Sssssteamy!

It was a natural progression, I guess. After getting my fill of romance novellas that was on the "awww" side that barely touched on the big S word (steamy--what were you thinking??), I was drawn to the steamier side of romance, mainly because my #romanceclass-mates were trying their hand in writing it.

Sure, I tried crafting my own, but darn it, I was already reaching the end of the story with no steamy scene in sight. I threw in the towel and settled for the next best thing: reading steamy stories.

I started with the foreign ones: Tessa Bailey, Victoria Dahl, Melanie Harlow, Liliana Rhodes. And they were really well-paced, well-written and the S-word was done in  unabashed and at (times, barely bordering on) tasteful ways. These authors were a brave breed, I thought.

Soon after I found myself reading Chrissie Peria's The Kitchen when It Sizzles, and I loved how it melded the steamy with the cooking. The phrase that did it for me was really "Chinese sticky pork ribs" when the guy cooked it for the girl the first time. As soon as I read that phrase, I immediately thought of something that was dark-sauced and sweet and savory at the same time, and would go well with rice--lots of it. It's this type of imagery that got me hooked because Peria knows how to craft words that make specific images to pop in your head, making you crave, not only for the dishes mentioned in the book, but also for that...uh, other thing.

I loved how the novella wasn't just about the S-word, but also gave out actual cooking tips on the fly. It read as naturally as how the romance between the two characters developed. It's hard to believe that it's Peria's first steamy novella attempt--which is why, I think, it's only proper for her to serve up seconds, and thirds and more of her work.

Then I picked up Mina Esguerra's The Harder We Fall and I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't full-on, oh-yeah-give-it-to-me sssteamy. It was an effective transition from her former sweet romance novellas so loyal readers won't be shocked at Esguerra's sexified writing style.  As always, dialogues read effortlessly as did the plot development. And I have to tell you, you have to watch out for The Shower Scene. I really loved how it was handled--so subtle yet so...there's no other word for it but hot.

The story's romantic but definitely more mature, and I think Esguerra's fans, who have matured with her writing style, will have a squeal-fest over this one.

IT'S OUT!

My second novella baby, Once upon a Player, is now available on Amazon and Smashwords.  I've also set up its Goodreads page. And if you want, you can read the first three parts on Wattpad.

I'm starting another new romance novella, This Side of Sunny, also on Wattpad,  but without the hurried frenzy of last time. I took on some writing projects (yes, I write for a living, too!) that will keep me busy for the rest of the year. Still, I'm hoping to finish This Side of Sunny this year.

Oops, my toddler is awake! Gotta log out.

Cover Reveal!

The book is still in the revision stage but big thanks to hubby, who designed the cover, I can already do a cover reveal. Can't wait to release this baby :-)

Meanwhile, I've taken down the complete novella from Wattpad, leaving only the first three parts of the book. 

In other news, I'm starting a new project, a YA fantasy this time and I plan to enter it in this really cool thing that might get it published. If you're into writing YA stuff, you should join, too!

Life is too short for just wishing and planning. Go ahead and take that first step in fulfilling your dream. :-)

Once upon a Player--coming soon!

These days, it's all about revising, revising, revising.

My second romance novella, Once upon a Player, will hit e-book stands hopefully in July (next month!).  It's been one helluva ride finishing it because like I mentioned in my previous post, I uploaded each chapter on Wattpad as soon as I wrote it. At first, I was finishing one chapter a week. But towards ACT 3, I had a sudden burst of writing energy and I was finishing two a week!

I just want to get the birthing process over with because a new season, at least here in the Philippines (Shakey's V-league), is coming up and I want the story to coincide with all the volleyball feels fans will be drowning in once it starts.

The whole thing, raw version, is still actually up on Wattpad. Once the e-book is ready to make its grand entrance, I will be taking down the story except for the first three chapters. So if you want to take a look at it, with all the typos and inconsitencies in all their written glory, check out my story here. So far it has 5,000+ reads and I'm happy to note that they're not all local readers.  A lot of them come from Brazil, where v-ball is this HUGE thing.

Also, my first romance novella, Vintage Love is free on Amazon for two more days! It's bundled up with two other terrific stories: Cover (Story) Girl by Chris Mariano and All's Fair in Blog and war by Chrissie Peria. Download it now and join the other 500+ readers who did. We got downloads from all over (UK, US, Brazil, etc.) Mina Esguerra, our awesome mentor, who's just as awesome in writing romance novellas (do check out her work) made this happen. Click this to get your copy!

finally, an update!

After finishing a short story for children, I'm finally working on a new romance novella project. It revolves around a sport--quite a challenge since I've never been involved in one, though I've always dreamed of being an athlete.  The closest I've gotten to this goal is doing a few years of yoga and my current love affair with zumba.

The story is basically about a collegiate volleyball player and her quest for romance. Now, college volleyball is something the hubby and I have followed avidly, and this season, I've been inspired to restart this writing project because my favorite team has finally won the championship after three consecutive years of being second best.

You can follow its progress here.

I thought of uploading each chapter as soon as I finished it just so I could fool myself into thinking that people are actually reading the story, and are waiting in delicious anxiety for the next installment. It helps minimize the dilly-dallying.

Thanks, friends, for the support. :-)

Go Ahead--Judge It By Its Cover

Chrissie Peria's All's Fair in Blog and War was the first piece published under Mina Esguerra's #romanceclass--a good thing 'cause it pretty much set the bar for the succeeding novellas.

 First off, it had a pretty, pretty cover that had everyone ooh-ing and aah-ing, and buying the book on the spot. So if you were one of those who did just that, then you made the right decision because the story is as charming as its cover.

 The book talks about the rivalry between Five and Jesse, travel bloggers who find themselves partners in a press junket to Macau.

I loved how the book had seamlessly woven the travel bit with the characters' own romantic journey. It also gave me an inside look on how professional blogging works, and how romantic Macau could be. It was so successful in packaging Macau as a place of romance that I thought the country should be pegged as "Asia's Paris." And yes, it made me want to go there, and bring the book along with me as an unofficial travel guide.

So if you're looking for a light, quick read, take a chance on this independently published book. It will definitely add color (love the combined sparkly purple and pink), not only to your bookshelf, but also to an otherwise doldrum day.

[Blog Tour]: Guardians of Tradition by Mae Astrid Tobias

Mae Astrid Tobias (1979-2009)

Author, Explorer, and My All-Around "Go go go" Girl

I met Astrid when were both writers for a DepEd-sponsored children's show back in 2002. While thinking of ways how to creatively explain to kiddie viewers the technicalities of Filipino language such as the "parirala," "kataga" and "karaniwan at 'di pangkaraniwang ayos ng pangungusap," we bonded over our love for children's literature, along with writers from the other shows.

Two years later, I joined KUTING, an organization of writers for children, of which Astrid became a president for two years. Under her leadership, there came an influx of promotional projects and publishing opportunities. And it was because of her "powers of negotiation" that I was able to publish my first ever book via the environmental NGO, Haribon. 

As the years passed, my friendship with Astrid, along with my two other KUTING-mates Dang and Liwliwa, grew. This led to a series of pajama parties, wherein we had massages, and basically gabbed about our writerly and travel (both of equal importance) plans. We pegged Astrid as the "go go go girl" because that was her favorite expression.  If you'd say you want to go to Europe, win a Palanca, or go swimming in the ADMU GS pool next week, she'd get all excited for you and say, "Go, go, go!"

Even when it came to planning our group trips, she had this sense of urgency--she wanted to do everything right away. The rest of us would just sit back, marvel at her endless enthusiasm and energy, and would reply (a bit condescendingly): Relax lang, Astrid. Marami pa tayong oras.

Little did we know that Astrid was right to urge us on, to force us to get off our butts to do things with her. She didn't know it herself either, but a year later after our first barkada trip to Bohol, she succumbed to lupus.

It was a shock, yes, but also a wake up call. A year after her demise, Liwliwa, Dang and I hiked up Mount Pulag (included in Astrid's travel wish list) and upon reaching the summit, shouted her name as a glorious sunrise unfurled before us. 

Even after she had left, Astrid still moved us to start achieving things. She had left an unfinished children's book in her wake, and I volunteered to continue writing it. My byline's right there on the cover, but really, I merely continued the work she started.

And so now, I am more than happy to talk about another wonderful work of hers that perfectly melds her two advocacies: empowering children and championing our Filipino-ness.

Who are the indigenous and folk artists of the Philippines? Guardians of Tradition is full of facts about 11 of Philippine master weavers, folk musicians, performing artists, mat weavers and metal smiths whose talents and skills have earned them the title Manlilikha ng Bayan. Designed to help children recognize native Filipino ingenuity and creativity, the book includes fun activities to promote appreciation for culture and arts. Guardians of Tradition has a fun and colorful design that appeals to young readers.

For the duration of the Guardians of Tradition Blog Tour, Guardians of Tradition is available at discounted prize at the Adarna showroom in Quezon City. For international readers and Filipinos abroad, an ebook version is coming soon.

Read up on it on Goodreads, and order it through Adarna Books.

Here's an excerpt from the section, Blanket of Dreams:

"Lang Dulay of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato has been weaving t’nalak since she was twelve years old. T’nalak is what the T’boli call the three-colored cloth made from fine abaca fiber. The three colors of the t’nalak represent the three places where the T’boli believe the soul goes when one dies. Hitem (black) is for people who died because of natural causes. Hulo (red) for those who died violently like by a bullet or a blade. Bukay (white) is for those who take taken their lives and those whose deaths were untimely.

The T’boli weavers, like Lang Dulay, get the designs for their t’nalak from their dreams. They believe that when Fu Dalu, the spirit of the abaca, shows them the design in their dreams, they must immediately weave it into cloth or else they might fall ill and soon forget the pattern. Sometimes, the designs are passed on from generation to generation, from grandmother to grandchild. Lang Dulay knows a hundred designs like the bulinglangit (clouds), the bangkiring (hair bangs), and the kabangi (butterfly).

When Lang Dulay became a Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan awardee, she was able to build a traditional long house where she teaches younger women how to weave."

Interested? Well, go ahead and join the raffle (Astrid would love this part) with the following as giveaways:

One $25 Amazon Gift Card + signed copy of Guardians of Tradition from Adarna + 1 CD of National Living Treasure Bayan Sumaon Sulaiman from NCCA

3 $10 Amazon Gift Card + signed copy of Guardians of Tradition from Adarna + 1 CD of National Living Treasure Bayan Sumaon Sulaiman from NCCA

6 signed copies of Guardians of Tradition from Adarna + 6 CDs of National Living Treasure Bayan Sumaon Sulaiman from NCCA

Just join the rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Finally, I leave you with Astrid's official bio that screams "Go, go, go!" from start to finish.  

Mae Astrid Tobias (1979-2009) was a Palanca-award winning author of children's books. In addition to Guardians of Tradition, her books include Blue Bananas (Crucible), Bayong ng Kuting (Lampara Books), My Forest Friends (Haribon), Bakawan (Adarna Books) and two books retelling the Ifugao traditional chant, hudhud. These are Halikpon: A Retelling of an Ancient Ifugao Chant and Pumbakhayon: An Origin Myth of the Ifugao Hudhud. Both are finalists for children’s literature and best design in the 2006 National Book Awards of the Manila Critics Circle.

She also spent several years in the field of children’s television. She served as the Manila Bureau Manager of Kabataan News Network, a project of UNICEF and Probe Media Foundation that trains young people nationwide how to produce their own broadcast quality documentaries. She also also wrote episodes for children shows like Sirit!, and ABS-CBN and Eskuwela ng Bayan, as well as worked for Philippine Junior Inquirer and Shell Foundation. She was a member of Kuwentista ng mga Tsikiting  (KUTING), an organization of Filipino writers for children.

I'm so proud of you, pinktikbalang. We miss you very much.