Happy Writing News

I got accepted into the Voices workshop, a week-long writing residency for people of color that happens every year at the University of San Francisco. One of my favorite writers, Junot Diaz, is one of the masterminds behind the program, which I've heard many excellent things about from fellow writers. I'm so juiced! I'll be in a novel workshop with Chitra Divakaruni, which is dope!

I had an essay published in Philippine News recently, and have been getting some lovely feedback on it from folks I never thought I'd be able to reach with my writing, like an old family friend whose son I used to play with when we were babies. My Tagalog prof, Dr. Paz, gave me big-ups in class about it which spurred some of my classmates to read it too. I have to admit it's not my best writing but I'm glad it's out there and that my words are settling in people's minds.

I also started taking a fiction writing class at the Writing Salon with Junse Kim, whose quite skilled teacher. Last week we focused on conflict and how character's desires move scenes along. Next week, we'll be dealing with dialogue. Good stuff.

And I've been carving more time out for my writing overall. I've finally gotten over the fantasy that a fascinating, eloquent novel will spill forth from my mind and my fingertips when the elusive 'muse' strikes. Learning and mastering the craft of storytelling, as Junse says, is like exercising muscles to make them stronger, it only comes through practice, practice, practice.