Category Archives: Writing

Creating the Markham Writing Group

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MWG Logo

Today Karen Yuen and I met to discuss the complete lack of writing opportunities available in Markham. Perhaps this is due to Markham’s relatively small population in comparison to our more populous neighbours like Toronto or North York, but a thorough search of all Markham services revealed that nowhere in Markham exists regular readings, writing workshops, courses, seminars, or feedback groups. When confronted with the depravity of our small town, we decided to found a new group, The Markham Writing Group, to alleviate this need.

The MWG is dedicated to fostering writing talent and is open to writers of all genres and from all levels (from beginners to seasoned authors). As aspiring writers, we will mentor and support each other in a judgment-free environment. Though we are starting small (with a brief introductory meeting this Sunday, May 10 between 3-4pm at Angus Glen Community Centre), we hope to expand and include writer-based events, author readings, and member features or publishings.

Please support the group by spreading the word or, even better, joining us! For more information, check out the group’s website or Facebook group or e-mail us at [email protected].

Hart House Review Launch, etc.

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I am attending the Hart House Review Launch this Tuesday, April 14 at 7:30pm in the Hart House Debates Room and I’m not too sure what to expect, though I know there will be hors d’oeuvres and drinks. I suppose that means mingling is involved (unfortunately for me, as I am chronically anti-social). There will also be readings from Priscila Uppal and Ronna Bloom, with showcased pieces by Davida Nemeroff. I will also get my hands on this year’s issue of the Review with my short story, “Mahal Kita”.

I am still extremely grateful and excited about my acceptance into the Review. At the same time, I’m eager to start trying my hand at publications and contests outside the UofT community. I am currently working on a short story to be finished by early May tentatively titled “Lights Out”. It will focus more on Canadian culture – specifically cosmopolitan Toronto culture – although it will still cursorily refer to Philippine culture as a reference point as well. It is the first time I’m trying to seriously write something for publication in a while and I’m a bit nervous about it.

My screenplay is still in the works as well, and has actually regressed to the beat-sheet stage. There were a lot of issues I had to work out at the plot level, and I’ve come up with a completely different story from the one I first started with. I’m very happy with the changes and progress that has been made, as it’s starting to move at a movie-like pace as opposed to the novelistic turtle-walk it was moving at before.

Anyways, more later. Adios.

Two E-mails Received Feb. 23, 2009

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My First Rejection

Hello Mia,

Thank you for submitting your essay to IDIOM: English Undergraduate Academic Journal. Unfortunately we are unable to include your essay inthis year’s edition of our journal. The number and caliber of contributions greatly surpassed our expectations. However, projectslike ours depend entirely on the willingness of students to participate in a lateral literary critical discourse: we thank you for supporting IDIOM with your submission and highly encourage you to submit again next year! We also hope you will pick up a free copy ofthe new volume of our journal in April: please write back if you would like to receive an update when it becomes available.

Sincerely,

IDIOM Editiorial Board


My First Acceptance
Dear Mia,
We are happy to inform you that your short story “Mahal Kita” has been accepted for publication in our upcoming issue of the *Hart House Review*.C ongratulations! However, we have condensed your work to help intensify the complex and heartfelt story you are conveying, as well as to make the division between the past and the present clearer to readers. We have attached your work to this email and the changes are indicated by TrackC hanges. Please let us know if these changes are acceptable to you; if so, please confirm by the end of the next week since we are working on the production stages of the *Review*.
Once again, congratulations! We will be sending out information about the launch in the coming months.
Regards,
The *Hart House Review* Editorial Board
———–
Just for the record, the first letter was from an academic journal, to which I sent an old essay about the duplicity between duty and derogation in Richardson’s Pamela. The second is from a literary journal, to which I sent a short story I wrote about the Philippines.
Another note for the record is the fact that I applied for Grad School – to Queens, Western, and UofT for their Masters in English programs. I felt like it was a good back up plan at the time – my second greatest passion to writing being reading. The irksome thing about it all, though, is that, not only did I spend $500+ on applications, but I also feel, increasingly, like school isn’t where I belong. Despite the fact that I’ve fast-tracked university and am not doing horribly bad in school, I still feel sub-par in my program – as though I’m just not smart enough and I’m somehow magicking my way through classes. I fear this same feeling will follow me through Grad School, and I have nightmares about finding myself in a PhD program and having to admit to everyone that my mind just doesn’t work analytically in that way.
In a way, these letters have solidified the dichotomy between school and writing in my mind. One, I was born to do, and another, I learned to do.
Despite the fact that my mid-terms and finals are quickly approaching, I can’t seem to make myself focus on getting those Grad School grades. I spend more time researching writing techniques, reading for fun, and hammering out scenes for my screenplay.
But perhaps, everything happens for a reason. At least I will know that I’ve kept all doors open and tried my best.

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I’ve wanted to become a writer since I was a kid. Unfortunately, when people would ask, “What do you want to do when you grow up?” my answer would more often than not be followed by a quizzical stare, a condescending smile, a pat on the head, or just a “Really? That’s really what you want to do?” As time passed, such responses reinforced the necessity of looking for a “real job”. Saying that I wanted to become a writer was like saying that I wanted to become an astronaut, a billionaire, or a famous celebrity. It was an unrealistic and impossible goal. So I began to tell people that I’d be happy working the 9-5 behind a desk, at a bank, or in a library as long as I could be financially independent and see a bit of the world. Passion and work simply didn’t mix.

Now, graduating university with my undergraduate degree, I have the opportunity to actually get that 9-5 job, but suddenly it’s not enough. Over the past year, I’ve become more accustomed to responding truthfully when people ask me, “What do you want to be?” I am slowly replying with more confidence when I say, as I did when I was a child, that I want to become a writer. After all, they are asking me what I want to be, not what I need to be, and being a writer is pretty much all I want – to follow my passion and live my dream. At times I do receive the same quizzical or condescending stares, and who knows? Perhaps being a writer is as impossible and as difficult as becoming a billionaire. No matter. I’m going for it anyways.

Feel free to follow me as I achieve my dreams.