If there were a biography about you, what would the title be?

I’ve already published my own memoir. Titled ‘Topher Wins’, it clocks in at 297 pages. Spread over twelve chapters, my most substantial work to date. I’ve posted about it and quoted from it frequently. There’s no need to rehash. A second biography could ensue, one that would be written in the distant future. I chose the title above as I still plan on releasing more books.

By the way, today, I got rid of my receipts, old drafts and papers, letters, price tags, and other crap. Chinese New Year is coming up so you gotta declutter.

Note: you can purchase the Musings eBook (PDF version) here:

Musings Poems Selected and New

‘Tomorrow never dies’

The title works as it considers the future. You must prepare for the coming dawn.

‘Goodbye, end of story, the end.’

Even Michael Jordan wouldn’t say that he’s 100 percent done. I have three books under my belt in three different categories. I look forward to adding to my body of work.

Writer’s impasse

The bio would highlight how I can write in adverse conditions. What I mean is NOT writer’s block. Rather, a paucity of ideas. When the words trickle, you must brave the near-bankrupt tank and will those locutions out. I showed this after taking five drafts for my recent poetry collection. Ineffective writers would crumble when their resources are taken away. Efficient authors generate stories with minimal to no references.

When I wrote my recent collection, I was offline most of the time. Rarely, I’d check this and that on my phone. The rhymes were mostly mine, not googled. I stuck with drafting my poetry and brainstorming. Ideas, not money, make the world go around. While cash is useful in publishing, having the finest ideas remains the literary world’s invaluable currency. If you manage your supply carefully, there’s no reason to fear tomorrow.

A few people have commented that I possess a unique writing style. Among them are my former classmate and aunt. I try to avoid the banal word. Selecting the right phrase adds more time but I prefer to use the appropriate words.

Best shot

I’m an author who always gives his best. Whether MS Word or Scrivener, Pages or Storyist, my dedication transcends any platform. I’ve written as a teen and have sustained this as an adult. I’ve penned an honours thesis, articles, lengthy essays, blog posts, poetry, and the memoir.

Road should also impress that I am highly adaptable. As mentioned, I’m adept at fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. I churn out stanzas and paint vignettes. I employ humour and drama. I am minimalist and maximalist, produce haikus and mini-epics. Whether essays, verses or story scenes, I can paint vivid microcosms. My full-bodied characters are varied and lifelike.

Proactive

I’d like to be portrayed as proactive. I can figure things out and sustain the momentum. You can look for answers online. You won’t always find them. Sometimes you’ll have to wing it. There are lessons to be learned in a soloist’s path. See also: nba coaches. When veterans are in a funk, their helmer does not call a timeout. Let them figure it out on their own. You can’t solve problems with half a brain.

Wide reader

I’m a wide reader. Since childhood, I’ve buried my nose in books. You familiarise yourself with others’ styles. Once you learn a new word, they’re yours. You take note of their pacing and plot. Dialogue and description. Turns of phrase and scenes. Character and themes. You unveil new concepts and jokes. Of course, you still have to enjoy the read. When you’ve become an author yourself, you notice these tendencies. I’d like to align myself with Kurt Vonnegut. As per my memoir, ‘He was a a writer of immense versatility.’

He wrote novels, story collections, nonfiction, and even plays.

Upcoming

My current project is a pastiche of a novel. I’ve put up around twenty chapters. I’m about 25% away from my word target. I’m shooting for 200 pages, the minimum for a novel. Anything less and it becomes a novella or short story. Of course, there’s a lot of editing to be done. If it were a movie, I’m still far from postproduction. At least I’m done with preproduction. We’re on location now.

To be honest, I’ve got lots of ideas from past friendships. Most of the material is loosely based on real events. Just like The Voyeurs or Charles Dickens’ character, Pip.

I recall my classmate telling me how they used this big-ass mirror as they removed his stubborn pet. Yeah, I guess we’re on that stretch. Past the getting to know you stage.

Recent times

I’ve covered quite a bit of my youth in Topher Wins. If there’s a second bio, it’ll focus on recent material. Like the poetry book and upcoming novel. You can buy my self help/memoir for $7 from this website.