Thursday, January 21, 2010

Iyas and Dumaguete Workshops

Oh dear, got some catching up to do for my writing!

IYAS WORKSHOP NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS
Be One of the 15 Fellows of the 10th IYAS Creative Writing Workshop. This will be held on April 25-May 01, 2010 at the University of St. La Salle, Bacolod City.
• Applicants should submit original work: either 6 poems, 2 short stories, or 2 one-act play using a pseudonym, in five (5) computer-encoded copies of entries; font size 12, bound or fastened, in separate folders, and soft copies in a CD (MSWord).
• These are to be accompanied by a sealed size 10 business envelope with the author's real name and pseudonym, a 2x2 ID photo, and short resume, which must be mailed on or before March 12, 2010.

more details: http://panitikan.com.ph/

Plus this from http://www.su.edu.ph/49th_writersworkshop.html:
Call for Submission of Manuscripts to the
49th
Silliman University National Writers Workshop

The Silliman University National Writers Workshop is now accepting applications for the 49th National Writers Workshop to be held May 3-21, 2010 in Dumaguete City.
This Writers Workshop is offering fifteen fellowships to promising young writers who would like a chance to hone their craft and refine their style. Fellows will be provided housing, a modest stipend, and a subsidy to partially defray costs of their transportation.
To be considered, applicants should submit manuscripts in English on or before March 19, 2010 (seven to ten poems; or three to five short stories; or three to five creative non-fiction essays). Manuscripts should be submitted in hard copy and on CD, preferably in MS Word, together with a resume, a recommendation letter from a literature professor or a writer of national standing, a notarized certification that the works are original, and two 2X2 ID pictures.
Send all applications or requests for information to Department of English and Literature, attention Dr. Evelyn F. Mascuñana, Chair, Silliman University, 6200 Dumaguete City.

Well of course, I'm posting so I will feel the urgency
I haven't been writing much lately since I've been sending out query letters for my darned novel. WHEW.
Oh Heavens, I need blessings!!! :O
 

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

ACCEPTANCE from Morrigan!!!

Whew, after days of getting rejections, I got an acceptance for this horror piece "It Takes Seven". Ms. Notley's letter goes:

        Hello,

         I am pleased to inform you that your story has been accepted for publication by Three Crow Press.                I will be following up with a PDF contract which can be either digitally signed or returned in the post. (... and the other part talks about payment)
        Thank you and welcome to Three Crow.

       Reece Notley

Yipeeeeeeee!!! :))  Morrigan Ezine's website can be found here: http://www.morriganezine.com/

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

REAL mango popsicle

I was hungry and had this great idea, but it's nothing that can be copyrighted. Truth is I don't even know why I'm blogging it! Just got a whole mango, popped it in the freezer for a few hours, popped it OUT of the freezer, peeled the skin off, and voila! Just skewer it with a fork or knife so you don't mess up your hands--Mango-sicle ;b Don't let it thaw though, cuz then you'll have mango MUCK instead.

>< MMMM, brainfreeze!

Funny, I was looking for a picture of a skewered mango and found this one from http://homecooking.about.com/od/howtocookbasics/ss/cutmango_2.htm
(kinda looks morbid):


Monday, January 11, 2010

Book Buys from Books for Less

Yey, new books, but of course it's not like I have time to read them yet.

1)"The Soprano Sorceress" by L.E. Modesitt, Jr.:
been reading him since high school. It's funny how he starts so slow, yet I stay with him anyway. The last one I read, "The Order War" was much slower than the "The Magic Engineer". There's world-building at the beginning of "The Order War", but it kinda feels like ramblings after a while. The protagonist, Justen, is mostly just doing the mundane, everyday things, including a long scene where he shares a meal with his brother Gunnar, and Krytela, some attractive woman. Anyhow, I did finish it, and it's pretty good. The magic comes out gradually, so much so you eventually get absorbed in it.

2)"The Rowan" by Anne McCaffrey:
I've read some of the Pern novels, "Moreta: The Dragonlady of Pern" is so-so. Can't remember the others now, still have this darned headache from flu!!! Maybe that's why I remembered the Moreta novel, it's about the flu HAHAHA

3) "The Good New Stuff" edited by Gardner Dozois, and anthology of adventure sci-fi (can't believe I got this for just 75 pesos)
Yeaaaaah, already read "Goodbye, Robinson Crusoe" by John Varley, interesting idea, not your usual 2nd childhood. "Swarm" by Bruce Sterling, loved it. "The Blabber" by Vernor Vinge (Nooot baaad at all!!!!!!!! didn't see that ending, plus there are gender implications, too), "The Blind Minotaur" by Michael Swanwick (I think I should re-read this; wasn't concentrating)...

Darn feel like my head's gonna blow.

Got this other offer for my book, but the contract doesn't look good. I'll have to continue looking. Oh my head; I'll dream of getting into places like Ace, Tor, Del Rey. . .zzzzzz

Friday, January 8, 2010

Sniffles

I seem to get a cold each month. I take vitamins though, and oh well, so much for that. Sick again, fever and sniffles.
Recently all I've been doing is editing (yet again) my novel. This must be my fifth draft. For some reason, I'm obsessed with rewriting some parts. I recently found out that there are quite a number of publishers who don't like what is called "head-hopping" or shifting from one POV to another. I've seen this done in many books though, and I usually don't mind it much since the story is still okay. And it's pretty hard not to shift when using an omniscient third person. Guess I just have to watch out, I realize it does get confusing sometimes when there's too many POV's