Xi’an, China–Writing to know and writing to be known

October 20, 2009

I am so happy to write and share writing with the rest of world. I am a Chinese. I began to write at the age of four. My mom and dad had to hold my hand to put the strokes together  to form the Chinese characters. It was a hard process accompanied with tears, and it seemed to be a lot of fun when I look back now. But the initial sense of accomplishments had such an importance place in my life and my academic career that I later become a  teacher of  writing.

When I was little, my understanding of writing was limited. I thought writing was to complete  assignments from school and to score high on tests. Most of the time, I was a passive writer. During my middle school and college years, I found I learned so much from others’ writing. I could read others’ thoughts, live their lives, experience the excitement or horror that the real  life did not have.

Now I think writing not only enables me to know but also helps me to be known.  I can write and share  with others my life and experience, my insights, and expertise…  As my reading and writing skills progress, I gradually understand that writing is power. I not only get knowledge, I create meaning at the same time.  I can let others know how I look at the world from more than one perspective, because writing makes all these possible. I feel lucky I can read and write in both English and Chinese.

Writing gets us connected! Thanks to writing.


A collaborative project to promote the National Day on Writing by the Bowling Green State University Writing Center and the Center for Online and Blended Learning.