Character creation

Was just asked last night how I came up with the characters for My Imaginary Ex, and had a somewhat clunky response. ("I thought of it in college and just expanded on it.") Not really an answer to the question.

So here, via Rocket Kapre: Carlo Vergara (he of the fabulous Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah) on Character Creation.

More news

So apparently I spoke too soon -- my husband Michael A.R. Co is a finalist again at the Philippine Graphic/Fiction Awards. His story "The Sweet Stranger" is up for viewing, and you can help it win People's Choice by voting for it. (No pressure though, heehee.)

The household was a happy, geeky one last night when we found out. :)

Neil's back

Several things are happening all at once here. Neil Gaiman's visiting Manila again. They're announcing the winners of the 3rd Philippine Graphic/Fiction Awards. There will be some sort of raffle to attend a book-signing. They're launching an anthology featuring past winners and finalists.

This time of year (when it actually happens in a year) is fun because it gets the lovers of books and writing all giddy. It's a special time for us personally too: My husband Mike shared first place honors the first time the contest was held, and was a finalist on the second year. His story ("In the Eyes of Many," which I consider my favorite of the stuff he's done) is in the anthology they're launching.

I don't know if I'm getting involved in the meet-and-greet festivities again, but I'm going to be there to watch and enjoy the geekiness that'll ensue. And I mean that in the best way.

Bagong Idol

Just finished my second Melissa Dela Cruz book, this time the first novel from her Blue Bloods series. (The first one I read was from Au Pairs.)

I'm going to read as much as I can of her work, if only because I like that she's becoming her own brand, and gets to cross genres while writing for the same audience. It's something I'd like to learn how to do, if I end up giving more time to writing.

Weddings and traveling books

Summit Books has a new title out: Vince's Life - The Wedding. I'm considering starting with this volume (even though I haven't yet read the previous Vince stories) because I just got married (yay!) and maybe it's a good time to read about it.

That's one thing about going through wedding prep -- suddenly I relate to those stories of people going through it. It wasn't as stressful as romantic comedies make it seem, but there's a bit of truth in everything.

Also, I got to meet (thanks Internet) Vanessa, who will soon be the only person in Trinidad & Tobago to have a copy of My Imaginary Ex. I'll post an update on that when she actually gets the book, it sure is traveling a long way to reach her!

Let's start 2010 with thanks

I caved and started commenting on some blogs reviewing the book. Mostly to thank the blog authors for first of all reading (and in many cases buying) the thing, which is a thrill every time. This led to my starting a Multiply blog to properly comment and say hello.

Thank you, Multiply people: totallylokaret, raejel, miamanalo, eiyeen, valry14, jamieo5, nearsightedme, lablab, syratot, dementedchris, and prophecygrrl!

Also, a special shoutout to Chris, who sent me the Best Email of 2010 (So Far).

Note: I'm reading Pride & Prejudice & Zombies right now. It's a trip!

Shoutout

To my friend Cathy, who bought the book a few weeks ago. (Yay!)

She's a friend from way back, and she's actually read the early stuff I wrote. When it was typed crudely on bond paper, and then when the typewriter gave out I wrote them all on notebooks longhand. She read all of them. This was before the Internet, and we entertained ourselves this way. We wrote stories, and we read them.

It wasn't just her, though; many other friends from high school who were supportive and encouraging. It's a nice memory to go back to when you have the desire to write beaten out of you by school, work, and everything else.