Blog Tour: My Writing Process

oatmeal caramel barsThese are oatmeal dulce de leche bars, or caramelitas. These have nothing to do with today’s post but I thought you guys won’t mind a picture and a recipe for oatmeal bars with sweet and sticky dulce de leche, dark chocolate, and a crumble topping.

Today I’m doing something a little different.

I’ve been invited to join the “My Writing Process” Blog Tour, where bloggers talk about what and how we write, then invite three other bloggers to do the same. Think of it as a chain letter of sorts. I was asked to join by Alaina from The Jogging Concierge, who has become one of my very favorite friends (she and I watched the Boston Marathon together last week and I couldn’t think of a better companion for an event like that). I’m always interested in how other bloggers approach their writing and I figured some of you may be as well so I decided to participate. Participants in the blog tour answer the same four questions below.

What am I working on?

Right now I am working very hard on just graduating from my master’s program. Regular readers know that I quit my job in advertising last December so I could focus on finishing my degree, plus work a little more on the blog. Well, it turns out I underestimated how hard it is to be a full-time student! Between writing my thesis, studying for finals, and doing all the requirements to graduate, I’ve had very little free time. I’m trying to stick to a regular posting schedule here (did you guys notice that I’ve been publishing a new post on Mondays and Thursdays now?) but it’s definitely been challenging to keep up with all the recipe development, restaurant reviews, baking, cooking, photography, editing, and the actual writing. On top of that, I still work part time for TalkingWriting (a magazine for creative writers and readers), do freelance writing (stay tuned for a cool piece that I’m really excited about, to be published in a couple of weeks ), and I’m actively looking for a full-time job again. Then there’s everything else I love: yoga, running, hanging out with my friends, going on dates (hah just kidding, this took a backseat), Sunday night TV, doing my hair, you know the usual stuff.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I like to think that my readers keep coming back to this blog because my personality shines through in my writing. It’s not just recipes and restaurants and pretty pictures. You’re always going to get a chatty story, and you know that sometimes I can be sassy, but sometimes I can be serious. I give my readers a glimpse into my personal life: that one time I got asked out by someone 10 years younger, or that other time I went on  date with caramel in my hair, and lots of stories about my family (I have the best dad, the most awesome mom, and two wonderful sisters). I write about checking things off my bucket list and I chronicle my other travel adventures. I admit that when I moved to the U.S. 10 years ago, I hardly knew how to cook, so every recipe here is easy and non-intimidating (and no one’s going to judge kitchen fails). I’m also different because of my background. I grew up in the Philippines, and my life in Manila is different from my life here in Boston, but in a way I did a lot of my growing up here. There’s a lot of heart and soul in this blog.

Why do I write what I do?

I started this blog because I love writing and I love food, and this is the perfect way to marry both. Eventually, my little blog grew to be an extension of me and in a way, it made me love writing and food even more.

How does your writing process work?

A writing teacher once told me: “First, write from the heart. Then, write from your head.” I do that whether I’m writing for my blog or for another publication. Although because this is a food blog, my writing process is tied to an editorial calendar, making the actual recipe and writing down notes, taking photos, writing a draft, editing, and publishing. Essentially my writing process is: draft, edit, polish, edit again.

 chia blueberry puddingThe only connection that this Coconut Chia Pudding has with my writing process is that I was eating it while I was writing this.

Now for the chain mail part. Next Monday, May 5th, three of my blogger friends will be participating in this “My Writing Process” Blog Tour. I hope you check out their sites.

Meghan from Travel, Wine, and Dine – I met Meghan about four years ago at a small blogger get-together. She and I have a lot of things in common (hello, travel, wine, and dine!) I love reading about her culinary adventures and even her running stories (she is a 6-time marathon runner). Meghan is one of the nicest and most sincere people I’ve met through blogging, and I’m happy that I can call her a friend.

Michelle from The Economical Eater – Some people might assume that Michelle and I are very different because 1) she’s a vegetarian (and you all know how much I love meat), and 2) she’s an economical eater… because I have to admit I’m not very good at being “economical.” But you know what changes that? Being a full-time student! So I have new found appreciation for not spending a fortune at every meal. But seriously, Michelle is one impressive lady: she’s a freelance writer and private caterer, and she has inspired me multiple times to make delicious meatless meals. Plus, she also has a serious sweet tooth so we get along very well.

Molly from Pop.Bop.Shop – Molly writes a fun lifestyle blog that covers the very things that make me giggly and excited: pop culture, food, travel, fashion, books, and entertainment. She is my go-to for weekly TV show recaps, but also for new restaurants in and around the Boston area.

I hope you guys liked the blog tour. There’s going to be ice cream here soon!

   

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