Dear reader This will be my last essay post for 2023 as I take my annual year-end break from long-form writing. (I will however still attempt a weekly poem when I can cos, what can I say? Poetry's my jam!) As a fitting adieu to a busy writing year, I will share about three writers … Continue reading Three Published Writers Who Helped My Writing
Two months ago, I launched this mini-series that talks about the dreaded writer's block. It was all about how simply starting any writing with one true sentence can unlock any writer's creative juices. I followed that up with a second piece last month about how, when stuck, writers need to go even deeper into their … Continue reading Curing Writer’s Block #3 — A Quote (or Four) To Inspire Writers
Recently, I found out about a podcast singing contest helmed by one of my favorite singer/songwriters to walk this planet, Sara Bareilles. At the same time, I found a related interview with her in Forbes about this contest (aptly called Breakthrough; unlike other singing contests, judges in this one listen to but don't see contestants … Continue reading Curing Writer’s Block #2 – Going Deeper Together
This week, I was reminded of what the great Ernest Hemingway once said, All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know. By this, Hemingway would effectively beat writer's block. Once he could write a single true sentence, Hemingway found himself able to write the next sentence. … Continue reading Curing Writer’s Block #1 — Start with one true sentence
Dear Mr. Xavier Yap First and foremost, may I call you Xavier? I know it's presumptuous of me to ask since you don't know me. And, up until January 22, 2022, when news about you first broke nationwide, the rest of Singapore and I didn't know you either. This week, however, we found out more … Continue reading Letter To A Special Needs Dad — On Faith. Hope. And Love.
A classic song from Sir Elton John starts with this line: It's a little bit funny; this feeling inside. I think it aptly describes my funny feeling now as I type this post, after announcing last week I've knocked out 500 posts since starting my blog four years ago. Despite what I claimed the past … Continue reading Life after 500 posts — feeling stuck or in a sweet spot?!
Today I realize I'm just a week away from clocking my 500th blog post! When I started this blog back in April 2019, I never imagined I'll have the stamina to come this far. Nor did I think I would have enough content to deliver a blog post every single week. Yet here I am, … Continue reading Reflections as I approach my 500th blog post!
Hey! You might remember exactly a month ago today, I posted about attending my first synchronous online memoir writing course, lasting eight weekly sessions. No? Well, please do check out that post. Then, what I'm sharing below will be more meaningful, when you return here to read it. You see, for this course that I'm … Continue reading “Clouds in my heart” — another memoir chapter excerpt
Shhhh....can you keep a secret? You can? Great! Here it is. I've finally signed up for a full-fledged memoir writing course! Granted this memoir course was completely online, but it's done synchronously every week for eight weeks. And that for me, is a first. I know I know. As my faithful blog follower (errr...you are, … Continue reading My first synchronous online memoir writing course
I was planning to post the 4th installment of this mini-series -- on how to write unceasingly -- next month. But I just couldn't wait! You see, I believe what I'm about to share is the culmination of all the "how-to's" about attention collectibles I've been sharing since the start of the series. And wouldn't … Continue reading Writers need “attention collectibles” to write well #4/4 — “Little Stories of Your Life”
