“Why Do You Like Writing?”
Another year’s reflection on consistent writing
Dear Fellow,
The 14th of August is significant to me, especially on my becoming in the craft of writing. The 14th of August became the mark in time to count milestones on this journey of becoming a writer. The 14th of August was the launch date of this newsletter, in 2021. The 14th of August that year was when I made the first despatch of this newsletter initially called RANDOM DESPATCHES. It is two years already of this public commitment to writing consistently. Hence, this letter is another year’s reflection on consistent writing.
Why Writing?
Last week, one of my students asked, “Mr Tong, why do you like writing?” Though she was satisfied with my answer, the question remains with me. I am asking myself again, Why write? Why writing, really? I find it is the one way I am able to make concrete sense of the situation in my mind. Writing is first a means to communicate with me before a tool to communicate with someone else. What’s more, as a child of God writing is a gift for me. And as with all gifts, it is for service—to God and humanity (see 1 Peter 4:10 in the Holy Bible).
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
—Apostle Peter, 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
Brief Reflection
Elsewhere, I wrote, “Writing is the longest, most difficult commitment in my life.” It remains so. Well, I became a Christian a few years before I made the commitment to write consistently. I had a hand full of abandoned (even aborted) writing projects before I started writing this newsletter. My greatest challenge was consistency. For example, the news of a small business closing down in a year unsettles me. Therefore, starting out on this adventure of a newsletter with a not-so-definite plan at the time felt quite scary. Through the doubts and fears, hope beckoned and I followed.
Why Subscribe?
Two years later, 1,500 people subscribed to this newsletter. I know better never to treat the stats of humans as barely numbers. This is actually a thousand, five hundred people who consciously clicked and followed prompts on their screens to allow me into their e-mail inbox. You, a good Fellow, are not an exception. Knowing this, I am forced to ponder, what really brings you here? What informed that vote of confidence on me, a young man who is not a husband or father yet? Really, I wonder! And the numbers keep counting. (At the time of this publication, precisely 1,513 people received this very despatch.) You have your reasons, good Fellow. I have received letters in that regard from about a dozen people or less (I don’t keep count, but I may from now). Let it remain my wonder to not know in precise terms what brings and keeps you on this journey with me, but while at it, I hope I am being light and salt as I have been called as well as other children of God.
Brief Reflection
Initially called RANDOM DESPATCHES, this newsletter is now called LetterMan Despatches. This newsletter is now a publication of RANDOM DESPATCHES, which has become a publishing entity specialising in the creation and design of electronic books. Some of the creations include: (1) Levography and Grace by KaatNanret with Cinplangnan (2) Laugh Out Less by KaatNanret (3) The University Library by Tongjal Wungakha Nungbulla (4) The People and Governance by Dul Johnson (5) Facebooks Ads with Mobile Phone by Jidangtok Philemon Ephraim (6) Five Poems and that’s All by Elisha EB Bala (7) 30 Small Businesses: A Realistic Guide on How to Start Any by Timyen Amos Dashe (8) still in the making: These Little Wonders by Kiyani Anyipo Mercy. LetterMan Despatches had to evolve, so I could continue writing to you in a personalised manner, while RANDOM DESPATCHES evolves differently.
Why Continue?
You caught the clue, I didn’t emerge with a long-term plan but a will and desire for a long ride. The years ahead for this newsletter are unknown to me. To sound ambitious, I would aim for 2026; that’s five years. Or even beyond. But the truth is, I don’t even know more than my history so far as an individual. The best I can do is look forward to another 14th of August, next year. Show up every week, every Saturday. And while at it, let it remain my wonder to not know in precise terms why you have decided to stick with me on this adventure.
For your vote of confidence and more, for staying committed to being human, I am grateful, good Fellow. Thank you.
I wish you the right measure of flexibility for every season of your becoming, good Fellow.
Your LetterMan,
Tongjal, W. N.
Postscript:
Monday, 21st August 2023 is my twenty-third birthday anniversary. I hardly am able to write to you on any day of the week but Saturday. (Fun fact: 21st August 2000, my birthday, was a Monday!) You matter to me hence my sharing this day with you. Thank you for sticking with me thus far.
Grace for devotion I pray