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Me, a child?
Last Saturday, I attended a whole-day seminar and workshop on writing children's books. At the start of the session, we browsed through several children's books written by Filipino and foreign writers and it was a fun experience. We browsed through titles like "Tell Me About The Night I Was Born," "I Love Being Me," "The Lady in The Water," "So Much" and more.
I used to write erotic novels under a man's name and some short stories, too, but through the eyes of an adult. So, when I was browsing those books, it hit me that if I indeed push through with a children's book, I have to start writing through the eyes of a child. Yes, those children's books look so simple and lame through an adult's eyes. But when the reality of making a children's book is posed before you, the task is not easy as it looks. But, the thought of looking at the world again through a child's eyes so I could make stories that will appeal to them, is so exciting.
A child is so innocent, playful and hopeful. So, is it easy to be one?
PLAYFUL. My niece Anna has this way of bringing out the child in us at home. Sometimes, she would stay in my room for 10 minutes and we would dance (we love dancing!) and do those silly steps (we did one while doing the grocery and we just didn't care if there were other people around), munch on ice, pet the dogs, take pictures of each other as we play "dress up" and make silly animal sounds when reading children's books. Well, sometimes, when "Beauty and Beast" calls for a dance, we dance the waltz to the beat of trance, retro or RnB.
HOPEFUL. Thanks to God's kindness. He always has this way of reminding that life is so beautiful and all the people that hurt you or your sensibilities are special, too. My friends would always ask, "Kathy, why are you blooming? Are you in love?" Yes, I am and He fulfills me. The thought of His unconditional love and confidence that He could always make things better for me and everybody, is a source of inspiration.
INNOCENT? I guess not. As you grow older, the realities of life hit you. After feeling the loss and betrayal when my husband died last year, I knew I will never be the same. True, I've moved on and became a better person, but the ability to trust men (in a romantic relationship) is no longer there. Now, I understand why people change. Traumatic experiences can do that to you. Even if I know that life is beautiful as it is, I am still aware that such beauty has its share of thorns, too. And you just want to protect yourself from these so they won't happen again.
So, am I a child? Yes, a part of me is still a child and that keeps me sane amid this complicated world.
There's a child in all of us. So let's get rid of all the childishness and embrace this fact. Giggle if you want to; to the cynics including me, go ahead and have many crushes like a high school kid again; dance in the grocery store or at the mall with your kids if they ask for it (don't overdo it though hehehe); suck on lollipop (ladies, it's sexy); play Tekken, Need For Speed or any video game even if you're nearing 40, and more. This way, life's burdens would be a lighter load to carry.
(For comments, e-mail to katvillalon@yahoo.com or SMS to 0928-5057-824. Textmates not included)