A game changer.

Last week, I launched re.write magazine, an online magazine dedicated to telling people's stories. For some, it may have seemed to come out of nowhere, but it has been a project in the making for months. The idea originally came to me early last year, but I always assumed I'd launch it after I left Korea. When I mentioned it to someone this past July, they asked, "Why not now?" And I couldn't give them a clear answer because I wasn't sure what I was waiting for. Thus began a journey into making it happen.

For months, I weighed the pros and cons of starting the magazine here as opposed to "there", wherever "there" was. I couldn't really think of any legitimate cons, so around October, I actively began conceptualizing what I wanted re.write magazine to be. For starters, I knew that it would be devoted entirely to third-person storytelling. Not first-person, not Q & A, but rather, my voice telling other people's stories, aka creative nonfiction. Not only is this the type of journalism/writing I studied in college, but it's what I'm most passionate about. To take other people's stories and make it come alive as if the reader is the one living through it is a challenge I find exciting, difficult, and extremely rewarding.

Second, I wanted re.write magazine to feel as close to print as possible. Therefore, I knew almost immediately that I didn't want it to be interactive as many online publications are today. Rather, I chose to rely on people's sheer love of words and storytelling by keeping the layout aesthetically simple and clean.

The process of launching the magazine and publishing the first story has been nothing short of amazing. For the first time in awhile, I've been totally engrossed with my work. Now I know what it feels like to do something you love, where five hours feels like five minutes.  I've enjoyed every part of the process, even the most mundane things, because I'm so excited to share these stories with the public. When I'm not working on re.write, I find myself daydreaming of current stories, future stories, and stories yet shared.

I'll be the first to admit that I was weary about what the response would be like. Not only is it going against the quick-and-easy stories & snippets we're used to getting on our smart phones, iPads, and laptops, but it also highlights a not-so-widely-accepted notion that God has the power to transform our lives...even if we're in the messiest and most impossible situations.

Well, any fears or worries I had were short-lived. The response has been overwhelming: people have not only liked the Facebook page, but they've also shared it on their own page, commented on the magazine's website, and emailed me personally. Every Facebook "like"/comment, email, and compliment in person has made my heart burst with joy. I'm seriously blown away. I never expected in a million years that people would respond so well! And something that has really touched me is the response of my loved ones who don't necessarily share the same beliefs as me and re.write magazine. Regardless, the fact that they can appreciate the power behind the story and share that with me, means so much.

So thank you. Thank you to every supporter, family member, friend, and reader, who has made this dream become a reality. Thank you for dispelling all my fears. Thank you for loving and supporting me and my project. Thank you for being awesome.

What a game changer.