The Olivette Affair

I can't believe rainy days have the power to ignite my deeper emotions. To think I'm not comfortable with rain... But I guess, that's the reason why. Rain makes me pour words out, too. 

(warning: unedited: watch out for grammar bumps)

On Writing the Hero's First Appearance

When you ask writers for writing advice, most of them will tell you to "read a lot". Back then, I thought it's only for research or wisdom, or for inspiration. But lately, I realized that reading is one of the best ways for you to gain insight into your own writing.

So after closing another romance book, I thought about this topic: the romantic hero. When do I insert him? How do I usually make him meet the heroine for the first time?

"Happy Ending"

No matter how lively the scenes are or how breathtaking the climax feels, for me, a novel's worth is ultimately decided by its ENDING. 

Novel 4

Miss You In A Heartbeat
By Olivette

“Abot-kamay na kita. And I couldn’t stop myself from planning and plotting about how to keep you beside me. Because the moment I touched you, the moment I felt how real you are… I decided that I want to keep you next to me. Always.”

Kung si Simone ang tatanungin, wala nang masarap na karanasan na hihigit pa kaysa pag-ibig. Kaya naman ang una niyang ginawa nang mahinto sa pagtugtog ang kanyang banda ay ang makipag-date. Pero sa halip na makaramdam ng excitement, lalo siyang nabagot.
Hanggang sa muling magtagpo ang mga landas nila ni Jethro Castillo, ang tanging lalaking nagbigay ng hustisya sa kahulugan ng “love at first sight” sa diksiyonaryo ng dalaga. She fell for him faster than she could blink. Iyon nga lang, hindi rin nagtagal dahil napagtanto ni Simone na kasinlawak ng Pacific Ocean ang mga pagkakaiba nila. Mas incompatible pa yata sa gatas at isang lactose-intolerant.
Pero nang humingi si Jethro ng tulong ay pinagbigyan ni Simone. After all, his family helped her family some years ago. Subalit hindi niya inaasahan ang epekto ng binata sa kanya. Dahil habang tumatagal na magkasama nilang hinaharap ang bawat hamon sa kanila, napapagtanto niya na may mga ipinagkakapareho at pinagkakasunduan pala sila. And if opposite poles get attracted to each other, so were they…

Update Privacy Settings?

You'll never realize the true importance of something until it's gone. No, I'm not referring to a loved one or tissue paper. 

I'm talking about privacy.

10 Writing Tips for the Modern Writer

If you're a writer with an innate talent for procrastination (like me), you probably realized that you need to exert MORE EFFORT to attain a certain state of focus in writing. Okay, so you push yourself harder, nag yourself more, like how any other writers do, but do you know what the difference is between us (the procrastinators) and the professional prolific writers?

DISCIPLINE.

And PROFESSIONALISM.
 

PROFESSIONAL
: engaged in a specified activity as one's main paid occupation rather than as a pastime.
: having or showing the skill appropriate to a professional person; competent or skillful. 

Here's my deal: I don't write just because I love it, nor do I write just to earn money. I write for both, because I want to live by doing what I love. 

Do you?

If writing's what you love and you want to live (translation: feed yourself, get you a roof above your head, have a garden where you can plant and harvest your own tomatoes) by doing it, you've got to be serious about it.

And I mean DEAD SERIOUS.

How?

DISCIPLINE.

Big word. But since most of us are finding it hard to live up to it, with all the tempting stuff to do in this modern life, here are a few tips to burst your lazy bubble and get your hands and mind moving:

My Writing Guide for PHR Part 4: CONFLICT

Dahil medyo naging abala ako sa mga CONFLICTS ng buhay ko, ngayon ko lang maa-update ang Part 4 ng My Writing Guide for PHR series (may ganon talaga?). 

Yes. 

CONFLICT.

Maikli lang `to. Read on...