Happy Dragon Boat Festival! Continue reading “Reflection: A Little Update”
Tag: Creative Writing
The Singer
She glanced out into the crowd Continue reading “The Singer”
Reflection: Fate, Destiny, Curse
Have you ever heard the saying: you will learn more about a person after they die than you will ever learn when they were alive. Continue reading “Reflection: Fate, Destiny, Curse”
Late Night and Awkward Morning
Last night, right before I went to bed, mom burst into my room, tablet in her hand, and told me sadly my grandfather had passed away. Continue reading “Late Night and Awkward Morning”
A Tale on World Ending
Okay, this is the second part to the previous post and since I’ve gotten everything off my chest, it’s time for the prompt. When I saw the prompt this morning, I was like, “No, you’re not serious. Are you serious?” Yes, WordPress was serious.
So here’s my short answer for the prompt. No, the world isn’t ending tomorrow and I’m not going to tell about my last dinner. In the last week, I unconsciously gained a pound. It will take forever to go back down. However I will tell a story on the matter of world ending.
In 2011, mom’s friend came to visit us and we spent two days visiting Yellowstone. On the first day, we visited the north part of Yellowstone and the south on the second day. As we drove along Yellowstone River and eventually reached Yellowstone Lake, her friend’s son, Ryan, looked out the window to the lake and said excitedly, “This is just like in the movie.”
“What movie?” Mom asked curiously.
“2012,” Her friend told her and began elaborating the movie. She revealed the plot and all the different locations that were used to shoot the film.
I tuned out because I did not want to know and if you haven’t seen it yet, I don’t want to spoil it. F.Y.I., it’s a movie about the world ending. But typical mom’s friend. People around me’s more or less the same. They like to spoil things. When we watch a movie or a show, they tend to focus on what everyone in the movie’s wearing instead on the plot or they’ll tell you what the entire thing’s about before watching it.
In late 2011, mom became so curious that she got a copy of the movie. We watched it together and as usual, when it
came to TV shows and movies, mom’s got the attention span of a baby. If the plot isn’t fast enough, she’ll quit watching in about 15 minutes, 30 minutes tops. And she did, leaving me to finish the bloody and graphic scenes all on my own. I didn’t want to watch it but I was too damn curious and it left me wondering why. Why December 21, 2012? Because coincidentally, that is the eleventh anniversary of my arrival in the U.S.
I remember in 2012, some people were particularly antsy, probably having seen the movie, they were convinced the world would end. So on April 21, 2012, there was this big event. I can’t remember the name but it’s like a preparation for the apocalypse sort of thing.
It was a ridiculous idea, the apocalypse and world ending. It was merely based on books and the ancient Mayan Calendar. I even recall my science teacher telling me in high school that the world is not set to end for another 1000 years. Pfft, 1000 years? I’ll be dust and I’ll be careless then. My descendants can fend for themselves then.
I did watch the movie, 2012, again when the rest of the family came visit the summer of 2012. I didn’t want to because I didn’t want to spend the entire movie translating every sentence and every word when no one else was watching it but me. But mom said I had to let it play through and that’s through my computer via HDMI. So there went my three hours.
As for the apocalypse, obviously, it didn’t happen. The world was safe and sound as I ushered in another year in the U.S. on December 21 that year as well as many years after that. I know some people was braced for the impossible though. The news reported it that evening and I had a good laugh about it.
Freestyle Writing Challenge
When I saw almost every blogger I’m currently following are being challenged one way or another to participate in the Freestyle Writing Challenge, I knew it would be a matter of time before one of my favorite bloggers tosses my name in the ring. Continue reading “Freestyle Writing Challenge”
Dream Tale
I have written a similar prompt when I did Writing 101, to read it, click here. As for a song for the future, it’s too soon to decide.
My brain woke up quite early this morning, way before my eyes wanted to open anyway, and spent a good hour or so lying in bed listening to my mom’s loud phone call while thinking about the incredible dream I had. It was so incredible that I now have this story implanted in my head but I can’t write it because for one, it was way too spotty, like, why did these events happen and for another, it’s rather silly to talk about.
Should I at least say something about it? Then be on my merry way to finish my novella. I was so incredibly close last night and I thought I would go to sleep to have a dream that will tell me what to write next but instead, this strange dream is now keeping me from writing anything. Oh yes, it is a definite yes. I have to talk about the dream.
The dream started with the song “Bye Bye Bye,” you know the song by the popular 90’s boy band, Nsync? I have no idea how that song got in my head. The last time I heard that song was almost a month ago when I was driving home from something. It was a weird rendition, live, by a church choir.
Next, the dream became me sitting in front of my computer, in the dead of night searching editing jobs on the freelancing job-site and strangely, I won a bid. I was to proofread this document and send it back. The document was quite badly written. The most distinct error I remember from the dream was Howre’re you. I have a feeling someone is terrible in spelling.
Then I can feel time sped forward a few weeks because I found myself pacing in my room. Apparently, I haven’t received the payment for my job. My tablet suddenly let out a loud buzz. It was a phone call in Google Hangout. I answered. This is where the dream turned into an action movie.
I was dressed in black and I was moving stealthily along the side of a building. I had a feeling I was rescuing something. Who, I don’t know. I entered a room that resembled an underground parking lot. The light was so dim that it made everything look green. It’s almost like the kind of place you expect surprises to fly at you at any second. I somehow knew where to go though as my feet voluntarily guided me to the spot where a large man appeared before me and behind him was a woman tied and gagged. I didn’t recognize her but obviously it wasn’t her choice to be in this position.
As I approached, I realized I was only about a third of the man’s size. I ran toward him, apparently that was what dream me did. I fought him, incorporating fighting skills I have only seen in movies and won. Then it all just ended. My sweet dream. I opened my eyes a bit, it was day, and all I could hear was the sound of my mom talking to my aunt on her computer.
I would have posted this sooner to get it off my chest but the moment I began to sit down and write, she’s got something else for me to do. Some other problem. Some other chaos that needed attention. *sigh*
There went my whole morning.
Frisbee Mode
It is really not that hard to get me in “the zone” but once I’m in “the zone” Continue reading “Frisbee Mode”
Perchance a Good Dream?
I am an awkward sleeper. Continue reading “Perchance a Good Dream?”
Jealousy
Oh, you cannot believe how often I get jealous of people who are smarter than me, pretty than me, thinner than me, and taller than me. Guess where I get that from? My mother. Continue reading “Jealousy”
Writing 101: Death to Abverb
I told you I was doing Writing 101 in random order, didn’t I? Anyway, the point of the assignment to go to a cafe, park, or a public place and write something that is inspired by what I see. There’s a catch, I cannot use any adverb. Continue reading “Writing 101: Death to Abverb”
A Quick Synopsis
Today’s prompt asks: Write a summary of the book you’ve always wanted to write for the back cover of its dust jacket. Continue reading “A Quick Synopsis”
Writing 101: Your Personality on the Page
The assignment is to write about a fear, anxiety, or worry. The twist is to write it in a style that is distinctive from my own. I’m not exactly sure what other styles there are to writing but I’m going to try my best. Continue reading “Writing 101: Your Personality on the Page”
Writing 101: The Things We Treasure
Today’s prompt is way way way too similar to the one I did on March 23 that it’s practically identical. If you wish to read my response, it’s right here. Therefore I’m going to do Writing 101 instead. The assignment is to write a story about my most prized possession. Continue reading “Writing 101: The Things We Treasure”
Writing 101: Happy Fast Food
People say childhood are the best years of a person’s life. Continue reading “Writing 101: Happy Fast Food”
Writing 101: Give and Take
The assignment is to write a post based on the compare and contrast of two things. This is also a response for today’s prompt: Pick a letter, any letter. Now, write a story, poem, or post in which every line starts with that letter. Continue reading “Writing 101: Give and Take”
Unpredictable Transformation
Today’s prompt asks: When the full moon happens, you turn into a person who’s the opposite of who you normally are. Describe this new you. Continue reading “Unpredictable Transformation”
My Collection
I recently began to compile all the short stories I have written into a mini-collection. There’s almost enough there for me to turn it into a book. So who knows, it might be my first published work. I even already have a title for it, “A Light in the Dark: A Collection of Short Stories”.
So is a blurb really necessary? Because I know that most people nowadays read ebooks. At least I can’t remember when was the last time I picked an actual book. Also there’s no book jacket in ebooks. So what’s the point?
But since that’s what today’s prompt asks, I might as well write something. Enjoy. 🙂
So here’s the gist…
I believe at some point, everyone experience sadness, darkness, misery, you name it. It all just depends on when. This collection of short stories is about my fantasy and life. A few years ago, I went through a period of misery, sadness, and anger. I lost my interest in school and life. I watched the days just slide on by.
One day, I decided to get over it, to shine a light in all of this darkness. What did I do? I closed my eyes and whisked myself to another world. Then all of a sudden, a part of my fantasy came to life.
It was hard to believe that a few months ago when I peeked into my files that I discover I have written so many short stories. I am so excited to be able to share such collection with you and I hope you enjoy my short stories as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Temporary Home
No one was fated to spend a life in such a small space, especially not these brothers, just barely getting by, dependent on its caretakers to feed and bathe them. The book, Temporary Home, chronicles the brothers’ daily life and reading their story will bring you to tears.
Temporary Home begins in the brothers’ early days when they had spent in an aquarium. They had many great friends but somehow their friends would disappear now and then. Their then-caretaker told them he had found a great home for their friends. On that fated day, their future caretaker, a girl with long silky black hair and glasses approached the tank. “Which do you like?” Their caretaker had asked the girl.
The girl pointed at the brothers and at that moment, they knew the girl would be their new home. The moment they arrived at their new home, the girl fed them pellets she had bought at the store, just three. The brothers ate hungrily and after that eyed the container of pallet, wanting more but their owner had stopped caring for them.
A few months later, the brothers were passed onto their owner’s friends while their owner went on vacation. The brothers’ life at the friends were even worse. They spent day after day, almost drowning in their urine and feces.
A few months later, the brothers were once again passed onto another. This time, a lady and a girl. At first glance, the brothers knew they would be the same as the friends but at the same time, they knew this would be different. They were right.
Their new caretakers made sure they were well-fed, clean, and warm. This was the best home they ever had but they knew this is not forever. Eventually, they would have to return to their lives of starvation and misery.
My review: five out five stars, definitely.
I love the personification of this book. The author portrait the turtle brothers like real people. Reading it the first time, you can never tell whether it was talking about the life of a person or animals. The brothers seemed so real.
It definitely made me cry, alright especially the part of the brothers not getting enough to eat. I felt so bad for them. No one should be starved. So yes, I will definitely recommend this book even if it’s not written.
Writing 101: Point of View
Okay, I’m going out of order here so I can catch up with this week’s writing 101 assignments. This is Day 9’s assignment. I hope you will enjoy my bit of flash. 🙂 Continue reading “Writing 101: Point of View”
Writing 101: A Character-Building Experience
I do not know her. We have never met before. Continue reading “Writing 101: A Character-Building Experience”
Socializing is Not for Me
In 2006, I was given a fresh start. I had moved to a new city, new state, new home, new school. For the first time, I got to choose my classes, not the other way around. I finally got to be in classes I would have never thought I could like web design and choir. Continue reading “Socializing is Not for Me”
The Museum of New Ages
Today’s prompt asks: A hundred years from now, a major museum is running an exhibition on life and culture as it was during our current historical period. You’re asked to write an introduction for the show’s brochure. What will it say? Continue reading “The Museum of New Ages”
