Noticing the Details Could Save a Life

Sometimes we are so busy with our own lives that we don’t notice the struggles of the people around us. There may be no consequences to what we overlook. But other times, we miss an opportunity to change a life.

We miss an opportunity when we don’t pay attention to crucial details. For example, that friend who is always so chatty with text messages has suddenly gone silent. What happened? Was she just busy with work? Or is she silent because she is depressed about something? Do you notice the change right away, or weeks later? And if you notice right away, do you reach out and let her know that someone cares?

Sometimes, the details are misleading, so we have to do some analytical thinking to figure it out. Like the time a friend’s mother died just months after he just got a divorce. He tells you he’s not doing well, but when you run into him two days later, he’s smiling and telling jokes. Is he ok? So you ask, but he says he’s feeling the same as two days ago. The smile is just a facade.

But, noticing the details doesn’t just mean noticing if your loved ones need you. In some cases, you could be the one who needs the support. Hopefully, you have a loved one who cares enough to reach out to you.

So the next time you’re really busy and just say a quick hi to a friend or family member, take an extra moment to check and make sure that person is okay. It could make a big difference in that person’s life!

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Daily writing prompt
What details of your life could you pay more attention to?
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Would You Love Once or Never Love at All?

My earliest memory of him is when he sat across from me in the cafeteria and asked me about the pictures I was drawing. He asked me questions and wanted to know all about me. And so, I thought, I was in love.

I saw him in the hallway, where he would smile at me and his beautiful face would light up my day. He would call out my name and ask me how I was, and those were the most wonderful words.

He was perfect. Everything he did amazed me. I saw him in the mall on the weekend and he wouldn’t stop talking with me. He bought me ice cream. We went for a walk. He asked if I had a boyfriend. 

Then I saw him with another girl. “I thought you liked me,” I said.

“We were just friends,” he said.

So I sat through the next class wondering what I had done wrong. Was it something I had said? Something I had done?

Months passed. He never talked to me again. But over time, he didn’t look so handsome. His voice wasn’t so beautiful. He stopped walking on air and he came down to earth.

Ah, love is fleeting. A crush is just a crush.

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Daily writing prompt
Share a lesson you wish you had learned earlier in life.
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What Is Your Favorite Word

Is it possible to choose ONE favorite word? I think it depends on what word is on your mind at the time.

For example, if I’m studying or reading a book, and I learn a new term, that word becomes my new favorite word. I want to keep using it to learn it and absorb it into my long-term memory. It is the same when you’re learning a new language.

If I’m having a rough day and everything seems to be going wrong, my new favorite word is a curse word. They say that swearing is one way to calm your frustrations.

On the other hand, my favorite word for the time being can be a word that gives me comfort. Like the name of my favorite food, or my favorite song, or favorite activity.

It is hard to choose one favorite word. Depending on when you ask me this question, my answer will always be different.

Daily writing prompt
What’s your favorite word?
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My Secret Yearning

This evening I am sitting on the bed, waiting for my mom to return. I wait here like this every time she goes out. Sometimes, a bug comes by, and I fear it’ll land on my head. But fortunately, the bug doesn’t, and I’m safe. Hours pass and the sun moves across the bed, and the light turns into dark.

When my mom returns, I want to tell her how brave I’ve been. She thinks I have it easy, sitting at home all day and enjoying my life. My life might be easy, but it’s not the life that I want. I want more than to be safe at home. I want to be like her. I want to go out to all the places that she visits. Whether it is for a holiday trip somewhere or something as simple as going to the store. It might be boring to her, but a complete adventure for me. I want to people watch and see what people are doing and where they go. I want to experience what people experience in the movies.

Tonight, she has gone out to the coffee shop to write with her writing friends. She thinks I had an easy day. I don’t have to worry about paying the bills or even doing any of the housework. She gives me a hug. I’m glad she’s home and I have her company. She says she’s very lucky to have me around. “You’ ‘re a special bear,” she says.

I suppose we envy what we don’t have. She thinks I have an easy life. Maybe I do. But, just once, I wish I could go out to a coffee shop.

What would you like to do differently, or try just once, that you haven’t done before?

Daily writing prompt
What are you doing this evening?
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Interview with a Friend and Writer

This prompt prompted me to ask a friend in my writing group some interview questions. He had been working on his novel for a long time, always telling me about his latest progress on one section or reworking something with the main character. It wasn’t until this interview that I learned what motivated him to keep going on this long-term writing project. Here are the snapshots of our long chat.

What got you into writing your novels?

It was in 2010 when I was reading science fiction that I realized that there are not enough Asian characters there. That’s what got me started in writing science fiction.

What manuscript are you working on now?

Quantum Katana which is a lit RPG (role-playing game) novel about a dethroned e-sports gamer who finds out her husband’s conscience is trapped in an online game and she has to save him.

Who is your ideal audience?

My story would appeal to people interested in Asian culture and Japanese mythology. The story takes place in the future and then moves into a fictional world. 

What motivates you to keep writing? A novel takes a while to write!

I join other writers and writing groups to motivate me to keep writing. I also have external deadlines with a critique group. My critique group meets regularly to review each other’s writing. I also set hard deadlines. I’ve rewritten my story many times, but I have a final deadline in mind to submit the final draft for publication.

How do you keep generating ideas for your story?

I keep reading writing craft books. These books help me to get better as a writer. I also welcome feedback from other members of my critique group.

Final words of advice?

If you want to improve at your craft, read lots, write regularly, set deadlines, and be open to feedback. 

Daily writing prompt
Interview someone — a friend, another blogger, your mother, the mailman — and write a post based on their responses.
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