Nadiah Alwi

I always love writing. When I write, it feels like being on the set and I am not me. Similar to reading.

I am currently writing a novel about a man named Sam. I asked a few friends to read the first chapter. So far, their comments were positive.

I am on the 146th page now. Yet, I feel like the whole story needs more gimmicks. So, that’s why I haven’t asked those friends of mine to read the other chapters. It still needs touches here and there.

At first, I knew where to send this not-yet-completed novel to. I mean which publisher. But, a little discussion with a dear friend made me rethink about it. And, now, honestly, I don’t know where to send it.

Another self publishing? I don’t think so. I don’t have the fund. Plus, other reasons I can’t share here.

So? What?

Hm…now I am supposed to continue the novel. But, as I said, I needed to do something about the story. And, now, I still have no idea what to do. So, I guess, I’d just let Sam sleep for a while.

Why I thought that Sam and his story need more touches here and there anyway?

Guess what, I have just read book reviews on GoodReads.com. That’s the reason why.

Some reviewers mentioned about how flat a book is. And, I have a certain worry that Sam’s story might be a little flat at the beginning. Because, at this 146th page, I haven’t brought out the conflict yet. Because, I thought, I still needed to create a complete basic story to finally end up into a big climax at the end.

Yet, I now consider that I might be wrong about it. Some little conflicts must be taken out earlier — a lot earlier. So, I’ll be working more on the story anytime soon. (Actually I have just got a slight idea on how to do it.)

We’ll see.

*Phone ringing*

Man: But, I need to see you.

Woman: You have to understand.

Man: Silent.

Woman: Say something, will you?

Man: What?

Woman: That you understand.

Man: But, I don’t.

Woman: You said you would.

Man: Silent.

Woman: You knew it from the beginning.

Man: Silent.

Woman: I gotta go now. He’s here. *Click*

*Phone ended*

Picture by: Tomasz Piskorski

Man: Thanks for listening.

Woman: It’s ok.

Man: Do you think she ever loved me?

Woman: I don’t know.

Man: Not that I care now. She’s out of my life.

Woman: Silent.

Man: Thanks for being there for me.

Woman: I can never be out of your life, can I?

Man: You’re my best friend. You’ll always be there as I will always be there for you.

Woman: I wish I was her, though.

Man: I used to have a crush on you.

Woman: Why didn’t you say so?

Man: Because, I had a crush on you.

Woman: I did, too.

Man: Why didn’t you say so, either?

Woman: Because, I had a crush on you. And, you were supposed to be the one who said that. You’re a man.

Man: Why can’t women express their feelings toward men?

Woman: Who said so?

Man: You just did.

Woman: I did not.

Man: Yes, you did.

Woman: Sigh.

Man: Silent.

Woman & Man: (altogether) Now…

Man: You go first…

Woman: Aren’t you going to say it?

Man: Say what?

Woman: Sigh. Just forget it.

Man: Ok.

Woman: Sigh.

Man: Would you like to join me for dinner tonight?

Woman: Silent.

Man: I guess you don’t.

Woman & Man: Walk different ways.

Remember my post on self-discipline? There, I wrote that I wished to be a disciplined writer.

Now, it’s time for me to make a short-term review. Weekly Review.

On the first days, I didn’t write that much. But, since last Saturday or Sunday, I’ve been writing a lot. And, I like that.

Currently, I’m working on two scripts, non-fiction and fiction.

The non-fiction is tempting yet not simple. Not only because it’s my first long non-fiction project, but it’s also on somebody else’s life. I just have to do it right.

The fiction is wonderful. I love it. Yet, I had to make decisions on how the characters should deal with their goals and problems. And, I have to say that it’s not easy. I hate making decisions!

However, both went quite ok. I have written about 50% of each, non-fiction and fiction. My goal, by the end of the month both will be completed. And, I can do the editing on the first week of May.

I can’t say that I’m disciplined enough but it’s a lot better than before.

Most important, I love doing both. A little discipline will make the process perfect.

I don’t know about the result, whether the readers would love them or not, but at least, I ‘m doing my very best!