Racquel Sarah A. Castro's Blog, page 24

Nanowrimo End of Day 6

Day 6 – i started my writing in San Pablo City. I have 200+ words. now, i will end this day at 5,041.It is a lot easier when I have an outline. Let’s see what God can do through me. :) Good night for now.

Thank You Lord

For the blessing from buqo
For the upcoming promotion for my autobiography
For my family who encourages me to continue
For my mentors, Mina and Liana
For my JCRBCC Family
For my writer friends
For #bloggys2015
For Rulers of Spade
For heistclub classmates and mentors
For my salvation
For Your love, grace, guidance and mercy.
For Nanowrimo2015, pinoywrimos

Be grateful for all the blessings.

Cover Reveal

#HeistClub

Nanowrimo

Thank you Hope House Centre

I will be forever grateful for making my dreams come true. Your efforts mean a lot to me. The trust you have given me is my driving force to write more.

I am praying for your institution to prosper because you have a good heart to share your time, effort, and money to a new author like me.

Thank you to Virtue Christian Book Awards for being the bridge.

I love you and Thank you!

To God be the glory!

Best Nanay 2015

MYNP or Make Your Nanay Proud Foundation held the Best Nanay Awards Night yesterday. My mom is one of the ten exceptional women with a special task, to be a mother.

As a daughter, I am so blessed to have a mom who:

is my bestfriend. If you want to know who is my crush, ask her.
is selfless. 
teaches me how to hold on to God. She always points out to trust in the Lord plus action.
is an encourager. I told her one time that I wanted to give up on something. She always shows me the brighter side of things.
has a heart for mission.

I knew about the Best Nanay Awards in Aquino and Abunda tonight. My goal is to make my mom smile. When we were selected to move on to the next phase of Judging, I pray to thank the Lord. Mom said, “Okay na to . . . Kahit di na tayo mapili.”

I am so shocked when Dexter called to tell us that Mom made it as one of the ten! Sobra natuwa kaming lahat na pagdating ng mga kapatid ko from work, we made it a point to group hug while jumping literally. ahaha

Although there were challenges before the big night, we attended the event yesterday. Sobra kilig si mommy!

Photo from MYNP’s Facebook Page

We met Tito Boy Abunda, Christine Bersola-Babao, Sitti, Nini Borja, Michael Pangilinan and other guests.

I also met a passionate woman, Lourdes “Tita Lulu” Reyes. She’s the founding chairman of LCDPF. She inspires me to continue my advocacy on Cerebral Palsy awareness. At her 80s, she has different stories about her passion for PWDs. She said:

I encouraged my scholars to marry someone that has a normal physique . . .

Thanks for the Nova Tita Lulu!

My family would like to extend our gratitude to Tito Boy Abunda, MYNP, Ate Bemz, Dexter. Thank you for making it all possible.

Comments from @christinebbabao’s Instagram

Developing International Software + HeistClub

I signed up to an online class in edx.org.

What’s EDX?

According to the About Us page of EDX,

EdX was created for students and institutions that seek to transform themselves through cutting-edge technologies, innovative pedagogy, and rigorous courses.

. . .

EdX is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts and is governed by MIT and Harvard.

 

Module 1 to 4, there are 2 quizzes per module; One practical and one technical. I did not passed the two technical quizzes. I am not finish with my last quiz to have a higher grade. I will have to answer 5 more practical questions before finishing the course.

Yes, I am crazy.

I am still doing my HeistClub short story while having my classes every week. I love pressure. That pressure makes me driven to do my best.

Blessings come when I needed it the most

Listing it on secret codes for the mean time.

Words words words
Filipiniana Rampa (Haha)
M. Notes
The Real Me
JustWritePH 2nd monthsary
Muling Ibalik?
Concert
YA
Release Galileo
A No from God is a blessing in disguise.

The main reason why i didn’t join #Strangelit is this:

Photos by: Christine Castro
Book cover designed by: Hope House Centre

The entire August, I spent mostly on writing. #secret (now revealed). It will be out soon! Endless gratitude to God, Hope House Centre, Virtue Christian Book Awards, my family and friends.

Another blessing is Amae de Chavez . . . Thanks sis for the comments. Heart Heart

Sent it to my editor/very talented sister . . . Christine Castro since Kaith is busy I love you Kaithy :*

Hoping and praying that I can support my sisters in writing by attending to #strangelit launch on Oct 24. Yeyet, Amae, Justine, Krissy, Tara, Carla, Chi, Therese, Ysa, Chrissie, Anne, and Kaith. Good news sissies! I signed up for the blog tour! I hope I can be there at the launch!

#bloggys2015 Vote for racquelsarah.wordpress.com

Here is the link:

Section 4 http://bloggys.ph/section-4/

Section 1 http://bloggys.ph/section-1/

You can also vote:

sheflieswithfaeries.wordpress.com in section 4
bookbed.org in section 1

Thank you very much!

JustWritePH – For The Win [Excerpts + GIVEAWAY]

It is the last week of the JustWritePH Blog Tour! Click here to see the bloggers participated. In behalf of the JustWritePH Authors, Thank you!

What is JustWritePH?

The #JustWritePH workshop, which ran from July 1 to August 8, 2015, challenged participants to write a story and prepare it for publication in a little under 6 weeks. Tips and lessons were delivered online & in person. The reward? Guaranteed distribution on Buqo, plus marketing opportunities like a bundle launch (held at Bo’s Coffee Megamall on August 22), a Facebook party, and a blog tour.

#JustWritePH—For the Win

Authors: Viai, Maita Rue, Mary Beatrice Ponce, and Saelynne G. LeClerk

Insurmountable challenges from supernatural beings, political scandals in vast kingdoms, post-apocalyptic survival, and…dealing with the extended family? All in a day’s work for the characters in this thrilling bundle of stories about overcoming obstacles and testing their resolve. Features “Hunter Zero” by Viai, “The Seeker’s Inn” by Maita Rue, “A Solarpunk Fairytale” by Mary Beatrice Ponce, and “Her Highness, The Handmaiden: Ascension” by Saelynne G. LeClerk.

BUY IT HERE

WIN FREE COPIES OF For The Win Bundle. Click here

Hunter Zero by Viai

Hunters – people who exterminate supernatural elements from the world. A certain element, called the Nis, latches on to our main protagonist, Eri Geiju, a stern-looking high school student with a peculiar reputation. This catches the attention of two professional hunters, Eight and Ten and opens her eyes to the true nature of the Hunting business.

Connect with and follow this author via these channels:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/viaistuff

DeviantArt: http://vi-ai.deviantart.com

 

 

The Seeker’s Inn by Maita Rue

 

Alexandra Jekyll inherits the Seeker’s Inn but there is a condition. Dearly departed Aunt Emily states that she has to run the inn for a full season in order to keep it. Simple, right? Things get complicated when she arrives to find Aunt Emily’s nephew, Dunstan Draycott, also claiming the inn. Alexandra is determined to keep the inn for herself and for her little sister. She is reluctant to call on her twin, Alexa Hyde, who was showing an interest in Aunt Emily’s nephew, for help. Will Hyde and Jekyll work together or will their rivalry tear the inn and their hearts apart?

Connect with and follow this author via these channels:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/imaginedbymaita

Tumblr: http://hydelegacy.tumblr.com

 

A Solarpunk Fairytale by Mary Beatrice Ponce

 

Eons ago, the world was at an end. However, the days of that nightmarish apocalypse have long since past. Through the combined efforts of the various races, life flourished once again. But when Godfreed Bayani and her service dragon, Ludwig the Steadfast, uncover the remnants of a bygone age, the fate of the progressive land of Celestiano hangs in the balance. When the future meets the past, a duality is revealed and everyone must begin to understand why the world had to make such a drastic change to survive.

 

Connect with and follow this author via these channels:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlepryingpandorica

Tumblr: http://littlepryingpandorica.tumblr.com

 

Her Highness, The Handmaiden: Ascension by Saelynne G. LeClerk

To ascend to the throne is no easy task as many would think and to be a handmaiden caught in the middle of a kingdom-wide scandal, there is no real way to go but to follow what you are told. Follow Helena in her quest to ascend to the throne and find who her real friends are and who may her enemies in the shadows be.

Connect with and follow this author via these channels:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themightierpen0324

WordPress: http://saelynne.wordpress.com

EXCERPTS TIME!

Hunter Zero by Viai

The air felt heavy as tension built up. We were behind an old abandoned building when it all happened. “Drag me into their world? What are you taking abo—” Eight slammed her hand on the wall, a hair’s width away from my face. I could feel my heartbeat getting faster. I didn’t understand the danger I was in, or the danger they think I was in. “I never bothered them, and they never bothered me… At least not until today.”

“Was there anything you did that might have caught this Nis’ attention?” Ten spoke softly.

“I don’t remember.” I told the small-framed redhead. Her twin was a different story. I could see her toned arms up close after her hand had rushed beside my face. Eight had brute strength and agility, but Ten was so fragile. Small little thing she was and will remain to be.

“It doesn’t matter. We just need to deal with this one like we always do.” Eight removed her hand and proceeded to walk towards a nearby forest. Hano was more forest than city, so there’s always a cluster of trees nearby. Ten just stood there, eyes hooded by her heavy set bangs.  Her lips were moving but I couldn’t quite understand what she was saying. “Ten, let’s go! We’ve got work to do.”

I followed the two deeper into the forest. “What are you planning to do?” I said as I grabbed Eight by the shoulder. She hesitated for a while then slowly turned towards me.

“We’re going to hunt. You should go back now”

“We might need her, Eight.” Ten said meekly. “The Nis is attached to her.”

“We can just lure it out. She doesn’t have to be here.” Ten leaned in closer to her sister and whispered something in her ear. Eight griped but seemed to agree with Ten, nonetheless. She headed towards me and grabbed me by the shirt, pulling me towards her. “Listen Eri. You don’t have to be here, but I know you. You’re going to force yourself to stay here, anyway. We don’t have time for that. I need you to stay still and follow what I say. If you don’t, you’re going to get us all killed. Yes, killed, you little halfwit.” I grumbled at that comment. She released her grip and pointed to the ground “Sit here while Ten and I wait for your parasite. If you start seeing white again, don’t move, don’t talk. Whatever you see after that is an illusion of the Nis. Try not to get pulled in”

The Seeker’s Inn by Maita Rue

The Will

Alexandra Jekyll read and re-read the letter. Her bright eyes didn’t deceive her. It was a dream. Or more, it was an opportunity. Upon her lap was a letter from faraway Great Aunt Emily stating a possible inheritance. She didn’t even know she had a great aunt let alone any living relative apart from her sister Amanda. It was a will and a condition. Alexandra read the letter one more time to make sure she was reading it correctly. Amidst the rattle of the carriage, she was sure she read it correctly.

“My Dear Alexandra,

Greetings, my dear niece! It is unfortunate that I learn of your existence a little too late. When this letter reaches you, I may be no longer in this world. I leave some provisions for you and a condition. Upon Martyr’s Wood Folly is an establishment of mine. It is called the Seeker’s Inn. Run it successfully for a full season and it will be yours. My solicitor will get in touch for further details. I do wish you well in life.

Hoping to have met you,

Emily H. Norwoods”

Attached with Aunt Emily’s letter were the solicitor’s instructions and a map of the property. “Well, this is an opportunity of a lifetime.” Alexandra said excitedly. How fortunate to have relatives that cared! They have not known about each other yet here was Aunt Emily leaving them an inn!

Living in Prestwood Farm has been a blessing for her and Amanda. Amanda, her little sister, was all she had. They were orphans, out in the world without a penny to their name. The Prestwoods were family friends. They took the girls in after the death of their parents. Unfortunately, not much was provided for them. Alexandra hasn’t come out for her season. She was turning twenty-five this year and is considered on the shelf. She had taken nanny jobs and governess positions over the years but she always came back to Prestwood Farm to see Amanda.

Amanda will be twelve soon. She’ll be starting a life away from Alexandra, training as a Lady’s companion in a household of a countess. It was better than the work house. Amanda’s life was better than most orphans her age. But it was not what Alexandra hoped for her sister.

“Stop fidgeting. You are always saying it’s unbecoming of a lady.” Her little sister scolded her. Amanda was doing some mending. Her fingers were so delicate she could darn socks like she was embroidering. The carriage was rocky but Amanda sewed like she was embroidering in a calm sea. The two of them were on their way to the Seeker’s Inn.

“I am not fidgeting!” She said. “Sit up straight, Amanda, please. You’ll ruin your posture, you will. I am just eager to see this inn.” Alexandra said.

Amanda was sitting slouched while doing her darning. It became a hobby. She needs another hobby, Alexandra decided. She wanted to put up some money for Amanda. She wanted her sister to have a good marriage, something she couldn’t have. At five and twenty, she was considered on the shelf, a spinster long overdue. If she ran this inn successfully for a season, it would be all hers. She could have a little corner of the world for herself. She’d have income to support Amanda until she could become of age.

A Solarpunk Fairytale by Mary Beatrice Ponce

Godfreed was entranced. Nero was unlike any other dragon she had ever met before. In the post-capitalist land of Celestiano, no one had ever spoken to her this way before. No one had ever enabled her desire to hoard and keep things. Godfreed felt a deeper compulsion awaken within her upon hearing Nero’s words. It grew into an absolute voracity and the sensation overwhelmed her. She found herself unable to say no. She could not refuse Nero and all sense of self restraint, the shreds of which had been carefully cultivated by Ludwig, evaporated.

Godfreed was tempted by Nero’s promises of power and greatness. He lured her, saying that she would be enriched beyond her wildest dreams, that the earth’s resources were theirs for the taking simply because they existed and that it was their Manifest Destiny to do so. He thrashed his hefty tail dramatically as he said this, knocking over trees and uprooting nearby shrubbery.

Ludwig countered and said it was contrary to the Seven Environmental Commandments as decreed by the High Ethos. He maintained that it would desecrate the lands to act so self-indulgently and that nature should instead be treated with mutual respect and understanding.

The two dragons debated by Godfreed, flanking both her sides, with Nero beckoning her to come with him and Ludwig pleading her to stay with him instead. When had they made their arguments, they circled around her, waiting for her to make her choice. Godfreed stood perfectly still, like the mantis she was before taking action. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity had passed, Godfreed answered.

With a profound regret but also absolute certainty, Godfreed chose to leave with Nero and she released Ludwig from her service. Ludwig bowed his head in defeat and accepted his fate with a sigh. But before Godfreed could whisper her solemn goodbye, Ludwig said something to her. He looked deep into his former master’s eyes and peered into Godfreed’s soul and he said, “You have a choice, Godfreed. You always have a choice.”

And so with a heavy heart but also a calm disposition, Godfreed took off into the sky with Nero, leaving a trail of dark, billowing, clouds of smoke and ash behind.

Ludwig wasn’t sure if it was the loss of his master, whom he supported ceaselessly for years, or the remaining miasma of smoke that forced tears to well up in his crystalline eyes. Ludwig was about to slink off and wallow in his misery if not for a female voice that cried out from inside the forgotten mausoleum.

Out of the mausoleum tumbled out a small young vampire with bat-like wings. Upon touching the sunlight though, she screamed in agony and her flesh blistered, forcing her back into the safety of the shadows. She cried out for Nero and begged for help.

Her Highness, The Handmaiden: Ascension by Saelynne G. LeClerk

Now, here I am comfy in the temporary room assigned to me. Smelling the flowers, I take one gladiola and lie down; putting it beside me. I turn off the lights after. I must have been asleep for half an hour already when I felt like someone was staring at me.

I sit up slowly and turn on the lamps beside me. Getting down from the bed, I walk to the windows to check if there was someone outside; No one; only empty darkness beyond.

I was about to head to bed when the glass behind me shattered to a million pieces as something solid hit it. Screaming, I covered my head for fear of getting wounded.

Turning around, I saw no one but the cold wind moaning. In front of me, I find a pretty large rock—its size could easily fit in the palm of my hand. It’s wrapped in crumpled paper. Nervously, I remove the paper. On it was a message written in black ink.

I know who you are.

Frightened, I crumple the paper and throw it away. It was then that I noticed what’s carved on the stone.

USURPER

The rock slips from my hand as I move away and press the intercom.

“Yes, this is Lady Helena. I’d like to have you check if there’s an intruder in the kingdom. Someone threw a large rock in my room and shattered the glass window at the right side of my bed.” I described in my frantic voice.

“I’m in the Emerald Suite, yes, I’ll wait.” With my knees shaking, I sit on the bed as I curl up my legs close to me.

Who could have done this?

I Am Here . . . Hear Me Out

Why am I different? Why am I not like any other lady? Do I have the right to fall in love?

October 7 – World CP Day

In Celebration of the World Cerebral Palsy Day, I want to hear from you. I will compile it.

When you meet me, do you know I have Cerebral Palsy? What are your unspoken questions? Do I inspire you in any way?

Share it to me in this page or in my Facebook/Twitter account.

Why do we met? Do I fulfill my purpose in your life?

To share God’s goodness is one of my purposes in life. Another is to share my life through my books. I think I am born to encourage people. I also have the heart of bringing the cerebral palsy be known.

Yes. We are different. But we can do what you do. we can if we get equal opportunity to do it.

RACQ Says:

To those people who love me, Thank you.

To those who judge me, God bless you

TO those I inspire, You can do better.

To those I love, You know who you are.

To the man who will give his heart to me, Take your time.

To my family, Thank you for the support. I love you.

To God, Thank you for making me different!