HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY, WTWC!
We thought we cannot but we did it anyway.
After years of daydreaming that I’ll write creatively, I finally allowed myself to make it happen. Looking back, I felt this intense energy filled with excitement and promise, with worry by my side but enough courage to push through and finally give in to what I want. Starting my writing page, all I care about is releasing these thoughts and repressed feelings. A passion project – where I am free and safe to explore, let loose, and wonder. Its purpose remains, except that it holds a more special space in my life now, for there I found a home.
ORIGIN OF USERNAME
In my mind, I’d like a username that speaks of the purpose of why I created it in the first place. A name that also resonates with people that might have experienced and felt the same as mine. A reminder that regardless, I made it happen. The draft name for my writing page is “akala ko hindi.” Those are Filipino words that have no definite translation except when there is a context provided. Since I’ve decided that the overall vision I have for this writing account is to defeat the worries and doubts I have, and start moving, I made it sound like “I thought it is not possible.”
Later on, as I was designing the logo, I realized that there are indeed a lot of interpretations of “akala ko hindi.” While that doesn’t sound bad, I wished for people to immediately recognize and understand the brand I was going for – doing things despite. Also, I want to admit that I am more comfortable expressing myself in English YET. I don’t want to sound trying so hard in my native language so I opted for the one I am more familiar with. But as time passes by, and through my college course, I believe I am getting better at expressing myself creatively using Filipino. Then after a few more tweaks here and there, “We Thought We Cannot” was born. If you can notice, I also completed the idea of this concept through the email – “we did it anyway.”
GRATITUDE
As always, through this blog, I am taking this opportunity to express my gratitude to you. Your support makes my heart full. To be honest, I am the type of person who, when something good happens to me or when someone compliments me, I couldn’t comprehend the situation right away. It takes me days before actually processing and believing that it did happen. I don’t know why but I’m working on it by reminding myself to always, never forget, and endlessly give thanks to people who see me.
For my siblings and friends whom I consulted first about this and are the first ones to push me, thank you. From the name to the logo, palette, and font, you were there to help me choose what best represents me. I had a lot of elements that I’d like to put into one and you made me think things through, sorting the main image I want to show, and how with time, I could slowly let out the sub-themes of my account. But most especially for reminding me over and over again that this account is mine – do not let the other voices take control.
For the writing community and organizations I became a part of, The Young Writers Initiative and The Authors of Tomorrow, thank you for the opportunity and chance to grow. I am surprised by the warm welcome of the new and established writers in the community. Every time that I had a post, they comment on their favorite line and reaction to my poems. It gives me a sense of community, that there is no competition, just healthy conversations. They are also humbling for the support that they give to a beginner and aspiring writer like me. And, they teach me, a lot. From their posts to these reply threads about the poem patterns and sequences up until “my style” though I am still searching for them, they are pointing out; that they were patient in giving me a chance to love my craft more.
Through the writing challenges held by other writers, thank you. I was exposed to various prompts which led me in discovering that I am capable of writing flash fiction. Every time I read them, I am surprised that it was me who wrote them. I could still improve, of course, but I believe it’s worth celebrating how far I’ve become from a person who finds it difficult to express anything. Also! Thank you for acknowledging We Thought We Cannot. For the past year, my poems won and were featured in various known writing accounts. Even my art too!
Thank you to my newfound friend, Zoie! You’re a burst of beaming sunshine.
Gratitude to the Universe! And most importantly, to you, readers. I didn’t know people could relate to my pieces, nor that you’d read them, but here we are today. I do not pay so much attention to numbers and yet receiving 300 and more of you believing in me, I am so much honored. My younger self would laugh in disbelief knowing that this is possible. Beautiful beings, thank you with all my heart.
LET’S CELEBRATE
To celebrate WTWC’s first anniversary, I prepared two surprises for you. Back in the 7th month of this year, I released “July prompts.” This is the first ever writing challenge I held, and contrary to the usual, there’s a prize involved! Nineteen, the same as the day this account was born, are the number of prompts divided into four different categories: 1) phrase, 2) Filipino, 3) sentence, and 4) situational. The winner of this event will win a copy of my newly released e-book: Blueberries in July! Another milestone for me as a person and an aspiring writer.
Blueberries in July contains twenty original prose and poetry pieces accompanied by lovely artworks from indie and beginner illustrators, @kyashuuko and @tisravelle! It is light, hopeful, and motivating. Read, travel back, or with the character of July, named after her birth month, as she crosses the boundary between childhood and adulthood, and feel good approaching yourself with curiosity and kindness. Be inspired with reminders that we can take a breath while taking a pause or moving forward at the same time.
If you are interested in taking a copy, read the instructions here: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg1jhvOLrwO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
We are also accepting another mode of payment aside from GCASH, PayPal! See the details here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSemDta0NufjTgfLDVW5bBAoyDDCUgoUabz_LKmDH_PEGpFH3Q/viewform
The winner of my first-ever prompt challenge is @1damakata! Her winning piece is a Filipino poem using three of my Filipino prompts, which talks about a person freeing themselves from a relationship that has been long gone. It is really interesting how Juanda used water as a metaphor for the learning curve of moving forward. She received a copy of the e-book already! I’m grateful for the other writers who joined my event. I plan to do more soon!
WHAT’S NEXT
Now, the next big question concludes this blog. What is next for WTWC? MORE.
Yes, more! Do you remember the one-shot stories I release every 7th of the month? If so, yes, Katha Series will continue this year beginning on September 07, 2022. I am excited to share with you a new batch of different short stories. I am continuously exploring the different genres and hopefully, through this series, I get to practice my writing skills more. My idea bank has a list that I can’t wait to start ticking off so I hope to release them this year! There’s a new mantra that I am trying to live by now, “Don’t imprison the ideas; there’s no unlimited chance to set them free.” Here’s to sticking with it until the end.
I’ve said this in a past post, but I’m still struck, by the great impact of the words of Kurt Vonnegut. His advice is to practice art, in whatever form, regardless if it’s good or bad to experience becoming. Through continuous creation of our craft, our souls grow and that’s the goal. I am inspired by this for though I am embracing the progress that I have in writing, fear still lurks, hence several WIPs that I’m having second thoughts about continuing and releasing to the public. But reading that letter from Mr. Vonnegut is a sign for me to make another thing happen.
WTWC is set to release a novel online soon!
Details are yet to be finalized. 😊 Let’s keep on creating art, beautiful beings! I am ecstatic to celebrate this milestone with you. Thank you for being with me on my writing journey!
Have a nice day! Flourish! :>
we thought we cannot 