Writing Projects for This Year

     Since I've already updated you with all my published works for the past two years and a half, now I'm going to share with your my writing projects for this year. From 2011, I've been more focused on short form poetry such as haiku and tanka. I'm still going to keep on writing and submitting them for publication, but this year, I'll make sure that I find time to pursue what I've already started which is writing for children.

So here were the goals that I listed down in January 2014:

1) A new improved version of The Eskalets -  In 2008, I wrote a children's story in dvd format. This was inspired by the photos and video clips that I took of the six American robins by my window's apartment in 2007. To improve this dvd, I have to 
   a. improve the quality of the photos (taken from a Canon camera with only 4 megapix) by using digital art
   b. find a way to minimize the shakes in my video clips
   c. find a musician who would do the music background

2) The Magic Paintbrush as a picture book or easy reader book
   a. find an illustrator
   b. revised it to make it appropriate for a book with illustrations
   c. find an editor to check typos, grammatical errors, etc.

3) Update this blog
4) Set up a new website to promote myself as a children's book author
5) Research on whether to self-publish or not to self-publish

I need to add this one:
6) Non-children's journal - to put up the very first haiga (haiku and art) journal that I've been dreaming about for some time. 

     Do you think I'm expecting too much of myself this year? Wait till you read my next posts and find out if I've achieved at least half of my goals. :-)

"The Magic Paintbrush" Featured in August Blog Splash

    In August 6, 2012, The Magic Paintbrush was featured on Kathy Uyen Nguyen's August Blog Splash, a talent showcase of poets, artists, writers/authors from different walks of life. 

    Here is what she wrote: 

    This heart-warming children's story is definitely a bedtime, nap time, or reading time story that keeps the joy of art and heart going until the next day.  The reader is immersed in Alexa's colorful world and her adventurous encounter with a magical paintbrush.  Interestingly, this magic paintbrush grants more wishes than a genie or djinn can, which would delight the child in all of us.  Just like any children's story, there are also morals and lessons to be learned. Villa captures what a true artist (in the general sense that does include poets, writers, musicians, etc.) should really be at heart through the eyes of the young protagonist, Alexa.  Villa's writing style is concise and lighthearted, but at the same time, simply honest and at times, poetic.  

"The Magic Paintbrush" in a Senior Magazine

     "The Magic Paintbrush" is a children's story for all ages. Yes, it's also for parents and grandparents who want to feel like a kid again.

     In October 2011, this story of mine was published in a senior mobile home park's magazine called Lamplighter Lighter Chatter. 

     I was happy to receive some positive feedback. In fact, it was published again in 2013. 

    

"The Magic Paintbrush" in a Knowonder's Story Book Collection

     While visiting the knowonder! website in January 2013, I came across some good news. My story The Magic Paintbrush has been included in the 1st volume of Knowonder's storybook collection. The book contains 30 fun and original stories, one for every day of the month. 

   By now, Knowonder has a total of six books on sale for their story time collection, one of which is the 1st volume. You can still purchase it from Amazon by clicking this link.