As a freelancer, working at home isn’t a new concept. It has its perks like no morning traffic, no dress code, no childcare expenses, and working at my pace (except for deadlines), taking several breaks throughout the day, and flexibility. However, it’s not as glamorous or necessarily easy as those lifestyle bloggers and MLM huns…
I try to get in as much writing time as possible. Nothing more exhausting than bored kids. I feel for them. Lots of energy. Not able to go out to the parks. Can only go outside when weather cooperates. Can’t see their friends or playdates. I’m scratching my head wondering how the heck do little…
Today’s one of the better Mondays. As usual, Eddie woke up at 7 am and played with toys and then asked for TV. Our remote is in our cellphones. Thankfully, the morning was quiet. My husband leaves for work at 5am or earlier depending on his shift. We’re thankful that his job is not closed.…
Where I am, a suburb of Merrimack Valley region, Massachusetts, USA, everything is closed. Schools are closed for 3 weeks. My department store is closed until further notice. Restaurants are take-away only. No more gatherings of over 10 people. Practice handwashing. Coughing in elbow. EFA meetings are cancelled and moved virtually. I’m so thankful for…
That’s where there are tons of Roaring Twenties themed parties coming up. Fun to see my creative friends who can plan and throw a kickass party. I HATE hosting. I find it stressful and can’t stress how I absolutely hate it. I know some amazing ladies who enjoy the process of coming up with themes…
Grubstreet is an incredible writing organization in Boston. They have classes, including free community classes at the Eggleston Branch library and other locations. They also offer free events that are fun, helpful and where I meet other writers and feel much more motivated and refreshed to write. Let’s face it. Writing can get lonely. I found…
For those who’ve been there, being in a rut feels like a mental quicksand. No way out. It’s all about survival. I’ve been there myself, and in it again. One of my old students from Singapore and now back home blogs about the life of a third-culture kid. I enjoy reading blogs from other TCKs…
Hello Readers: I’m back after a hiatus. I’ve been redesigning my website for my contract editorial, copywriting, and design services. I like the idea of being a “swiss army knife” of publishing. That’s an awesome metaphor that I stole from another freelancer peer, Alaina Leary. She’s one of the most brilliant person I’ve met. I…
The cynic is the most misunderstood character. He or she can be mistaken for a pessimistic asshole or whiny bitch. If a person is truly pessimistic, he would appear apathetic. Think about it. We all know that the world isn’t a great place and things are getting worse. We are all frustrated with leadership, government,…
Some people (such as a few members of my own family) seem to have this idea that writers “just write” or those in creative professions have taken a perpetual hobby of endless pleasure. That’s for hobby writers. In reality, it’s a mental workout with its rewards and efforts. Other than writing, there’s constant pitching, deadlines, marketing…
That’s a question, I ask all my clients. It tells me their intention and purpose. As an editor, that helps me ensure that their writing consistently aligns with their intended purpose or vision. And, the follow-up to the question is, “And, why should your readers care? What do you hope your readers will get out of…
Those of us re-watching Buffy since it came out in 1997, it brings so many chuckles, memories, and hot guys on screen. The reason Buffy was popular was because it captured the alienation a young girl feels for being headstrong, tough, and nonconformist. There’s a lot of pressure for teenage girls to be pretty, popular,…
I’ve been there myself—many times. There was a time when I simply couldn’t write and thought about giving up. I thought my aspirations must be a joke. I must be the dumbest person in my writing class. Everyone has been there, even those with the book awards. If not, either you haven’t experienced it yet or you are a liar. I still wouldn’t call those times writer’s block. I suggest avoiding the term “writer’s block” like the plague.
While on the topic of race and media, someone asks me, “What do you think about Apu?” I didn’t want to get into a serious discussion that time. So, my response about that stereotypical character was, “I think Apu is a fucking genius.” Think about it. While the rest of us spent our resources on college…
Being an ambitious, creative person with a high level of intellectual curiosity, yet having a body weakened by a chronic illness is a daily challenge. I’m natural-born visionary and ideas-generator. My eyes see more than my body can perform. There are many exciting things out there in the world to be explored. If I can’t appease my intellectual curiosity, it’s painfully frustrating.
