Writer's Block

Think! Think! Think!

 

Writer's block is a condition, primarily associated with writing, in which an author loses the ability to produce new work. (Wikipedia)

 

Am I really suffering from writer's block or simply lazy to write? Lol. Hard to distinguish, really.  Sometimes, I have this dire need to write, all my thoughts collated, but just do not know how to put everything in writing. Or just do not how to make a start. Probably, I'm thinking of a good and catchy phrase to start with. Or I'm more specific with my choice of words. (Admit it, we tend to be more conscious with our grammar selection.. and I'm feeling it right now, and not that I do not blog with my native tongue, but as a courtesy to my non-Filipino readers)

 

I've been away with blogging for months now and I regret doing it. I should not have done that. I have loads of stories to tell, in which, I promised to share it with my readers. But it feels like I'm not fulfilling it, eh.

 

If blogging happens to be my bread and butter, I'd be dead by now. If I will compare blogging to a produce, it'd gone off. Spoilt. Eww.

 

Writing is my passion, but I will find it more fulfilling if it's being appreciated. A recognition as simple as that wont hurt that much, right? I just had a realization not to stop blogging when a friend  commended me for my works. I did not expect it. Really. He said I have good command of english and that my posts are worth-reading. I did not see it coming that there'll still be someone out there who'll pay attention to my blog.

 

Wake up call! Can I redeem myself for continuing to blog? Of course, I can. So, move over writer's block. I am now feeling the itch to write.

Wander Woman

Wander Woman: The woman who likes to wander around. And it's me! I've come to realized that I like, and love, to travel. Travel with friends. Travel to see the beauty of nature. Travel to taste local delicacies. Travel to own bits and pieces of what the place has to offer. Travel to amaze myself on the numerous wonders our country has to offer. 


We have tons of reasons why we like and love traveling. We even have different ways of defining the word traveling. Some travel for fun. Some involves business. Some travel for research. Some travel seeking for inner peace. Some would like to witness different festivities. Some travel and brag.


For me, traveling is witnessing what a certain place has to offer. I am a visual person so I want to see every bits and pieces. I love taking pictures. I like owning something from where I came from. I love proofs of my travel. That's why whenever I travel, I never sleep. Because I don't want to miss a single thing. Kahit nakaharap pa ako sa isang bundok o bangin.. it's still worth it! I like seating near the window mapa-bus o plane pa sya. Sometimes I tend not to mingle with my seat mate because my eyes were all glued outside. The talk can wait; the scenery can't. 


Traveling doesn't only feed the eyes with the beauty of nature. It also awakens our other senses: taste, touch, hear and smell. Now it's up to you how you'll use each one of them to make the traveling fulfilling. Given that the eyes are for the wonderful sights, the sense of taste applies to the local dishes and delicacies, the sense of touch for feeling the warmth of the people and the surroundings, the sense of hearing while listening to the laughter, cries and stories told by the people and the sense of smell for savoring the scent of a freshly-picked fruit.


There was this moment that I feel like I already knew what I really wanted in life. That was the moment when I am recalling all the travel activities I've made this far. I love to travel. It made, and still making, me happy. I love to write and share what I've experienced to everyone. I can't say that I am gonna take it to a serious level where what I'd only do in life is travel and write. I still have lots of needs to attend to. 


For now I'll just let my creative juices pour out and share it by means of writing. I blog not because it's "in" but this is where I put all my thoughts on things. I care less for people who will scrutinize my posts. After all, they're entitled to their own opinion. I don't have anything in particular when it comes to blogging. Travel. Food. Life experiences. Love problems. Name it. 


I will still continue my passion for travel. I maybe on a tight budget but it's not a great excuse for me not to fulfill what I've wanted. Focus. Self-control. Determination. Continue to feed my mind and my senses with history, pictures, stories, and foods. I travel because I want to know more. I am eager to learn.

BDJ Passion Series: The Love for Fashion and Writing

I believe that a simple planner could do lots of difference, not only to an individual, but also to the whole community. 


On a personal note, I've been using my Belle de Jour Power Planner for four years now. They made my life organized. They gave me a sense of control in managing my life. They hold all my thoughts and feelings, my secrets, my fears and the all the great moments that happened.

With the help of my planner and the love to jot down each and every details of my day-to-day living, it lead me to involve myself into blogging. I believed that I have learnings that's needed to be read and shared. There are certain questions in my mind that's needed to be answered and I thought it would be great getting anyone's share of their views and opinions. I have friends but it would be fun  having my set of friends online. I may not be able to see them personally but I will definitely get to know them thru their comments and messages.


Blogging releases the stress in me (a bit!) and freeing my mind from the whirlwind of thoughts. And it's satisfying to see all your thoughts in writing, just how marvelous you are coming up with those things in mind. It surprises me.


Good thing, Belle de Jour came up with an event that is "for bloggers only.." Having heard of this, I didn't let the moment pass to send in my details and answer their question on why I love to blog. Belle de Jour didn't fail me. I got the slot!

I was surprised to have experienced fashion and writing in a single event. Both were my passion . What added to my surprise was having seen Tricia Gosingtian (triciawillgoplaces.tumblr) and Ana Santos (sexandsensibilities.com) do their share of talks on fashion and writing. I so adored these two gorgeous ladies. I never thought I would have the chance to see them in person, but heard of their name often in the fashion world, online, magazines and blog world. 


Tricia talked on the art of fashion blogging. I love her way of blogging by incorporating pictures (mostly of herself). That is called photo blogging. I can tell Tricia's a very strong-willed person, she never let every opportunity pass her. I admired her for using blog to make fashion friendlier. Her vision is to see people able to dress themselves like the mannequins we often see in boutiques.

She also discussed the essentials of creating a blog. It must have a design, content  and brand. Let people become aware of your individuality and value. Incorporate sophistication on your layout. Cater to a specific demographic.


She relayed that by blogging you get to enjoy some perks. You build personal relations with brands, rare opportunities like mingling with celebrities and other who's who in the society and freebies!


As a fashion blogger herself, she did end the talk by giving helpful styling tips for this year. People can play on color blocking, prints, 60's and 70's inspired and minimalism. This I've got to try!


Ana Santos was a journalist by education and profession, a sexual health activist and the founder of Sex and Sensibilities (an advocacy for health-related issues especially of the reproductive health). It's good to know that she used blogging as an instrument to spread their advocacy. 

Ana talked on finding our writer's voice. To define, a writer's voice is an individual's style of writing. It is what we hear as a constant track in our head.


She revealed that in order for us to find our writer's voice we must start writing. When writing, we have to be experimental. We need to know our writing style. We should not be a victim of our own words. Write what you feel. 


Observing ethics in writing is also a must. Let us respect our readers. Be careful with our choice of words. In turn, we'll build reputation. According to Ana, reputation is like virginity: Once you lose it, it's gone forever!


I may say that for us bloggers, to ignite our passion for blogging, we must remain passionately curious!


My big thanks goes to the girls of BDJ for bringing this kind of event. I believed we were gathered there not only to meet our fellow blogger BDJ girls, not only to plainly sit there and listen, not only to enjoy the freebies but to participate in the discussion, share our views and opinions, and to imbibe the spirit of a true BDJ girl in fashion and in writing.