PS I Love You: A Review

Third book that I've read from Ahern and I already feel like I know her style. Of course it's obvious that this is the young version of her that have mature in her two latest novels that I read--- Thanks for the Memories and Love Rosie. And know I should have read this first as it's already almost a decade old novel.

There were countless times that I've giggled and then sniffed. She knows how to touch a nerve. Although there were moments that I loved the book then hated it and back again. Maybe because there were times that the author herself was a bit unsure for her MC.

Whenever I read Holly's banter with her girlfriends, I kind of picture them as the girls in the Sex and the City (the movie, not yet read the book).

Then of course 'the list'. I have mixed feelings for each of the monthly 'request' from Gerry. But in general, it hadn't grip the necessary emotions for the story to be sympathetic enough. Yes, the story revolved around the list but I didn't feel much fond for it. At least not all of it.

And oh the ending quite surprised me, not really what I expected. I was sure myself that Holly would somehow end up with Daniel although when his ex returned and snatched him back, I was actually happy for Holly because Daniel's true color showed up in the last part. I thought he was this goody-goody guy who knows how to sympathized but when he 'forced' Holly to be with him and said that he's competing with 'the letter' (referring to Gerry) I thought 'oh he's an asshole. he and his beetch gf really should be together'.

Twas kind of a cliffhanger when Robbie suddenly appearing in the scene but nevertheless the ending underscored the story. With the possibility to love again, I'm very much happy for Holly.  

I put it in my favorite shelf since I'm sure that I will read this again.

Safe Haven: A Review

2nd book I've read from Sparks. I don't know how will I make a review without giving spoilers. 'Cause this book is full of surprises. It will literally make your mouth hang open in shock. So if you don't want any spoiler better stop reading now.

As I said, this is only the 2nd time I read his novels but I already found similarities between this one and Nights in Rodanthe --- letters, someone close to MC or LI  had died and/or is emotionally distress. I don't know if it also goes with the rest of his novels.

Another thing is almost all his characters are matured people which make them reliable enough to hold the story. Although sometimes they're too good to be true like for example Alex. There were times that I wondered if a father like him do exists.

Then Kevin, the villain. I couldn't remember hating a character so much, I wanted to skip the part of his story. And if the author didn't describe him as 'handsome'I actually pictured him as a waddling guy with a beer belly. ugh

I found the ending a bit of non-closure particularly the part after Katie (btw, felt like the name Katie suits her more than Erin) killed Kevin. Twas a self-defense but she should have at least been interrogate especially she killed a cop, if you know what I mean. Twas like she just killed an annoying fly and then 'haha, we can eat peacefully again'.

Nevertheless I enjoyed this novel (you see, I always try my best to read any book as a reader and then make a review as an *err* writer). This novel is a helluva of emotions. If you're up for one with romance and thriller then give this one a chance.   

Phone Creep

Just noticed for two weeks now that sometimes my phone has its own favoritism. This song actually keeps playing after every 10 songs (or so) even in shuffle mode. Bit creepy but funny too in a way. Won't disagree though. Love singing this song at the top of my lungs.

To the Best Grandpa in the Universe

Sweets for the sweetest lolo

Twas Lolo William's 82nd (or 83rd? ack mom doesn't even know how old her dad is.) yesterday and my sisters came up with an idea to make a simple decorated cupcakes from our some foods in our sari-sari store.So here.Twas fun and the look of our fave lolo in the universe as we handed it to him was priceless.

Vintage Childhood Memories

Remember this?

Decluttered our room and trash most of our useless, old childhood stuff (old clothes and toys) and look what we've found! Lots of memories with this PS 1. Can't take to throw it in the bin so we keep it even though it wasn't working anymore.Remember weekends after school, doing chores then losing myself with my two sisters in Tekken or Harvest Moon or Final Fantasy for at least 6 hours during Saturdays then complaining about headaches and painful eyes after.Childhood memories.

Die-Yet

Had diet for the last two months (well, okay the whole summer) unintentionally (yup, unintentionally). Sort of just lazy to indulge myself too much than what I would need. Little tasks means small calories to me. So I was eating twice a day (lunch and dinner) and sometimes coffee in the morning. And much to my surprise I lost weight (I think. Haven't weigh myself for a while. Come of think of it, never did actually since high school) and inches in my belly (two! TWO!). Decided to continue the miracle work and do little exercise (crunches in the morning). You maybe thinking now that I'm sort of a figure conscious. Oh believe me as much as I love Mcdo I wouldn't care to have cheeseburger everyday. That goes almost during school days. But it's summer and most of the days I'm at home so no---err less--- fast foods for me. Twas a bit of crash diet (puh-leaze, don't try this at home kids.). Probably I'm preparing myself for bloating schooldays now I will be a clinician in a few days (sort of an unspoken evolution in our course which I couldn't---and I don't want to--- understand.). Oh no, don't want to think about it. 

Two Weeks Before June...

After finishing up a novella for the whole summer, I finally wake up from my senses that school days are yet to come. June 10 and it's 1st semester then again. I haven't enrolled yet (and to be frank I don't have any will to). Sister shopped in Baclaran yesterday for school stuff (not the notebooks, pencils blah--- those socks and undergarments, I mean). And then we're online shopping for a bag now (backpacks for this sem.i don't know but I feel like escaping from my hand bags first.). So you ask why I don't have any will to enroll? Well, just this morning my mom tried to bribe me by having a bigger allowance if, and only if, I will study harder (if you know me, personally this will actually make your eyebrows raised.). I mean for a start I don't how harder I need to be? I'm the top 4 in the class and to tell you the truth it was so goddarn difficult to keep up (esp.if it doesn't interest you). I actually thought it's a miracle that I'm still on top despite that I just wanted to finish this course. So yeah, when she brought up that subject again I cut her off immediately and said that I'm not interested in her deal. I don't want to get stress and all again. Thank goodness she didn't pry no more maybe because she knows that it will refuel my tendency to shift courses again (which is practically not an option anymore as I will be 5th year in college this June). I feel like a wreck and infuriates me. I was all so neutral these days and then she brought this subject (that is actually a sore spot) and now I feel like not giving a damn about school anymore. Hated it.

Anyway,breathe in breathe out. I keep telling myself that I shouldn't overreact. Things will be fine. It will if I just go with the flow then just plan out what I will do with life after I finish this course.

On the bright side, this make me itch to write and continue my 2nd novella.

Romance Class 2013 Experience

By romance class (some friends raised their eyebrows when I shared it to them,so I had to do some explanations about it), I mean 'Yes I'm Writing a Contemporary Romance Novella' group which is created by Mina V. Esguerra (author of My Imaginary Ex & That Kind of Guy) earlier this year. As in, first week (if I could remember right) of January she posted in her twitter if there would be interested to join the said group and to be honest, I didn't take a moment's hesitation to join. First, it's online and second, it's for free. So it's a win-win right?

To sum it up, the goal of the group ,or rather the members, is to finish a novella (with an ideal 30k words, though more or less is okay.) before June 9.

Introduction and Outline Making

Okay recap time! So in the first month of the class, we have to submit our story idea, main character and love interest's description and the probable climax and ending of our story. I have two reserve (which were written since high school) stories and because of the hectic school sched. I pretty much didn't have to make a new one and just tweak a bit. Although it wasn't what exactly I wrote way back (taglish stories. I was originally more fluent in Filipino) at least it gave me ideas to what I want to write, seriously. Writing is my escape route from my dull moments and drama tendencies ever since high school but I never took it gravely. For instance, it isn't my career (or at least my course now) but I was writing stories during summers when I have nothing to do. Just out of boredom. But now, Mina inspired me to get out of my comfort zone and try doing this 'storytelling' habit into a new level. There is the possibility of getting your story published but my sole goal since I joined is just to finish a story, once and for all (and stop trashing a story idea and then starting a new one again). In the end, and out of Mina's suggestion, I chose the story which, let just say, sprouted out of my fan-girling tendencies (yes, you may take a guess ;p).

The next month, we talked about outline making. It.was.my.first.time.to.make.an.outline. because I write spontaneously! As in, whatever pops in my head that's it. It was a big help. It gives you a sense of direction and now I realized that was what I lacked and the reason why I couldn't finish anything. So if you're really serious with your story, definitely lay down an outline first before you get down into writing itself.

Act One

This is where the real writing starts. The whole manuscript is divided by 3 acts. I won't get technical about it, but in my experience this where I really groped. I have to adjust myself to the technicalities, do a lot of research (since I didn't realize, until my beta-reader said so, that the theme I chose was quite difficult for a start) and even relieved some personal experiences. One problem during that time was my laptop was broken and I had to write everything in my notebook. So double ugh. By the time I finished act 2, I practically rewrite the whole act one. The most difficult part was making the 'kilig' scenes genuine and not something that came out from 50 shades. I've learned that after laying down the kilig scene you have to put yourself in the shoes of your MC. My beta-readers (including a friend of mine) were very helpful and they made me realize the flaws of my story to help me grow as a writer. Another thing I've learned is to keep the scenes light and fun rather than shoving your MC and LI in some messy, complicated scenes. We're talking about chic-lit anyway.

Act Two

Lots of dramas! Finished act 2 in two weeks and hurray new laptop came. My beta-reader told me that my act 2 was hyped with a lot of emotions. During the editing I toned down a bit of some of the drama. Act two was easier for me to write than act one maybe because at the time I got the hang of it and knew my goal. Although I'm still concern about my plotting and if my story is approachable enough for my target market.

Act Three

Probably the easiest part (much easier than editing itself).I was surprised by my own progress. I'd just write and write and write while listening to some songs (It really did help! It brought such emotions from me that I need to insert into my story.) including the whole soundtrack of Warm Bodies. Then before I know it, I finished it for a week. Then ta-dah! I have a complete manuscript na. Anyway, this is the part where I discovered my own style and for a moment I wished I could rewrite act one and act two but resisted just in time. It will ruined the whole story if I do that. Only the quarter of my outline remained in my story though. Just explains that how much you planned about it, it will eventually change. Just let your story flows.

Editing

Hardest part, I tell you. If there's one thing I've really learned from Mina then that is to 'write write write then edit later'. Because if you keep on editing after writing, say 500 words or so, you'll just get crazy, trust me. Again just let the story flows, and give a damn about editing in the end. How I wished I didn't edit act one and two before finishing act three. And to tell you, it was hard to fight the urge to rewrite most scenes! I want to edit this one then edit that one and it took me longer (a week!) than I thought to let it go (maybe got tired of it somehow).

So after almost two months and 35,045 words I have a finished story na,hurray! Don't know what'll happen next but I just want to relish the moment and well, okay I'm hoping to be published (who doesn't?). I hope people will fall in love with Ashley and Red as I do. But if it will be rejected at least I've learned a lot---from Mina herself, from the meet-ups (I attended two so far and I was lucky to meet and talked with such talented local writers), and the group page itself. I never thought I would finish something in a short time. The group gave me another view of the local publishing scene and how talented Filipino writers are. It's just sad that there's only little opportunity here. My secret wish is everyone who will finish before June 9 will be publish. Haha! That way, the local publishing scene will bloom more than anyone expected it to be.

And to prove that it inspired me so much--- I'm actually testing a new story now.heehee. Although I won't expect this to finish before June.

P.S. Dear Ms. Mina, you're not only talented but also humble and so kind. Thank youuuu xoxo It was one of a kind experience. I had so much fun!