AM Stories

2023 RECAP

I don’t even know where to begin. All I know is that 2023 was a fruitful year for me as a creative. I was able to share with you six new stories of love, friendships, and life.

Last year, it was finally time for me to share some secrets with you through the story of Erica and Trey in Secrets We Can’t Keep. After finding out their big secret, we continued to solve some problems that Lara and Alvin we’re having in Problems We Can’t Solve. Later on, we joined Margaux and Cash in finding out whether they were able to reach their dreams in Dreams We Can’t Reach.

This was also the year wherein we slowed down and enjoyed the mundane things in life like commuting. We enjoyed the ride as we commuted to Project Fate with Tanya and Tep. We also learned the basics of commuting in Commuting for Dummies with Isaac and Clara. Lastly, we enjoyed every Crush Hour despite the heavy traffic with George and Bridgit.

Aside from these, I attempted to write a ficlet per week this 2023 but I wasn’t able to finish this challenge. However, it produced 24 ficlets. I’ve written additional two ficlets for Inkspired Inktober, which is another writing challenge that I haven’t finished.

My goal last year was to be consistent in my story updates, which I was able to accomplish since I have updated every Monday last 2023. It became a routine for me to post something new in Wattpad.

I was given the opportunity to be a part of Miss Yennie’s (halfbakedwriter) Writer Tell-All Space as a guest writer. It was a joy for me to share my thoughts and journey as a writer with my fellow creatives. At the same time, it’s a privilege for me to receive some wisdom they have acquired through the years of writing experience they had.

But 2023 does not stop there. This was also the year where new opportunities opened for me. I never imagined myself to be able to publish a book last year but KPub PH allowed that dream I once had when I was a child to come true in the form of Ardor, a collection of short stories about love. Unbelievable! I cannot believe I had my first book signing event last year. What a miracle it has been!

This 2023, our family has grown to 669 followers in Wattpad. And finally, here’s a quick recap to show the growth of my stories. Thank you to everyone who has read (and read again) and supported my stories in many ways. I don’t think I say this enough but know that I read every comment and message you send.

2024 WRITING GOALS

As I have promised since the beginning, I will continue to share stories to the world as long as I have stories to tell. This 2024, my desire is to continue to write stories that would bring life to those who would consume it. Content all over the Internet may not always be good, but as a creative, I want to put out content that would inspire you, make you think critically, educate you about things you may not know yet, or simply just make you feel things.

As a creative, I admit that I also have comfort zones. There may be themes that I simply am afraid to explore because I doubt my audience would enjoy such things. This year, I’m looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zones by exploring new themes to write, expanding my creative platforms outside of Wattpad, and making myself a little bit more vulnerable to my readers to show that I am a human as well.

Last year was all about consistency because I wanted to prove to myself (and maybe to my readers) that I could post regularly. I may have been successful in one way but I also had to learn the rhythm of creating and resting. If I hustled every single time, I’m afraid I would end up in a creative burnout and it’s the last thing that I want to happen to me. That’s why I’m hoping to find the right rhythm for me between creating and resting. I hope that you do the same. Rest is a precious gift. Please find time for it.

Lastly, I know that I wouldn’t be where I am right now without the readers who kept on supporting every little thing that I put out there online. I believe that there’s a human behind every user that I interact with. You, guys, have a story to tell too! And if you’ll let me, I want to know your stories as well. Aside from the group chat and channels I have in Telegram, I really want to have conversations with you.

WRITING PROJECTS

Before I end this newsletter, let me update you about my writing projects this year. Currently, I’m writing five works-in-progress: 1) License to Lab, 2) Ana & Tomi Part One, 3) Pitik Mata, 4) Bad for the Heart, and 5) NLEX: Ang Huling Biyahe.

License to Lab is the fifth installment of MedTech on Duty. It features a medical laboratory technician who has failed his board exams thrice and tries to take it once again. I’ve been writing this since 2022 and I’m working to finish this already because I want to share this story already. But yes, I’m taking my sweet, sweet time to write this one because I don’t really want to compromise the message that I want to tell for the sake of publishing it immediately. Instead, here’s a little quote that I’m offering for now:

“Is it even possible for hope to be transmitted by just staring into the eyes of the person who believes in you the most?”

Ana & Tomi Part One is the first installment of MedTech on Duty. It narrates the college misadventures of the titular characters—Ana and Tomi. I’m exploring themes of platonic soulmates and found family here, so this should be exciting! This story also allows me to reminisce about my undergraduate years in Medical Technology.

“But what if during the bad times, I don’t even have a single person I can run to? Can’t I really survive college alone?”

For my love of novelette trilogies, I started writing Pitik Mata, which is a three-part series that features a trio of friends who go on a venture of rediscovering their passion in photography. I will be pouring a lot of the things I love in this WIP, such as photography, creatives, and trio friendships.

“Ano kaya ang nakikita niya sa lente ng camera niya? Nakikita niya kaya kung paano ko siya tingnan?”

For those who loved You Make Me Sick, I’m sure this WIP will excite you. Bad for the Heart is written in the same universe as YMMS, focusing on the things that may be dangerous for the heart. We’re going to talk about the heart a lot here.

“It’s fascinating how the heart may be the strongest yet the most fragile organ of the body. From the moment you are formed in your mother’s womb up to your final breath, your heart beats so you would live. It never takes a break. For if it does, you will die.”

Lastly, we’re going on a road trip to NLEX: Ang Huling Biyahe with my new beloved quad! This focuses on four friends who love a good road trip away from the busy city but need to part ways at the end.

“And that was her little assurance. That despite every change and transition that is happening in their lives, they will always have NLEX. They will always come back to the place where it all began.”

That’s a total of five WIPs, but please understand that I won’t be able to publish immediately since I’m currently studying for my board exams. Writing stories will forever be precious in my heart but it is also a part of my dream to work in the laboratory. I may not be as active as before, but I will try to come back every now and then to check up on everyone. Until then, I’m going to write offline for a while. If you want to be updated about my progress, you may join my Telegram channel and check my WIP threads.

Here’s a question for you: Among my WIPs, which of these are you looking forward to reading?

Hanggang sa susunod na kwento.

What's in a name? Not everybody is proud of their name and Stella is one of them. She has always introduced herself using her nickname. That's why when other people find out her real full name, they tend to be in awe or laugh, oftentimes the latter.

Bin was tasked to fix the campus ministry's database when he found out Stella's full first name--Mariestella Grace. "Grace ka pala?" sabi niya kay Stella.

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya nang marinig niya 'yon kay Bin. Ang tanging nakakaalam ng buong pangalan niya ay ang leader niya. Napakamot na lang si Stella sa batok niya. Wala rin naman siyang magagawa ngayon na alam na ni Bin ang pangalan niya. Isa pa, hindi talaga maiiwasan na malaman nito ang pangalan niya kasi siya nga ang nag-aayos ng database.

Bumuntong-hininga na lang si Stella. "Secret lang ah?"

He looked at her baffled. "But why? Maganda naman ang pangalan mo ah."

Stella wasn't convinced. "Wala lang. Parang ang common kasi. Tapos pangmatanda." Nagkibit-balikat siya.

He smiled at her. "Do you even know what your name means?" Umiling si Stella. "You know what, grace is one of my favorite words from the Bible. Every time I read it, I'm reminded of the underserved favor God has given us when Jesus died on the cross for us."

Oo nga naman. She has been so familiar of her name that she forgot what it really meant in the first place. That day was the beginning of the time she started to embrace her own name.

Later that night, she even looked for the meaning of her name Mariestella. What comfort it brought her when she found out that it meant star of the sea, which is also used to describe Mary in the Bible. What a privilege to be named after a woman of faith.

Meanwhile, her name Grace reminded her that even if she grew up in a Christian family, she has fallen short of God's glory one way or another. But it has also became her reminder that she has been saved by grace alone, not by her good works. It's not her own doing.

Wattpad Ambs Update

In case you missed it, I'm no longer a part of the Ambassadors Program since August. After evaluating my circumstances and busy schedule, I know that I can no longer commit to being an ambassador in Wattpad. Being a part of this program taught me a lot. Here are the few things I learned from Wattpad Ambs:

Never underestimate the value of meaningful conversation for your well-being.

Be aware of what you're saying, and how it could perhaps be misinterpreted.

Take a breather if something you are reading is annoying or angering you.

Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they have the heart!

The heart of a volunteer is never measured in size, but by the depth of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others.

And lastly, "Be kind, always." Wattpad Ambs taught me to always look at another online user as another human behind that account. Whatever they might do or say, that account is being handled by another human who has feelings or a circumstance that we know nothing about. That's why it's important to always be kind.

I'm grateful for the work that every Wattpad Ambassador is putting out there, whether seen or unseen by the Wattpad community. You, guys, are awesome!

For those who wants to join the Ambs program, I highly recommend it only if you love to serve the Wattpad community and reading (because you'll do lots of it).

Ardor

Whenever I think of it, I still can't believe it happened. Last MIBF, Ardor was launched and I had my very first book signing. Crazy!

Ardor is an anthology of 21 short stories about love. The title means a strong, intense feeling of love. This is KPub PH's first anthology book project and I'm extremely grateful to be a part of this.

To be able to publish one of my stories is already a miracle, but to be able to have my first book signing in MIBF is even more than my wildest dreams. Publishing a book was never the goal for me. I was already content in writing stories and sharing them on my online platforms.

So I wanted to thank you, my RNAs, for reading my stories. Every support you give goes a long way already, whether it be just reading, commenting, or sharing any post I make. Thank you also for those who already got a copy for themselves. By buying one, you're also supporting 20 other writers. I hope you read theirs, too! Special shoutout to KPub PH who has been so accommodating to me, whether online or in person. I'm deeply grateful that you have chosen my story from the hundreds who submitted their manuscripts. Thank you for being an avenue for me to experience such a miracle as this.

Ficlet Fridays S04

As you may have observed, I stopped posting ficlets since July. I'm officially ending Ficlet Fridays S04. I apologize for those who were waiting for the JenJer ficlets. They are still in my drafts pero iipunin ko muna sila. The main reason why I challenged myself to post a ficlet every Friday this year is to see how far could I commit myself to post regularly.

Since I'm still a student and a person who has different other responsibilities, this challenge became my gauge as to how I can be present as a writer while juggling different roles in my life. I'm doing another writing challenge, Inspired Inktober, to help me start writing about what I really want. It just wouldn't make sense for me to continue writing S04 when there's S05 already.

No worries. My remaining ficlet drafts from S04 would see the light someday.

Ficlet Fridays S05: Inkspired Inktober

For the past months, God has been dealing with me my creative calling. He has continued to affirm that He was the one who placed that desire and dream for me to pursue creatives. One of the ways my creative calling has been manifested is through the stories I create. As a daughter of the Creator, God has given me the gift to create through words and writing. And I just know that I ought to use that gift to reflect God's character and to tell God's story well.

Having a Christian creative community also encouraged and pushed me to pursue this calling. Over time, I became more intentional in the things I write. I also began to reflect and review on the things I've wrote before. So don't be surprised if I begin to unpublish certain stories on my profile.

One of the things that I wanted to do to grow in my creativity is to join Indie Beginning's Inspired Inktober for Christian creatives. Since there are no rules about mediums, interpretations, number of prompts you follow, or how often you'll create, I'll proceed with writing ficlets.

In the ficlets you'll read for Inkspired Inktober, you may expect new characters I might introduce in the (far) future. But for me, these characters have been sitting at the corner of my mind, waiting to be introduced to the world. One day, I'll share their entire stories to the world. But for now, all I could offer are ficlets--only fragments of who they are. And I'm stoked to share them to you!

Don't worry. I might also write about familiar characters you know, depending on the prompt given.

As you journey with me this Inktober, my prayer is that you would encounter God somehow in the ficlets I write.

Thank you for being a part of my creative journey. It's a privilege and an honor for you to allow me to enter your world as you enter mine.

One week before Medical Technology Licensure Exam and Alliyah's brain is already all over the place. She and Jof has been exchanging recall questions and it's taking her more than a minute to answer.

Ever since college, Jof has been Alliyah's study buddy. He has helped her way more than he knows. She can't even imagine her college life without him. More than the support in academics, he has contributed to the emotional support she needed.

But right now, the extreme anxiety she's feeling cannot be calmed down by his mere presence. Nanghihina si Alliyah kahit na hindi na siya nag-aaral. Dahil wala na siyang magawa at mas lalong hindi na siya mapakali, she decided to take a walk around the campus alone.

Strangers and students are passing by without minding her slow-paced walk. She roamed her eyes around the building she passed as if it's her first time to see it.

One thing she realized while doing so: Her campus has brought so much memories, both good and bad. After her board exams, she won't be going back anymore. Yes, she may visit but she won't do such thing as often as she does now.

One of the things she appreciated about her campus is that it was always full of trees. Somehow, it helped her clear her mind every time she's feeling anxious of her studies.

At the middle of the botanical garden stands a tall narra tree with its drooping branches. This is Alliyah's favorite spot in the campus. When she doesn't want to talk to anyone, she sits under the shade of this tree.

As she sat there, she takes out her journal from her trusty tote bag and started to sort out her thoughts in a blank page. There she was brutally honest about how she was feeling about her board exams.

'Pakiramdam ko ang bobo ko. Hindi ko alam kung kakayanin kong mag-exam. Nakakatakot bumagsak. Paano kung bumagsak ako? Anong gagawin ko sa buhay ko pagkatapos no'n? Wala naman akong balak maging doktor. Saan ako pupulutin kapag hindi ako nakapasa?'

Gabing-gabi na pero hindi pa rin umuuwi si Eloy sa bahay nila. Nagkasundo kasi sina Ali at Eloy na sasabayang magtrabaho ni Eloy si Ali habang ito ay nag-aaral para sa return demo nito.

Panandaliang nagpahinga si Eloy matapos niyang tumitig nang matagal sa screen ng laptop niya. Ilang beses siyang nagpakurap-kurap. Pasimple siyang tumingin sa gawi ni Ali.

May suot siyang headband para hindi maging distraction ang buhok niya habang nag-aaral. Nakakunot din ang noo niya habang binabasa ang makapal niyang libro. Halata ni Eloy ang pagod nito dahil sa pagpatong nito ng ulo sa kamay.

Inusisa na ni Eloy ang skin care cabinet ni Ali. Naghugas muna siya ng kamay saka nagbasa ng pamunas. Dinala niya ang mga gamit niya saka tumabi kay Ali.

"Coach." Agad na binaling ni Ali ang atensyon niya kay Eloy. Kumunot ang noo nito.

"Ano 'yan, Coach?"

Dahan-dahang hinawakan ni Eloy ang mukha ni Ali saka ito nilapit sa kanya. "Gabi na kasi. Hindi pwedeng mapabayaan mo ang sarili mo habang nag-aaral ka. Ako na bahala sa eight-step skin care routine mo. Ituloy mo lang 'yang pag-aaral mo d'yan, Coach."