A Twisted Tale?
TWO BLOG POSTS IN ONE WEEK! Can we all just take a moment to appreciate the fact that I've actually been using my blog? For some reason, it brings me great joy to write on here...especially when there's daunting tests and quizzes that I don't particularly want to study for. Can I get an AMEN from any fellow students who love procrastination?
Moving on.
I've noticed a shift in the topics and themes I've been putting in my works of fiction lately. When I was younger, I would write mostly fantasy novels. I can remember several, most of which involved dragons or creatures. For example, in middle school, I wrote a series called Adventures in Non-Living about a brother and a sister duo who discover an alternate universe of zombies, vampires and monsters, and befriend a group of zombie siblings--all of whom were adopted. Another story I wrote around the same time was called 1-800-Kids-Don't-Spy about an organization of child spies under the age of 12 or 13 who risk life and limb to keep a dangerous disease from being spread all over the world. Even my very first novel I considered fantasy, as it took place on a fictitious island where the characters spoke a language that I created myself, followed a religion created by me, and held rituals and practices all designed by--you guessed it--yours truly.
However, towards the end of high school, my works started to go from fantasy to fiction.
"But, Reina, isn't fantasy just a specific type of fiction?"
Why, yes, puzzled reader, it is, but my works were now mostly realistic fiction, probably starting with a novel titled 72 Hours, which was about a high school being held hostage for 3 days by terrorists. While this story is still in the works, my only finished realistic novel thus far is Sweet Escape: The Story of Malia Pearson (visit my books page to read the synopsis for this story and purchase it!). A short story I may consider publishing upon completion titled Nos somos homens?/Are We Men? and deals with both recovery from sexual assault and the stigmas attached to men facing depression--two topics that are seen as taboo in our society. Two other stories I have in the works (with hopes of publishing within the next year to year and a half!) speak out on topics such as mental illness, recovery from trauma, water and food crisis, poverty and unethical treatment of the poor, discrimination, alcohol and drug abuse, complicated relationships, and whatever else I may decide to throw in there.
"But, Reina, those are all really heavy topics! Do you want us to cry or something?"
Yes, and yes. Of course I want you to cry--that means I've done my job as a writer and made you feel something (I've written a blog post several years ago on this!). But, rest assured! I don't want you to only cry. I will do my best to make you laugh, wonder, think and feel all kinds of other emotions. That's what realistic fiction is all about, right? It's supposed to feel real. What could feel realer than feeling? Plus, I tend to base certain aspects of characters after various people in my life, and luckily, I know some pretty entertaining folks who just might inspire a joke or two in my stories...so stay tuned!
I've come to really appreciate these twists and turns that have come about in my writing. It shows how far I've come. In elementary school, I mostly wrote fan fiction stories about characters I'd watch on TV or read in books. That grew into developing my own characters with distinct personalities and qualities not based on characters already in existence. Soon, my story lines became far more intricate and involved, and now, the themes in my book are evolving as well. I appreciate you in advance--or have been appreciating you if you've stuck around since the beginning and seen every stage of my writing--for following me on my journey as a writer.
And now. Time for some homework. Anyone know what the arytenoids are?
Well, that makes none of us.
Best,
Reina
