It’s been a tough month for our physical and mental health. I have found it impossible to come here and write anything, because my mind is busy reading the news, worrying about everyone and everything, and just generally feeling off. How not to feel so? Our world has stopped and we have no clue when…
Seeing what truly matters
I’ve spent a couple of years relentlessly working on my books, and wrongly thinking that publication is the only thing that’d make me feel like I’ve achieved something in my life. As if all the other amazing things I’ve done and accomplished had ceased to matter. How ridiculous of me. Then, the world came under…
When the doors close
It’s been weird lately. I want to cry about this to everyone who’d listen, but I know I shouldn’t. Nobody needs my crap, my sadness, my rants. Anyway, rejection hurts. It is a scary space to inhabit and so damaging. I’m trying to focus on enjoying writing and believing in my projects, but the fear…
The new needs friends
Do we remember that quote from Ratatouille? I know that’s a Pixar/Disney film, and some people are too precious to take advice from a movie for kids. Good luck, my snob friend, this is your cue to quit reading this blog. Back to the point, can we reread this fantastic bit? I don’t believe in…
Sometimes, I dislike being a pantser
Going through my NaNoWriMo 2019 draft, I noticed two things: This book is dumb and fun. I still need to reinforce the main plotline (aka everything that isn’t the parties and the romance between 2 of the 3 main characters. I feel so uncomfortable writing cute relationships; I need to wreck that thing somehow). The…
How to survive: A kit
I might start blogging A LOT, guys. Suddenly, I feel like documenting my querying experience here instead of on Twitter—so that I can revisit these posts and see how unhinged, or not, I was at any particular point. I’m just getting started, so prepare to unfollow because I know that, regardless of the outcome, I’ll…
The first queries were weird
I have never almost puked over the thought of hitting “Send” on Gmail. Until yesterday. And I hate Excel with the fury of thirty volcanoes, but that’s a different dread. In my nervousness, I put it off for a while, until I realized I needed to do it. I had to send out the first…
The 2020 agenda
I love lists. Lists are the only way I can get anything done. The sheer pleasure of crossing off something I’ve successfully completed/done is similar to the pleasure the chocolate and cake I devoured during NYE gave me. Guys, I ate way too much. Anyway, I started off the year by: Sleeping in Eating more…
2020
As probably 90% of Earth’s population, I was slightly panicking about the impending beginning of a new decade, thinking I’ve done nothing with my life so far, regretting imaginary and real decisions I respectively imagined and actually made; wondering, “what the fuck next?” The truth is, the past ten years were fruitful, interesting, invigorating, and…
Gathering the courage to query
Man, I remember a year ago when I tried sending out a handful of queries for the first time ever. A year ago. That’s the time I’ve spent editing this book once again (HUGE * HERE. SEE BELOW POST). It’s been worthwhile, though, because I’ve grown as a writer and all that blahblahblah but, mostly,…
Stop seeking/needing approval
I’ll talk about several things, so, first off, the title of this post is deceiving. To make things easier, here’s a list: After fretting over the decision for the months I’ve spent trapped in the editing mines, I’ve resolved to query soon. This means I immediately freaked out and turned into a puddle of stress…
The price of writing. Part 1: your day job
Do I need to say more? Look, I’m immensely grateful for my job. It’s afforded me plenty of opportunities and experiences. It’s helped me achieve many dreams and goals. It keeps me alive. But ever since I started writing, working a day job became incredibly taxing. I can’t focus as well as I used to,…