Elizabeth Tai's Blog, page 25
October 3, 2015
Don’t listen to that inner critic!
You suck! So says the inner critic. – credit: Ambro
Everyone has it. That little voice inside them that tells them that they’re no good. That they better not even try at all because their efforts will be fruitless. When I interviewed Margaret Stohl a few months ago, she told me how she once went on a writing tour with many “wise writers”. She asked them, “At what point did you stop saying that you’re a bad writer?”
They responded: “We’ll tell you when that happens.”
“Everyone I know feels the...
October 2, 2015
Weekend Inspiration
I was drawn to singer Audrey Assad because she sang “prayer songs”. She dared sing about how life can be hard, and that it can break you … but yet God is there. It’s rare to find a Christian artiste willing to confess that she doesn’t have all the answers through song.
Today’s theme is about being authentic. When you create art. And when you’re having a bad day. Have a blessed weekend 
[ A Fractured and Beautiful Faith ] I can go on and on about how the mass media Chri...
September 30, 2015
October goals: Finish that novel!
I’m making a bold declaration for October, aren’t I?
Where did September go? I’m absolutely gobsmacked. I’m pretty pleased for what I have achieved for the month:
Spent more time with my folks! Yay! And each time I did it, that little nagging voice at the back of my head said: “But you’ve got to [a productivity goals]. I acknowledged it and went ahead, and each time I had a great time. I’m amazed, however, at the tinge of guilt I felt for not doing something to work towards my produc...September 27, 2015
Are Malaysian writers promoting a culture of mediocrity?
One of my favourite writers has a rather controversial philosophy about being a writer:
You are a writer. So start acting like one. – Jeff Goins
His approach has rankled some people because they believe it takes more to be a writer than just believing that you’re one and just writing.
Yesterday, an article in The Star caused a stir in a Malaysian Facebook writing community. The writer made some heavy claims about the local writing scene, among them:
“…there seems to be a tendency for Malays...5 Questions to ask yourself before you say yes
I was having coffee with my friend the other day when I told him that I have this burning desire to sign up for figure-drawing classes. He took one look me and said: "Don't take up anything before running it by me first!"
It's actually a good idea. He had recently seen me stressed out of my mind trying to juggle work, studies, and banking and legal matters. It would seem that I need someone else to tell me that a new project or hobby is the last thing I needed!
Being an ENFP, I have a tendenc...
September 26, 2015
5 Questions to ask yourself before you say yes
I was having coffee with my friend the other day when I told him that I have this burning desire to sign up for figure-drawing classes.
He took one look me and said: “Don’t take up anything before running it by me first!”
It’s actually a good idea. He had recently seen me stressed out of my mind trying to juggle work, studies, and banking and legal matters. It would seem that I need someone else to tell me that a new project or hobby is the last thing I needed!
Being an ENFP, I have a tendenc...
September 25, 2015
Weekend Inspiration
How was your week? If it’s been tough, I’ve got a treat for you. Time to kick back, relax, and read these inspiring posts.
The writing life[ How I Became a More Productive Writer by Doing This One, Simple Thing ] by Carol Tice. Yup, it’s really as simple as she says it is!
[ How Amazon saved my life ] We live in such a fantastic age, where we can get our work out via technology. How this author found hope in that very system.
Better living[ How simplicity saved my life ] Can minimalism rea...
September 24, 2015
Change the world by telling your story
I was 10 when I realised that I loved stories. To read about them. To watch them. But most of all, to tell them. I made my first attempts at story creation on lined exercise books; I drew comics of a dream life I would have when I became an adult.
At first, I wrote stories to entertain myself. But when I was 18, I stumbled on the writings of Catherine Marshall and Phillip Yancey. I was captivated by the power of their words to encourage, educate and effect change in me.
And I remember saying...
Change the world by telling your story
I was 10 when I realised that I loved stories. To read about them. To watch them. But most of all, to tell them. I made my first attempts at story creation on lined exercise books; I drew comics of a dream life I would have when I became an adult.
At first, I wrote stories to entertain myself. But when I was 18, I stumbled on the writings of Catherine Marshall and Phillip Yancey. I was captivated by the power of their words to encourage, educate and effect change in me.
And I remember saying...
September 23, 2015
Popular Book Sale at Viva Mall
All books at RM5 (US$1.15). Hardcover, paperback, yes, even audiobooks. If you’re an omnivorous reader like me, you’ll go absolutely nuts at this sale!
Where is this sale? It’s at Viva Mall, Kuala Lumpur.
When does it end? Sept 27, 2015
What kind of books can you find there? The selection is immense. In the fiction side, the romance titles outnumber other genres. However, there is decent amount of thrillers and mysteries with lots of Robert Ludlums and James Patterson titles. Sci-fi and...
