i miss the hungry years

i have not written a single new story since 2005. and that last story was "My One Boobed Mamma", which was accepted for traditional publishing by Living Waters in the USA last Dec. 23, 2007, and finally published last October 2008.

i have not written a single new story since 2005. all i did was do other writing-related stuff: create my website, do research on several story ideas and make notes but they just remain notes until now, become a member of SCBWI, bought the 2008 Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market for study (but which I haven't done so seriously and consistently until now), accept invitations to talk, present, storytell, be interviewed for newspapers and tv shows, assist my publishers in the marketing requirements of my books... all the business and networking and marketing and educational stuff, really, except the one thing that a writer does-- write.

all my stories so far published were written in those hungry years of 2003-2005, when i had just newly left my marriage, battling annulment and financial struggles, as well as work struggles chairing a department of students whom nobody else believed in but whom i was determined to build up and prove our detractors wrong, and riding on the rollercoaster of my crazy love (more like lust) lives then.

and amidst all these, i managed to write. four full-blown stories, 2 of which were nationally-awarded, 1 published internationally, and the remaining one still looking for its home but which already got the glowing review (and permission to print his review when the book is published) of the foremost peace resarcher and activist in the world-- Johan Galtung.

so, being busy now, in a good way at that, with all the fame and popularity and even little fortune, is no excuse not to write.

a writer writes, or she isn't a writer at all.

so this month alone, i've started giving notices to all my other commitments that i am ending my work with them soon, and have become more selective about the invitations i accept. i'm also blocking off my weeknights and weekends now for being with and doing the only things that matter to me most: taking the best care of my children and my self (and B)--which includes learning how to cook healthily and deliciously... and writing.

i'm going back to my hungry years.

this soul hunger demands to be fed.

children

My 8-year-old Bea keeps saying lately how she wants to be the first lady President.

of the United States of America.

: ) : ) : )

***

i'm scheduled to do a volunteer storytelling session with 3-4 year-olds on Monday at the Provincial Library, whose librarian asked me to do so some weeks ago, in celebration of National Book Month.

it's strange how I'm feeling jittery and self-doubting about my ability to engage my audience, when I've been going around the country these past few years training and speaking to even thousands (1,700 has been my biggest audience so far) of older people!

there's something more special, even sacred, with having a session with 3- to 4-year-olds, i guess. they're purer, clearer, more transparent, more honest-- either you jell with them or you don't.

God help and bless me and these children! May our time together be mutually enriching and blessed!

I'm in Inquirer! : )

Negrense writer goes international < (click)

"Tight Times" nominated for National Book Awards TWICE!

I am honored to learn that "Tight Times" has been nominated in the Manila Critics Circle's and the National Book Development Board's National Book Awards for books published in 2007 not only once but TWICE-- for children's literature and best design.




To think that among the three stories I submitted for PBBY Salanga 2007 before, I thought "Tight Times" was the "weakest" because it required less effort from me in terms of craft, that it just flowed when written...

Hmmm... come to think of it... so did "Papa's House, Mama's House" (PBBY Salanga 2004 grand prize winner)!

***

Maybe the writing flowed in these because the effort was in the months and years of actually living them out.

"My One-Boobed Mamma" Debuts!

You can pre-order it now before it gets to Amazon and the major bookstores! ;D

Please click here.

My Probe Team Interview for "Papa's House, Mama's House"

It's going to be aired tomorrow (Sept. 24, Phil. time) night, at 11:30 p.m., right after Bandila! ;D

For other schedules, channels, countries--

PHILIPPINES
Wednesday, 11:30 PM on ABS-CBN (VHF Channel 2)

Thursday, 4.50 AM on ABS-CBN

Saturday, 5:30 AM on the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC)

Sunady, 1:30 PM on the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC)

MIDDLE EAST
Wednesday, 11:30 PM on TFC
Wednesday, 7:30 AM on TFC (replay)

EUROPE
Thursday, 9:30 AM on TFC
Saturday, 5:35 PM on TFC (replay)

NORTH AMERICA - PACIFIC TIME
Friday, 11:55 PM on TFC

NORTH AMERICA - EASTERN TIME
Thursday, 8:50 AM on TFC
Friday, 2:55 AM on TFC (replay)

AUSTRALIA
Thursday, 8:40 PM on TFC
Friday, 7:15 AM on TFC (replay)

***

Do watch and let me know how you find it, please!

My One-Boobed Mamma

Happy surprise!

I found this while surfing.

I thought My One-Boobed Mamma would be released in early 2009 yet; apparently, it's coming out this August already!

The release of one's work to the public always feels like sending your firstborn out to The Big School. I guess I'll never stop feeling this way about my "creative children", aside from my flesh-and-blood creative children...

May My One-Boobed Mamma reach those who need her most, and may their lives be better from reading her.