As a kid, I was taught that certain spirits lived just beyond the edges of the path. In Filipino folklore, the nuno sa punso might curse you for disturbing its mound. In Finnish folklore, a type of haltija called a tonttu could guard your house and required certain behaviour. I grew up saying “tabi tabi […]
Boundary keepers & path shifters: forest spirits in Filipino & Finnish folklore Read More »
At my recent “World-building and Cultural Research for Storytelling” panel at the Filipino-Canadian Book Festival, one question asked where we start our respective worldbuilding processes. Here I’ll go into more detail about how I start worldbuilding as a sci-fi/fantasy author. /// Note: A slightly more detailed version of this post first appeared in my monthly
How I start my worldbuilding process as an SF/F author Read More »
Firstly: Happy Filipino Heritage Month! 🇵🇭 There’s an old-school style of Filipino restaurant called “turo-turo1.” The name is an example of classic Filipino word reduplicating, and stems from the word for pointing at something. They’re often located in strip malls, and the typical feature is their cafeteria-style presentation, all food laid out in warming trays
The Quiet is Loud & old Filipino restaurants Read More »
One of my favourite conversations with my editor for The Quiet is Loud went something like this: Me: So, we’re not italicizing the Filipino words, right? Amazing Editor Bryan Ibeas of Invisible Publishing: Fuck no we’re not. I know that the conversation would have gone the same way if anyone else at Invisible were my
Italicized words, and not othering myself in The Quiet is Loud Read More »
To celebrate crossing the midpoint in my science-fantasy novella, I’m sharing the Filipino & Finnish mythology & folklore I’ve incorporated in my work so far. This includes The Quiet is Loud, Twist the Branch (formerly known as Seeker of the Lost Song), TTB’s sequel, and the novella. Folklore/mythology from the Philippines: ✦ Nuno sa punso,
Filipino & Finnish mythology & folklore in my recent work Read More »
Say hello to the German-language edition of The Quiet is Loud, published by Piper Verlag and translated by Diana Bürgel! As I’ve mentioned before, I have family in Germany and so this is very special to me. I’m excited for the opportunity for Freya’s story to reach German speakers. You can read more about it
The Quiet is Loud – German edition! Read More »
Since 2008, I’ve taken myself on three DIY writing retreats. I’m sharing the things I’ve learned about DIY writing retreats, and what I’d do differently next time. Or, will there be a next time? Writing retreat #1: 2008 The idea for my first DIY writing retreat came to me out of impatience. I had the
Three ways to do a DIY writing retreat Read More »
“She should have been more mature for a 40-year-old.” That’s a paraphrasing of a book review I read recently. It made me wonder if this person actually knew any 40-year-olds. Sure, there are people who should know better no matter how old they are, but why would a protagonist that age have to act mature,
In praise of older protagonists Read More »
Filipino Heritage Month follows Asian Heritage Month/AAPI Heritage Month. May and June kinda knock my mixed-race brain around. I sometimes feel like I don’t belong in these conversations – especially as a writer – but at the same time I feel like I deserve to celebrate my heritage as much as any Asian does. So
Asian Heritage Month, Filipino Heritage Month, and The Quiet is Loud Read More »
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Eden Boudreau on the Dear Lonely Writer podcast. The time really flew by as we talked about writing journeys, character-driven fiction, identity and belonging, small presses, and connecting with your people. You can listen to my episode here, and after you’re done I highly recommend listening to
Interview on Dear Lonely Writer podcast Read More »
