How My Writing Journey Started + 5 Secrets I Wish I Learned Earlier in My Career

If you're an aspiring copywriter, here's what you need to know

How did you get into the field, path, or vocation you’re in today?

Was it a memorable childhood experience? A commendation from someone you admired, like a teacher or personal hero? Or was it something thrust upon you by necessity, but you eventually learned to love it (or at least, live with it)?

These origin stories are very interesting, I think, and I’d love to hear them in the comment section of this blog post.

See, the reason I want to ask for your origin story is that in my last post, I talked about how - and why - I became an environmental advocate. Today, I want to talk about something different: how I became a writer in the first place. And I’m not just talking about my job as a copywriter, but why I got into “wordsmithing” in the first place.

As a bonus, I’m also going to include some tricks and tips that could help any budding writer (or anyone in the creative field, really).

From Writing Short Stories for Class to Reading Fan Fiction

I read a lot as a kid. In fact, my sister and I would get more excited about visits to National Bookstore than Toy Kingdom, because our parents were keener to give us books than buy us toys, haha!

Besides this, my best subjects in school were always Reading (reading comprehension, in elementary school), Language (grammar, in elementary school), and the high school equivalent, English. I remember passing those subjects with flying colors every time. And yes, because of that, I became a bit of a favorite among English teachers.

I distinctly recall the moment when I realized I loved writing: I was in Grade 2, aged 8, and we had been asked to write a short story. We were given the weekend to complete the assignment. But I finished it early and decided to revise it over and over. I believe the story was about me and my friends, and I think my teacher liked it since she asked me to read it in front of the class!

This story about friendships grew into a habit of exchanging letters with close friends in class and in my batch. I loved getting those little notes on pad paper, and I cherished writing to them.

When I turned 13, I started going to Quezon City Science High School For those who are unfamiliar with the science high school system in the Philippines, a science high school is a public school with a science-focused curriculum. Basically, the expectation is that the students get a better education than in most public schools and that they use this edge to take up a STEM-related college course.

But what Kisay (as we fondly call our school) did for me was to connect me with others who also wrote. We’d “beta read” each other’s poems, short stories, and fan fiction. Talk about books and TV series. That sort of thing. It was fun, that little circle we had.

Off to College and the “Real World”

Eventually, we were months away from college. Most of the members of our “writers’ club” applied for science-related courses. Two of us chose a degree in the arts and humanities - I took up Broadcast Communication, while a friend chose English Studies.

While in college, I joined a student organization that helped handle the campus’ radio station. Shoutout to the members and alumni of DZUP Radio Circle (now known as UP Radio Circle). My radio-related tasks included working as a technical director, episode writer, and producer. But it was scriptwriting that I loved best.

The Ikaw Naman sa DZUP team, with our guest for the week. I'm the one in white (second from the right).

Since I found myself still very much hooked on writing, I decided to take up writing electives as part of my coursework. Writing for TV, writing for advertising, fiction, non-fiction… I enjoyed every bit of it!

Choosing and Chasing My Dream Job

Two of my college professors, Ma’am Irma Mutuc and Ma’am Eleanor Agulto, happened to be respected copywriters and creative directors. It was their stories of the industry and their fun exercises that led to that “aha” moment: I wanted to become a copywriter!

Fast-forward to 2016, and I was months away from graduating. I finished my thesis, then set out to send job applications to a bunch of ad agencies in the metro. Two weeks before I was set to march, I got an offer from a very good company. But I wasn’t going to be a copywriter just yet - I was going to help them manage a client’s social media accounts. Fine by me, I said. The pay was good, the culture looked great, they really wanted me, and I had my foot in the door! Despite the intense commute from Quezon City to Makati and back, I felt like those girls in the movies who finally make it to that “concrete jungle where dreams are made of”.

Sadly, I wasn’t meant to become a copywriter at my first company. They liked how I worked, and I liked them, but they just couldn’t train a new copywriter at the time. Four months into my stint as a social media responder, I was looking for a company where I had a 100% guaranteed role as a copywriter. A month later, I said goodbye to the folks at my first “adulting” home and started my first job as a junior copywriter. Finally, my big break!

Now, I’m not gonna bore you with what happened after all that, but what I do want to share now are the five things I wish someone had told me earlier in the journey:

5 Things Young Copywriters (And Creatives) Should Know

1. Don’t give up on an earlier dream so quickly. It might just help you create!

Before I discovered my love for the written word, I wanted to become a visual artist. A life of drawing, sketching, and painting was what I originally wanted as a kid. And I had done a fair bit of it. I was even a member of the Painting Club back in elementary! But I gave it up for two reasons: one, I’d been told that it wasn’t a “practical” pursuit; two, I was intimidated by people who were better than me. Haha! Imagine how one could be as a copywriter who could also design and illustrate! Ah well.

2. No one is the "ultimate" expert or role model in your creative field.

You’ll meet people who’ll hold awards and big-time companies as the golden standard. People who believe that 12-hour shifts are a MUST if you want to get anywhere.

But that’s not the case for everyone. Some people are perfectly happy in a job that lets them do what they're good at and what they like for a living, even if they never get to stand on a stage or see their name in a magazine.

Others may look at you strangely or think less of you because you want different - but don't mind them. In a world where work-life balance is becoming more important, I think there’s no shame in admitting that you want to create for a living, but not make the creative work your LIFE.

3. Immerse yourself in new experiences and new content.

As a kid, I wasn’t allowed to watch primetime teleseryes nor anime. That put me at a disadvantage compared to my peers when it comes to cultural references. Not to mention a mom who’s on the conservative side of things. How conservative, you ask? I was in college when I first got to watch Titanic, all because of that scene. Now that I’m all grown up and can pay for Netflix, and have a partner who has very different tastes and hobbies compared to me, I have more references at my disposal.

I remember crying over not having the "exposure" other people expected of me. But a colleague pointed out that I knew stuff they didn't know. I've read books and had experiences that were equally valuable. This was the person who pointed out that the one who made me cry was not the "God" of our field because no one knew everything, and that was okay!

If you’re in a constant state of content shock what with all the books, series, movies, videos, podcasts, and songs there are to consume, don’t worry! Just try to widen your horizons a bit and be open to those new experiences.

4. Try to connect with schoolmates or batch mates who are on a similar path.

I’ve worked with more art directors and graphic designers than copywriters, which is pretty cool in itself. Occasionally, though, I feel like there are things I want to discuss with someone who has the same relatable moments, problems, and questions as me. I know a few people from high school and college who are copywriters right now, but we aren’t exactly close. (Hey copywriter friends, feel free to reach out to me on Messenger or IG!)

5. Continue creating for yourself.

Even when you’ve gotten that dream job and are making enough to keep you comfortable, make sure you leave some of that creativity for yourself. Even if it’s just a poem a week, a bi-monthly blog post, a personal art project, or attempts at songwriting. Remember: before your art, there is you, the artist.

Do you have an “origin story” you want to share? Tips for beginners in your field? I’d love to hear them - let’s talk in the comment section below!