Racquel Sarah A. Castro's Blog, page 27
September 8, 2015
JustWritePH-For The Feels Review and Excerpts
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.
The First Bundle for the blog tour is the JustWritePH-For The Feels bundle!
#JustWritePH-For The Feels
Authors: Lee Miyaki (Kim Derla), Maria Criselda Santos, iamloid, and Kristine Cuevas
Buy here
For a chance to win copies of #JustWritePH-For the feels Bundle Click here
Bundle Description:
The feels come in all shapes and sizes, with a million different unique stories for every kind. Experience bitter feels, forbidden feels, pretend feels and young feels in this four-story bundle that’s sure to tug at your heartstrings. Features “13th Prayer” by Lee Miyaki, “Never the Princess” by Maria Criselda Santos, “My Ampalaya Story” by iamloid, and “A Bump in Athena’s Life” by Kristine Cuevas.
Racquel’s Review:
Racquel Says: I give the JustWritePH-For The Feels (drum roll please) 4 stars! I really enjoyed reading the four stories!
Racquel on the 13th Prayer by Lee Miyaki: Napakakulet! Tumawa ako ng madaming beses. Eiffel, she has this way of making me laugh. Sobrang simple sabi nga ni Kim pero it is a good story. The way the author presented the changes in Eiffel’s being plus the ending, it just made me KILIG!
Racquel on A Bump in Athena’s Life by Kristine Cuevas: I love Callum na! I love how their relationship began and how it ended. When I am reading chapter 1, I continued until the last chapter. That’s how I love the story. The author has this way of making me hooked talaga! Superb! Thank you Kristine!
Racquel on My Ampalaya Story by iamloid: The scenes are so real . . . I kept on laughing on how the story went. But I remember someone so dear to me . . . Oh well, I enjoyed it.
Racquel on Never The Princess by Maria Criselda Santos: I can relate to this one because in HS, I never enjoyed prom. Yes. I can relate to the protagonist. Really enjoyed reading it.
13th Prayer by Lee Miyaki (Kim Derla)
Paano nga ba magmahal nang bawal? Hindi kasi alam ni Eiffel kung paano. Sadyang malakas lang talaga mang-trip ang pagkakataon nang ipinakilala sa kanya ang seminaristang si Jem. Isa, dalawa, tatlo… Simula nang magsulat si Eiffel ng labintatlong dasal, tila nagbago na ang kanyang mundo.
Connect with and follow this author via these channels:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lee.miyaki
Twitter: https://twitter.com/imtheweirdapple
Blog: https://itsleemiyaki.wordpress.com/
Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/Lee__Miyaki
Instagram: http://instagram.com/theweirdapple
Never the Princess by Maria Criselda Santos
When their adviser announced that the JS prom is fast approaching, the class of IV-Mahogany was in high spirits, except for Meryll Yuson, a 16-year-old bespectacled bookworm, who wishes to dance with the school’s badminton star at the prom. Too bad it seems he already has someone in mind — Little Miss Perfect, who has been gifted with beauty and smarts. Fortunately for Meryll, she has her own mom to play fairy godmother to her, and her friend Trish who gives her all-out support. Will Meryll get the dance she so wants, or will she end up as a wallflower? Will she even attend prom after the news that she learns?
Connect with and follow this author via these channels:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maria-Criselda-R-Santos/1646500162272617
Twitter: https://twitter.com/crissemari
Blog: https://xoxocriseldalovestowrite.wordpress.com/
Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/crissemari
My Ampalaya Story by iamloid
Paalala ang kuwentong ito ay ‘di angkop sa mga mambabasang naniniwala sa forever at sa happy ending. Halina’t pasukin ang mundo ng ka-bitter-an kung saan walang ka-sweet-an na masusumpungan. Ito ang My Ampalaya Story. One of the most ‘ampalaya’ work published in an online writing and reading site.
Connect with and follow this author via these channels:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoidOnWattpad
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamLoid
Blog: http://christianloid.webstarts.com
Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/iamloid
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/iamloid
A Bump in Athena’s Life by Kristine Cuevas
A rejection leads Athena to find a diversion on her plans for the summer. After finding out an assisting job at Star so Bright, particularly to be Callum Young’s assistant, she then becomes a pretend girlfriend, offered for whatever reason. And after all the hassle and bump she gets with Callum, there’s still that question that hangs in Athena’s head… How can an assisting job turns to a pretend girlfriend be of help in getting to Juilliard? It’s going to be a bumpy summer for Athena as she discovers that sometimes what you want is not what you always get but still have the best in the end.
Connect with and follow this author via these channels:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RealKristineC
Twitter: http://www.twitter/kristinecuevas_
Blog: http://thetipofherpen.blogspot.com/
Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/_fearlessdreamer
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ kristinecuevas_
Excerpts:
Excerpt from 13th Prayer by Lee Miyaki (Kim Derla)
Hindi ako paladasal. Hindi rin ako palasimba. Hindi rin ako mabait. Sa katunayan nga, binyag, Pasko, at tuwing may okasyon lang ako nakakapasok ng simbahan. Wala eh, hindi naman kasi ako relihiyoso tulad ng iba. Normal lang akong tao.
Eiffel ang tawag nila sa akin kahit pa Irish Faith Lim ang tunay kong pangalan. Relihiyoso ang nanay at tatay ko. Sa katunayan, pareho silang officers sa aming parokya. Samantalang akong nag-iisang anak nila, hindi ganoon karelihiyosa. Sa palagay ko, tama nang magsimba ako isang beses sa isang linggo. Minsan, pilit na pilit pa ako noon. Eh kasi, hindi naman ako katulad nila Nanay at Tatay. Hindi ako mabait.
Lagi akong nagtatago kapag niyayaya nila akong magsimba. Lagi akong nakipaghahabulan kina nanay bago ako sumama sa kanila. Kulang na nga lang ay itali nila ako para maisama nila ako sa simbahan. Sobrang pilit talaga ang pagsisimba ko.
Noong nag-college ako, mas madalang na akong sumama kina Nanay sa simbahan. Minsan, hindi na rin ako nakapagsisimba. Syempre, nagagalit si Nanay. Hindi raw ako marunong mag-manage ng oras ko. Eh bakit naman raw sila, maraming ginagawa, pero nakakapunta pa rin ng simbahan.
Naging matabang ang pakikitungo sa akin ni Nanay. Si Tatay naman, ayos lang. Pero, inaalala ko si Nanay. Ayokong magtampo siya sa akin habambuhay. Kaya naman, pagkatapos kong makauwi galing sa university para sa NSTP, dumiretso ako ng simbahan. Napilitan lang ako dahil ayoko talagang pumupunta nang madalas doon dahil may pumupunta naman nang taga-simbahan sa amin.
Aba, ilang araw na nga ba akong hindi nakapunta rito? Mukhang maraming nagbago. Ibang-iba na nga ang lahat. Pati mukha ng tao, ibang-iba na rin. Halos kaunti na lang ang kakilala ko.
“Miss, excuse me. Kilala mo ba si Father Alex?” Isang binata ang nagtanong sa akin. Nakasuot siya ng puting t-shirt at jeans. Maayos ang kanyang buhok. Maputi siya at pansin kong medyo mapula ang labi niya para sa isang lalaki.
“Hanapin mo,” matabang kong sagot sa kanya. Bukod sa hindi ko siya kilala, hindi rin ako pinalaking nakikipag-usap sa mga lalaki. Medyo boyish kasi ako. Basta, hindi ko ginustong makipag-usap sa kanila.
Excerpt from A Bump in Athena’s Life by Kristine Cuevas
I’m fidgeting at the hem of my shirt as we get closer and closer to my apartment. I don’t like being judged. If I spot one hint of pity or any kind of judgment on Callum’s voice, I’ll quit that assisting job.
He stops the engine. There are no words. It is quiet that I feel claustrophobic all of a sudden.
“We’re here,” he says afterwards. I hear a click. Through my peripheral vision, I see him unbuckle his seat belt and he turns to face me. “So this is where you live.” It’s a statement and not a question. I’m about to snap at him when: “Can I stay for a while?”
My head cricks so loud I almost break my neck when I turn to look at him. “You want to stay for a while?” I ask incredulously. “Can’t you see? That building is not as posh as the place you probably live in. There might be insects lurking on every corner of the room. I’m sure you don’t want any insects—”
“I don’t mind,” he cuts me off.
I’m in a daze then.
Excerpt from Never the Princess by Maria Criselda R. Santos
It was another supposedly another sleepy afternoon in Physics class at San Mateo School for Science and the Arts (SMSAS) had Mr. Royce Cornejo not interrupted Ms. Tejera’s monotonous explanation of speed and acceleration. The English teacher and IV-Mahogany’s adviser cleared his throat and apologized for knocking, while Ms. Tejera abruptly stopped speaking and stepped aside to give room for him.
A slip of paper in hand, the tall and lanky adviser addressed his students and dropped the bomb half of the class had been waiting for:
The JS prom is three weeks away.
Exaggerated groans came mostly from the boys while sighs and protests came from the girls.
“Let’s have a Taylor Swift theme!” cried one girl, the class treasurer.
“Yuck!” cried another.
“Are we really going to wear tux, Sir?” asked another boy. The anxiety is his voice was too obvious not to be noticed.
Mr. Cornejo looked at Ms. Tejera helplessly, but the latter just shrugged at him.
The class has never been this excited. Sure, they jumped for joy when classes were suspended. They also got a little hyper when the seniors won in the cheerleading competition, besting out even the participants from the college department. But for IV-Mahogany, no subject or extracurricular activity is as worth waiting for as the JS prom.
“I can now wear the heels my Mom bought for me!” squealed Trish, who is seated beside a grim-looking bespectacled girl with curly hair. For Meryll, the prom is nothing to be excited about.
“I’d rather stay home and read.”
Trish looked aghast. “Don’t be such a spoilsport, Meryll. Come on, it’ll be fun!”
Meryll just sighed and concentrated on the Physics book on her desk. In her peripheral vision, she could see Justin de Mesa, basketball maverick and campus cutie, giving his seatmate a high five.
Excerpt from My Ampalaya Story by iamloid
“Ang mga ahas nasa gubat bakit nandito ka? Fieldtrip niyo siguro?” Panimula ko habang tinitignan ko siya mula paa hanggang ulo. Nagulat siya sa sinabi ko at dali-daling nagpunta si Paul upang maging kasangga niya. Nice!
“Hmp! Condolence nga pala para sa EX-Boyfriend mong patay na patay sa akin.” Sabay smirk niya with matching palupot pa ng kamay niya kay Paul!
“Malandi!” Sigaw ko at napatingin siya sa akin, akala niya siguro nagalit ako. Pero…
“Oh, sumigaw lang ako ng malandi, napatingin ka na sa akin? Bakit, malandi ka ba?” Ha! Ano ka ngayon? Nga-nga!
“Oh, baka mag-away na kayo. Tapusin niyo na ang debate.” Sabi ni Sir Values. Okay for the final wave (Plants vs. Zombies lang!?)
“Ito na lamang po ang message ko. Love is dangerous, kaya always take care.” Sabi ko habang palapit kay Zinnia upang kamayan siya. Spell plastic? E-R-I-C-K-A.
“Thanks for being a nice opponent.” Sabi ko habang nagsi-shake hands kami. Niyakap ko siya at bumulong.
“Kung saan ka man nakakuha ng Bachelor’s Degree sa kalandian at pagiging mang-aagaw, i-enroll mo naman ako.”
September 3, 2015
JustWritePH Facebook Party and Blog Tour
JustWritePH Facebook Party
Pinoywrimos will organize an online party for readers and authors. Join us as we celebrate our victory!
SEPTEMBER 5, 11AM-3PM
JustWritePH—For Love
I Still… by Beth G.
Sigh No More by Carla de Guzman
Velvet Valentine by Giselle Bacalla
One Sweet November Day by Amae Dechavez
SEPTEMBER 5, 3PM-7PM
JustWritePH—For the Feels
13th Prayer by Lee Miyaki
Never the Princess by Maria Criselda Santos
My Ampalaya Story by iamloid
A Bump in Athena’s Life by Kristine Cuevas
SEPTEMBER 5, 7PM-11PM
JustWritePH—For the Win
Hunter Zero by Viai
The Seeker’s Inn by Maita Rue
A Solarpunk Fairytale by Mary Beatrice Ponce
Her Highness, The Handmaiden: Ascension by Saelynne G. LeClerk
SEPTEMBER 6, 11AM-3PM
JustWritePH—For Justice
Eleven by Michael Recto
Expendable by EK Gonzales
Between Two Worlds by Pau Castillo
The Seven-Day Detective by Mark Manalang
SEPTEMBER 6, 3PM-7PM
JustWritePH—For Redemption
Era by Jesse David
Turning Points by Yeyet Soriano
A Fateful Encounter by Cali (Angie Sanchez)
Encyclopedia Mystique by Racquel Sarah A. Castro
Aside from a Facebook Party, there will be a blog tour too. Do you have a blog? Great! You can sign up here
September 1, 2015
Dream Places
I want to glorify God more by traveling. Proclaiming His goodness in my life is my ultimate goal.
Denmark: I want to visit my cousins there and materialized our plans :P My third novella is set here.
Hong Kong: I want to go to DISNEYLAND. My characters in my first Novel have a moment here
Singapore: I want to visit my crush there LOL (Just Kidding) I want to work there as an IT programmer before until I found my passion in writing.
Greece: I want to visit my aunt and my cousins there.
USA: I want to visit my aunt, my best friend Ren, my ate Dette, and I want to evangelize Miley Cyrus LOL (so that she could stop Twerking)
Davao: To meet Fate (my crush?) sana
Cebu: I will buy many Dried Mangoes!
Palawan: I want to go to the underground river…. :P
August 31, 2015
A Surprise from God
The Lord Jesus has been so good. He ensured that I will start my week with a grin.
Divine appointment
He really use people to glorify His Name. I was just an instrument and I can never do writing without God guiding me.
God surprises me yesterday! It was a divine appointment and I am so blessed to finally meet those people, Ate Charlotte and Rebekah. Their lives has been an inspiration for me.
God used them to bring the good news. I am very excited!
Thank you Tita Ellie!
August 24, 2015
To my editor, Kaith
Dear Friend,
Thank you for the love you have given me since #BUQOYA. Babawi ako sayo girl! Beside from being your cheerleader during your #strangelit journey, I am assuring you that i will be a friend no matter what happened (Naks)
I miss you!
Heart Heart
Yayie
Cheers JustWritePH Authors!
I have to say that one of the best things that ever happened to me is joining writing classes. From #BuqoYA to #SparkNA, I enjoyed learning. JustWritePH has been a whirlwind journey. I have to endure writing three WIPS at the same time. (Sipag?) No. Luka-luka LOL Yes I am Crazy! Thank you for reminding it!
well, the very fact that I finished it before I start outlining my third WIP, that’s a very fulfilling thing.
From July 1 to August 8, our journey has began. Even though i haven’t get the chance to attend to our classes, I attended the most important thing, the book launch! Yes Last Saturday, I gained new friends again. Thanks to Yeyet, Kim, Niki, Jesse, Criselda, Pau and to all the JustWritePH authors! We read all excepts.
I finally met Ariel Lim. wow! such a nice guy!
I just want to take this opportunity to thank Liana and Anton for organizing the workshop. I really learned so much. I want to make a shout out to John de Quiros. Thank you for your dedication to your work. (Naks)
Thank you to all our mentors.
Congratulations to us!
We all made it to top 20! YAY!
The #JustWritePH Bundles:
#JustWritePH—For the Win
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.
The Seeker’s Inn by Maita Lu
A Solarpunk Fairytale by Mary Beatrice Ponce
Hunter Zero by Viai
Her Highness, The Handmaiden: Ascension by Saelynne G. LeClerk
#JustWritePH—For the Feels
The feels come in all shapes and sizes, with a million different unique stories for every kind. Experience bitter feels, forbidden feels, pretend feels and young feels in this four-story bundle that’s sure to tug at your heartstrings.
A Bump in Athena’s Life by Kristine Cuevas
13th Prayer by Kim Derla
Never the Princess by Maria Criselda Santos
My Ampalaya Story by iamloid
#JustWritePH—For Justice
When justice calls, heroes rise. Follow the journeys of a fire programmer, two very unique detectives, and an unlikely partnership between a mortal and a ghost as they fight for what they believe in and even their very survival in this action-packed bundle of four stories from up-and-coming writers.
Between Two Worlds by Pau Castillo
Expendable by EK Gonzales
The Seven-Day Detective by Mark Manalang
Eleven by Michael Recto
#JustWritePH—For Love
Love is never easy, but the journey to that happily ever after is what makes it worth it. Witness the struggles of these characters as they work their way through both new romances and second chances at love in this four-story bundle.
Sigh No More by Carla de Guzman
One Sweet November Day by Amae Dechavez
I Still… by Elizabeth Galit
Velvet Valentine by Giselle Bacalla
#JustWritePH—For Redemption
Redemption doesn’t come easy. It involves hardship, righting wrongs, and making tough choices. This four-story bundle showcases characters who made wrong turns in life, and want nothing more than to make things right.
A Fateful Encounter by Cali (Angie Sanchez)
Encyclopedia Mystique by Racquel Sarah A. Castro
Era by Jesse David
Turning Points by Yeyet Soriano
August 20, 2015
A Productive Year
I launched my first book in January 2, 2015. When Fate Speaks Big Time has been nominated in the Virtue Christian Book Award and opened doors of opportunity for me.
January 2015-February 2015- I signed up to Mina’s BuqoYA class sponsored by buqo. I finished my second book, Second Sight to Forever. I learned so much from Mina. Thank you!
April 2015 – June 2015 – I wanted to learn more. As I am editing the ebook file, I signed up to another class by Ms. Mina V. Esguerra. Having a printed book this year was still a goal to fulfilled and SPARKNA answered my prayers. Anvil opened their doors in sponsoring the SPARKNA class and I gave my best to finish a 30,000+ word novella. And I did it. Princess in Yellow Ribbon is the title of my SPARKNA novella.
June – MoreLoveInPH RWP (Romance Writers of the Philippines) organized a Facebook Party. I was one of the authors who participated.
July 2015 – CampNanoWriMo came and I finished my 15,000+ novella, Galilei meets Galileo. Aside from CAMPNANOWRIMO, I challenged myself. I joined JustWritePH workshop and finished another short story, Encyclopedia Mystique. It will be launched tomorrow in SM Megamall.
As I reminisce, this year was a blast for my writing career. My current WIP (Work-in-Progress) is a secret project. I already shared this to my close friends and they are my cheer leaders.
I just want to thank the following people who helped me in my writing journey:
God
My family
JCRBCC Family
buqo
Mina V. Esguerra
Anvil Publishing
Liana Smith-Bautista
PinoyWriMos
BUqoYA Authors
SparkNA Friends
JustWritePH Authors
CampNanoWriMo Cabin mates
MoreLoveInPH Peeps
August 16, 2015
A memorable Testimony
I had a chance last night to share the goodness of God. The church, God’s Kingdom Mission Christian Church in Sta Rosa Laguna, invited my Dad to preach. I was asked to have a special testimony there.
I enjoyed and loved the praise and worship there. Their energy moved me to praise God more.
I began with a question: How old am i? Some said 15 . . . Others said 16 . . . Thank you guys! LOL But I am 31 years old. Well, God gave me this baby face to glorify His name. After the age question, I started to introduce myself. I said: I am Racquel. Single. (Do I really have to say that? Well, I said it anyway LOL)
I shared my love for writing and the cerebral palsy. Then Mom took over as my spokesperson. I hope I shared my life with Jesus to other churches, companies, and schools. Now, I started my Green Ribbon Campaign for Cerebral Palsy Awareness program.
August 5, 2015
What About Today by Dawn Lanuza: Now Available
What About Today by Dawn Lanuza
Aiden’s stuck working for his family’s amusement park, Funtastic World, for the whole summer. Nothing amuses him, until he met this terrified girl. Gemma’s stuck in Funtastic World thinking she could handle the park’s rides. She couldn’t. Good thing she met someone to guide her. As the day comes to a close, Aiden and Gemma ask themselves if one day is ever enough to decide if they were better off as friends or strangers.
Buy This Book:
July 31, 2015
Additional StandAlone BUQOYA Novella
One Lovely Summer Day by Amae Dechavez
One Lovely Summer Day.” Kwento ng Pag-Ibig, Pangarap, at Pag-asa… Sa Pila, Laguna, bakasyon at abala ang lahat sa bahay nila Tiya Isidra—“general cleaning” ika ng matanda. Bukod pa roon ay darating si Maylie, ang paboritong pamangkin niyang galing ng Maynila. Gaya ng inaasahan, naroon si Ethan para tumulong sa paglilinis at paghahanda. Bagamat mukhang tahimik ang dalaga, unang sulyap pa lang ay agad na nagandahan at nabaitan si Ethan sa kaniya. Naging matalik na magkaibigan ang dalawa. Sa isang di inaasahang pangyayari at proyektong kailangang lutasin nilang dalawa, lalong napalapit si Ethan at Maylie sa isa-isa. Gayun pa man, alam ni Ethan na isang araw ay aalis din si Maylie at maiiwan siya. Sasabihin ba niya kay Maylie ang nararamdaman niya?
Buy this book:
buqo: http://bit.ly/1SQpY1o
D’01 by Sassy Fova
Kat Arcanghel has just turned 18 and she feels that it is the right time to fall in love. She finds herself falling for Alech Crisologo, but she has always thought of herself as a deviant/rebel and there’s nothing more mainstream than crushing on the guy that everybody loves, thus she fights her feelings and tries to search for the right one—just not him. Will Kat continue rebelling against her own heart, or will she let her heart conquer the battle and let it lead the way? She’ll find the answer when she meets D’01.
Buy this book:
buqo: http://bit.ly/1gsxzrs
