Ruby Galvez, RL

A  coming-of-age novel  has distinct traits that set it apart from other genres, primarily through its focus on personal growth and self-discovery. Here’s what makes it unique:        1.     Focus on Character Development        -     Core Theme:     The central theme of a coming-of-age novel is personal transformation. The protagonist, usually a young person, matures through experiences, gaining insight into themselves and the world.    -     Compared to Other Genres:     While many genres focus on external conflicts (e.g., fantasy battles or mystery puzzles), the coming-of-age novel centers on   internal   conflicts—struggles with identity, morality, and self-understanding.        2.     Transition from Youth to Adulthood        -     Rite of Passage:...

 In my blogs about making money online, I mentioned selling journals and logbooks on Amazon KDP. In some cases, I make journals out of ideas and inspirations I get from my life as a librarian, mother of a young adult, and a restaurateur/party caterer. I may sell the journals myself (selling mined gold) or sell them to people who might want to develop them as their own products on Amazon KDP (selling shovels for others to mine gold with).  If you want to find out more about the latter, here is the link to my Creative Fabrica store:  https://www.creativefabrica.com/designer/ruby-cari-galvez/ref/2135193/ In my brainstorming, I thought of several oddball and common niches that I could develop products around. Here they are... First-Time Homeowner's Planner – Step-by-step guidance and to-do lists for managing house projects, budgeting, and maintenance. Solo Hiking Journal – A log for solo hikers to track routes, wildlife sightings, reflections, and survival tips. Eco-Conscio...

In previous posts, we’ve covered everything from spacing and speed to avoiding flourishes and using lined paper. Now, let’s focus on the final three tips that will take your handwriting to the next level: 8. Use Quality Writing Tools The tools you use can make a significant difference in how your handwriting looks. A cheap pen that skips or smudges can make your letters look messy, no matter how careful you are. Invest in a good pen that feels comfortable in your hand and produces consistent lines. Gel pens, fountain pens, or even a well-made ballpoint pen can make writing smoother and more enjoyable. 9. Sit with Good Posture Believe it or not, your posture affects your handwriting. If you’re hunched over or slouching, you’ll have less control over your pen. Sit up straight with your feet flat on the ground and your writing hand resting comfortably on the desk. This will help you maintain better control of your pen strokes and keep your handwriting steady. 10. Warm Up Your Hand Just li...

 I was all set. Excited, even. I had a brilliant story brewing in my mind—folklore from my province, no less! I could see my protagonists already, larger than life, practically leaping off the page. Then I sat down to write... and nothing happened. That’s when I realized I had developed the dreaded writer’s block. Oh, the irony—so many ideas, yet not a single word seemed to fit. What was my block, you ask? It boiled down to two surprisingly tricky issues: 1. My protagonists were awesome (naturally), but the villains? Well, I had no idea what drove them. What was their purpose, their motivations? I needed more than just "evil for the sake of evil." It felt like staring at an empty abyss, waiting for my villains to give me something to work with. 2. Then there was the big existential question: how much of me should I put into this story? Every time I thought I had a direction, I hesitated. Is this my story or just fiction? How much of "me" was too much? Suddenly, my o...

 As the world moves deeper into the digital age, librarians in the Philippines are faced with unique challenges. From adapting to new technologies to ensuring access to information for all, today’s librarians must address both the opportunities and obstacles that come with modernizing library services. Below, we explore the top concerns that shape the future of librarianship in the country. Digital Preservation: Safeguarding the Future of Knowledge   In a time when books and documents are increasingly digitized, one of the biggest challenges for librarians is understanding how to preserve digital content. Ensuring that valuable materials remain accessible for future generations is more than just converting physical texts into digital formats—it’s about long-term storage, managing file formats that might become obsolete, and guaranteeing data integrity. Information Literacy: Empowering Users in the Digital World   With the explosion of information available onlin...

I've had the pleasure of meeting mang Nanie (Hernando Guanlao) who founded and operates Reading Club 2000 when we were both in a panel during the Philippine International Literary Festival in 2019. Such a remarkable and humble man. From the Reading Club 2000 about page , at Nanie's Reading Club, there is no membership, borrower's card or ID required. One may keep the books or return them. "I encourage sharing with their neighbors when they are done", Nanie explains.  There's no set system, and it has always worked out for this informal library and its users. Located at 1454 Balagtas St., Barangay La Paz, Makati City, Reading Club 2000 offers a unique twist on the traditional library. Just a few kilometers from the bustling financial district of Makati, this community hub, nestled on the corner of Archimedes Street, invites book lovers to explore its treasure trove of thousands of donated books without the usual structure you'd expect from a library.       ...

I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my brand-new banner on Creative Fabrica! If you’ve never heard of Creative Fabrica, it’s time to introduce you to this teeming and thriving community of artists, educators, entrepreneurs, and crafters. Whether you’re a creator looking for inspiration or someone who loves to support independent artists, Creative Fabrica is the place to be. What is Creative Fabrica? Creative Fabrica is an online marketplace where creators like me can share and sell digital designs, fonts, crafts, and more. But it's not just a store—it's a hub for collaboration, learning, and growing your creative skills. Imagine a place where you can find everything from SVG cut files to crochet patterns to teaching tools. The best part? The community is always buzzing with activity, full of creators sharing their work and buyers looking for unique designs to bring their projects to life. Why I Love Creative Fabrica One of the reasons I love being part of Creative Fabrica is...