_You can be a writer,
even though you have always received terrible scores
in your writings.

You can be a writer,
even though your teachers have tried many different ways
to ruin your interests in writing.

You can be a writer,
even though during all those years in school,
you have learned nothing but exam-taking skills.

You can be a writer,
even though there have been so many rules and models
trying to kill your creativity.


Do you still remember...
how your heart sank
when you heard another composition homework
for the long-awaited weekend?

Do you still remember...
how your tears fell off your face
when you had to finish the composition
even your mind was in blank?

Do you still remember...
how you just copied a few paragraphs
from different reference books,
and then handed it in
as your own writing?

Do you still remember...
how your parents laughed at you
and critisized on your writing
when you were already doing your best?


But all that
doesn't mean you can't be a writer.
We all make mistakes.
Our schools, our teachers, our parents and ourselves.
All you have to is
feel the pain, send them love, and let them go.
We can always learn and grow
from others' or our own mistakes.


It's time to move on.
It's time to let go.
It's time to venture and discover.
And more importantly,
it's time to create!


Writing can be fun and intuitive.
Writing can be free and fluid.
Writing can be creative and even exciting!


You can be a writer!
Just forget about what you have been told.
And don't allow others to tell you what you can't do.

You can be a writer!
Just forget about what you have been telling yourself.
And don't allow yourself to tell you what you can't do.

You can be a writer!
as long as you have the desire
and keep your faith in it.

Actually, you can be whatever you want to be!
And you should be.
Because that's the best way not to waste your life.


By RetSam Zhang 2011.12.10