Global Sole

But It's in the Stars

2009-02-22T06:13:00.000-08:00

So it is late February and what have I got to show on the writing front since my last post? Zilch! Well, I did dust off my memoir manuscript after New Year's to reacquaint myself with the 200 pages thus far hoping to transfer them into my laptop (a whole other story altogether...and for later).

Now for the litany of excuses: I teach Microeconomics on Tuesday nights and trying to stay a chapter ahead of the class; I took on another managerial role at work that the last person in it was downsized from; I social network for work daily on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn; it's too cold to seclude myself in my home office (peferrring the kitchen complete with fireplace and American Idol on DVR). At least I acknowledge these are excuses. Right? Yes? Hello?

The road to authorship is about the drive and discipline. Everyone knows that.

But I rely this week on inspiration from my astrologer no less, to jump start my authorship aspirations.

Allow me to explain.

My partner Bruce had visited a highly-recommended reader back in 2006 when we were transitioning our Monkey Hill retail venture from Manhattan to Lambertville, NJ. The reading was extensive and on record (tape). Over time, the stars have indeed foretold twists and turns in Bruce's career and overall fortunes. His recent follow-up reading led to an appointment for my birthday.

I set the $175 aside and left work early last Friday, the 13th, to trek into the City. Let's just cut to the chase: one of many juicy predictions was that I would finally finish my memoir and it will be well-received. I might struggle with whether it should be actaully be published but it will be done!

So there. And I can keep playing the CD of the reading to remind me so.

Read to Write - 2008/9 Holiday List

2008-12-16T05:39:00.000-08:00

I have chosen my (ambitious) reading list for when I am home and it's hopefully bitter cold outside and the dogs will want to sleep atop of me:

The Blue Star by Tony Earley - this is a follow up to Jim the Boy which I read a few years back at a book club I once belonged to. I recall the writing to be effortless and the author's voice, as genuine as any I have come across. (This was meant to be a summer read but I was doing much catch up on sleep whilst at the shore.)

Dear American Airlines by Jonathan Miles - the novel takes the form of a letter from a stranded passenger. I have been one myself many a time and I too should have channeled my frustration into a novel.

Netherland by Joseph O'Neill - set in post 9/11 New York and London, it has made a few best of 2008 lists and I am intrigued by how others have approached this catastrophic event for the purposes of fiction. I wrote a short story on 9/11 soon after the event entitled Post-Mortem.

Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri - I am a fan of Lahiri's ever since her short story debut, Interpreter of Maladies. I chose The Namesake for my former book club and even enjoyed the movie. India is very much on my mind having visited Mumbai earlier this year and taking in an art auction at The Taj and dinner at the Oberoi whilst there. I highly recommend catching Slumdog Millionaire this holiday movie season.

Any other titles you recommend?

The Write Stuff

2008-12-15T07:30:00.000-08:00

When I left Corporate America in late 1999, I embarked on a journey into the writer's life. I took a few courses at The New School in Manhattan and began writing everyday. The fruits of my labor came early with my first essay published in The New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/ on January 2000. From there it was a steady progression of assignments not only with The Times but several other publications as well where I primarily focused on workplace, management and travel topics.

I then did my homework on how to put together a book proposal. Three of them were taken on by a top New York City literary agent but alas, she targeted only the big houses and many a polite 'thanks but no thanks' letters piled up. She even put me in contact with a personality who was writing a book that I happened to have expertise in from my previous job. We got to the proposal stage then things petered out and I never really found out why.

I did enter contests and scholarships and won a few of them (see About Me). A short story of mine was even published. I was hitting writer milestones at a nice pace but pragmatism reared its head.

Seven years later I returned to Corporate America although my relationship with work is much healthier this time around and I do love (yes, love) both my job and the company I work for. I am able to use my business and marketing skills to the max to make a difference and I am fortunate to travel the world just as I had in my last job which brought me expatriate assignments in Europe and Asia.

But I do long for the writing. I still publish work-related articles but I do miss the short stories and my boyhood memoir, which I would say has been 90% complete for four years running. It has been difficult to get it going again for many reasons. Something tells me now is the time to finish the darn project as a dozen more ideas storm inside my brain.

So here is the blog that will discipline me into keeping my writing muscles toned and outlook positive. You will know first-hand how I progress or digress for that matter.

And, finally, I will record my travels and travails which I should have started two years ago when I took my current job. In 2008 alone I have visited Bucharest, Geneva, Mumbai, Rio de Janeiro, Manama, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur as well as my former homes of Manila nd London. I accomplished much officially at every port but have no "writer's proof" that I was truly there.

Do wish me well on my latest of sojourns as I do with yours.