Unread Letter

I had a long, heartbreaking letter ready to be published. A letter I would never let my mom read.

But then I thought I don’t need a letter to tell her I love her. That I’m sorry for the times I’ve been (and sometimes still am) ungrateful. And that I’m thankful for every single day she dedicated (and still is) to me.

So no letter, just the few lines above, and the rest will be privately between us.

Now with the writings.

Recently I’ve published what I consider a shorter version of a normal short story. What’s Prologue is Past. I feel proud I’ve complete (even if it is a shorter version of a short story) with an ending and not an open ending as I usually do. I feel optimistic for what is about to come; a more concrete story is on its way.

- S

PS: To all mother’s, happy mother’s day!

Memories of a City that Never Sleeps

While waiting to post my short story (I’m stacking chapters so I don’t end up posting nothing) here are some memories of my visit to a city that in one week amazed me and stole my heart.

Stories super soon, I promise.

- S.

Chicago

My absence is justified; traveling is always an excellent way to open the mind.

WIP

I’m not dead. Not yet anyways.

But I’ve been working hard on life, work and my book, that already has two drafts though still unfinished.

The problem with me, is I like to edit and if I didn’t have deadlines in my work, I’d probably keep editing the articles until I reach perfection…i.e…I’ll edit forever.

But next month promises to be full of experiences; I’ll travel a lot and hopefully it will help me get some inspiration and find the right route for my book.

I’ve also kept my resolution and started reading outside my comfort zone. The Strain by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan is definitely NOT something I would normally read. The vampire horror book set in our days is quite good actually. I have to admit it took a couple of pages to adapt to the writer(s) style; some phrases and words in sentence were used in a very strange context. But it’s a fast read and once you get used to, it’s a pretty good thriller.

Before I leave you and disappear again in books and writing, here are few lines excerpt of the book I’m writing. It doesn’t give away anything really, but I can feel the emotions between the words and letters of these lines. And this is also what I’m trying to achieve; put felt emotions in words.

Or maybe I just feel them because of February and Valentine’s Day.

Yeah that’s probably it.

She leans against his chest and he wraps his arms around her, gently stroking the back of her neck with his fingertips. When she lifts her head, he keeps his eyes fixed in hers as he gently slides the coat from her shoulders and caresses her bare arms.

Until next time.

- S

New Year’s Resolution

It’s, again, that time of the year when I try in vain and make a new year’s resolution list, that I know won’t see the end of January.

However, I won’t give up; being the list maniac that I am I can’t avoid it. So this year too I’ll make a list and try, but really I’ll have to remember, to do as much as possible.

New Year’s Resolution List 2013:

- Read more books I wouldn’t normally read

- Stop planning and write the book

- Travel more, visit new places

- Don’t give up: closed doors mean only there are open, bigger ones waiting somewhere

- Thank more for what I have

- Exercise (The first that will drop off the list)

- Remember this, “Ask yourself this question: Will this matter a year from now?” quote by Richard Clarson American psychotherapist and writer Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff. Add also “Don’t worry, be happy!”

 

I guess that’s it so far. Can’t think of anything else to add really.

I wish you all a wonderful 2013, may all your dreams come true!

- S

Updates and Happy Holidays!

I come and go.

Life can be stressful and leaves no time to do what you like.

But thanks God there are holidays that makes you breath, and what other holidays is better than Christmas?

And as Louisa May Alcott wrote in her masterpiece, Little Women, “Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents,” and I can’t wait to open mine! And thinking this makes feel excited and sad. The best Christmas was when I was a kid! No worries, no plans, no decisions! All that mattered was having fun, playing and laughing. And I was so stupid to wish to grow up quickly and have freedom. Now I realize I had more freedom when I was a kid than I have now.

But we choose the life we want, and new year’s resolution will be making life work my way and not vice versa. (I cheated and started earlier this year, let’s keep it between us!)

Anyway It’s Christmas! Let’s Cheer up!! To all my readers I’d like to wish a Merry Christmas to everyone and a Happy New Year. May all your wish come true!

Love,

- S

What A Wonderful Dream Is To Be Me

Sometimes I betray myself and let myself go

On those rare occasions I regret and ask for nothing

On those rare occasions what I have is enough

On those rare occasions happiness is idealistic

On those rare occasions who I am is enough

But soon I realize the betrayal and soon everything is gone

Leaving only a trace, a dream, of what it had been to be free

to be me

Ah what a wonderful dream is to be me

New Me New Writing

Recently I’ve found myself writing many different things at the same time. I hope I can keep track of everything. I have a new story in the draft while others are/should be still running. Since I started this blog, I never felt this confident to post even short excerpt of a moment I personally lived or imagined, without needing it to be part of something, (A Hot Summer In Villa Gerardi and A Revealing Ramadan and an Exquisite Chocolate Fondant are an example.)  Bo I’m happy the new direction I’m taking, and I think it shows in my writing.

What I can be sure of though regarding my stories, is that Usha will have an ending. I always had the story full formed in my mind and it’s still there. As for the rest I cannot promise anything, most of the time I start with an idea that could have many possible events, but still no ending. But I’m thinking to re-start The Adventures of Elena Rose and Cleo, edit it a little bit and give it a second try.

I’m also undergoing a complete makeover. I’ve decided drop full-time journalism to become an English teacher. The reason? Journalism fascinated me only when it came to writing. I’m not the type to run after interview. English teaching on the other hand, is something I always more or less did; in group studies while at school, I was the one being “the teacher” and sometimes during the summer I helped with private tutor. So I’m researching everything courses, masters and all that might come handy. I give myself one year, then I can panic and get depressed of my uncertain future, in case I fail.

But before I could do that, while in Italy I decided to chop my long hair short. It might not be something big, and I actually feel quite stupid typing it. But it was something I wanted to do for a long time but always hesitated. I hesitated because i meant going against the stereotype of women=long hair. A stereotype I always felt considering all my female friends have long shinning hair. Mine was always in a ponytail and I always supported my female friends that went short. So I gathered all my courage and cut. And ever since i did , i felt free. Not 100% free, but I think I can safely say I reached 60%….ok maybe 40% My mind is not easy to defeat! Its more like, now I can be who I am without torturing my mind on whether I should or not…on almost everything.

So expect new style of writing, new stories or better new excerpt of…something!

- S

Updates

I haven’t been posting much lately. I’m having problems at work and I’m looking around hoping to find something better. Not to mention that I’m totally absorbed in The Great Gatsby.

As per the stories; Usha is going great. I have many written chapters on the notebook that I will soon post. As per the other stories Dreamwalker and La Dolce Vita are on standby. I have the writer’s block on those two.  Unlike Usha where I know how the story will develop, DW and LDV are just fragments of the whole story.

The Adventures of Elena Rose and Cleo is there. I mean the story is in my mind I just want to make it as mysterious as possible.

I’m also writing a book that I hope to publish. I won’t say more as I’m still figuring out everything but as Usha I know how the story will go. So I’m positive.

If you have any advice on how to publish books, type it below. I’m considering online publishing.

Love,

-S

Sick, No Sleep, Start Over

I’m having a writer’s block. Probably because I’m sick and haven’t been sleeping much. Yes probably because I haven’t been sleeping much. Is it normal to have attracted all the bacteria and virus of the season, in one month? Gosh, this flu, cough, fever (and probably allergy too) is destroying me.

And work is wearing me out. But that happens when I’m sick; the normal routine becomes a heavy burden ready to be closed locked and sealed in a box and start fresh.

But then antibiotics help you fight the battle. Or even better, they fight it for you. And you feel reborn.

Not yet for me though. Ahhh how I’d love one day. One day of vacation.

One day of sleep.

S.

PS: New short story in mind, more soon.