A Writer's Voice: Of Being a Bookworm And Loving The Fantastic Flying Books

Credit Link:  brewbooks

I don't know if I told you this but... I love books soooo much! ;-)

The words just jump out of their own pages and I am left in this state where I find myself deliciously savoring its lingering essence. I devour books with such passion that sometimes I find it more interesting to bury my head inside the pages of books instead of going out to parties and socializing with others. Not that I'm anti-social. Not really. It's just that I love books so much and I see to it that I spend some moments - during my wakeful state - reading a book (whether online or offline). That's when I'm not busy writing or researching stuff. ;-)

I love books that are inspirational, informative and educational. Stories, poems, essays, etc. It actually depends on what I wanted to read for that day.

But what if books wouldn't have the words to help complete a story? What if the author is still in needles and pins trying to come up with the best ways to tell a tale?

Writers need to find their own voice not merely for the need to be heard in order to stand out in the crowd, but also to be able to convey their ideas, adeptly transfer them on paper or on the computer screen, and lovingly share their work to others. I know that because I've struggled to find mine, too, even though a lot of people told me to find another thing that I would be passionate about.

My love for books encouraged me to join our school's official publication during college. I was a bundle of nerves that time. Luckily, I got in as a news and features writer then.

My first issue with them got two of my articles on the front page. It also got me included in CEGP (College Editors Guild of the Philippines). The next issue, I was promoted to the Editorial Board. And the next issue after that, I became the Editor-in-Chief! It was sooo thrilling!

Corporate work took me in - sometimes as an editor, most of the times as a writer, and on rare occasions, as a teacher. I've worked with an advertising agency, a publishing firm, an International corporation, and schools. I've also worked with a celebrity, and helped edit his books and other articles. I've taught English to Koreans and Filipinos in grades 6 up to the Fourth year Secondary levels.

Don't think I've never gone through rejections.

I did.

It was horrendous!

Having learned most of my skills in college and in a corporate setting, I learned that submitting to (local and international) writing markets was a whole different story.

I cried for days on end after I received my first rejection. It made me feel unsteady, unsure... Nevertheless, I  continued to write.

It paid off. It got two stories of mine published at a local magazine. A poem at another. An article at another. Those were in print; not online.

Now, I'm on the Internet most of the time - brushing up my skills more, ditching old habits, learning new things, meeting (writer) friends from all parts of the globe, and loving every minute of it!

Online work got me editing some earlier chapters of a story written by a prolific American writer. I've also had the chance of making a webinar for a business woman. I've ghostwritten a lot of topics, and I also have my own share of works under my name.

While I have a lot of articles, poems, and stories published (online and offline), I am now entering this stage of publishing my own books, too. It's scary... But I want to do this. I want to do it not only for myself but also for those who would take the time to read and share my work to others.

I'm doing this because I love books sooo much. And having my own books under my name would be such a wonderful accomplishment to look forward to, doncha think so? I'll keep you updated on this. ;-)

You know what else? Of all the things that I've shared with you today, this Oscar Winner for (Animated) Short Films just hits the spot.

To those who weren't able to see it, here's the complete film of "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore."

I'll leave you with this lovely film.

Enjoy!

And keep writing! I hope you find your own voice, too.

I'll see you next post. ;-)