Istoryan Writers

[shaxyra]

---

February

It is when actions differ from words
And words becomes worthless
Tears on the verge of falling
Yet a smile for them to see
It’s when melancholy strikes
Feelings so hard to hide
Then one refuses to see
One refuses to feel
The tears now that begins flows
When one says she has to go
He has to let her go…
It begins with “because I have to do this”
And ends with “but I still love you”
The latter most probably unheard
Then it ends… it just ends…
Just like that


-march 4, 2006-

[shaxyra]

..oh... i didn't get to read the contest and it's too late

[diem]

@shaxyra, no worries because there will be more writing contests and literary competitions about in the coming days. I'll keep posting news and announcements so just keep true to this thread

********

"Could you write me a love story?"

Derek turned to her and caught those strange yet attractive lightbrown eyes watching him. Sasha smiled, a punchline on her lips, to distract the warm feeling spreading from her voice to her cheeks. But Derek saw it, the redness, and it stilled him.

Awkwardly, he turned away, his words stumbled out. "A love story...?"

"My love story."

He turned to her, "What for?"

"Isn't it interesting? My love life is interesting anyway."

"Maybe for you."

She smiled, "Maybe."

Derek fell quiet, trying to write the notes from his journal to Sasha's journal. A part of him wondered why did he do this? Sasha's a friend, a good friend indeed, but these little orders, these little demands were now getting a bit too far. Tsk, she's spoiled now, because Derek made it so.

The quietness disturbed him. He stole a glimpse at Sasha and saw her unnaturally quiet. Despite her modest lips, she was quite a talker. Her slim hands moved as she gave descriptions and accounts. Her eyes would change shape as she made expressions but they remained bright in her fair, heart-shaped face. But those same eyes are now directed far into the distance with a serene gaze.

Derek reached into his pocket and pulled out a coin in his fingers. This he slapped in the table for her attention.

"A piso for your thoughts."

Sasha smiled-frowned but she quickly took the coin away anyway. "I was thinking.. you can't write me a love story..."

She sighed, he waited.

"Because I don't have a love life worth writing about..."

He tried to be clever by saying, "That's not my problem."

"I didn't say it was!" She was angry. She quickly calmed down.

Derek worked on transferring the notes to hers. How many times had he done this for her? Ten times? Twenty? A hundred? Why did she pick him anyway? Could it be as she said that she loved his writing? And I why did he always comply for her? And all those other little favors?

"You like me don't you?" she asked one time she might have forgotten.

His eyebrows replied, what makes you say that?"

"Because of the things you do."

He tried to be clever by saying, "Then.. so you must not really like me"

Her face fell in mock surprise, her mouth open, what?

"Because of the things you make me do."

She laughed a smooth bell of a laugh.

Back at the present, Sasha seemed so different in her quietness. Done with his chore, he leaned his gaze at her face and noted she looked pretty well today in warm pink and blue. He never got a chance like this to study her because she was always talking, they were always moving and he was always listening to that voice, to that sound, to her ideas, her feeling aloud.

Now, looking at her, he realized she had the face that he wouldn't mind looking at everyday. She turned to him, eyes straight and Derek could see himself in Sasha's clear gaze.

Red blew again on Sasha's fair face. "What?" Her friend Derek never knew what a piercing gaze he had, how it made her feel those moments she caught him staring-- like he knew everything about her and that he saw her like no one else could. "What?"

Derek blinked and turned away, he looked like a thousand decisions ran though his mind. "Okay.."

"What.. okay?"

"Okay. I'll help you write your love story."

What the old should tell the young, Derek's grandfather said so many times, is to make mistakes as often as you can, as carefully as you can.

The grandfather, who Derek admired and loved, continued as sure as if he was there with Derek now. Make mistakes often, that's how we get to live better but do so carefully, so that you could live with the consequences.

"Okay, I'll help you make your love story," Derek decided and he looked at her, thinking of what he would do in the next few moments could be a mistake, or it could not be. But he would not do it alone. She had to be a part of it.

A small grin adorned Sasha's face. "How? When I don't have a love life ha?"

That was the cue. She gave it.

Derek quickly leaned to her and planted his lips on one of Sasha's cheeks. As quickly he leaned forward, quick too did he leaned back. He watched her for her reaction.

She touched her cheek right where his lips landed, her fingers reminding her the mild pressure. She smiled shyly and her eyes looked at Derek with a shy question.

Derek tried to look confident, suave but it was hard because he realized he wasn't breathing at all. When he drew breath, he appeared cool. He gave Sasha's hand a reassuring squeeze and held it like so.

Sasha did not pull away. She bowed her head, her eyes now seemed distant in their inward stare, looking over many details and memories, perhaps remembering the words and events that led up to this sweet and precious moment.

The young lady leaned forward and found Derek's sure shoulder. The hold on her hand did not let up and it sent kind sensations through her like a transfusion as rich and vitalizing as if it were that of blood.

Derek's arm moved on its own, the youth did not seem overly conscious and wrapped itself round the back of her waist, anchoring itself.

But for Sasha, it felt like an invitation so she moved closer to him, and her skin touched the warmth of his clothes. She raised her head, rested her chin on his shoulder. Cheek to cheek, They sat in a pleasant, near embrace.

"Sasha?" Derek finally said her name, his voice's breath smooth on her ear.

Sasha smiled, her eyes looking upwards to a clear blue sky. "You're my love story."

This is only the beginning.

[Von!-x]

I'll resume writing soon. I already wrote a few paragraphs but the story line in my head kept on changing.

[shaxyra]

..same here.. cnt seem to finish what i've started.. tsktsk

[thisbe.ara]

@diem: i love your could you write me a love story. it's realistic and cute.
@shaxyra: love your poem.

Question to everyone: Is it true that writers are moody? That's what they generally say. Oftentimes, we just can't write because we are not "in the mood". If so, then is the thing such called "writer's block" considered as something felt when we are not in the "mood" to write? or is "writer's block" just a phenonemon or an excuse not to write? *weird thinkin*

[diem]

@von-x, good to know bro you're still pursuing the passion. Keep it up.

One good way (because I did it myself often enough to know it works.. for me) to stabilize your storyline is to say it aloud. Tell it like its a story. As long as you have beginning, middle and end anchored down to definites and specifics, then it will be okay.

Better than telling it aloud is, of course, writing it down. Write until the end. Don't think, don't edit. Just write it first, start, middled and end. Once you're done with that 1st draft, then you can think about it, review it, enhance it, change it.

@shaxyra, all artists have that problem of finishing what they started. Apparently we're prone to distractions and procastination.

Sometimes constant affirmation helps, "I'm going to finish what I started."

Sometimes you've got to be tough on yourself, remembering that life is short. Time wasted is Time wasted, and its not coming back.

@thisbe.ara, thanks for your compliment. I often find that writing "episodes", moments in life stimulating and real. Honestly though the piece is kind of raw...

As to your question, all artists are known to have temperaments. It stems from both fancy and frustration.

Think of it this way, remember the time that this wonderful idea comes to you, an inspiration that brings an aspect of amazing vision that adds color to your mind? And what do you do? You want to express it, make it real, recreate it so that others may share with that feeling when you first thought of it...

But as you try to recreate that vision of astounding imagination through your medium (be it word, art, music etc) you realize what a challenge it is to reproduce the same thing in all its perfection. There is a gulf between what lies in the mind and what lies in the physical reality... to cross it requires ability, patience and passion.  Generally not all people have that.

"Mood", "writer's block", "laziness"-- what ever one may call it, is just a natural inability of people to bring what is in the mind into reality. Honestly it is a big task, an even bigger task is to do it well for others to take notice.

But I believe that once potential has burned into passion and once passion is controlled into discipline, then anyone can go over beyond "mood" or "the block", even beyond the demands and distractions of life.

One must challenge oneself, or seek challenges from others.

[iskay_ais]

it's always been my dream ( to be a proffessional writer, i mean i write on my journals )...and i hope it doesnt end as a dream

[diem]

@iskay_ais if you start/keep on writing, then it won't end up as a dream. :mrgreen: If you really wish to write, you might want to read back on that post of mine ON WRITING.

I've been trying to keep this page interesting for readers and aspiring writers. So far I've been posting my own creative works and inviting others to do the same since one big hurdle for aspiring writers is to post their works public, fearing ridicule and harsh comments. Valid fears because if you do not take care in reviewing and revising your works, these would often happen.

What I would like to see is more participation from the closet Istoryan writers out there. Though I'm not the kind to mentor (I would rather write than teach), I'm asking for any suggestions for activities to bring life into this thread and get others to participate more frequently (to increase the number of posting pages).

Just post it here on the thread for discussion or you could relay it to me via PM :-p

Please reflect on this:

One time, the world's greatest writer held a symposium on the craft of writing. There was such a media build-up that established authors, aspiring authors, avid readers and fans came to attend this momentous occasion for it is often known that this amazing individual is reclusive from the public eye.

So at the start of the symposium, the world's greatest writer came to the front of the stage. All talk dimmed down to a still silence as the audience await the words from the master.

"So you want to know how to write well?"

Through that great multitude of heads, there was a simultaneous nod.

"Then what the hell are you here for? Go home and write!"

At that, the greatest writer in the world strode off the stage.

[b]

[metatron]

workshops, anyone?

[br]Posted on: October 05, 2006, 01:21:04 AM_________________________________________________

i'm corresponding with a group of Manila-based professional writers who want to hold a seminar on writing here in cebu. I'm helping them get information. hopefully this would push through. keep you posted on the details.

kumusta na ni? but why manila-based?