My Writer's Block was Delaying my Epic Story Until I Rewatched Attack on Titans

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 once exciting tale felt like an awkward conversation with myself.

So here I am, staring at my notes, pondering, questioning, and rethinking. Writer’s block is a beast, but it’s also a strange invitation to dive deeper. Maybe the villains will reveal themselves once I stop overthinking—or maybe I’ll just have to embrace the chaos a little longer. Either way, the story isn’t over yet.

Update: A few nights ago, I found myself rewatching *Attack on Titan*—one of the most mind-blowingly complex stories ever written. While taking in the chaos of that world, it struck me: the "villains" in this series aren’t what they seem. They’re just characters whose views on what's right directly oppose the protagonists'. Is that enough to make them evil?

This got me thinking about my own story. Maybe I’ve been looking at my villains all wrong. Instead of trying to conjure up some classic evil mastermind, maybe I just need to understand their perspective. After all, from where they're standing, they’re the heroes of their own story. Their motivations aren’t about being "bad"; they’re just rooted in beliefs or experiences that clash with my protagonists’ goals.

So maybe, just maybe, my villains aren’t the problem. It’s how I’ve been framing them.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Check out this snarky/funny t-shirt design I found on Creative Fabrica (affiliate link included).

https://www.creativefabrica.com/product/writers-block-t-shirt/ref/2135193/

Your City Needs Its Writers: 3 Steps to Improve the Writing Culture in Your City

There is a La Union Books and Arts Exhibit right now at the SM City La Union, and this got me thinking. Every city has its share of storytellers. Some write novels. Some write long social media captions that probably should have been novels. I personally think a city with no active writers feels a bit empty, like a place that only knows traffic and billboards but has no imagination. A writing culture is not optional. It is the difference between a town that thinks and a town that merely exists. If you want to encourage a writing culture where you live, start by following these 3 steps: Step 1: Make writers visible. Invite local authors to your library, schools, community centers, and yes even your neighborhood book clubs. In fact, book clubs are one of the easiest groups to involve, because they already read, already discuss stories, and usually already have snacks. A sponsored book club event featuring a hometown author can do more for visibility than a month of posters. And honestly,...

10 Benefits of Becoming a Board Topnotcher in the Philippines

Becoming a board topnotcher in the Philippines is a highly esteemed achievement that can have significant benefits for an individual's professional and personal life. These benefits span across various aspects, including career opportunities, personal growth, and societal impact. 10 Reasons Board Topnotchers are a Big Deal in the Philippines 1. Enhanced Career Opportunities : Achieving topnotcher status in board exams in the Philippines often opens doors to a plethora of career opportunities. Many employers, particularly in competitive fields such as engineering, accountancy, and law, view topnotchers as individuals with exceptional capabilities and a strong work ethic. As a result, topnotchers often receive job offers from prestigious firms, government agencies, and private corporations. Additionally, they are frequently offered higher starting salaries, leadership roles, and opportunities for advanced training and education. 2. Professional Recognition and Credibility : Topnotche...

Better Library Shelfing by Colocation: Grouping Similar Items

As librarians, we've all faced the challenge of making the most of our shelf space. It's like a puzzle, figuring out where each book belongs so that people can find what they need without a treasure map. This is where colocation – or putting similar things together – comes into play. It's a simple idea, but it can make a huge difference in how we manage our shelves and help our library users find their way around. Let's talk about how this approach can make our libraries more user-friendly and efficient. Why Colocation Matters Imagine you're looking for a cookbook. You go to the section where cookbooks are supposed to be, but instead of finding them all in one spot, they're scattered all over. Some are with the gardening books, others are near the science fiction. Frustrating, right? That's the problem colocation solves. By keeping similar items together – all the cookbooks in one place, all the science fiction in another – we make life easier for everyone....

Being a Document Control Officer to Manage Archives: Are You the Office Librarian?

In many workplaces, there's someone who seems to know where everything is. They can pull up the latest policy revision, retrieve an outdated client file, or point you to that mysterious "blue folder" from three years ago that somehow still matters. This person may not wear glasses or whisper "shhh"—but in essence, they are the office librarian . In most cases, this role falls to the Document Control Officer . But what does being a Document Control Officer really mean? And how close is it to being the keeper of a corporate library? Let’s unpack it. What Is a Document Control Officer? A Document Control Officer (DCO) is responsible for managing how documents are created, reviewed, stored, accessed, and archived within an organization. In many cases, the DCO is the quiet force behind regulatory compliance, internal consistency, and institutional memory. In short, if your company ever says, “We have a paper trail,” the DCO is why. Their duties typically incl...

How Important is Proper Document Control in ISO Accreditation?

If your organization is working toward ISO accreditation—or trying to maintain it—you’ve probably heard the phrase document control more times than you care to count. But before your eyes glaze over, let’s break it down. ISO standards (like ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 14001 for environmental management, or ISO 27001 for information security) are built on the idea of consistency, traceability, and accountability. None of that works without proper documentation. And documentation doesn’t stay proper on its own. It needs structure. That’s where document control comes in. So, how important is it? In short: it's everything. What Is Document Control in the ISO Context? Document control refers to how an organization manages its critical documents—such as procedures, manuals, forms, and records—so that they are: Correct (the latest version) Accessible (to the right people) Secure (from unauthorized changes) Traceable (who approved, changed, or accessed them)...

Many Kinds of Librarian Jobs

What are the types of librarians? Are there more than one type? It may seem like a one-size-fits-all profession, but many kinds exist. Each kind has responsibilities unique to it. Academic librarians These types of librarians are those who are in charge of college and university libraries. It is rare for academic librarians to work alone because the workload is just too much. Library aides, internet staff, catalogers, book binders, and even abstractors and indexers are often found in tertiary education libraries. Usually, there is a hierarchy in an academic library; there is a head librarian and one or several other librarians. Academic librarians may also enjoy benefit of having student assistants. Public librarians These types of librarians are those who are in charge of public libraries (city, municipal, provincial, and congressional libraries). They’re considered elite in the profession because snagging a job in a public library means enjoying the benefits of working for the ...

Simple Way to Ask Library Users to Rate the Library Service

Library users do not always share their thoughts on how the librarian or school can improve their library service. In fact, some won't ever, unless prompted. Soliciting their thoughts using a suggestion box is also not as good a strategy as it is predicted to be. After all, the blank piece of paper near the suggestion box doesn't really guide the user. I also noticed that users would only use the suggestion box if they have a complaint, but not if they just want to go about their business and leave. There must be a more pro-active way to solicit users' opinion. A simple solution would be to offer a short survey to measure how successfully users were able to complete some common activities in the library. This assessment uses the Likert scale, which is typically a five, seven, or nine-point agreement scale used to measure respondents' agreement with various statements. For example, the scale can range from "very unsuccessful" to "very successful."...

Mastering the Art of Legible Handwriting: A Guide for Students and Adults

In the digital age, the art of handwriting often takes a backseat. However, the importance of writing legibly cannot be overstated, especially for students and adults in various professional fields. Whether it's jotting down notes, signing documents, or sending a handwritten letter, clear and legible handwriting ensures effective communication. This guide focuses on handwriting improvement, emphasizing cursive writing and various handwriting exercises that can help you write more legibly. Understanding the Importance of Handwriting Improvement Handwriting is not just about aesthetics; it's a fundamental tool for learning, especially for students. Research shows that writing information by hand enhances memory retention and comprehension. For adults, legible handwriting in the workplace is a sign of professionalism and attention to detail. Therefore, investing time in handwriting improvement is essential for personal and professional development. Embracing Cursive Writing for ...

Check Out My New Creative Fabrica Store Banner

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...

Weekly Facebook Reel Plan 009: Learning Badminton

Creating a one-week reel plan around the theme "Learning Badminton in a Week" can be a compelling way to engage your audience. Here's a plan for each day of the week, focusing on this topic: Day of the Week Concept Execution Monday Grip and Stance Demonstrate the correct way to grip a badminton racket and show how to take a proper stance. Tuesday Basic Footwork Perform and break down essential footwork patterns on the court. Wednesday Serve Techniques Execute different types of serves like high serve and low serve, explaining the mechanics. Thursday Net Play Show how to execute net shots and lifts, emphasizing wrist movement and timing. Friday Defensive Shots Perform defensive shots like the clear and drop shot, explaining when to use each. Saturday Offensive Shots Execute offensive shots like the smash and drive, discussing power and angle. Sunday Game Simulation Simulate a mini-game, incorporating all the techniques learned throughout the week. Each day focuses on...

Ruby Galvez, RL

Search This Blog