Darica Paula, 2014

Self-tagged: The Writing Week

posted on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 @ 6:14 PM

1. What type of writing do you do?

Honestly, I'm not really strict at following structures when it comes to blog writing. I just write whatever my heart and mind desire. That's almost being random. But based on an observed pattern, my entries usually fall under reflective thoughts. It's basically my imagination, desires, wildest dreams, sadness and the like turned into its verbal form. And sometimes, I do plain narration backed up by raw (and in the future, manipulated) photos.

2. What genres and/or topics do you write about?

It's safest to say self-help. But these entries are intended to communicate intrapersonally. I write to help myself cope up with a downfall, break my shells, and whatnot. Sometimes, I do write about travel, rarely food. But I hope that soon I'll be doing more of those fun stuff.

3. How long have you been writing?

Speaking of blogs, I started my very first blog back in third year high school that continued for a year. College got almost all of me that I forgot to make time for writing. Then, I got back during my third year. From then on, I didn't stop writing (of course, excluding a series of irregular hiatuses).

In terms of writing per se, I started writing prose, believe it or not, when I was in kinder. And moved to poetry as I aged. I even wrote a few haiku then!

4. Are you published?

No, I haven't had the chance to have any of my entries published on print. But I had one article that UST College of Commerce got and kept as their property.

5. What was the first story you ever wrote?

I've written so many stories back in grade school that I cannot even remember any of the leads' name.

6. Why do you write?

Yes, partly I write to share. But exactly what I implied earlier, I write for myself. I write to preserve my thoughts with the assurance that if a situation calls for some good words one day, I know, I have something to run to. Also, I write about the memories that credit a recollection.

7. How do you find time to write?

This may be new to you: almost 95% of my posts are my "late night" thoughts. Those are the feelings that come before I sleep; those that cap off my day.

8. When and where are the best times to write?

I find it best to write during travels. But, for me, there's no better time and place than in a most comfortable place where one can be most honest and since with thyself.

9. Favorite food/drinks while writing?

A random drink can get me but I usually write having nothing by the side.

10. Your writing playlist?

I find silence the best song. :-)

11. What do family/friends/loved ones think of you writing?

Honestly, I don't know. I don't ask them about my writing. But I received random and very casual compliments about it from my mom, friends and even strangers. A number of people, in fact, asked me to frequent this.

12. Parts of writing you enjoy the most?

I enjoy the feeling of writing and being able to finish a post. Hey, finishing a post is just the best relief ever!

13. Parts of writing you find challenging?

I find it hard to stick with Introduction, Body and Conclusion format. My thoughts are too random and short-lived that if I try to rearrange them to come up with a more sensible thought, thoughts just slip my from head. And if I take you to my dashboard right now, you'll see that I have roughly 45% of my entries unpublished, unfinished. All more than a year old.

14. What do you write with and on?

Depends. If I'm writing down my late night thoughts, I have my phone with me. If I write during travels, I have a little notebook and a reliable pen by my side.

15. How do you overcome writers block?

As much as possible, I finish my draft article no matter how it lacks substance. Then, I rest and go back to it once I have my breath of fresh air. After a series of edit and proof-read, that's when I publish it. But I can't deny, sometimes, I miss doing the last step.

16. How do you motivate yourself to write?

The fact that I'm almost always by myself and have no one to talk to. Rather than letting these feelings go, I write them down. I think, that's a more reasonable option.

17. Authors who inspire you as a writer?

I like local writers like Marla Miniano of Summit Media and my favorite writer so far, Isa Garcia.

18. Books that inspire you as a writer?

So far, I can't think of any because I usually read business-related and some Law of Attraction books. Rarely, I find those books to inspire me in writing more and better.

19. Best advice you’ve gotten as a writer?

"Write everyday. Every single freakin' day." (Isa Garcia, 2014)

20. Writing goals this year?

I want to pursue writing for a community of bloggers. Also, I want to be a featured writer in one of the local newspapers. Ultimately, I just want to take my writing to the next level; to reach out to much more readers.