#creativenonfiction

[sapphoandthecity]

Season One: The Prologue

My experience with women first began with growing up around my mom, my grandmother, my mother’s 3 sisters and my closest cousin. Then I was enrolled into an all girl’s catholic school for grade school, and then to another all girl’s catholic school for highschool. Consistently being surrounded by women and also unsupervised during the age of the internet, there’s no surprise I turned out how i am — a queer girl’s girl who obsesses over her female relationships, be it platonic, filial or in the rare occasion, romantic.

Perhaps you wonder about the title of this soon-to-be buzzing blog: Sappho and the City. One sleepless night, I had been binge watching the hit TV show of a similar name, Sex and the City and it got me inspired to talk about relationships too. If Carrie knew men, I knew women. It also dawned on me just how entertaining my own encounters with women were. As rare as my love life had been, each chapter of it was as exciting as a new episode of Carrie’s life. Not to mention, I have three girlfriends of my own, constantly there and consistently getting updated with the whirl and organized mess of my young adult life. The only thing missing were rounds and rounds of cosmopolitans.

Yes, there is a big difference between Carrie and I. She’s 35 (at least by season 4); I’m approaching 21. She’s a columnist. I'm a fashion student in college. She’s in the city that never sleeps, New York; I’m in New York, Cubao. She’s got a shopping addiction, I also have a shopping addiction. Only, I can’t afford Blahniks. But I find myself resonating more with her than any of the other girls in the cast. Drawn to share morsels of my own womanly intuition and wisdom, I decided to try my hand at her work with my own little twist.

So why Sappho? She’s a famous Greek poet known for her lyrical hymns about loving women and to put it simply, I am a queer woman talking about my relationships with women. To be specific, a femme lesbian sharing her discoveries as she traverses the bumpy roads of girlhood, loving women and cultivating lasting relationships with them. From the first blush of romance, to sapphic heartbreaks all the way to co dependent homoerotic female friendships a la Bunny by Mona Awad, I’ll write about it all.

I may have no Mr. Big in his Armani suits, or Aiden with his masculine, American charm to talk about. But I do have a laptop and stories to share about the highs and lows of being a young 20-something year old girl who loves women.

#girlhood #girlexperience #sapphicexperience #sapphic #sappho #wlw #lesbian #lgbt #girlblog #sapphoandthecity #creativewriting #creativenonfiction #girlblogging #sapphism #lgbtqia #queer community #queergirl #queer writers #filipina #queerfilipina

[regine-javier]

1st Entry - Preparing for Exams

January 10, 2023

Most students have a fear of failure and/or being left behind by their classmates and friends. This is a fear I have since elementary school. As a consistent honor student, being left behind and failing exams are one of my biggest fear. So with less than a week to prepare for my finals, I started to gathering all of my learning materials such as PowerPoints and Handouts and compiled them based on their subjects. All of them are organised by name in my laptop for easy access and downloaded them to ensure that it is accessible even with the absence of wifi.

Although I may have started a bit late in making my reviewers, I have plenty of time to do them in school as I have a lot of free time recently. Most of my teachers allowed us to do anything in their period so long as we do not make a lot of noise and cause a ruckus.

One of the ways I spend my time as a break from studying is reading. There is only so much knowledge I can retain before I get tired and overwhelmed by the information. To avoid burn out, reading fantasy books or essays helps me to destress and enables me to take a break whilst doing something productive that isn't school related. Another form of relaxing and one of my motivation is through journaling. Journaling people that inspires me, whether they are fictional characters or real people, never fails to remind me what I want to achieve in the future. It always reminds me to embody their character for motivation, "(this character) will do this. They will be working on this right now."

I started my day early, but to say that I have had a productive day, I need to at least start writing a reviewer for one subject. So when I close my eyes and lay on my bed, I will feel successful in doing that minuscule detail and the fact that at least I have started working on my reviewers for the exams ahead of me

#student #study aesthetic #study blog #studyblr #study motivation #studyspo #CreativeNonfiction #FinalTask #HUMSS #STISTAMESA

[straydogwilddog]

occasionally i saw, chapter 20

#film #filmphotography #girlswhoshootfilm #35mm #mediumformat #writing #creativewriting #creativenonfiction #poetry #mixedmedia #collage #cutandpaste #zine #queerartist #transartist #queerzine #transzine #occasionallyisaw

[naeirm]

Friday the 13th

Today was a cold day for me, although I don't know why. I feel sad and weak and I don't know why. Maybe it's because I've been thinking a lot lately and our school stuff goes along with it, which also adds up because I've been feeling empty lately and don't feel like doing anything. I'm not motivated by what I can't understand, I feel like I'm in a game where I'm the only one who has to act and help myself... I don't know. I've been feeling so drained lately that I'm losing my appetite for everything, hay! Wish me luck!

I'm not okay. I didn't do anything but sit aside to rest because I had nothing else to do today. I have already compiled everything I will pass this week. That's why I just came in to do nothing today. Although, we only had a discussion today on one of our subjects which is the DRR and after that no one taught us again.

It's a chilly and cloudy day, so even though I'm not feeling very good, I'm still happy because I know that a lot of people are worried about me. I'm grateful to them for being there for me, even though I'm not feeling well today. I'll just rest and not worry about things too much because I have a lot to do tomorrow. I'm looking forward to our final exam this semester on Monday.

#CreativeNonfiction #FinalTask #HUMSSGAS #STISTAMESA

[mikethepoetla]

“Mike Sonksen is a walking encyclopedia of LA history, culture, poetry, community and the list goes on. Letters To My City is a brilliant homage to the greats, the hidden gems, the poetry and the complexities of Los Angeles - an essential part of the LA literary canon.”

——traci kato-kiriyama; author of Navigating With(out) Instruments

“The eye of poet and professor Mike Sonksen beholds and maps the rich totality of life in our beloved City of Angels - every form, color, and texture comprising the lush ecosystem of art and empowerment that’s flourished since he first participated with our community of writers decades ago. To engage his work - plain yet lush, intricate while always welcoming - is to behold the mirror-reflection of the best in all of us and what we, by divine nature, can contribute to a better world.” 

——Allan Aquino, poet and professor for the Department of Asian American Studies at Cal State, Northridge

#letterstoourcity #letterstomycity #la #poetry #books #creativenonfiction

[okalrelsrv]

Writing the Okal Rel Universe - Time to Write ... (on Wattpad) https://www.wattpad.com/1355375667-writing-the-okal-rel-universe-time-to-write?utm_source=web&utm_medium=tumblr&utm_content=share_reading&wp_uname=OkalRelUniverse&wp_originator=ykYbOtaWbme0fyYS60V%2BTn3YdaZ5zEK0kFIFQHLdrt6yz3JLUFk3CJIV9zS6SwLKORtSfyM%2Fk5X9TKNMu8fevcR62J%2FB2oY4mOtr8S%2Fo0lw46JkndQOhwRmWetGN30aF During my Edge Publishing days as a traditionally published author, the "Okal Rel phenomenon" referred to how the Okal Rel Universe drew people in as participants. The whole experience, for me, was an alternative reality that evolved with me, from childhood through my published author phase. I've very seriously considered giving up on it all in my old age only to discover it might just be my coping mechanism for processing the world, or maybe just for brightening my days. I just never "grew out" of the make-believing phase. In this story, on Wattpad, I will share chapters from that history which is a story in itself.

#biography #collaboration #creative #creativenonfiction #fictional #fictionalcharacters #makebelieve #sciencefiction #scifi #storytelling #worldbuilding #non-fiction #books #wattpad #amreading

[enahstudio]

Knowing Thyself:

A dreamer who lost its passion and how she found a spark of hope

an autobiography

----- For once, I called myself a dreamer. A visionary. An idealist. An imaginative woman. It starts with a change of perception towards the world we're living in today. As someone who is fond of reading books, watching cartoons appropriate for my age, and observing the people around me, I know it is something that will shape me into a different person rather than just being someone who yearns to finish education or enjoy simple things in life.

----- Growing up in the slums, contemplating the vulnerable people in our community has driven me with so much passion to become a doctor. Specifically, a pediatrician. Children always have a special place in my heart. During my childhood, I tended to get sick, incurable with just a smear of vaporubs or consuming medicines. There's this one time I broke my el-bone (Yes. I use to refer to it that way because I find it kind of witty). Visiting the hospital became a daily routine. Before I was admitted to my own room, I laid alongside whining children. It pains me to see them suffering various illnesses, despite it being normal to happen to children.

----- Aside from patients being my friends, I became great pals with the doctors who always keep me in check every time they pay me a visit. I always thought they're awesome professionals. I find it cool whenever they consult their patients and write them prescriptions.

----- I can somehow picture myself doing the same thing hereafter. Ever since then, I would make scenarios in my room. Using my stuffed toys as the patients and me as the doctor. If there's anything that I should be thankful for, that is for having such supportive parents. They even customized a white coat and a name template for me. Wearing it feels like I'm already living in my dream. That's how I see the vision of my future. That's how I call myself 'a visionary'.

----- But just like they always say, in order for a dream to be achieved, you might have to encounter some hurdles that'll hinder the strongest desires in your life. I've reached the point where I can't sense any motivation to pursue things. When it felt like everything is just an infatuation. At the age of eight, the death of my father had a huge impact on me. As if the colors have faded and I can no longer see the light down the path towards my dream. I struggled to stand on my own feet. Still not able to fathom the fact that losing someone would send waves of unsaid emotions. It affected my performance in school. My marks have dropped and my thoughts have gone disoriented, unabling me to make wise decisions for myself.

----- During the challenging times 2020 has given us, I have seen enough of what people have gone through. It aided me to perceive the truth about living your life. We go through certain hardships. There's these phases in life where we get to experience the things that are least jovial; loss, downfall, and false hope.

----- I admit we get to feel things like that. I may have failed to see the ones who continue to support me. The ones I turned a blind eye on. In spite of the series of distress, life goes on. The pain will eventually leave as long as you find a way to help yourself. And I did. I conquered every fear, and walked through every obstacle I encounter. From this moment, looking back from what I've been through, I know I have no other reason to give up. I guess I get to call myself a dreamer of yesterday, and still a dreamer today, tomorrow, and always.

@enahstudio 2023. All Rights Reserved.

#autobigraphy #creativenonfiction #nonfiction

[sfsucw]

The deadline for the Perkoff Prize has been extended until April 2. The Perkoff Prize is a tri-genre contest that awards $1000 and publication each to writers of the best story, set of poems, and essay that engage in evocative ways with health and medicine as judged by the editors. NEW DEADLINE: April 2. All submissions must engage with health and medicine in some way.All submissions must be previously unpublished.Poetry: up to 10 pages of poetry.Fiction and Nonfiction: up to 8500 words, double-spaced. More information: https://missourireview.com/contests/perkoff-prize/.

#poetry #ficiton #creativenonfiction #submissions

[ecrirevie]

Love for the nth time

#words #spilled ink #writings #quote #quotes #writing #poetry #love #spilled poetry #my writing #substackwriter #substack #newsletter #creativenonfiction #writeblr #writerscommunity

[friskyseal]

My new roommate in the pediatric intensive ward is a 14-year-old boy. I don't want this to sound, uh, weird or anything, but he is beautiful. I want to say to his parents, you have a beautiful young boy. He is everything I want to be but never again can. But he is also too small, too slow, too weak, and too dumb. I am bigger, faster, stronger, smarter, better. Even disabled, I can take him. I am here alone. Everything I've been through comes with me.

#writing #creativewriting #writers #writerscommunity #reading #blog #diary #writer #blogging #journaling #journal #writingcommunity #literature #journalcommunity #creativenonfiction #blogger #writblr #writeblr #creative writing #journalingcommunity #nonfiction #my writing #photograph #photography #photoblog #photo

[ndrylcalipusan8]

Self-Introduction

(I want to start of this self-introduction by asking a question, that you may also consider answering) 'what are your goals in life? Do you want to work? For the nation? Police? And do you genuinely believe that you can accomplish your goals despite how cruel the world is? My name is Jan Andryl C. Calipusan though I sometimes go by "ND, "Dryly" or simply "Andryl" in general; I am taking up the major in Psychology and I believe in the saying 'never give up on your dreams till your hair turns gray' I am as tall as an african buffalo who can stand up to 5ft tall. I have brown almond eyes and one distinct feature that I love about myself which are my long natural eyelashes that I took from my father. I have natural black hair and light-tanned skin tone. I was born on this small city, but I couldn't spend much enough time here when I was a kid. In 2010, my family and I left the country, and the past 5 years, I spent my childhood in Brunei Darussalam, one of the most stunning, peaceful nation. It is known for its gorgeous lakes, Islamic Architecture and rainforest landscapes. Coming back here(Philippines) in 2015 was overwhelming for me because I hardly knew any Tagalog words and had to get used to, yet another new environment. But I am happier than ever exactly, I've established many friendships, even discovered my passion for dance, and have also grown up to realize the world is not a perfect place. People suffering, emotionally and physically, people like me, you. We people are like flowers, we are in such process of blooming, but how can you bloom if you won't see the beauty in yourself, and everything around you?

I was particularly intrigued by this idea because it made me realize how much I love helping other people. I want to become a psychologist someday so that I may study people's minds, behaviors, emotions, and mental health, in the hopes of being able to assist anyone who needs it.

#creativenonfiction

[bensubz]

To those who don’t know me yet, I am Benedict Espares Subrabas, and Clarin, the suman capital of Misamis Occidental, is my hometown. I am 17 years old and I have a lot of hobbies; I love to cook some food, because I get hungry easily. I love to draw just to fight my boredom I  love to play instruments like guitar, and I participated also in a Korean martial arts, Taekwondo but I stopped training due to the rising of covid cases. Speaking of our family, we are five in the family -  my mother, my father, me, who is the eldest, my sister, and my little brother. My little brother is now studying in grade school, and my sister is studying in high school. When I was in junior high school, I studied at Clarin National High School. In my junior year, I had a lot of fun memories created, like becoming a pure teenager, the cringe moments, the way I was in love with the person I admired and a lot more. In terms of the person I admired, we ended up as a high school couple. I remember doing a lot of embarrassing things simply to get her attention. Like I would always talk to her day and night, and I felt embarrassed because I didn’t know anything about her, but I kept talking and talking until our conversation evolved like an evolution of the human beings. In addition, I am a lazy person. I am lazy about cleaning or something that it is not important to do for me but, if it is important like doing my school activities, or like there’s a gathering in our home, I am eager to work. Speaking about school works, I prioritized them since I am working hard to reach my goal becoming a law enforcement  officer.

#CreativeNonFiction #GwapoKo

[regine-javier]

3rd Day - Dreaded Test

January 12, 2023

A normal and typical days when there is a test in my class, you will see one of the many things all together: students sleeping 30 minutes before the test, eating in the cafeteria with notes that wasn't touched during the meal, students in the classroom playing video games on the phone, asking another student if they have notes, and students who are furiously scribbling on a paper writing down notes at the last minute in the library.

Simply put it; test days = chaotic days. More chaotic than it usually is. However, there is some sort of unity happening within those days. Everyone is willing to help each other study and lend a helping hand (lend notes). We seldom take tests seriously as it is not as serious as the teachers let us take them. Although when the big tests take place, everyone in school will know. These are one of the few days the air is tense within the classroom and nervous chills and jitters run down within the students' body in anticipation.

I was one of the students writing furiously on papers the last minute. I know it is not healthy, so one of my resolutions this year is that I will do better. Unfortunately, I failed within the beginning of the year. But that's okay, I still have the rest of the year to improve.

And I plan to do my very best to make sure it happens.

#student #study aesthetic #study motivation #study blog #studyblr #studyspo #STISTAMESA #CreativeNonfiction #FINALTASK #HUMSS

[straydogwilddog]

occasionally i saw, chapter 19

#film #filmphotography #girlswhoshootfilm #35mm #mediumformat #writing #creativewriting #creativenonfiction #poetry #mixedmedia #collage #cutandpaste #zine #queerartist #transartist #queerzine #transzine #occasionallyisaw

[taidanatenshi]

Historical Fiction Recommendation

By: ashyll

Reading has always been a popular hobby by people of today’s time. But of course, understanding and having to face hundreds of texts that formed paragraphs can be quite a bore. There are times where our imagination may not be at work when we are browsing certain stories, as we are drowned by the words leading to a great slumber.

But with digital art arising in this current time, tales and stories are often told in drawings. These are called comics but its name can vary depending on countries or languages it uses, like Japan calls it as manga. When its origin is from China, it is called manhua. And, when its language is Korean, it is called manhwa, which where I will be focusing.

When I read manhwas, I visit the app or site Webtoon most of the times. As it offers thousands of stories to choose from translated into languages that are easy to understand. I am not sure if I am eligible in recommending series from this certain site. But from what I’ve read so far, I would like to share the same joy that I felt when reading, and so people could not waste their time on a great-named series yet has a bad plotline and terrible set of characters.

The first series that I have ever read and my most recommended would be, “The Remarried Empress”.

The series follows Navier Ellie Trovi, the perfect empress of the Eastern Empire, whose position is at risk when her husband brought home a mistress and demanded a divorce. In a shocking twist, Navier remarries another emperor and retains her title. But of course, if you’re curious to what more this story can offer, you can start reading it now. Especially if one is a sucker for drama where karma is doing their immaculate job, and with a splash of historical fiction, this one is really for you.

What also amazes me with this is the art itself. Beside it being magical and pleasing, it incorporates a lot of details, especially with the character’s clothes and the setting of each scene.

 After reading that first series, it started my love for historical romance, and fed on my love for century-old type of dresses. But anyway, onto my next recommendation, which is quite a different genre from the first manhwa.

The series, “Like Wind on a Dry Branch,” is also one of Webtoon’s long list of historical fiction, fantasy, and romance. But as solemn as the title sounds, I’m afraid the story isn’t any different.

Set on a fantasy world where plagues are caused by demons, a beautiful widow named Rieta Tristi was almost buried alive as a malicious nobleman’s dying wish. Yet right before her doom, a prince, known as an outcast and a tyrant, paid an unexpected visit that completely made her life took a turn.

This is one of my favorite slow-burn type of romance. And I would like to emphasize on “slow-burn” as the two leading characters’ romantic development can be quite slow. It is because the story focuses more on the healing of Reita’s aching heart from the loss of her husband and only daughter. So if you are not a fan of such romance, then this may not be for you. But I greatly recommend giving this a try and you might shed a tear or two.

 Unfortunately, the two mentioned series are still ongoing, which means they are not yet completed as manhwas, but they might be fully available as webnovels. So if you do not like waiting for a week for an update of a chapter, then its best to wait for these two to reach its ending.

I have read a lot of comics, Japanese mangas and Korean manhwas, but I would stop first at these two as they are my most beloved series. So long, and see you again for another set of recommendations!

#blog post #creativenonfiction #output #blog #manhwa #humss

[foodieann14]

God's Gift By: Rechel Abella

All of us has that one memory that makes us better when it comes to specific matter. It makes us more efficient as a person and mostly it makes us confident and prepared in the future.

Way back when I was still a kid I was used to be sorrounded with my family members who are good with the culinary industry. They know how to cook delicacies,dishes, and mostly pastries.They teach us how to prepare and how to make those foods in a clean and creative way. All of us children in the Family was excited to see when it comes to cooking especially eating, of course.

One day, when my lolo was making a pastry called " shakoy" I was so amazed on how they flattened and how they rolling the dough using their bare hands. When my lolo left the rested dough I was curious why thw dough gets bigger and bigger , I pressed the center of the dough and suddenly I was caught by my grandfather. After that i was scolded and punished. He told us that when we are preapring food it must be clean and at least presentable.

After the incident happen after the day I was scolded. My grandfather told me that he will going to teach me the recipe as wellas the whole preparation on how to make " shakoy". I was so nervous at the same time excited because I am being trusted by my grandfather.

And finally,without having fear, Im so determined, I pursued my passion.It took me to a different path and allowing me to accept more ideas and knowledge about cooking.In my highschool days I was even competed in a cooking classas well as competition, and that's how my passion in cooking started.

photo by: Freepik

#CreativeNonFiction #Memoir by Rechel #Writing #Childhood Memory