I now work with my husband, Eldar, on proofreading, line editing, and publishing. As I read his writing, a tiny thought sneaks in: Could I do this? Could I write something just as good? His talent is undeniable, and it stirs within me a long-buried dream of writing a novel. When we first met, Eldar told me that the daily struggle for survival in Davao is full of fantastic stories and that I should start there.
But doubt creeps in just as I begin to feel excited about this possibility. What do I know about writing a novel? I haven’t even made much progress in my interest in developmental editing. Sometimes, my writing feels flat or overly flowery. What if I’m just not cut out for this?
I’ve always been a perfectionist; my proofreading and copyediting skills have only sharpened with time. I get so engrossed in this work that Eldar often has to pull me away to take a break. But here’s the thing: the more I immerse myself in his stories, the more I crave something of my own. I imagine different scenarios as I dive into his characters and the worlds he’s created. What if this character made a different choice? What if the story took another direction? These thoughts stick with me, evolving into ideas rich with new characters, dialogues, and settings. It’s clear to me now—what I do now isn’t enough. I want to create stories, too.
Eldar has shown me that it’s possible. Some months ago, he gave me a challenge. He suggested I start helping him with four Norwegian manuscripts that needed to be translated into English and published. He told me to trust my skills and to never give up on my dream of writing my own novel. I took the challenge because it keeps me on track. One book is already out. Three more manuscripts are waiting for my attention, not to mention the publishing, marketing, and other behind-the-scenes work. I’m learning a lot in the process.
By taking on this challenge, I’ve gained knowledge and patience that I didn’t have before. I’m starting to believe that one day, I’ll find my voice as a writer.
I know my stories will be different from Eldar’s adventure fantasies. I’m drawn to realistic fiction, where the beauty and struggles of everyday life come into focus—stories that reflect the strength and compassion of the human spirit. The idea of crafting these kinds of stories excites me. Someday, I hope to look at my work and proudly say, “This is mine.”
And maybe, just maybe, I’ll stop worrying about whether my story is good enough. I’ll know that the journey was worth it.
