In the era when words can still move people

Author: Liu Shaoming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: Most of the articles in "The Age When Words Still Move Hearts" were originally published in newspapers by the author over the past two years. The remaining scattered pieces can be found in "Hong Kong Literature" and "Literary Century." In an era where the value of words has depreciated and is "played out," I continue to write for two reasons: financial gain and the habit of writing being too hard to break. Once writing becomes a hobby, it's a lifelong addiction. In these times, words may be harder to move others, but at least they can still move the author. Some old drafts that were published in the of newspapers in the Taiwan region years ago still occasionally come to mind for me to reread, such as "Remembering Old Taipei," which is included in this collection. Rerepublishing these old works now serves two purposes: to relive old sentiments and because the childlike heart within me has long faded, leaving me unable to write such pieces today. The essay "Writing Beyond Oneself" in this collection speaks to this feeling.