1. A rambling introduction

Hey friends, it’s been a while. I went back to teaching students with dyslexia (the queer bookstore & micropress will now become a side hustle), celebrated Valentine’s Day yesterday with my newly minted girlfriend, and am now waiting to see my TCM physician as I write this post.

Life has an interesting way of making detours even as one desires shortcuts to one’s desires and success. I am learning now to enjoy the journey as I take the roundabout path.

I thought I wanted to make lots of videos, upload them on YouTube to sell my books, but now I’m not so sure. I’m facing a lot of resistance internally with regard to editing my videos, and having talked with my therapist about it for a while last year, I am learning that it’s important to listen to your body when it’s telling you things.

Perhaps I’ll journal a little about my resistance, instead of gritting my teeth and pressing on, like a dutiful Singaporean would.

I also wanted to do a New Year’s Eve post, and when that failed a 1 January 2025 post here on Substack.

When that fell through, I wanted to write one on the first day of Chinese New Year.

When that didn’t happen, I thought I could pen a post on the first day of work.

But it’s okay, I am learning it is never too late to begin again.

So here I am, on a random day, doing what I love best - writing.

2. Some significant updates

2.1 On my poetry

I’m a finalist in a poetry chapbook competition that I took part in last October. Not sure how much I can say seeing that the judge hasn’t released the results yet, but what I am realising is that I really love writing contests.

I just submitted a piece last night for yet another contest and it is positively thrilling.

Some people get their highs through bungee jumping, others through wild parties. Me? I prefer cracking my head over my haikus and then crossing my fingers, hoping I win.

I know I am refining my craft, and it’s hard to do it alone, without an agent, so perhaps taking part in contests is the way to go!

2.2 On the book

My proofreaders just got back to me with comments, so I am in the midst of editing the manuscript for (hopefully) the final time.

I am learning that it is better not to rush out a half-baked product, but to endeavour to achieve a very high level of craftsmanship.

Sometimes I’m scared about what will happen when the book is released, but I always remember what my friend Lawrence once texted me - “No fear”, and I take a deep breath, and continue walking this lonely path.

2.3 On long form

I pitched a little essay idea I had to Mynah Magazine and am working on a genre-bending piece for a novelette contest and it is nice to stretch myself a little, doing things that are somewhat unfamiliar to me (novelette), and stuff that I am slightly rusty that (longform essays with Mynah).

Journalling is something I think I might want to get into, but I haven’t quite decided where I’ll park my little random thoughts and ideas. Instagram is way too addictive (have deleted the app from my phone for the nth time), and sometimes a book is too bulky.

Yet I enjoy the manual aspect of writing by hand, and it is harder to leak private information. Yet I also enjoy the process of typing on a laptop, or typewriter, so I am a little torn.

Anyways, it’s good practice. I think if I had to prioritise one thing, it’ll probably be writing over editing YouTube videos or Instagram photos.

3. On other creative pursuits

I am interested in:

• taking up Japanese wood-working later this year

• levelling up in my crochet skills

• sketching for fun

It’s difficult sometimes since I am a person of many interests. I had a recent conversation with my girlfriend recently. She asked: