The reason that I will attend the editing class is that I hope that the area that I live can have a chance to enhance itself. Throught the publishing of locally revelevant independent articles, the area can gather strength and share the life of the area with more people. During this course, I have experienced a lot, been moved a lot and saw a lot of new things.
Our weekly class at the bookstore helped me understand more about Yonghe. After joining this group of people and learning about their backgrounds, it helped get a feel for the districts personality. I also learned that no matter where you are, as long as you try to get to know a place, you will discover excitement there!

I found out about the Small Small Bookshop because of the Yonghe Photo Exhibition. This was my first experience of an independent bookshop. During the editing course I missed a lot of the classes and this made me realise that I’m not very good at keeping time! When I heard Sappho and Luo Yijun talking, I felt that I didn’t read enough books. However, after attending the class, I changed my views on many things. Also I think about many things that I didn’t before.

In the editing class we learnt two things. We need to clarify the subject direction, and then collect data, organize thoughts and write the article. With interviews it’s very important to prepare in advance and to have an open mind.
During the editing class, I experience a lot of people’s lives. I got a masters degree and went to Hong Kong for the graduation trip. I was in and out of employment. Finally I’d like to say that getting know everyone in the class was the happiest thing about going there for me!

I still remember when I first started the editing class. Two lessons before I was using crayons to draw and introduce my neighborhood, then I was forever doing editing.
Before handing in the draft, I decided to travel abroad for half a year to try different culture’s food. After that half year, I had to come back and face the truth. In the end it took a long time but was finally complete.

It took a long time coming, but the manuscript is finally finished. Writer’s block, changing topics, rewrites, unfinished articles, unfinished edits, even as I’m writing this, I haven’t finished the latest issue! Help!

Because we are new to this, it took a while to get the feel for publishing a community newsletter. Although it wasn’t particularly clear, it was still worth cherishing.