Five Essentials for Tagalog Romance Writers

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1. A laptop or desktop computer

If you’re going to take this whole writing seriously, you’re going to need your own computer.

What if inspiration suddenly strikes and someone else is using the computer?

What if you have to meet a deadline and only have two hours to write every day?

It’s pretty obvious that sharing is not an option here.

2. A decent Internet connection

The days where you have to print out and photocopy your manuscript are long gone. In fact, submitting a manuscript has never been easier.

When I first submitted my manuscript to Bookware Publishing in 2009, I didn’t even have to print a single page. I typed up the entire manuscript in a Microsoft Word file and saved it.

I attached the file to an email and sent it to Bookware Publishing. Three to four weeks later, I got a response from one of their editors stating that my manuscript had been approved.

The internet is also a great way to network and connect with your readers and fellow writers. When I first started out, I was too afraid to send in my manuscript.

To gain more confidence, I sent a ton of annoying emails to several published writers, asking them questions about how to get a manuscript accepted and how to handle rejection. It was pretty great.

3. A Tagalog-English Dictionary

You might not need this if you speak Tagalog on a daily basis.

However, I personally find this very useful. I grew up in Visayas where we speak a completely different dialect, and I sometimes struggle when it comes to finding the right words in Tagalog.

4. Inspiration

Unlike the other things in this list, inspiration isn’t a tangible thing. It can be found in the books you read when you’re stuck on a particular passage or the people you talk to when you’re looking for ideas.

These are basically the things that give you ideas and fuel your writing.

When I write, I get most of my inspiration from music. I have to find a “theme song” for my book, and I listen to it over and over while writing. It can’t just be any song, because it has to completely encompass how my characters feel about each other.

5. Confidence

Do you hear a voice inside your head telling you that your writing isn’t good enough to be published/read/used as tissue paper?

That’s great, because you’re not alone. All writers struggle with confidence and question their writing at some point or another.

In my opinion, questioning if your writing is good enough or not is actually a good thing. It means you’re open to feedback, and you’re already a step ahead of other writers who stuff cotton in their ears every time someone criticizes their work.

Submitting Manuscript # 5

Things haven't changed that much, after all.

I thought I would be cool and oh-so-grown-up about this--ready to sit back, relax and deal with whatever's ahead.

Instead, after three years and four published books, I'm still nervous about submitting my latest manuscript. The fear of being rejected still hasn't gone away.

I finished writing and revising the whole thing last week. It's tentatively titled Me and Mr. Right Now, and I hope to God it gets accepted.

Right now, however, I just keep telling myself that at least I finally finished something. After four long years. No matter what happens, that's something to be proud of. I like the characters, and I completely enjoyed making their lives hell.

Cross your fingers for me, okay?

Welcome Back

Hi.

It’s been a while.

There’s a huge chance that you don’t remember me or never even knew I existed. Well, let me introduce myself. I’m Camryn Morrell, and I am a romance novelist (or, at least, used to be) for Bookware Publishing.

I wrote His Secondhand Heart (2010), Save Forever for Me (2010), Reel Love (2011), and The Accidental Bride (2011). It’s pretty obvious that I haven’t finished a book in almost three years.

When my first manuscript got accepted in 2009, I was a heartbroken eighteen-year-old who was pretty clueless about life. I graduated from college, got a job, the usual stuff. Now, I’m a twenty-three-year-old who hopefully knows a little more about life. I’d like to think that I finally have my priorities straight, and I want to give writing another shot.

My heart has always belonged to the written word. I love getting ideas while I’m simply making coffee or sitting through another mind-numbing meeting about statistics. I procrastinate a lot when it comes to putting the actual words on paper, but, once they start coming, I feel like I’m on top of the world.

So, I’m reviving this blog to chronicle this brand-new writing journey. This time, I hope to be more professional and sound less like a naïve kid high on caffeine. There will be a lot of navel-gazing about writing, updates about my life (not that anyone’s interested), helpful tips, and more.

Welcome to my little blog, and I hope you like your stay.

The Accidental Bride (2011)

The Accidental Bride

By Camryn Morrell

It was the worst kind of torture. Inaalok si Ella ni Xavier Alejandro, ang lalaking minamahal niya mula pa sa pagkabata, ng kasal—pero sa papel lang.

Pinag-isipan niya for the millionth time ang pros and cons ng magiging desisyon. Kung papayag siyang magpakasal dito, mabibigyan siya ng pagkakataong makasama ito nang matagal at baka mahulog ang loob nito sa kanya. Unfortunately, ang operative word sa sentence na iyon ay ‘baka’. Ngunit hindi maalis sa isip niya na iyon na ang tsansa niya para mapaibig ang binata.

So she grabbed the opportunity. Di bale nang hindi pa ito madly in love sa kanya. Darating din sila sa puntong iyon....

Acknowledgment

To Danielle Parian who has never left my side through all the crap I've gone through and who has even offered to help me find a job. Thanks for everything, Manang.

Extra Info

• I mentioned in a previous post that I choose a theme song for every novel I start, and I listen to that theme song over and over again while writing. My theme song for this book is I Never Dreamed Someone Like You Could Love Someone Like Me by Kate Irving. The song is too literal for my taste, but I think it perfectly captures the relationship between Ella and Xander. She's been in love with him as long as she can remember, and, well, he's always been a bit oblivious.
• This is the most serious and 'dramatic' novel I've ever written, so far. I had a hard time holding back on all the silly moments.

I give writing advice... Yes, really, I do.

I was recently invited to post on a Facebook group for tagalog romance writers/readers/lovers in general. Here's what I said:

There are so many veteran writers in this group who have really made a huge impact on the romance writing industry, and I'm technically still a newbie, so I'm a little shy about posting tips or advice. At the moment, though, my only advice is to be yourself. I think we've all gone through phases where we tried to imitate writers we loved, and that’s awesome practice for beginners. For me, however, the best way to truly make a name in the writing industry, aside from persevering, is to hone your own writing voice, to create your own “brand.” When you sound original on paper and a reader falls in love with your words, you’re the only one who can provide that special flavor. That’s all I can think of for now.

I just can't believe someone asked for writing advice. FROM ME. *Starts jumping up and down.* This feeling almost beats the first time I saw His Secondhand Heart at National Bookstore. Cripes, I feel like a real writer now.

I feel like I'm really getting back into the swings of things writing-wise. I listened to some new songs and read a really good book. Nothing like that "just read a good book" feeling to get the creative juices flowing.