Marcus Lopes's Blog, page 38

Brothers

“Get off my back,” Todd barked, reaching for his beer stein.

“Do you know what you even want to do with your life?” Jeremy asked.

“Damned if I know!” Todd’s words reflected the fiery rage gleaming in his brown eyes.

“‘Damned if I know,’” Jeremy repeated, then sucked his teeth. “So the game plan is to just sit here, sulk, and drink your life away?”

Here was the Lighthouse, an Irish pub popular with the Georgetown locals. But for Todd, it was more than a pub. It was the place where he could, dr...

Driven to Distraction

It’s Saturday morning. I open my eyes and squint at the clock. It’s 4:22. I roll out of bed, mix up my Essential Amino Energy and Burn Cycle, then sit down to write my Morning Pages. Less than an hour later, I’m out the door for my morning run and feeling pumped for the day ahead.

Stopping for an after-run latte.

That’s how most days begin. Most, not all. It’s a routine I rely on to stay the course, to stay focused and achieve the goals I’ve set for the day. Sometimes, though, life throws me...

Hooked

From across the crowded room, I glimpse the round caramel face glowing with inner contentment. Then I see the gold-winning smile, and instantly I’m hooked. He doesn’t notice me, though. How can he? People are elbowing each other to gain the front position, wanting to be the first to shake his hand or pat him on the back. I don’t know who is or why he’s so popular, but now I’m determined to find out.

I turn to my cousin, Ethan, who’s standing next to me, and tap his arm. “Is he why we’re here?...

Show Time

Jeff stood there, his eyes sweeping the room and trying not to smirk. That the room — small and dimly lit with sleep-inducing music playing in the background — was empty seemed almost fitting. And sad.

“I love his smile —”

“What?” Jeff turned to his right and there was his sister, Daniella, leaning over the casket.

“I love his smile,” Daniella repeated.

“I wouldn’t exactly say that he’s smiling.”

Daniella reached out her delicate hands and adjusted the white handkerchief in the suit jacket po...

Restlessness

Finish something.

And so I did. Finish something, that is.

Earlier this week, I completed the rewrite of a novel that I hope to publish in 2018. I heaved a huge sigh of relief because the rewrite had been long and hard. There were times when I wasn’t sure I’d finish, when I wasn’t sure I had it in me to finish. But I kept pushing forward, determined to see the rewrite through to the end.

Now I’m spent, and I don’t quite know how to move forward.

It’s not a new feeling. I’ve completed large pr...

Love Isn’t Always Enough

“I don’t…” David collapsed onto the deep oversized sofa. “I don’t understand. That’s not what I mean. I just thought —”

“We’d give it more time?” Peter cut in, slipping his hands into his pockets. “We’ve given it three months. Nothing’s really changed.”

“You haven’t changed is what you mean.” David levelled his gaze at Peter, instantly remembering how those gorgeous eyes, like perfect emeralds, had hooked him. Back then, he could stare for hours at Peter’s muscular bubble ass and his kissable...

Resilience

A view of the Andes Mountains on the way to Santiago, Chile.

On Sunday, I returned from a six-day trip to Santiago, Chile. I had a great time, and now I’m working to settle back into my routine. Feeling a little fatigued, a lot of things feel “harder” than usual. Like writing. Tired, I’m judging my writing more harshly than I would normally. Tired, I’m frustrated with my level of productivity. Again, I’m being unusually hard on myself. It’s all because I’m restless, and that can throw me off...

Forward Momentum

The other morning as I went for a run, I had to battle gusty winds that would, later in the day, cancel certain flights to the East Coast. Although I ran along a fairly flat surface, it felt like I was running uphill. It was also the day after I’d participated in a 10K race, and my legs were still burning. Despite my determination to push on, the winds got the better of me. After 1.5 km, I did a U-turn and headed home, feeling somewhat defeated.

The day, however, wasn’t all doom and gloom. Th...

Chase Away the “Blues”

It’s Monday morning, and I returned a short time ago from my run. Since my vacation at the end of September that stretched into the middle of October, I’ve been getting up around 4:30. (All my life I’ve been, bon gré mal gré, a morning person.) I love the quietness of that time of day when I can actually hear myself think. Getting up early, I start the day by writing my Morning Pages, then head out for a run. In the middle of September, I was inspired by a colleague (he’s completed the Iron M...

The Importance of a Good Editor: Working with thEditors.com

Failure isn’t the end of the Journey. It’s the beginning.

And life is a journey, and doubly so if you’re a writer, painter, musician — anyone who loves to create or who’s living a life that allows them to follow their passion. I’m a writer. I may not make my living as a writer (not yet, anyway), but I write every day. It doesn’t matter if I’m at home in Toronto — Milan, London, Hong Kong or Saskatoon — I write. Every day.

Writing is, without a doubt, my calling. Heeding the call, I started su...