The Twelve and the Two

The OMF Lit Writer's Workshop participants

The twelve men and the two women that gathered in that small room were all intently working. Some were staring off to space; someone else was making copious notes, while others were busily tap-tapping away at their keyboards, faces aglow in the blue light of their laptops. They were all participants in the writer’s workshop recently held at the Development Academy of the Philippines, Tagaytay City. The workshop was sponsored by OMF Lit, the foremost Christian publishing house in the region. The bearded guy seated at head of the table is Tim Stafford, eminent writer of the significant “Knowing the Face of God,” and articles in Christianity Today and numerous other publications. The others were businessmen, professors, pastors, NGO executives, teachers and entrepreneurs, all caught up in the passion to write. All are captivated by the magic of the written word.

As iron sharpens iron...

The invitation to be part of this workshop came as a surprise, but nonetheless gladly accepted. I forever wanted to be a published writer, and when Beng called to say I was invited, I couldn’t help but be exceedingly glad. After wracking my brains for a book proposal needed for the workshop, I finally came up with the title Simple Virtues: Living Out a Life of Greater Meaning and Deeper Spirituality. There will be ten chapters for this book, and each of the chapter will deal with one particular virtue: humility, simplicity, grace, kindness, among others.

The workshop itself was very productive. For the first time, my writing was subjected to analysis, criticism and feed back. The comments and reactions were all made with deliberate points, and all were gladly welcomed and noted. To the guys: Ardy, Joby, Jess, Josil, Jun, Ed, Ru, Boris, and Nes, and to the editorial staff, Yna, Beng, and Ian, and of course to the inimitable Tim Stafford, thanks!

Working until the coffee, and really good cake is gone...

Here’s to that book we are all trying to write!