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   So what does it take to be a writer? If you can write about stories of people and poetry and put into paper everything that you have been imagining in your mind, does that make you a writer already? Are you suppose to follow certain rules? If you don't have formal education or a degree in writing, is there a place for you in this profession? so many questions..

   My mom would always tell me bedtime stories when I was a kid, I guess that also contributed to my wild imagination, she would tell me about the usual fairy tales, only, she would make some changes in characters or adds some new ones to make the stories longer, coz even as a kid.. I guess I am one tough customer and can't seem to get enough of them, I would always ask for another story and not be contented with just one each time.
   I would pretend to be sleeping, but on the contrary, I have my own story continuing the moment I close my eyes. Most of the time of course, I am the princess and I would be wearing all those beautiful clothes and jewelry, I would also imagine my most hated playmate to be the witch in my own version of it.
   This went on for some time, only this time, when I reached adolescence, I not only think I am the princess in some far away kingdom, I also imagine my prince, in case you are wondering my idea of what a perfect prince would look like, he goes with the name of Leif Garrett.

      Leif with his golden locks fit the perfect prince for me, as you can see I have very good taste when it comes to imagining characters of my own story. Its so sad  to know however, that things have been tough with him, he was really a big star during my teenage years, I even watched his concert here in the Philippines, my very first one actually, bought his souvenir shirt, magazines, and my bedroom filled with his posters, I really want my prince around you know, serenading me with.. either " I was looking for someone to love " or " When I think of you ", life was so much easier back then....

   My imaginary friends seem to have left me when I met my true prince, well... he's not exactly the way I imagined him to be.. but much much better.  We got married, had a baby girl, a few more years we had a son, and soon after that another girl. Time passed by and I got really busy raising my little family and making sure everything goes well, and that my little treasures' dreams come true, that I totally forgotten about mine. There were problems along the way, just like the many obstacles that every fairy tale character must conquer and just like them we stood strong. That has been the routine most of my life, I am truly thankful for what I have, though it isn't much.

   One night I started dreaming again, I vaguely remember what it was, but the dream was surreal, in fact I can even feel the part of my leg that was bitten by that huge serpent, truly magical! and, as what I would normally do even when I was still a kid, I did all my best to get back to my dream and do what I was supposed to do... I wrestled the monster and cut its head off! and that's when I knew that, my imaginary friends are back!

     I have always wanted to be a writer, but never knew how, and never worked my way to being one. I have only myself to blame and no one else. I have a few people in my life who believes in me, and you know who you all are. You all gave me a chance to find myself  and what's missing in my life, and for that I am thankful too.

   In my pursuit and vow to learn, I encountered inspirational words from the so called "masters of the literary arts" ,  Here it goes...

   " I was writing for seven years before the book was published "    J.K Rowling ( Harry Potter )
   " Writing is an exploration, you start with nothing and learn as you go"  E.L Doctorow
   " The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek " Joseph Campbell
   " start writing no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on"  Louis L' Amour
   " I would rather risk rejection and fail, than never try, and live with regret " Dianne Rosena Jones
   " A professional writer is an amateur who didn't quit " Richard Bach
   " Being a writer is like standing naked in the High street hoping people won't find you ridiculous" Graham Storrs

    These inspiring words helped in giving me hope that it's never too late to achieve my dreams, after all, everyone seemed to have started out with John Lennon's " you may say that I'm a dreamer.. but I'm not the only one" attitude, and since dreams are free for those who wants it.. I'll focus with these two characters as I try to work my way in achieving it..