Nanowrimo 20165: Three's a charm

Among three plot lines in mind, I have chosen to write an adult fiction for Nanowrimo 2015. It's actually an abandoned novel which I was supposed to ghostwrite but the project didn't fall through. So here I am, dusting off the cobwebs from this forgotten plotline, twisting it and making it my own. 

Image from Google

Title: When the rhythm starts to play

Genre: Adult Fiction

SYPNOSIS:

Gabriel Ferrer, an Asian American dance instructor who resides in America, is a hard working average man whose passion for dancing enabled him to socialize with all types of people regardless of age, race and social status. His life was pretty simple enough: work, home, teaching dance classes and giving private dance lessons. That is, until he met and fell in love with one of his lady students.

Little did he know that the woman he loved was more than the timid, fragile student she appeared to be. Dark secrets lay behind the closed doors of the woman and its discovery leads Gabriel to question everything he knew about the opposite sex. As he draws her into his world of romance, ballroom and social dancing, she draws him into her world of sex, ménage a trios and that complex world of women. Unknowingly, their two worlds were dangerously close to colliding.

Here's to my 3rd attempt. Hope I win this year!

It's been too long

Writing has always been my first love.  Back when we didn't have enough money to buy books or install cable TV, writing became my refuge. I wrote my own stories and spoke to a faceless crowd online.  I've met wonderful writers like myself and people who would later become my friends.

After a major setback in my life, also known as the death of a decade old relationship, I couldn't write. I was paralyzed with brokenness and depression. Photography became my newest passion.  I dove into it head first. I studied and read about it, I experimented, made mistakes and improved my skills. I took hundreds of photos and made a new set of friends. I had no idea where it would take me. All I know is as long as I wasn't alone with my thoughts, I was okay. Nothing could hurt me.

It has been almost three years since that day and I am glad to say that I can talk about the past without bitterness. The hurt is still there but it's not a sharp as it used to be. My foray in the arts, travel and school has filled in the places where my ex used to occupy. I am okay.

And thus I feel my writer self finding its way back into the world. Little by little, I have started to pick up my pen and write down stories. I wrote down shorts, since I still don't think I can do a full story or novel.  Such endeavor requires careful planning, a detailed outline and emotional and mental preparation. However, I am challenging myself by being a planner instead of a panster this time for Nanowrimo.

Here's to going back into the warm and familiar arms of my first love. Time to write with inky fingers and a solid heart.

Crawling back again

Here's my book list for 2014:

1. Mortal Intruments: City of Bones
2. Allegiant 
3. Trese: Stories from the Diabolique
4. Eye of God by James Rollins
5. Garfield- Why do you hate Mondays by Jim Davis
6. Get Fuzzy 2  - Fuzzy logic
7. The Best Phil. Comics 2014
8. Death by Neil Gaiman
9. I'm ready for my Movie Contract: Get Fuzzy Collection by Darby Connely
10. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
11. Pleasure Exxtraordinaire
12. The Best Phil. Comics 2014
13. Naermyth by Karen Francisco

Pathetic, isn't it? That's in comparison to the 52 books I bought in that same year. I hope to improve my reading list, to say...2 books a month. Now I know how ambitious it is, considering my tight schedule. But then if you love something , you will make time. Same goes with my writing.

It's funny how parts of my old self are coming back to me.  How my writing is calling me again and friends from that field are finding a place in my world once more. Am I ready? I mean, I haven't really excelled in photography yet. Sure, I have been noticed but nothing worthy of a plaque on the wall. Now THAT would be something!

Well, since I don't have a definite life plan, I'll just welcome this return to my first love with open arms and willing writing fingers. Let's see where this will take me. 

Writing again - Nanowrimo 2014

For this year, I have decided to write, "Dance of the seven veils." The story is about the dance, the modern girl who inherited the gift, its curse and consequences and what happens when she discovers that her child may inherit it too.

I still have a lot to iron out with my novel outline. I am nowhere near the daily goal for word count but I am determined to finish this and reach the 50k words by the end of the month.

I have sought out the company of like minded writers and attended my first Pinoywrimo event. Seeing the progress of my peers is the motivation I need to push myself and write my novel.

Cheers to all the Nanowrimo Participants!!

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Bargain Bookstores

I must confess that I do a lot of book hunting as I have quite an appetite for reading and I strictly adhere to the confines of my wallet. So it makes sense that I can easily abandon the high price of new books from well-known bookstores and head straight to bargain bookshops. And mind you, I’ve had practice. 8 years of scrounging for second-hand bargain books have taught me a lot of things. 

One thing I discovered was that I am claustrophobic. Going through various books, their covers, short summary and even the author’s bio for 45 minutes in a room stacked with books and enclosed in a small, cramped space inside the mall gives me dizzy spells and suffocation. But I suppose that’s the price of buying cheaper books. I usually leaf through every book in the shop except when I’m looking for something specific. If the subject of the book or magazine catches me, I’m sure to follow it up with what I call my “price glance”. First you look at the front cover of the book, flip it and read the short summary at the back then glance at the price for a second before shifting your eyes back to the top of the book. If the price meets my wallet, that book is not leaving my hands otherwise I casually flip it to the front cover again and return it to the shelf.

Finding treasures in bargain bookshops is the best thing about book hunting. Books that normally cost around 300-400 pesos in bookstores are just sold at bargain bookshops for as low as 90 pesos. That is, if you are fine with a second hand, tattered, dog-eared but complete and readable copy. Magazines and comic books pass as brand new copies except that they are back issues but you can get them for under a hundred pesos. This works especially if you are in it for a good article or story and not for just being trendy. Surprisingly, I found a great magazine for writers called “Writers’ Journal” and " Writer's Digest" and it’s been a great help in polishing my writing technique. I never would have known that such magazines existed had I stopped with just the paperbacks. These are the gems you find when you put in a little effort.

Bargain bookshops don’t hurt the local book industry since their selection consist mostly those of foreign authors. They do carry local magazines at retail price so they’re doing more good than harm. Back issues of local magazines occasionally go on sale for a tenth of its retail price though. Bookstores have their moments too. I’m ecstatic when they have their book sales. This usually occurs when inventory month comes along. Slow-moving books are chosen and prices are slashed to discounts. Back issues of magazines are also sold at discounted rates.

One setback when going to bargain bookshops is that they don’t have a list of their merchandise. These bookshops exist under the principle of “ukay-ukay”. You really have to possess patience and a good eye to find treasures in these small but thriving bargain bookshops.

So if you are looking for books to help you write or just for entertainment, don’t just stop at the big bookstores. Give our local bargain bookshops a try. Who knows? Maybe you might find you own diamond in the heap of rocks.

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hello again...naturally.

My entry: Paksiw for the Soul

The new year ushers in a more determined and motivated self. Yes, I am swamped again but remember that idle minds are the devil's playground. And so I am working myself to the point of exhaustion. Why? Because it's better this way.

 I dream of Italy. Wouldn't it be great if I won? That would really be something else. Aside from the fact that I am already booked for Vietnam in November for a one-week stay, winning this would be the best thing that's ever happened to me.

Crossing my fingers and saying a prayer.

==

Reading list 2013:

1. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion
2. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
3. Inferno by Dan Brown
4. Bloodline by James Rollins
5. Divergent
6. Insurgent
7. Time: Secret Societies
8. Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
9. Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes
10. Mortal Instruments: City of Glass
11. Mortal Instruments: City of Fallen Angels
12. PB 23 by Pol Medina Jr.
13. The Aswang Enquiry by Frank Lynch 
14. The Tron Betrayal
15. Time: Secret Societies

Pathetic, I know. Been busy with my photography last year. But at least I stuck to my "one book a month" policy. Looking forward to doubling my record this year. That's if I get the chance since I have my MBA to finish. Graduation date is 2015 so wish me luck!

Comics!

Yes. I was at Komikon 2013. Met Ian Sta. Maria, the artist for SKYWORLD. And had my artist sketch of Emma Frost by Carlo Pagulayan, an artist from Marvel. Pardon my inner geek's excitement. :)