Voices under the Sun 陽光下的聲音

I have been blogging since February 2010, firstly in Traditional Chinese, then in English and Simplified Chinese. Hopping from one language to another, writing becomes an interesting adventure because I often have to compose the same content in considerably different ways. Even blogging between Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese is more than a mere conversion of the characters — people in Taiwan and China view the world in their own unique ways, a fact that plenty of online trolls have been happy to attack me about. I have the scars to prove it.

Eventually I decided to compose different content for different readers, which is a lot of work. This helps me reflect on the fact that I live — and write — between cultures, and the imagined boundaries between them can sometimes be so concrete that they are stifling. Yet, I am often reminded of — even awarded with — the fact that one needs to not only think outside the box, but to also tackle the box as often as possible. In this way, the so-called box will eventually crumble and disappear so that those from within and outside can finally say hello to each other.

To me, to blog is to crystallise my thoughts and account for their existence. It is a way for me to have a voice, to let people know what I have been doing, to share my idea(l)s, pursuits and concerns, and to simply have fun. Without a specific theme, I write whatever I want and remain free.

It is funny that I only decided to dedicate the letter “B” to “blogging” instead of “books” last night. Then, this morning, I found two great articles about blogging. In her well-researched article “Are you over your blog? When to ditch and when to continue“, “Octopus Ink” lists the many pros and cons of blogging and encourages all writers to ponder upon the values of this act. In “Can blogging be a hobby?“, “The Research Whisperer” celebrates the joy of blogging that makes her work even more rewarding.

There are so many blogs out there. So many special voices. Such wonderful conversations. I believe in “blog therapy”. How about you?