Delays

 Sometimes in life, things get held back somehow. The revision process of my novel is currently one of those things. 

In the past month, I'd had to juggle between working on this novel AND proofreading my client's manuscript. But now that my work deadline has come and gone, I can once again focus fully on my story. 

YAAAY. 

So hey, I'm back and doing my best to make plot and characters and theme and everything else come together cohesively. I've been looking over previous discarded scenes and dialogue that I've written and it made me realise just how much changes this novel has gone through since its inception. 

Is that normal, I wonder? Perhaps that just shows how much of a novice I am. Hehe. But oh well, I can't deny that. I've not had much success writing long forms of fiction right up till now. 

And where's things at right now, you ask? 

Well, I'm hoping to wind up the story arc for 2 out of my 4 main characters. These are the 2 that I've fretted about the most, so hopefully once theirs have been cleared, the remaining 2 will be smoother sailing. 

I had hoped that I could submit the revised version of my novel to the prospective publisher before/by my birthday which is coming up. It's unlike that's going to happen, but let's see if I can make it before end of November, maybe? But even that seems like wistful thinking. 

Meanwhile, I've got some time alone this evening so let's hope more progress can be made to the story. I'll see you back here again some time soon. 

Poetry And Me

Heya! 

Been a little busy of late, with me balancing a proofreading project and revising my novel at the same time. But progress is being made on both ends, so I'm grateful there's at least that. 

It's just that it all feels like it's going slower than I'd like it to be. But I guess that can't be helped since there's so much other stuff to keep up with daily. Things like chores and all manner of parenting responsibilities. 

Some good but somewhat unrelated news for you meantime: A poem of mine has been featured in an anthology called Malaysian Places and Spaces, published by Maya Press (an imprint of Sasbadi). The launch of the book just took place last weekend and I'm happy to say that I managed to attend the event along with my family. 

It may surprise you to know that this was actually my first time ever attending a poetry reading + book launch. So it was meaningful in more ways than one. 

I made some simple cards with a poem I wrote specifically for the occasion and included a small handmade gift together with it to hand out to people I met at the event. 

I hope it will leave a good impression on whoever I met and that they will remember me the next time we cross paths. 

Well, do check out the book if you can. It should be in Malaysian bookstores soon and probably available online too. There are 80 poets featured in it. 

Okay, that'll be all from me for now. Will be back later to discuss novel related fare.