FOR A LONG, long while, I had a writing block for a story or a play, and even poetry for the Palanca.
I didn’t want to deal with false starts so I was overthinking.
I was so scared of the blank page or the computer screen.
I would even volunteer to wash the dishes, walk the dog, clean the toilet just so I could stay away from my goal of writing some decent pieces for this year’s Palanca Awards.
***
After two years of hiatus brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Palanca contest is back.
They called for entries as early as March.
And May 31, yesterday midnight, was the deadline.
Two months to prepare entries for submission is rather generous as far as I am concerned.
But I didn’t use that time very well.
***
I was all over the place in March, having just arrived from a three-week tour of Europe.
I flew in to Baltimore, Maryland from Manchester, England.
Then I flew to Los Angeles to join my sister and her family.
Then, we went to Cancun in Mexico.
And after a few days, I was in Washington, New Jersey.
***
In April, I flew to Iceland for a five-day holiday.
And was promptly back in New Jersey where I stayed with my cousins.
Except for my Panay News articles, I could hardly write in New Jersey.
***
Well, there was the Philippine elections to deal with.
I mean, I was mostly online helping out.
Not as a paid troll, mind you. Haha.
I was just happy to campaign for the candidate who I felt would better serve the country.
And it was a real bayanihan because most of my social media friends share my political views.
***
With the results of the May elections causing many of my friends some depression, I was still busy until about mid-May.
Or maybe, I was consciously making myself busy to avoid facing my computer for a Palanca-worthy literary output.
Anyway, I did manage to write new masterpieces that I am very proud of.
If they win, the judges would have judged well. Hahaha.
***
I really don’t want to disclose right now exactly how many entries I sent.
But it’s definitely more than one. Haha.
Anyway, last Friday, I sequestered myself to my cousin’s basement because it’s just cooler there during the summer.
And I had a self-challenge to write another masterpiece in 72 hours or under.
***
Quick report, I did it.
And as I write this piece on a Tuesday afternoon in your part of the world, I actually just finished submitting the last of my entries for this year.
***
It was an amazing experience writing under pressure.
I finished the first draft in a little over 48 hours.
I slept some so the total time lapsed could have been 64.5 hours.
What is different is that I had lots of coffee in the last three days.
I’ve never drank so much coffee in my life.
***
I needed the coffee because the summer heat in New Jersey right now is just oppressive.
It just drains you and wants you to lie down and take naps.
Today, I was in the shower at least five times already, and I think I will go again before hitting the sack.
***
I like the process of long edits.
I think that I may have gotten to at least five drafts for the last entry.
No, nothing major like an overhaul of plot.
Just that I always have something new to add to make things even better.
So yeah, I’m pretty proud of my last output.
It’s not my most favorite entry, but it has so much in it that I probably would have a column mini-series when I finally get to talk about it.
***
For the meantime, I don’t want to jinx it by talking about it.
I also don’t want to preempt the judges.
So, I’ll be mum about the Palanca until they announce the winners in October or November.
***
Hopefully, I’ll be back on track very soon.
I have so much to after this Palanca deadline.
And right now, I’m seriously rethinking my planned trip to South America.
But we will see after I get enough sleep.
So, this is just to keep you posted.
Hope all is well with you all./PN
