That’s taken from the Japanese Gardens in Portland, Oregon. I took it with my iPhone and this picture has not been edited. Go ahead and zoom in! This is the raw image and this is my first perfect iPhone picture. I remember the serene, peaceful yet energizing atmostphere. I wanted to stay in this place forever. Sometimes…
I haven’t been lately blogging. I’m now embracing married life with a 7-year-old stepson. Luis and I tied the knot on July 23rd. Even for a small wedding ceremony and reception, it gets hectic and at times stressful during the last couple of weeks. So many details and tasks. Luis and I got away to Narragansett, Rhode…
Some people prefer gender neutral names for different reasons. I’m wondering about something similar with ethnic names. It’s not about being ashamed of your ethnicity or name. I have no problems with my very South Indian name and didn’t change it to an “American” or Anglo name. It’s about celebrating the cosmopolitan international mindset that I…
Most people are familiar with goal setting. One of my habits is having a journal entirely devoted to writing goals where I list them and then reflect or journal about it. It’s short and sweet but this keeps me on track. Having writerly wishes is different from goal setting. Think about the time you were…
Summer or spring time seems to be the time for writer conferences. Writers conferences are not only a treat but a great opportunity to network, get inspired and refreshed, and of course pitch your ideas to editors and agents. I have attended writer conferences for years, been involved in organizing it, and when I was an acquisitions…
Plenty could be said about the weekend. I was looking forward to learning, being encouraged and renewed, meeting new people, and plugging into the literary scene of Boston/New England. I also left with a new reading list and goals for the year as a writer. GrubStreet is the ultimate consortium for any writer or publishing professional…
No other question makes me feel more accomplished than “Where do you live now?” Recently, more than one acquaintance, old friend, or old coworker who ran into me in the internet world has asked me that. Within the last few years or so, I had the itchy feet. Not athlete’s foot, but a compulsion or…
My fb friends (all of you) are awesome. I love how everyone on my page have diverse cultural backgrounds, countries, religion, politics, current issues, parenting, relationships, and ideas. I actually learn something new or challenged in my perspectives from fb posts and get good laughs. I don’t care about your background. As long as you’re not…
Writing memoir does not appeal to me. Regardless, I decided to give it a try. And, I absolutely hated it. The writing process felt like torture. I’m not ready to write about certain things in my past. I’m meant to be a fiction writer and maybe essayist but not a writer of memoir. I cringe when people…
The most memorable stories I’ve read were the types of stories that brought me into the world the author created. Regardless of genre or fiction or non-fiction, you are telling the story by letting the reader experience the world of your characters and action. The setting serves not only as the backdrop but also the…
New Post. About the beginnings of my encounter with life, love, and early adolescence.
I’ll be talking about my journey of love. I’ve come a long way. My blog isn’t the type that’s like, Oh look! Here’s the perfect life of a cute little brown bitch with a professional photographer following her. Neither is it about baring it all for the purpose of drama and sensationalism under the disguise of realism. I’ll be real. Reality isn’t always pleasant. Neither is it about being in an endless tunnel of darkness. There are joys, adventures, successes, personal and professional triumphs, great times as well as troubles, pain, suffering. It’s all there.
Electric Literature had this Valentine’s Day hashtag (#Writing Valentines) where writers tweet what their writing would speak to them on Valentine’s Day. Some were hilarious, some naughty, and some sweet. I wonder if it gives insight to the poster’s perspective or experience with love, sex, relationships, and life in general. Here’s mine: Long passionate nights. No morning regrets.…
