this is probably the hardest thing to do, at least for me–writing about myself.

recently, i wrote in this blog that i will start writing again, and i know that the only way to do it is to really sit and do the actual writing (or typing in this case, for i’m not a scratch person).

in my search for an inspiration, i happen to stumble upon eWriteLife, a site that helps new writers in starting their chosen careers. there’s a list of exercises provided, called Write Life Challenges. i decided to take part of it since i know that it will help me achieve my goal. so, here’s me answering eWriteLife’s Challenge # 1:

Using this quote:

“What you believe in is a large part of who you are, and who you are determines your point of view in the world.” – Philip Gerard

1) Write about a character who reflects your personality. You may use third or first person point of view. And please try to avoid adjectives. You may do this by writing a scene (fictional or real life), a poem, or an essay.

2) List ten things you believe in. Choose one you feel most passionate about and write something about it.

most of the decisions that i made were based on my feelings, or gut feel to be exact. many would say, never make a decision when your emotions are high, but i’m actually like that. i’m not the type of person who would ask someone for advice, or if i do, the purpose is not to seek help but to affirm my already formulated decision. nor i’m the type who would weigh the pros and cons of a certain thing. i’d say i always trust my instincts. my instincts are not always right, but i’m always happy.

ten things that i believe in? i believe

in the existence of God, in the power of prayer, in miracles

in love

that faith can move mountains

that if it’s meant to be, it will be

that i i believe something good will happen, it will (and vice versa)

in heaven and hell, in life after death

that absence makes the heart grow fonder

that everything happens for a reason

in Christmas, in Santa Claus and reindeers

that firecrackers drive bad spirits away

(sorry, the title sounded like a promotional campaign.)
i recently discovered smithmag, a site that encourages its readers to share their personal stories by joining their story projects. recently, it challenges its readers to tell their stories in six words. the site has actually published a book, called Not Quite What I Was Planning, a memoir of sorts by famous and “obscure” writers who told their accounts in just six words.
accordingly, the project’s inspiration is writer (ernest?) hemingway. legend has it that he was challenged to write a story using only six words. thus, the launch of the project.
it was interesting to read contribution in the book. one wrote “cursed with cancer, blessed with friends;” meanwhile, another said, “i still make coffee for two;” and still, one quoted, “i like big butts, can’t lie.” pretty interesting, aren’t they? nice conversation starters. moreover, they can also be mind exercises (nerd me!!!).
so, after reading some of those quotes, i wracked my brain to produce this: “writer turned banker; letters, then, numbers.” (pretty amateur eh.) i’m still squeezing my brain to produce creative juices.. that’s it for now. you, can you tell your story in six words?

how does one start writing, again? how does one renew ties with the pen and paper after a long hiatus? is there such a thing as a writer’s block, for if there is, it hit me three years ago and i still haven’t found the cure.

three years ago, i thought i landed my dream job. straight from college, i was hired by a PR agency as a creative writer and was paid a decent salary. i was the first to get a job among my classmates and my parents were proud of me. but barely 10 months after, i resigned and decided never to write again.

writing for that company was an awful experience for me. it was very stressful.

i worked 10 hours a day only to find out the next day that my article needed rewriting. or that my article got scrapped. or that my boss simply decided to add something or to completely change the angle of my story. i was as good as my last article.

looking back, i realized that maybe, i shouldn’t have given up writing. maybe, i simply didn’t fit the job description, or vice versa.

so i decided to start scribbling again. and i’m afraid that i have already forgotten the rules. i am not a believer of writer’s block. nor of the saying that writers are born, not made. and so, i’m starting again, knowing only one thing–i want to move souls again, using my ink and paper.

this time, there’s no turning back.

and i mean serious.

i have had so many blogs before which, to my dismay, turned out to be just an online diary where i usually update my group of friends on how my life’s going. i have attempted to write about so many things, being the writer that i am. i tried to write sensibly, but it always ended short of my expectations.

i was a writer and still consider myself as one, despite my change of career. i plan to write again. i want to write again, to start moving souls through my pen. i had been a writer since grade v and i intend to be one until the end.

now, this is really serious blogging.