#creative non-fiction

[seraphim-viktorious]

Reverent: An Anthology of Divinity

I am very excited to reveal that I've been accepted as a contributor for the Reverent Anthology, edited and managed by author @quintonli

This is a very special opportunity for me, and I dearly hope you will all stay tuned for updates and progress as it comes.

[jamiesonwolf]

Light Through the Trees - Creative Non-Fiction

I’ve started seeing the shadows again. I can see them out of the corners of my eyes when I walk into a room, or when I look up from a book I’m reading. I have tried to ignore them. The trees may have given me shelter when I no longer wanted to interact with the world, but they demanded a price. I hoped that I would never see them again. I try to ignore the shadows at first, but they’re growing…

[benggonzales]

My _______ Valentine

LOVE is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it does not proud. It does not dishonor others, It is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. (1 Corinthians 13: 4-7). That is the best definition of love based on God's word.

LOVE is the most sweetest things that you would experience here in earth. Loving can also hurt you, because you need to risk something. It only hurt because you really love someone, that you will sacrifice everything for them. Loving someone is not easy but if you open your heart and mind for the true meaning of love, you wil just realize that "it's worth the risk" because you really loved.

The most comforting feeling is when you know that you are loved, this love I mean is not just Eros, Phileo, but Agape. That is 3 kinds of love, by the way. Eros is physical love or sexual desire and phileo is love of friend but the agape is the most sweet, it is deep, pure love and it is unselfish, and that is what love God is. He will never leave us nor forsake us. I experience His love and He never failed me, He restore my love and life.

People celebrating valentines day with their love ones, expressing their love through giving gifts, sweet chocolates and flowers. It feels so relief if you received that . We love each other and we have inspiration in life. It gives us strength when our beloved giving us an assurance that they will be on our side forever until their last breath.

LOVE is patient, but we get tired. Continue to love until you find who will be on your side until the end of your life. Other people find it useless, if you give. You are lose in your life. But the true one will help you win.

FEBRUARY 14, 2024

[gabrielmtc]

Baguio : The "Coolest" Place in the Philippines.

                Baguio, elevating 1,500m above sea level, at an elevation this high, you will definitely feel the breeze gliding on your skin making your shiver.

 Many of us has been to Baguio for at least one point in our lives, and for me, I mean, my 10-year-old me, it was my first time.

                After knowing that we will go to Baguio for summer, I was excited, because all of the things I have hear about this place was, “sobrang lamig dito, parang ayoko na umuwi”. So the little me cant wait to find out what’s really there, if its really “malamig” or its just a placebo effect that if you are in baguio you’re the one of the coolest person in the country, literally.

                So, the time has come and it’s the day that we go the city, I woke up at 2 am, bags already packed, heck I even slept with my clothes that I will wear for tomorrow beside my bed. I was really excited, to come and see the beautiful views of mines view, the elegant, and the classy “The Mansion”, and of course the popular night market at the Harrison Road just shy of Session Road. It is a place where both kids and adults will be happy whatever the city offer. The rental bikes you can rent with your family and friends, the swans on the pond, and the horses that you can ride. For me, the moment I stepped out of the bus it was the horses that greeted me a welcome to their beloved city, I was so happy, probably because that  was my first time seeing an actual horse in flesh. Happy and excited, the little me was running out of joy at the park yelling, but of course only in my mind “sa Wakas naka rating na din ako sa baguio”. After an hour of exploring and appreciating the beauty of the city we finally went to our transient and that’s when it all sunk in, “damn, Ill literally be in this city for a week, that’s so cool”. Little me was so excited thinking what are the many things that my family and I will do for tomorrow, lying down on my bed, thinking, just thinking, until my eyes unconsciously closed, and I fell asleep.                 The next time I opened my eyes, its morning my family and relatives were already packing and getting ready for the first day of our tour, after I saw them, I quickly stood up and took a bath, even though it’s so cold as a Pinoy-cultured kid, I. have. To. Take. A. Bath       

                Our first stop, Minesview Park, this place is unreal, the views on the Observation deck is breath-taking, while looking at the superb view I ate a delicacy called “sundot kulangot” in Tagalog, it literally means picking a booger from the inside of your nose. Ew, but as much as it sounds disgusting the taste of this food was so sweet and yummy, I really enjoyed eating the sweet candy while looking at the sweetest view in the whole city.

                I won���t be telling the whole tour in detail because it would take days for me to express it, like, 1 day for a day in Baguio? That would be insane!

                There I also a day where we visited The Mansion, and since its only a walking-distance from our transient, you guessed it, we walked, inside the vicinity, a lot of people walking, some are towards the mansion, and some away, and in the middle of them, is a body of water and is probably a man-made river this sets a cool ambiance to the place that helps The Mansion be more elegant and dreamy.

                Last day was different, I mean commonly last day is the day where you so called “sulit” your time because those are the very last minutes of your tour, but us, we just stayed in our transient, rested, but for me, it was sort of experiencing to actually live in baguio, because of course the locals don’t tour everyday so this final day for us was like, how does it feel to be a baguio local-resident? Is it more relaxing than living in the suburbs of manila? So, in our last day we lived like locals and stayed in our house, watching tv, chilling near the chimney, and me, as a “videogame-addict” I went outside with my dad and looked for a computer shop nearby. And we found one, so I rented 1 hour to play, and this was one of the times that I said to myself “gusto ko tumira dito”. To experience living in a place much more cooler than manila is different, like everything is different. The air is so much fresher and cooler. But sadly, we had to leave the city and go back to reality.

                For me, that tour was very fun and memorable, I mean its my first time right? First for me is always the most memorable. And although I love Baguio so much, I just cant forget the place where I lived and grew up, yes other places might be cooler, and more beautiful, the place where we  grew up always has a special  place in our hearts, and that’s the reason it’s called “HOME” there’s nothing like it, as much as Baguio is relaxing, the feeling of resting in your own home  is unbeatable, that’s when you feel that you are really resting.

                I won’t forget Baguio, it still probably one of my favourite places that I visited. But as much as I love home, I can’t wait to go back, and I will go back to… Baguio: The “Coolest Place in the Philippines.

[robertpatrick]

the photo box, edit update

I’ve been busy with numerous other projects, but took a few days to reevaluate some suggested edits from my editor and have decided to delete this chapter and two others from “The Photo Box”. It’s not that I don’t like them, but they didn’t add anything to the memoir I have written. Thought I’d share this one as it’s a favorite of mine, a little darling, if you will. Sic Gloria Transit…

[identitty-dickruption]

my dad is starting to remind me of his father. my grandfather. not always. it'll just be a certain look he gives me across the dinner table, a certain tone of voice he brings out for social occasions, a certain way of being that can't help but make me feel like the two men are becoming one

my grandfather, pa, used to look after my sisters and I when we lived in Adelaide and my parents needed a break. if I sit still enough, I can still feel that house in my bones. I can feel how humid that front room used to get during the summers. I can feel how hungry I would get after a whole weekend of "you'll eat what you're given or you'll starve". I can feel how lonely and how confused I used to get

I was an insomniac from the day I was born, so naturally I would take the longest to go to bed and stay there. to help me get to sleep at night, pa used to put on movies for me to watch. not anything normal, like a Disney movie or whatever else. the movies were long and confusing, and they all ended with a bright red Salvation Army logo. I don't remember much, but I do remember what hell looks like, and I remember how people end up there

I used to wonder if pa was going to go to heaven. I still do. especially now that the man's dying. but I would think about those bright white images of heaven when I got up for the fifth time in one night, and pa was left with no choice but to hit me until I went back to sleep. I would think about those flames of hell when I woke up the next morning with a new story of where the bruises came from

I brought it up with my dad recently. not the fact that he reminds me of his father. I would never dare say something like that. no, I just mentioned it all in passing. "do you remember when pa hit me?". if I didn't know any better, I would say that the look my dad gave me was his best impression of his father. he sighed. and he said, "you sure do hold a lot of grudges. shouldn't you be over this by now?"

it's hard to believe that this counts as holding a grudge when it's one of those things I only really think about in passing nowadays. it's hard to ignore the fact that I was singled out as the appropriate recipient of all his anger. all of pa's anger then. all of my dad's anger now. my sisters didn't even know. and yet, somehow, I still feel like I'm making a big deal out of nothing. it was only a couple times. it was only a couple steps too far. it was only when I was too young to speak up about it

I don't know how to end this, because I don't think it's finished. pa's still not dead. and even when he does die, probably this year, he will live on in the face of my dad. and I can't decide if that's worth holding a grudge over

[ashwithapen]

some pictures i took while i was in ávila, spain this summer to promo my wip: viva la ávila

and maybe if enough people see this and show some vague interest it will give me the power to sit down and write more of it lmao

fun fact: the first photo of a person (the person with the red hair) is me!

[keyboard-squared]

365(ish) Days of Writing: A Year of the Ups and Downs of Creativity

Discover a year-long creative journey through the good and bad of writing.

In between the uncertainties and fears is a place where the only thing happening is right in front of you. The only action you can take is the next one. The only moment that matters is the one you’re currently in. 365(ish) Days of Writing: A Place Called “Now” I’ve got a new series going, and it’s now in full swing. This blog is full of writing tips, resources, and lessons I’ve learned as a…

[sundaynightlive]

an essay a day keeps the complacency at bay

When I first read this for a class, it gutted me. I looked around at the faces of my peers and found them listless, bored, ready to be done with this session and every session after.

I felt silly for wanting to cry.

(expand for spoilers)

[satticwrites]

Drained

We had a staff meeting today, and the whole time I was just sitting there thinking, “I don’t want to keep doing this”. Does it show on my face? Can they tell that I’m thinking of leaving? Do they know that I’ve already mentally checked out of this whole ordeal? Like, I’m here sitting at this meeting, but I’m not really present. I’ve been off work since, basically, the 27th of December (give or…

[justforgetthepast-blog1]

Looking Forward

Photo by Jaime Reimer on Pexels.com See, I am doing a new thing!    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?I am making a way in the wilderness    and streams in the wasteland. ~ Isaiah 43:19 (NIV) I have to say it over and over again. My mantra for a new cycle of this one-woman show–my passion project. For the 2025 Spring/Summer edition of Teach. Write., I would love to publish the poems,…

[rozmorris]

May the best book win - a few thoughts on judging a writing competition

As you might have seen from previous posts and newsletters, I’m one of the judges in the 2025 International Voices in Creative Non-Fiction competition. I’ve just finished my reading and I’ve learned a few things. How to compare chalk and cheese? Creative non-fiction is a term that covers just about every literary form. Some entries are in verse. Some are short stories. Some are experimental…

[jdrachel]

(via What Do Mermaids Eat? . . . Corinne | John Rachel) Meet Corinne, a mermaid that was hit by a nuclear submarine. Read all about her and 18 other mermaids in the most uniquely beautiful fantasy/travel/cookbook ever! 

[janmorrill]

Day 10: Flight of the Flamingo - Or Not

Imagine you’re watching a flamingo. You can tell she’s an aged flamingo by her graying pink feathers and legs skinnier than perhaps even a flamingo’s legs should be. Now, imagine her clomping, step by step along a sandy shoreline. She’s surrounded by other flamingos, some bright pink and graceful. Others. like our Madame Flamingo, are older, but doing their best to retain the youthful grace most…

[memoirs-of-a-people-pleaser]

The Irony of Escaping the Life You’re Trying to Live

There’s a certain absurdity in living a life that you’re constantly trying to run away from. It’s like building a beautiful house only to spend all your time trying to break out of it. Every day feels like a prison escape movie, except I’m the director, the prisoner, and the prison guard, all rolled into one emotionally exhausted package.

We all have our escapes. For some, it’s binge-watching shows about people with infinitely more interesting lives. For others, it’s scrolling through social media, living vicariously through photos of vacations they can’t afford. And for the truly desperate, it’s writing blogs about how much they need to escape their own lives. Hi, that’s me.

Escaping is easy. It’s staying that’s hard. Staying means confronting the mess, the mundane, and the maddeningly repetitive. It means waking up to the same alarm, going to the same job, and dealing with the same existential dread that no amount of inspirational quotes can fix.

But what if we could find a way to live without constantly needing an escape hatch? What if, instead of running away, we ran towards something better? Something real. Something that makes us want to stay.

Of course, this is easier said than done. Life isn’t a movie where you can just hit pause and rewrite the script. It’s more like a choose-your-own-adventure book where every choice seems to lead to a page marked “Sorry, try again.”

The truth is, most of us are just trying to survive. We cling to our escapes like life rafts, hoping they’ll keep us afloat in the sea of monotony. But maybe, just maybe, there’s a way to build a life that doesn’t require constant escape routes.

But how do you build that life? I suppose it starts with facing the uncomfortable truth that maybe, just maybe, the problem isn’t the life itself but how I’m living it. Maybe instead of constantly looking for ways out, I need to look for ways in—into moments of genuine connection, into passions that ignite something other than a desire to flee, into the uncomfortable yet necessary process of self-acceptance.

It’s not easy. Nothing worth having ever is. But perhaps, in those rare, fleeting moments when I stop running, I’ll find glimpses of a life that feels less like a trap and more like a home.

Until then, I’ll be here, trying to find my way out of the escape room that is my existence, one day at a time. And who knows? Maybe one day, I’ll stop looking for the exit and start decorating the walls instead.

[ashwithapen]

find the word tag :D

thank you @palebdot for tagging me! my words are spring, bread, glow, rain. this one was rough, but here's what i could find!

spring from viva la ávila (part 3)

After some time, Dimitri and Gillen appeared, requesting money for cigarettes. And, with my spine as pliant as a pen spring, I rolled my eyes and dug out my purse because really, how was I to say no? I’d give him whatever I had on me in a heartbeat—I’d give him myself in less. And Dimitri was cool as well. And if they told me they loved me, and if I smiled, and if I felt some level of importance be spurred to life within my chest, then really, who’s to knock me down?

nothing for bread :(

glow from tales, second edition (part 6)

this weekend, arianna, one of my two closest life-friends, came back to visit from canada as her midterm is now. it's saturday night/sunday morning and she and my other closest friend are sleeping in the room i abandoned when my thoughts grew wild. from where i sit in her guest room, the angle is different. the room doesn't smell like mine, the aircon doesn't taste the same, the floors are all different, and there is a distinct lack of glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling. it's late, and i'm wondering if maybe friday was yet another example of something that i shouldn't have been so startled to learn, to know, to feel. do people like me usually get this type of treatment? am i actually allowed to have my new-spoken say be taken and upheld, fought for? i don't feel worthy. i don't feel worth it. i don't feel like their effort is being very well spent on me of all people, but still, they are the ones who wanted to check in again on the coming friday.

nothing for rain either :((

no-pressure tagging @sithbelle @rbbess110 @rickie-the-storyteller @stanrendipity (and if you see this and want to do it too, go for it :) )

your words are: forever, lust, caressed, struck

have fun!