Bookwriting Blues Expressed by Tye , at 7:33 AM, in

So for the 3rd time in the 18 years of my life, I’m attempting to write a book.

My first try was when I was about 5. I started alright, but all the encouragement-nagging-chastising from Mummy just couldn’t get me any further than the last line of the first page. I can’t remember the plot, however, what I do remember is that Mummy ranted for a loooooong period about harnessing my potential, and had some serious explaining to do to my aunty who she had so fervently, pride-fully boasted to...

The second time, I think I must have been about 15. This time, I was determined to finish my 350-page novel, publish it and get the hardcover to read something like “‘Un-putdown-able! A stunning debut from a very promising prodigy!’ – New York Times”. It was basically about some deranged vampire on a killing spree in Accra, who kept his victims necks as mementos, and 5 teenagers who were the only chance of stopping him (Though BNI was definitely more efficient, they didn’t stand a chance). Somewhere on the 4th chapter, however, I ‘lost vim’ and took a break, only to return to my book 9 months later to find it lost to some random computer virus.*sigh* It was not funny.

So a week ago, I decided I want to write a gain. Though I’m somewhere in the middle of the first chapter, I don’t have a complete picture of what the story will look like yet. However, the plot will definitely revolve around teenagers and along with the regular issues of infatuation, ‘peer p’, and rivalry, will delve into some ‘unconventional’ issues that you probably won’t find in your mainstream teen flick. For now, it’s called The Diary Chronicles, but we’ll see what happens along the way...

Right now, I’m battling a week-long-and-still-counting bout of Writer’s Block, but we’ll see how things work out in due time. Do wish me luck!

PS: I was able to write half a song in the shower today, so maybe the muses are falling back in love with me after all. :)

Selfishness; Selfish-less Expressed by Tye , at 10:12 AM, in

Someone said to me yesterday (let’s call her P), “Takyi, when I’m successful, I’ll mention your name as one of the people who inspired me”. This declaration was unexpected and caught me off guard, and the best I could manage was a lame “Awww” (yeah, I know, lame; sue me!).

But this remark didn’t just cause me to make a slight fool of myself, it also got me thinking about the ramifications of our daily actions. As far as I know, the only contribution I’ve made to P’s life was randomly asking her how her day has been, or having a random conversation about her home in Kenya, or something of the like. Hence, for her to say something like that was not only surprising but also pleasantly reassuring. Reassuring that there are people whose lives are affected by the little things I do. By the choices I make to try to be nice to people (regardless of how undeserving they may be of my oh-so-mighty-and priceless-niceness, hehe), by the choices I make to give people the benefit of the doubt (when it’s so obvious that it’s literally playing Devil’s advocate), by the choices I make to be generous with compliments, by the choices I make to care about people.

Sometimes, people really only need a simple “you’re looking smashing” or “Are you OK?”, to brighten up their day (maybe even reduce the suicide statistics….think about it :D), and by being able to do that, you not only bless a life, I believe you bless two. God says, you do unto Him what you do unto others, hence, by being able to do this, you not only bless a life, you unconsciously bless yourself (Yay!).

Really, it’s not that hard to rid yourself of selfishness and fill your heart with concern for others…. actually, it is, given that we’re inherently selfish beings, but you’ll come to realize that it’s much more difficult and strenuous looking out for your own interest than caring for many; mathematically, that’s a bloody lie, but in truth, it is the truth.

Be blessed.

In The Spirit of Love Expressed by Tye , at 9:03 AM, in

If Love was my heart
I’d give it to you
If Love was my word
I swear it’d be true
If Love was a colour
It’d never be blue
If Love was a person
It’d always be you

If Love sailed the ocean
It’d never sink
If Love is a potion
Then give me a drink
If Love is my death
Please kill me twice then
I Love has an ending
Let’s start over again

If Love costs a fortune
Take all I have
If Love is pain
Let me never laugh
If Love is a story
I’ll let it unfold
If Love is a fire
Let it burn me whole

If Love is a bird
I’ll let it fly free
To go and then return to me
If Love is a number
For me it’d be three;
For you, me and eternity.