Sui Writes

Category: Musings

  • Song of the Week

    Song of the Week

    April is ending. Time is moving so fast. That makes it a month indoors. It’s fascinating how many adventures we have gotten into living inside our compound. From planting lavender, rosemary and green onions, to plotting Part II of The Relunctant Consort and today’s family fun activity of making kimchi from scratch. (Thank you Maangchi, she’s like my second mother and I’ve never met her). It’s been interesting. I’m grateful that so far everyone within my home is safe from Covid 19. It takes all of us to keep going on, day by day.

    Hello Earworm
    What song is stuck in your head (or on permanent rotation
    in your playlist) these days? Why does it speak to
    you?

    prompting Sui

    My writing playlist has been quite eclectic. I’m currently writing The Reluctant Consort, which is taking loads of instrumental music. I’ll end up listening to one song over and over. Then after a few chapters, it will change. In between that, this song came on the house playlist and we had a little dance to it. It got stuck in my head and now I’m listening to Sleeping at Last’s Heart over and over.

    The lyrics make my heart ache in the best of ways.

    We are maybe making cheese tomorrow. Hubby ordered fresh milk from a nearby farm and we want to try out if we can make Mozarella cheese. I hope our delivery goes okay. These are the things we get up to at home. Stay safe.

    From my desk to yours, love Sui.

  • Life in lockdown is up close and personal

    Making Hand Sanitizer

    We’re indoors for two, maybe three weeks. Our collective work companies have insisted we work from home, and so lockdown starts. In the midst of the stand still that is our life right now, I’m finding new things to be grateful for. There is nothing like being at home with hubby, and two besties working to live through this outbreak of Covid-19. Shopping has gotten creative. And Yes, we have learned how to make hand sanitizer!

    Fear is the hardest part . There is no doubt that covid-19 is real, but the more I learn, the more I get afraid to experience it. What if I’m that person who ends up with complications? That’s the hardest part, and finding a way to manage that fear is hard work. I’m grateful for my hubby and my two best friends. We have all been a rock to each other.

    I’m grateful work allows me to keep going remotely. Working at home is also an interesting experience. I’m finding myself having to block off chunks of time to work. Otherwise, I get inundated in the adventures of finding the best hand sanitizer recipe. They can be really fun and time consuming.

    The best detour of late has been whether we should sanitize our ceiling fans, just in case they somehow managed to get Covid-19 up there on the ceiling! Still can’t get over that one! In case you’re wondering, yes, one of us burst out the ladder from storage and spent a good thirty minutes with sanitizer and a rug. I’m a girl, so I just got to watch these happenings and let the men do all the work. Things are being cleaned that I’ve never seen being cleaned before.

    Supply runs are a thing now. There are things we needed for the house that we were unable to order in. So, we ended up planning a trip out. You can be careful as much as possible, but being out and about is sort of like being in an unseen war zone. There are so many chances to get exposed. Our supply runs include a mask, sanitizer and soap.

    Supplies kit – sanitizer, mask and soap

    Plus side to this is the extra time I get with all who matter to me. Family dinner is finally actually working out, everyone is home at the same time so we get to eat together.

    Chores are shared, can’t have a service coming in, so fights are a must. You know, strands of my hair on the bathroom sink counter are a pet peeve I did not know existed. And guess what, all the men in my life don’t dry dishes but keep them on the rack in a pile, to put away later, which might be tomorrow later. We had that fight too. Things are up close and personal, baby.

    Currently reading this book.

    The upside is that I finally started on the pile of books I keep by my nightstand. Being home is like having infinite time, which is awesome.

    All in all, keep safe and sound. Let’s stay inside and help lower the curve on Covid -19. My prayers are with all those who are living it.

  • Surprise! – A gratitude note for you.

    A girl I’ve loved all my life as a sister, a best-friend, sometimes a mother, turned into the prettiest bride I have ever seen. She never thought it would happen for her, and for the longest time she struggled with the idea that there would be no one for her. No one to share the personal challenges and struggles that are infinitely private to all of us. To see her smile so wide, while holding on to our favorite plus one, I find myself, for the first time in my life, believing in the magic.

    For this epic feat, Sui-Noona, I hope for you all the happiness in the world. This is my note to you, on your blog, here in this place where you write all your creative thoughts that have brought me so many stories to read without end. I’m inspired by you two, and you gave me hope where there was none.

    Why this post here? Sui started out writing to create worlds that didn’t seem to exist for me. This little brother of hers has found infinite inspiration, and comfort in her books, her work. Most of all, I’m happy to be part of her life, her creative process, and someone she looks at as family.

    Noona, I hope you find my gratitude post when you’re back, and laugh hard when you read it. I love you, always!

    From your Little Brother, Moon.

  • Year of the Pig – Happy New Lunar Year

    Hapy

    Excited to celebrate this year as Sui was born in the Year of the Pig – 1983. We wish loads of prosperity, good luck, abundant wealth and health to all this year!

    All our love,

    from,

    Scott, Moon, Sui and L.

  • Road Trips are Sweet as Sugar

    I have spent my fair share of time on road trips. I have gone on them alone, but I have to say the most fun I’ve had is when I’m on the road with Moon, Scott and L. Road trips turn wild with these three. They love testing random food from stalls we meet on the road.

    I’ve since sworn to only ever buy whole fruits on these runs. This way I don’t have to worry later about stomach upset. The most important aspect of a road trip is that you have to like the people you’re traveling with to stay in a good mood. If you’re unhappy, being out on the open road will get you back to happy quite quickly. Forgetting why you were unhappy happens like magic. So, if you’re not in a good place, I suggest getting in your car, and going on a short trip, with someone you really like or go alone. It pulls you back into a great head space, gives you time to think.

    Music is such a big part of road trips, of my life in general. A few months ago on the road to tour Lake Victoria, in Western Kenya in East Africa. We ended up on this stretch of road that shows off this steep overview of the Rift Valley pictured below. We stopped to take pictures, and Moon kept humming Sugar by Maroon Five. It stuck in my head, and now every time I hear that song, I remember that trip.

    I loved the memories we made during that trip, so Sugar has become this super special song for me.

    The Rift Valley
    Sunset on the road

    Make time for road trips. They don’t have to be long distance, even two hours out of town, or the place where you live will do wonders for you. Hope you have a song you listen to when you’re in your car, on a fun trip. Make some memories.

    In the Assassin, Kian Raja and Daven go on a road trip from Paris to The Netherlands. Discover more about them. Download The Assassin ebook.

  • New Year Plans

    Same path

    This 2019, I’m walking on the same path with my best friend, my partner in crime, my no.1 supporter. My Everything. I #gothitched in 2018 and now I’ve taken on a new last name. L says it’s important to gush and brag about these things, so here I am. I’ve spent a chunk of my life on a lone path. Some days were hard, others too easy. The best part about this new path together is that I’m no longer alone. It feels great to know that there is someone walking along with me. On good days, and on those very hard days. I can’t wait to see what this year brings for both of us.

    On Writing:

    The Morgan Lore – I’ve caught a werewolf bug these last few months. Rory Morgan has captured my interest and imagination, growing into this entity that I can’t put down. #TheMorganLore is primarily posted on GA Stories. If you love you some werewolves, are into adventure and mystery, then check it out at this link. I promise I’m doing my best to get to the end of this one.

    Seiryu spirit –(WIP) My dear Koji and Andre are still ongoing. If you caught a bit of their story on this site, or over at GA, then don’t worry. I’m still working on their story. My writing process is diversifying and I’m finding that I don’t want to post content until I have a large chunk of it available. Seems to be working out for The Morgan Lore. Once I’m confident enough for Seiryu Spirit, more will come up.

    A Forgiving Heart -(WIP) Rafa and Hyu are also on the list. Be patient with me with these two. Writing Rafa is always a fight. He’s very stubborn and I’ve found a huge trail of story that’s deviating from the original plan. I need to reconcile it first before I share it.

    To Compile – The Crown Prince Yoshi – 2018 was huge as I finished this story, which had lasted for years in the WIP list. I’m particularly proud of CPY because it was the first that didn’t follow the same pattern as all my other work. It’s given me the confidence to explore different formats. Moon promised a cover, hopefully, I’ll get one soon and we can compile it into a book for download soon.

    The Assassin – If you haven’t already, this ebook is already available for download. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing it.

    That’s my start of the year. Let’s go together and see what this year brings us all.

  • Fave Authors – M/M romance obsessions

    When I run into an author I love, I tend to obsess over all their previous works like a manic obsession.  This year, I’ve found myself reading a lot more and wanted to share some stories that I’ve truly loved.  Note some are published, some not, I love diversity.

    Jordan L. Hawk

    The first book I ever read of hers was Hainted.  Hainted left me shook, and led me to Ms. Hawk’s website, where I then discovered the Whyborne & Griffin series, as well as the exciting SPECTR series.  Been reading all her books since. I love all her work.  She always pulls me into the worlds she creates and there is nothing more powerful than that.

    Balefire_400x600-200x300

    So, I’m excited to read, Balefire, the newest installment in the Whyborne & Griffin series.  Discover this wonderful series here.

    Prince Kenzie

    The first book I read of hers was Protective Desires.  It was recommended to me, and when I was finished, I discovered she had a series going, so I went on the search for more.  In I dived, have yet to resurface as I’m in deep now.  I love her characters.  They make me happy, and leave me smiling for no reason, and there is nothing more important than that.  Of late, Kenz is writing a series titled, ‘In Slavery’. It took me a moment to get into the first of this series, but when I did, I’ve found myself following Lenius and the adventures he faces in a world he could not have anticipated.  She calls it dark fiction.  This series does push the comfort boundaries, but dark or not, I’m insanely invested.

    90459444-176-k416967

    My favorite so far is Peace in slavery, and I am really looking forward to the next installment. 

    Adjoaq

    The first book I ever read of hers was Fiery Heat. There are stories you read because they give you this emotional payback, I don’t know how else to describe it.  I like the fact that each of her characters is somehow tied to previous stories, creating a familiar world with new variables each time.

    59117968-176-k595059

    Loving Sweetest Sin the most, as it makes me so happy to read it each time.

    PaisleyViking

    For heartbreak that hurts so good, keeps you reading until you see happy smiles, check in on these two stories.  I read both in one night, woke up with panda eyes, and still wanted more.  Once again, both push some serious boundaries of which if you’re uncomfortable reading, then give it a pass. Otherwise, the best of stories.

    Breaking Finn & Unbreak My Heart

    There are more, but these have stuck in my mind this year.  Check them out if you’re looking for something to read!

  • Falling in love with Reading

    In a quiet, mundane moment this past week, I fell in love with reading, again.  You might find that statement strange coming from a writer, but it is true.  I was reading before, of course I was reading…books, stories, newspapers, magazines, and it all filled me up as good content often does.  But, what I’m referring to here is that falling into another world, peaceful and absolutely liberating feeling of holding a book and only finally looking up when the there are five pages left.  I look at the time, and the day has disappeared, and I don’t feel bad about it because the book in my hand made it all worth it.  In fact, I wanted to go back to the moment right before I cracked the spine and fall in again.  I didn’t want to finish the last five pages because it meant that I would have to give up the moment, merge back to the present.  Then I thought, all I need to do is find another book.

    I had forgotten this feeling.  Lost it between endless work-related meetings, obligations and commitments.  It is hard to lose yourself in a book when clients are calling your phone, constantly seeking your attention, reports are waiting on the desk, and everyone has a problem waiting for you to solve. I love the challenge the day job provides, and at times I absolutely find solace in it, but it has also taken away from some simple things like reading.

    Perhaps it was the book I was reading…I can’t quite express it.  Whatever it was, I fell in love again with reading.  The bug bit me so hard, I ran back to the bookstore and I now have a pile of books by my bedside table waiting for me.   The excitement of it makes me high.

    I’m currently deep in the grip of Maggie Steifvater’s The Raven Cycle, where kisses might mean the end.

    Gansey, Blue, Ronan and Adam are an absolute delight. 

    Over at the Daily Post, I found this quote:

    Writer Rebecca Solnit on stories:“Stories are compasses and architecture; we navigate by them, we build our sanctuaries and our prisons out of them, and to be without a story is to be lost in the vastness of a world that spreads in all directions like arctic tundra or sea ice.”

    I feel as though it might describe a bit of me before this rediscovery of reading.  While the writing part of my life is essential, absolutely needed that it can keep me up at night.  But the reading part too, the reading is essential.  Stories can truly liberate you in a way you can’t define.

  • Chuseok Love This Year

    You can’t say thanksgiving (chuseok) without mentioning family.  This year I find myself viewing the word family in a different perspective, a non-traditional way.  My friend, Moon, says that with each year we grow older, but also more clearer on things.   What I know today, will definitely change next year, or be more refined.  I’ve come to realize that the people who make me feel the most comfortable, the most myself, are now family to me.  At times blood family won’t always be where you can be comfortable, this has been hard to accept, but since I’m smiling as  I type this, it seems I have come to accept it.

    food
    Welcome to dinner

    Thanksgiving this year was having some alone time, being in an absolute quiet space. I value these moments because they’re a source of strength.  My old, old friends who are now staying with me made lunch, that ran into afternoon, and into dinner.  I’m amazingly grateful that I’m laughing easier having them around.  Gosh, a good laugh will truly put you in a great mood.  You don’t realize how lonely you are, until you have someone calling you to ask how your day is and when they don’t do it once, you miss it and wonder how you lived without that call before.

    I’m babbling now on the good fortune that has moved into my house.

    Happy Chuseok! (Korean Thanksgiving) and cheers to you!

    cheers
    Cheers!

     

  • A Trio Again – The Peanut Gallery

    And, we’re Back!

    I bet you have no idea who we are, but when Sui first started writing….four years ago?…No, I think it has been five years now, since 2012.  Hold on while I lose my marbles.  Five Years! Stupendous!  We are Sui’s peanut gallery, and would push her into writing and posting because she was so shy and unsure of her work.  I still remember reading, That Dog, Young Jae, and smiling because I thought she had a lot more to give, and it would be amazing.  Well, the We is Scot and Moon.  Sui’s original fans.

    We lived with her then for over a year or two…after she started writing and publishing it

    sms
    Some Idiot made a joke the other day.  Said our names are short for SMS – Short Messaging Services….I was stunned! Stunned! – Moon

    out.  Around 2014, we all had a displacement.  Our jobs are not easy to deal with, we’re constantly on the move, or setting out on adventures across different parts of this strange planet.  We separated, and Sui sort of moved from here to there, and here to there….okay, she moved a lot.  Now, we’re having an incredibly time as we’ve all managed to circle back to living in one house together.  Yass!  

    We’re older, stranger…definitely not wiser, just hurt and learned to hide it better, deal better.  Sui, my dear friend, has written so much, we’re amazed and stunned and awed, and of course teasing her silly for her dedication.  Hence, the Peanut Gallery has decided to join Sui’s blog, and basically, jump and down here and there, spilling on adventures, activities, and insane things Sui is always up to in between all the writing.  Hoping our time together takes us longer than two years this time.

    Scot: Should we talk about falling in love? All our mothers are worried about us still being single?

    Moon: I’m worried about still being single…

    Scot: laughing. (Moon input: he laughs like a mad man) I at least have a willing candidate.  Though dating is seriously the new-already-married.

    Moon: Rubbing your happiness on us, you’re evil you know.  Sui’s mother is the most frightening.  She thinks Sui is going to petrify from being single.

    Scot: (Immitating Sui’s softy voice) Yah! You crazy bastards, I’m a happy single woman, stop backstabbing me behind my back.

    Moon: More like a crazed woman who is married to her keyboard and the billions of characters swimming in her brain.  We still love her though. And you, who is reading this.

    This strange band will keep you posted on the new stories on Sui’s desk, and the fun activities we might get into living in our new spiffy home in Nairobi. An uber green place, a quiet place, but seriously…I miss the beach in Diani, so we might visit there often. And share pictures. Nothing is more healing than the sun rising over the sparkling blue ocean.  So,…Okay, we’re done with this introduction.  In case you see strange posts on Sui’s blog and wonder who has hacked this space, don’t worry, it’s just one of us (Scot or Moon), or both of us.

    Now, after this raging intro – We’re off to celebrate Chuseok! Happy Korean Thanksgiving! chuseok Lots of food and tasting Sui’s songpyeon. Will tell you if we got sick eating Sui’s cooking. Its a 50/50 with this one.  Meanwhile, we take three days off and pretend we don’t have jobs, and simply laze around.  Sui-noona you’re not allowed to edit this part out!

    ‘Til Next Time.