Today, I’d like to share three thoughts—all connected to writing.
First, I recently discussed Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 with my Korean student. She said, “Thank you for sharing. Your writing helped me remember the whole story. I even watched the movie, but I couldn’t recall all the details. The unfair treatment was real in the past, and some still lingers today, though thankfully it’s fading. At least it’s no longer obvious on the surface. I believe that awareness of unfairness is essential for any change, as you mentioned.”
I responded, "If you had written down your first instinctive or visceral reaction, you’d still remember it clearly. That’s the power of writing." We often feel something deeply in the moment, but time can dull those feelings if we don’t commit them in writing.
The second thing I want to address is whether my Chinese relatives can read and understand what I write. Yes, my work has been shared on six different social media platforms. One of my younger relatives, who lives in the U.S., can read them all. But I doubt there’s much interest. Writing in English creates both a generational and linguistic barrier for many of them.
Finally, a few days ago, a reader told me my writing style resembles that of Francis Bacon. That was unexpected, but there are some parallels:
1. Bacon’s writing is often aphoristic—short, sharp, and meaningful. I tend toward the same. For instance, I wrote, “In the end, ignorance is a risk that we should avoid.”
2. His work is direct and practical, free from excessive emotion or flowery language. My own approach is similarly clear and no-nonsense, focused on offering practical insights, even though I don’t claim to have Bacon’s depth of wisdom.
3. Bacon wrote with a logical, analytical bent, guiding readers through reasoning. I strive for that too. In my recent piece on shingles, I structured the story logically, reflecting on the experience and drawing out lessons for my readers.
4. Bacon often wrote with a detached tone. I try to achieve that as well, though I admit that my description of the misogynistic crime near Gangnam station carried more emotion. Still, overall, my tone is measured and reflective, focusing on ideas rather than personal feelings—another trait we seem to share.
Of course, the main difference between Bacon and me lies in his rich use of metaphor and philosophical imagery. Bacon frequently weaves figurative language into his writing, whereas I’m more direct in delivering meaning. Perhaps that’s due to the limitations of my language, or perhaps it’s simply my style.
A Chinese saying, 文如其人 (Wén rú qí rén) means, "The writing reflects the person," suggesting that one's writing style and approach often reveal their character and mindset.
Writing helps me capture ideas, share insights, and hold onto them before they fade. While some may see similarities between my style and that of writers like Francis Bacon, I simply aim to express my thoughts sincerely and clearly, in a way that feels true to me.