How Write of Passage Changes The Way I Write

My reflection for a self-discovery journey masquerading as a writing course.

Gloomy, overcast skies loomed outside my window when an email from Write of Passage arrived in my inbox. Surprisingly, I was accepted to Write of Passage through its scholarship program. Like any other kid who had found a map of the treasure chest, I couldn't hide my happy face and told my friends over our dinners on the weekend. With this excitement, I couldn't help but wonder over the next 30 minutes of staring at the email:

"Is this the answer to my bad writing? Will it help me find my readers? Is this a chance to make connections with like-minded people?" 

The only way to answer my deepest questions was to join the course. Little did I know that the answer was far from what I expected.

Finding my tribe

It was 6AM here in Jakarta when David, the founder of Write of Passage, welcomed hundreds of students with his bursting energy. I'm up, but my brain is still in sleep mode. His presence lightened up the Zoom call, making it feel like we were all at a lively party despite being scattered across the globe. In just 10 seconds, my sleepy face ignited with a spark of joy.

Throughout the course, we were tasked with participating in writing exercises that involved joining breakout rooms and attending group sessions to discuss ideas and share feedback. After a few sessions and reading several essays from my peers, I realized how intellectually isolated I had been. Engaging in conversations with new people at WoP felt invigorating. Each discussion sparked new ideas and insights, and I often lost track of time during our engaging talks.

Initially, my insecurity tricked me into believing I lacked ideas, creating pressure to chase new ideas for my weekly posts. However, I learned that ideas often come from conversations with the right people. WoP helped me open my third eye to discover ideas while enjoying good conversations with friends.

Breakout rooms and gym sessions also revealed a profound truth: I wasn't alone in my writing journey. Others felt the same way and wanted to connect. Write of Passage didn't just build a bridge; it provided the lifeline I had desperately sought, bringing us together in our shared quest for creative expression. This experience made me appreciate the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals. I felt fortunate to have found my tribe.

It's been over a year since I set up my Substack and published my 30 essays alone without people telling me if I'm doing the right thing or where I can improve. Reflecting on my solitary journey, I never imagined I'd find a group to brainstorm ideas with. They made solving the Rubik's cube of my mind much easier.

Finding myself

The toughest challenge in the course was finding my core idea—the unique perspective or insight that only I could offer—so I could write an essay that truly represented my voice and experiences. The problem was I didn't know what it was. So, I had to search for it. This process involved delving deeper into the neglected parts of myself, the aspects I had forgotten or overlooked, to uncover the valuable insights and unique ideas—the 'shiny dime'—hidden all along. I had to circle back with my group and share what I found. Once I caught a glimpse of it, I could start writing.

The process had been transformational.

It all started by taking a brain dump. I had to suffer by writing and staring for hours at my first draft. I told myself no one deserved this draft but me. However, drafts are required to improve my writing. Hence, I had to publish my draft as soon as possible so others could give me feedback. Without a draft, I'll be lost.

This process made me realize that writing is like navigating murky waters in a sewer. I was uncertain of the path to the vast ocean where dolphins frolic in a dreamlike state. But each draft served as a guiding light, illuminating the way forward. Even though I haven't reached the end of the tunnel, each draft keeps me moving forward, steadily exploring the right direction.

I remember one of my peers,

Jisoo

telling me I had to redo my work by cutting the 2600-ish essay in half and focusing on only a few points she thought stood out the most. This was such a turning point for me to think more deeply. I had to cut some confusing, repeated, and boring words and make them more interesting with more depth and surprise for my readers. My writing had a huge redundancy of saying the same things multiple times. When feedback came in, it felt like a slap in the face to my past self for my inability to communicate clearly. I wrote too many things without a single thread that tied them together, like firing a shotgun. It was such a huge learning moment for me to digest.

Another feedback request was to add more expression to my words. Expressions help readers experience what the writer feels. Expression is like adding flavor to the writing. As C.S. Lewis says, "Show, not tell." Instead of saying "Nervous," it would be better to say, "As he stepped into the gym for the first time, his palms grew sweaty, and his stomach churned with nerves, worried that everyone would notice his inexperience." Showing this experience makes the reader more engaged. Like a cold splash of water, I agreed that my writing was bland and lifeless. Accepting this was the bitter medicine I needed to take to improve.

By the end of the process, not only my four drafts but also I had transformed into better versions. Polishing my last draft felt like emerging from a tunnel into a vast, bright, and calm ocean. Looking back, I was grateful for pushing myself to swim in the murky water. I could see my flaws and insecurity staring at me. I could see how my perfection held me back. I could sense how my anxiety confused me into writing things that didn't have value.

But I was glad that I pushed through. By the end of the course, I had become a better writer who understood how I write, which is crucial for growing as a writer.

So, back to my initial question:

"Is this the answer to my bad writing? Will it help me find my readers? Is this a chance to make connections with like-minded people?" 

For me, Write of Passage has been an epic journey of self-discovery masquerading as a writing course. In the end, nothing else matters because I have finally found myself.

Thank you to

clare chai

and

Becky Isjwara

for giving me valuable feedback on this piece. It taught me to be more vivid and precise and add dramatic background to some sentences.

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💡 Life Update

• 🔊 Podcast binge-ing: The Truth about Social Media & Childhood by Rich Roll and Jonathan Haidt. A must listen!

• 💎 My favorite quote of the week: "The advice you wish you would have 10 years ago is the same one you must take today."

• 📚 Books I'm reading: I'm currently in 30% of The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr. The Almanack of Ravikant needs to be held off for a moment, sorry.

• 🧑‍💻 Favorite new app: Sukha. A productivity app for writers to hang out together.

• 🛠️ New project I'm working on: Creator Bullets (The 5-minute actionable insights, resources, and strategies on how the top 1% of creators and solopreneurs monetize their businesses).

• 📨 Interesting read: The State of Culture, 2024 by

  Ted Gioia
  .