Let Me Be A Part of the 10%

In TvTropes, they always give a list of fanfics for their readers to enjoy. At the heading of each list, they always say something like this:

“While 90% of fanfics throughout the internet are bad, here are the 10% that is worth dying for!”

This follows the Sturgeon’s Law wherein “Nothing is absolutely so” or “90% of everything is crud/crap”

Before the rise of the new media, books and newspapers had been the source of good quality literature. But now with the internet opening the gates of swift self publishing, we are now bombarded with writings from everyone everywhere without the hassles of editing and fund raising. That is good news for some and at the same time, bad news to many.

New media provides aspiring authors many avenues to showcase their skills: from blogs to writing websites and NaNoWriMo to fanfictions. Their works could have a wide readership since they are easily accessed by anyone anywhere. Authors could easily write whatever they had in mind since there are no censorship in the internet and editing is also optional for them too. It’s a blessing for any writing beginners.

The downside with these conveniences will be the quality. Without the supervision of editors, writings online are most likely to have terrible grammar, discombobulating plots and story pacing, poorly developed characters and many more sins that could make any established writer die in embarrassment. And since in the internet, publishing a story will be as easy as one-two-three… well Sturgeon’s Law happens: “90% of online literature are crap… but 10% of them are definitely worth reading.”

Bad literature and writers has always been there even before the rise of new media. Their existence has just become more jarring since internet had provided fast and easy self publishing of works and their accessibility to the readers. It gave online literature a bad reputation since people tend to only read those  that belong to the 90% crap. But if one could be diligent enough to dig around, precious 10% literature gems could be found. They could spare the readers from disappointment and reward them with satisfaction. It will also give an advantage to the authors too since their skills would have been seen and appraised. Who knows?Maybe someday, someone will be interested with their work and had it published it for real. That will be any online writer’s dream come true.

Not all that’s written in the internet are bad. Give it a chance and read through it. Sure, it will be unpleasant at first since most of them will be mediocre at best but to be able to read a story belonging to that 10% awesome is definitely worth it.

Ningas Kugon Go Away!

Ningas Kugon is a typical Filipino problem. It’s a phenomenon wherein during the initial stages of a feat, an individual is absolutely gung-ho about it.  But as the time drags on, the enthusiasm dies out and POOF! The feat will be scrapped then forgotten altogether!  The term is inspired from kugon, a type of grass that easily catches fire but never burns completely which is analogous to the phenomenon. Hence: Ningas Kugon

Ningas Kugon happens when people’s passion is lost. Passion is the most powerful fuel to accomplishing anything with flying colours. It provides the burst of energy, effort, and enthusiasm to commit. But once it’s gone… good luck finishing whatever they’re doing: project, art, stories, blogs…

Yup blogs or any other online activities are no exception to Ningas Kugon as well. Passion drives people to provide quality material in the internet. It keeps them enthusiastic enough to interact and engage with others who see and appreciate their work. Passion helps them to continue writing, talking, posting even if they’re trolled and flamed by their haters. It’s enough to keep them going no matter what.

To avoid losing this passion, people must not lose sight of the true reasons for their actions. They must not be blinded by their followers, the reviews and comments they receive. You’re not working for them. You’re working for yourself. You’re doing this to let people hear and see what you have to say. You’re letting them know what you believe in and why. It’s about you and not them.

Another is diligence. Of course you need to stop and rest every once in a while with your work but don’t ever forget it. Keep yourself from saying “mamaya na”, “tsaka na”, “bukas na lang”. Procrastination could snuff out the passion for your work or divert that passion into something else which lets you abandon your current work. Both ends are far from ideal if you ask me…

Lots of patience and lots of love will keep that passion going strong. Love what you’re doing. Be patient with it since putting what’s on your mind into paper/blog/art is not easy. If passion provides the energy for work, then love and patience are the ones that will sustain it.

Last advice will be: Relax. Keep it simple and don’t force yourself. Passion can never be forced. It is something that will flow naturally. Overworking yourself could snuff out the passion too. Just balance yourself between having fun and taking your work seriously. Just be natural and everything will fall into place for sure.