mastering the process of writing is a human activity. The more it scares you, the more that you should try it. Failure may befall, but it is important to remember that perfect is boring.
“The last step is to always go back to the reason why you started writing,” Marmol said. “We’re all going to die soon anyway, so leave a proof before it happens.”
Image credits: Nuvolanevicata | Dreamstime.com