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The Illusions – Chapter 6
Jeff texts a photo of our new yoga mats, a bright splash of color against his desk. His message radiates eagerness for this evening, and a corresponding ripple of excitement moves through me. I imagine us practicing in the park,… Continue reading
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The Illusions – Chapter 5
My phone vibrates on the nightstand, and I reach for it. “My quote of the day from my current book.” A text from Jeff arrives as I linger in bed, sunlight pooling on the sheets. “‘We inflate ourselves with a… Continue reading
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The Illusions – Chapter 4 – Lizzie
The slam of a door startles me awake, slicing through the foggy residue of another fractured night. My head is heavy, my limbs still sunk in the mattress, but somewhere between sleep and waking the word run flashes through my… Continue reading
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The Illusions – Chapter 3
As the days blend together, Jeff and I fall into a steady pattern—calls and texts threading through the quiet stretches of my routine. He’s candid about his past. The women on some dating app, the halfhearted connections that never reached… Continue reading
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The Illusions – Chapter 2
Early the next morning, my phone buzzes—a text notification. Waking up at 7:30 AM on a Saturday feels like a cruel joke. I grope for my phone and blink at the screen. Jeff: “Donuts at Giant bakery were excellent. I… Continue reading
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The Illusions – Chapter 1
The weather is perfect — warm sun, light breeze — the kind that tricks you into believing things could be easy, that life might be simple. Yet it’s another busy day at work. I come back to the office after… Continue reading
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The Detour – Chapter 6
Weeks ago ~ It’s another Saturday afternoon, and we’re on our second video call before my trip to Ithaca. Jeff starts the call with Lesley and me, but immediately blacks out his camera. Lesley and I exchange shrugs as we… Continue reading
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The Detour – Chapter 5
It’s a gorgeous day in Ithaca, NY. I arrive early at Taughannock Falls State Park, the first stop on my waterfall itinerary. The parking lot is empty. For now, it’s just me and the morning. Perfect. I step out, the… Continue reading
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The Detour – Chapter 4
I rush home from work, my keys fumbling in my hand and my mind already halfway out the door. Tonight is our first group event, and the thought of axe throwing sends nervous flutters through my stomach. Not the bad… Continue reading
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The Detour – Chapter 3
We call ourselves The Healing Collective, though for now, it’s a small planning committee of us three: Jeff, Lesley, and me. It was Jeff’s idea. He believes divorce doesn’t have to be all tears and grief. Maybe we can laugh,… Continue reading
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The Illusions – Chapter 6
Jeff texts a photo of our new yoga mats, a bright splash of color against his desk. His message radiates eagerness for this evening, and a corresponding ripple of excitement moves through me. I imagine us practicing in the park, sharing the peaceful joy I usually only find alone in nature. But as the afternoon…
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The Illusions – Chapter 5
My phone vibrates on the nightstand, and I reach for it. “My quote of the day from my current book.” A text from Jeff arrives as I linger in bed, sunlight pooling on the sheets. “‘We inflate ourselves with a false confidence to make bad feelings go away.’ I want to take out any false…
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The Illusions – Chapter 4 – Lizzie
The slam of a door startles me awake, slicing through the foggy residue of another fractured night. My head is heavy, my limbs still sunk in the mattress, but somewhere between sleep and waking the word run flashes through my mind like a distress signal of something urgent I’ve forgotten. Lizzie’s voice, sharp as an…
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The Illusions – Chapter 3
As the days blend together, Jeff and I fall into a steady pattern—calls and texts threading through the quiet stretches of my routine. He’s candid about his past. The women on some dating app, the halfhearted connections that never reached deeper than a kiss. He wants more than that; something real. I listen, not to…
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The Illusions – Chapter 2
Early the next morning, my phone buzzes—a text notification. Waking up at 7:30 AM on a Saturday feels like a cruel joke. I grope for my phone and blink at the screen. Jeff: “Donuts at Giant bakery were excellent. I had a fun time last night. I’m glad it worked out.” “Glad it worked out?”…
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The Illusions – Chapter 1
The weather is perfect — warm sun, light breeze — the kind that tricks you into believing things could be easy, that life might be simple. Yet it’s another busy day at work. I come back to the office after a brisk walk, awake from the sun, the air tasting faintly of cut grass and…
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The Detour – Chapter 6
Weeks ago ~ It’s another Saturday afternoon, and we’re on our second video call before my trip to Ithaca. Jeff starts the call with Lesley and me, but immediately blacks out his camera. Lesley and I exchange shrugs as we greet each other, both of us a little bemused. A moment later, Jeff’s face pops…
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The Detour – Chapter 5
It’s a gorgeous day in Ithaca, NY. I arrive early at Taughannock Falls State Park, the first stop on my waterfall itinerary. The parking lot is empty. For now, it’s just me and the morning. Perfect. I step out, the air crisp and new, and stretch my arms overhead, feeling the tension in my body…
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The Detour – Chapter 4
I rush home from work, my keys fumbling in my hand and my mind already halfway out the door. Tonight is our first group event, and the thought of axe throwing sends nervous flutters through my stomach. Not the bad kind, exactly. More like the feeling of standing at the edge of something unknown, wondering…
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The Detour – Chapter 3
We call ourselves The Healing Collective, though for now, it’s a small planning committee of us three: Jeff, Lesley, and me. It was Jeff’s idea. He believes divorce doesn’t have to be all tears and grief. Maybe we can laugh, build friendships, and have some fun while mending our brokenness. Honestly, that hope is what’s…
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The Detour – Chapter 2
The next day, Jeff sends a group text, full of encouragement and that earnest energy he’s known for. One by one, everyone chimes in. I even spot Donna’s number among the contacts, which makes me grin. Of course, I can’t help but tease Jeff: “Thanks for starting this chat and checking in on us during…
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The Detour – Chapter 1
The last Divorce Recovery class is ending when Jeff suggests a group hangout. “Something light to end on,” he says, his voice booming with a confidence that fills the room. Cody, our facilitator, smiles and vouches for him. I watch Jeff scan the group, his eyes lingering on me for a fraction too long, and…
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The Setbacks
“Know your wounds, see your patterns, learn your lessons.” ~ Lisa Malabanan
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Part 5 All the Parts that make Me Whole: I Am the Journey
When I look back at the path behind me — the wandering, the resisting, the running, the falling, the rising — I finally see the truth that was woven through every step: I was never lost. I was becoming. Every trail I walked, every waterfall I stood before, every summit I reached, every river that…
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Part 4 A Writer
Just when I feel like I’m finally catching up with life, God tests me again. And the question is one I’ve struggled with for years — not because it’s complicated, but because I’ve never believed I could answer it honestly. I’ve always had trouble finishing what I started. It haunts me like a ghost from…
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Part 3 Who am I?
Who am I? I am… Pause. Breathe. Be here at this moment. I finally understand the power in those words. What God, Creator, Universe has been trying to relay to me. That I am both empowered and empowering. That my life has meaning and purpose. What is meant for me will always find me. Love.…
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Part 2 Walk With Me
“Lisa, take a walk with me,” God said. It was another request — gentle, persuasive, and still somehow loving. And like the rebellious teenager I tend to be with God, I resisted. I knew what a walk meant. It meant a lesson. A challenge. A truth I wasn’t sure I wanted to face. I didn’t…
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Part 1 My Journey
I didn’t realize how far I had drifted from myself until the silence of my unwritten stories became louder than the noise of my daily life. After so much reflection, I’ve come to understand something that had eluded me for years: being true to myself means being connected to myself. Connected to all the parts…
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Your First Glance
When that first glance becomes seconds of thrilling excitement. When seconds become minutes of gazing into each other’s eyes. Those minutes become hours of laughing at anything. Then your lingering kiss fills me with warmth for days after. Those moments become a promise to share a lifetime together. Then our cherished glances are now gazing…
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It’s the beauty in her words…
I find it strange yet familiar on how such a young lady embodies such an old soul. Her silence bewilders me as she sits in solitude. I can almost discern her thoughts but she is elusive. Then her words speak volumes so loud, it’s powerful. I feel her written reflections that echo in my mind,…
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Surviving and the In-between
It’s been a while since my last post…and a very long while with my writing project. My kids seem to need me more as they grow up, especially on how to survive life in general. So they will always be my top priority, and I’ve put aside my writing for the time being. Until now. Since…
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Lingering on a Memory
Another day of spring semester as I sit here gazing at students strolling around campus. The aroma of coffee and French fries are wafting through the main hallway. The sound of cards slapping a hard surface, and the occasional burst of “spit” echoes from somebody in the background. Circles of young adults with black hair…
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For Autism Awareness…
Dedicated to my son… Black, White, and In-between He sees himself in black and white Rarely any colors in-between He doesn’t know what they mean But he’s still trying He sees the sky in black and white No shades of blue Or different hues It’s just day and night But he keeps trying He sees…
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Weird is Cool
My son recently mentioned that one of his favorite songs is “Cool Kids” by Echosmith. He was singing the song while I was driving him home from Karate class one evening. The lyrics struck my core. Little Ray identified with the words of the song and I suddenly feel his pain. I feel Ray’s struggle…
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It’s a “Family Affair”
It’s my family reunion! I’m excited, tired, and nervous at the same time. The excited part is self-explanatory. I’m tired from cleaning the house for a family luncheon this Friday. My nerves are getting the best of me because my mother requested that I do the “welcome” speech at our family reunion dinner tonight. Public…
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A Father’s Day Message
Father’s Day is approaching. It’s a wonderful time to honor a great man who taught, or is still teaching you everything about life. An amazing man who continues to love you for as long as he’s alive. But what if you didn’t have such a wonderful father to nurture and…
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Hugs and Kisses over Hits and Misses
What about cries and spills? No way! Sometimes it’s easier to “take a chill pill.” LOL. I’m talking about nursing. As my tagline says, I’m also a Professional Registered Nurse. So in honor of National Nurses Week, I’m dedicating this post to all the wonderful RNs out there. I must admit that when I started…
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Light It Up Blue
The CDC released the new numbers regarding the rise of autism prevalence: 1 in 68. But these numbers really reflect the people diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I assume there are many children, and even adults, who are undiagnosed because of the lack of autism awareness. The statistics concern not only the affected person, but…
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Autism Awareness
April is Autism Awareness Month. The CDC released the new number of 1 in 68 children as having ASD. Back in 2006 the numbers were 1 in 110 so Autism prevalence is rising. New research suggest that Autism starts with changes in the brain during fetal development. My child is diagnosed with ASD so I strongly stress the importance of early…
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Typhoon Haiyan – What is my pledge?
It’s easy to be disconnected from the other side of the world. Perhaps the reason is life proceeding in a different time zone and country. Yet the irony is how one’s devastation miles away can put some real perspective into your own life. That’s when you realize your life isn’t so bad. What little you…
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The Many Faces of Fear
It’s been a couple of weeks since October past. Besides work and other obligations, I spent a lot of time watching Halloween specials with my daughter. We are big fans of Ghost Adventures Crew. Basically, we enjoyed scaring ourselves silly about the unknown and unexplained. Many people celebrate this yearly festivity of pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, costumes and costume…
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Turning it Around
The world is always revolving and life continues with each passing day. I can’t imagine not living a day to the fullest, yet every so often, a negative experience threatens a positive outlook. How do I turn a negative into positives? What does one do to overcome a defeat? I’ve procrastinated about writing and revisions.…
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Writing, Therapy in Session a Touching Guest Post by Lisa Malabanan
Writing, Therapy in Session a Touching Guest Post by Lisa Malabanan.
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A Diatonic Review of Lisa Malabanan’s Consonance
A Diatonic Review of Lisa Malabanan’s Consonance.
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My Eyes Are Closed, a guest post by Lisa Malabanan
My Eyes Are Closed, a guest post by Lisa Malabanan.
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Salsa, My Spice on Promoting
I’m not talking about the sauce, although I love the hot and spicy kind. I am referring to Salsa music and dancing. If you’re familiar with Latin American music, then you’ve probably heard that “call-and-response” chorus of a song. The call-and-response pattern is common in music. Usually, there are different musicians who perform two distinct…
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Book Tour for Consonance
* Tour Schedule * Book Suburbia – Guest Post my midnight fantasies – Guest Post Tana Rae Reads – Guest Post, Review, Giveaway Veduny Writer Amy Freeman – Guest Post, Interview Naimeless – Guest Post, Interview, Review, Giveaway Every Free Chance Book Reviews – Review, Giveaway sofia loves books – Review, Giveaway The Daydreamer’s Obsessions – Guest Post, Giveaway Tome Tender Blogspot –…
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To be or not to be reviewed?
It’s time for the nerve-racking book review inquiries. Yes, my beta readers are kind enough to post their reviews after reading the published copy, but I must also seek the critiques of book bloggers too. So again, I have to put myself out there to take the criticism because not all the reviews will be…
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My Favorite Quote
“You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching, Love like you’ll never be hurt, Sing like there’s nobody listening, And live like it’s heaven on earth.” ― William W. Purkey
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The Inspiration, Motivation, and Creativity
“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.” Maya Angelou Many people have asked me this question: “So what made you want to write a book?” I wrote the first book because of an inspiration. My daughter loves liberal arts. She is a remarkable artist and writer,…
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Thank you
After months of homework, I think I’m finally ready to self publish Consonance. Thank you to all my beta readers for challenging me to write, your encouragement means a lot. I am also thankful for my editors, your guidance is truly appreciated. Of course, I’m grateful to all my family and friends. Thanks for your support and…
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My Search
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” Maya Angelou At the advice of a Book Reviewer, she suggested that I find a few beta readers to help me polish up the narrative of Consonance. I understand that the story line needs improvement. Now my search for beta readers begins.
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The Prelude to a Story
Prelude to a Song is a short story referring to the Davis Family and lyrics of Sassy. Sassy is a song written for Elle from the perspective of Ryan and Kevin. In fact, I wrote several song lyrics which the first book mentions although Sassy is not mentioned in Consonance. This is the sixth Dia-Matic Keys song…
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Embarking on the Journey
Fiction is my escape from the chaos of life. I enjoy reading many genres from fantasy to science fiction, especially from Indie authors who self-published their books. My imagination started brewing, and a concept appeared from my love of music and family. On a whim, I began writing Consonance in May 2011. I completed the…
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