Istoryan Writers

[diem]

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[color=navy]Hello, everyone, kamusta ang Holy Weekend ninyo?

@galenostiel, howdy-doo? Glad to know you got your own personal PC. Hope that it would make you more productive in your output! Sana makabasa naman tayo ng new entries sa talltales.i.ph

@backpacklife, welcome welcome. Hope to see you around in this thread. Please feel free to post anything regarding writing and yourself here

Would like to hear more of the other iStoryan Writers how they spent their Holy Week, other that spiritual reflection and stuff but FIRST let me post some important local writing events!

Gawad Likhaan deadline extended

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The deadline for submission of entries to Gawad Likhaan: The University of the Philippines Centennial Literary Prize has been extended to April 30, 2008, Wednesday, at 5 p.m.

Gawad Likhaan was created by the UP Centennial Commission to celebrate the University’s 100th year. It is administered by Likhaan: The UP Institute of Creative Writing (UP-ICW).

There are six awards, each one worth Php 200,000, for original, book-length works in English or Filipino in three categories: the novel or short story collection; poetry collection; and full-length work or collection of creative nonfiction or sanaysay.

The competition is open to all Filipino citizens (including Filipinos holding dual citizenship), except for members of the UP-ICW and its staff.

Only one prize per category will be awarded. Authors may submit only one entry per category. Works which have already been awarded a prize in other contests are not eligible. Subject or theme is open.

The complete rules are available at the UP-ICW office in UP Diliman. They have also been uploaded at Likhaan’s website, http://upd.edu.ph/~icw/ and http://panitikan.com.ph, the Philippine literary portal hosted by the Institute.

All entries to the contest are to be submitted to the Board of Judges, Likhaan: The UP Institute of Creative Writing, Faculty Center, UP Diliman. The names of the winners and the members of the board of judges will be announced towards the end of June 2008.

Call for entries for Pinoy Haiku: Mga Taludtod mula kay Inang Daigdig

[color=navy]
With the success of two preceding contests, the Embassy of Japan, in conjunction with the UST Haiku Group, is holding the third Haiku Contest with the theme “Pinoy Haiku: Mga Taludtod mula kay Inang Daigdig (Verses from Mother Earth).”

The contest is open to all Filipinos living in the Philippines or abroad. The message of the haiku must deal with the appreciation of the environment, respect towards nature, or any observation about the natural world. Contestants may submit a maximum of two entries in either Filipino or English. However, entries written in Filipino or Tagalog must have an English translation. The entry form may be downloaded from the Embassy of Japan website.

Deadline for submission of entries is on June 12, 2008. Entries may be submitted by mail to:

2008 Haiku Contest
Japan information and Cultural Center
Embassy of Japan, 2627 Roxas Boulevard
Pasay City, 1300

Or via fax: (632) 551-5784

Or through e-mail to: jicc-mnl@japanembassy.ph or jiccmanila@yahoo.com

Top three poems and ten honorable mentions will be awarded at the award ceremony, which will be held at the Embassy of Japan in July.

For more information, please contact the Japan information and Cultural Center, Embassy of Japan at (632) 551-5710 or visit the website: http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp to download the entry form.

Haiku is a form of poetry that developed in Japan from about 400 years ago. It is a short verse of 17 syllables, divided into units of five, seven, and five syllables. Pinoy haiku has 19 syllables divided into units of three lines having seven, five, and seven syllables each. This fixed-form with rhyming the first and the last lines is ideal for Filipino poetic tradition considering its similarity to tanaga and ambahan in versification.

*****

[DebutsAndIDos]

Hi! I was just wondering if anyone has read "The Elements of Style"? And what other books have helped to hone your writing skills?

[diem]

Hi! I was just wondering if anyone has read "The Elements of Style"? And what other books have helped to hone your writing skills?

[color=navy]I have read and have an e-copy of Strunk and White's "The Elements of Style". I highly recommend it for aspiring writers to refine their notions on the craft of writing. Strunk's instructions, expanded and modernized by White; are simple, sensible and concise. It has taught me to write well in order to be understood clearly and I believe its principles can be applied in communicating through any language, other than English.

There are other similar instructive books in writing in English such as the Chicago Manual on Style and the New York Times Manual of Style and Usage. I would suggest that one should get one and always keep it handy for reference.

For creative writing in Filipino, I've have this book called 'Malikhaing Pagsusulat' by Joseph Arrogante which I bought at Goodwill Bookstore along P. del Rosario Street 4 years ago at PhP250. Similar to Strunk and White's, Arrogante's discussion on writing is direct-to-point and provides writing samples and exercises.

Other books that have helped me so far in honing my skills are books that have been titled as "Readers", such as the The Conscious Reader and the New Millennium Reader. These books are compilations of stories, essays and poetry, selected and edited for discussion and writing. I found my own copies at Booksale and RSO at bargain prices. I've also found books on writing for the stage and screen in both bookstores.

Another book that has helped me a lot is Great Short Stories Of The World, selected by the Editors of Reader's Digest. I've been reading it again and again, studying the storytelling styles of nearly a hundred writers, such as Anton Chekov, John Steinbeck, and O. Henry.

A well-recommended writing guide is Stephen King's On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. The prolific and popular American authors shares his views and experiences on how writing works and how a writing is nothing short of wizardry. Both Pulitzer Prize Awardee Roger Ebert and Neil Gaiman have referred to it.

[diem]

[color=navy]And oh on a related note.

In the past, there had been some posts requesting information on classes and seminars on writing. Though I believe that some basic instruction is essential in nurturing our leanings, it would help to be guided and the best place for such guidance is in a classroom-type setting accompanied by people of similar agendas under the tutelage of a mentor; I know from personal experience that that isn't necessary.

Henry David Thoreau; American author well known for "Walden", once said, "How vain it is to sit down and write when you have not stood up and live."

I like to take that as Life and experience are the best teachers! I would like to suggest the idea that your favorite author can be your best tutor. For some time now I have been researching on the lives of successful authors and at present, with the help of the Internet, Wikipedia, and blogs~ it's really so easy to discover what some established writers think about writing, receive that knowledge and learn from it.

One doesn't really need a book or class just to study on writing, one can just check out their favorite authors' personal websites. Here are some that I found so far that I think that might be interesting, particularly to those who like to write fiction:

JK Rowling http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly
Check out the FAQs where she discusses some aspects on writing and getting published. Her Extra stuff features articles on developing characters for her Harry Potter books as well as thoughts on where is the best place to write.

Stephen King http://www.stephenking.com/pages/faq/faq.php
There's some short sharp insights on the craft of writing. Not really much, I guess. If there was a whole lot of discussion on Stephen King's website on writing, then he wouldn't have to write the memoir ON WRITING. Hehe.

Neil Gaiman http://www.neilgaiman.com/p/Cool_Stuff
These features short stories by Gaiman and also some essays on Life in General and Life in Writing.

Dan Brown http://www.danbrown.com/meet_dan/faq.html
Get to know how this popular author tick and what he thinks about the craft of writing

Dean Alfar http://deanalfar.blogspot.com/
The personal blog on who could very well be THE force of nature in contemporary Filipino fiction. 9 time Palanca Awardee Dean Alfar shares insights, news and information on what's happening in present Philippine literature.

[diem]

[color=navy]Kabuwanan poetry competition

The Kabuwanan sa Cubao Expo: A Full Moon Artists’ Fair, to be held on April 5, 2008 (Saturday, 1pm onwards) is calling for poetry submission with a theme “Kabuwanan” or full moon.

The competition is open to all ages and must be a Filipino citizen. The entry must be submitted on or before April 1, 2008 to: Sandy Allan (soulcardreader@gmail.com) and Danny Sillada (dsillada@gmail.com)

Mechanics

Phase I:

* Submit a poem no more than 24 lines, minimum of 18 lines with a theme “Kabuwanan” (full moon) related to art, culture and Filipino values. It must be written in English or Filipino rhymed, blank verse or free verse.
* The entry must be the individual work of the author with name, e-mail address and contact numbers below the poem.

Phase II:

* Among the entries, only 10 poems will be chosen to the final competition, which will be recited or performed, not read, by the poets on April 5, 2008, 4pm at Cubao Expo, Quezon City.
* The judges will chose only one winner with monetary price and a plaque or trophy. Other 9 finalists will receive a certificate of recognition and their poems will be published at Dalityapi, an online literary publication.

Criteria of Judging

Phase I:

1. Relevance to the theme
2. Style and originality
3. Coherence of form and structure
4. Clarity of imagery and language

Phase II:

1. Stage presence and presentation
2. Poise and spontaneity of recitation
3. Intonation, poetic expression and a clear insight into the poet’s intention
4. Clarity of spoken words and diction.

[brownprose]

It's been awhile since my last posting here...anyone here likes to try SEO writing? part-time/full-time its ok...for as long as he/she can deliver the articles ON TIME. Pls. YM lang me brown_prose for details... I'm posting for a friend.

mods feel free to move/remove this post just in case this doesn't fit in here. ty

[diem]

[color=navy]^^Okay ra na bro. Hope you post here often.

BOUNCE Magazine Opens Collegiate Contests for Students

BOUNCE, the only college culture magazine, invites all student journalists and artists from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to join a new inter-collegiate competition!

B A BOUNCER SEARCH!
Lifestyle Journalism Contest

Meet new people and mingle with celebrities! Fly to the hottest destinations! Be part of our photo shoots! Get VIP access to concerts and other gimmicks! Earn a quick buck! Get loaded with freebies! No fees, no fuss, here's your chance to be one of us!

Join BOUNCE Magazine's league of extraordinary college correspondents and experience hands-on media training by submitting to us your latest resume, two 2x2 pictures, a photocopy of your latest registration form or student ID, a cover letter, sample works, and the following requirements:

For Writers, compose a 300 to 500-word essay about your school's college culture, or construct a feature about four of the following:
a. Your favorite professor / school hangout / school org
b. A model student, alumnus, or alumna of your school
c. A Filipino "Yadult" or icon that inspires you the most
d. A Filipino student celebrity who can be a role model to other students
e. A review of 10 of your most favorite gadgets
f. A review of your most favorite bar or restaurant, music album, TV show, or movie
g. An analysis of a hot campus issue
h. Coverage of a major event in school

For Illustrators, submit at least two 8"x11," full-color
illustrations (with border) about any two of the following topics:
a. Your school's college culture
b. A caricature of your favorite professor / school hangout / school org or a role model student / alumnus / alumna of your school
c. Your visual interpretation of a hot campus issue
d. A funny comic strip about college life

Finally, for Layout Artists, layout any topic that can be featured in BOUNCE or scan at least five different pages from the different sections of any BOUNCE Magazine issue and re-layout them anyway you like.

Send your entries to Unit 6H, 8101 Pearl Plaza, Pearl Drive, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, or email them to bounce@octobereighty.com. For hand-carried or courier-mailed entries, kindly provide both hard and
soft copies of the requirements. Deadline for requirements is on April 30, 2008.

Selected works will be published in the succeeding issues of BOUNCE, and chosen contributors will have the chance to become BOUNCE's regular college correspondents or guest editors! If you're that good, we can even hire you after graduation! Hurry, grab this chance to be discovered! Be a BOUNCER!

Grab a copy now of BOUNCE, available in bookstores and stands nationwide!

BOUNCE Magazine is more than just a glossy. It defines the motion of this unpredictable and bold generation. We answer the needs of readers who starve for a new medium that pushes the envelope.

From social and school issues to technology and the arts, fashion and beauty to travel and sports, Bounce gives you the widest picks in the college scene—satisfaction guaranteed! Check out bouncemag.multiply.com for upcoming news and surprises.

[DebutsAndIDos]

[color=navy]And oh on a related note.

Henry David Thoreau; American author well known for "Walden", once said, "How vain it is to sit down and write when you have not stood up and live."

Thanks for the reference books. I love this quote above.

Thoreau also said, "If you have built castles in the air, your work is not lost. That is where they should be. Now build the foundation under them"

It can sometimes be depressing to know that I put off what could have been an enriching career in writing for a more practical one in IT. Yet, I comfort myself with the thought that what I am going through right now will be material to write about later...

Meanwhile, I wait for the right season, entrenching my roots firmly and stretching myself upwards.

[diem]

[color=navy]^^Good luck and God bless on that, DebutsANdIDos. What I suggest you can do is reserve at least an hour a day to keep your nose to the grind and polish your writing skills

I've been studying bisoy's blogsite "mywritingexercises.blogdrive.com" which contain plenty of activities on creative writing. I find what the site is all about is great and I think I could make something like that for everyone here in istoryan writers.

I've decided that, from time to time, I would prepare and post discussions on elements of creative writing in prose and poetry. Along with these discussions will be Writing Workouts that I hope everyone can use as practice and post their results in this thread

[b]Let us begin with "Setting".

[rishee]

Does anyone know what an emotion writer is?