Why I Retold “The Blue Bird” (An Introduction to an Unknown Classic)

     Let me be clear about one thing: “The Blue Bird” is not my original story.

Maurice Maeterlinck, a Belgian playwright, wrote “The Blue Bird” in 1908. This story is well-known in Europe (and in Japan), but not in North America. Hence, I only retold the story to introduce it to the North American audience.

For those of you who have read “The Blue Bird of Happiness” that is published under S.M. Shigemitsu (now available on Amazon) will read in the author’s note why I created the retelling. For those who have not yet read the book, here is the detailed reason.

I first encountered “The Blue Bird” as a child. It was a beautifully illustrated children’s book written in Japanese. Since then I have encountered other versions of Maeterlinck’s tale: as a manga comic, a script, a storybook, but none in English! Much later, I searched for an English translation of the story and found one (this was in 2010’s) in a local public library—a picture book in English. Even on Amazon back then, there were few available translations (now, there are more available).

Because this story had left such an impression on me, I wrote it—first as a fanfiction with the lead characters being teenagers rather than the young children they were as in the original. After that, I left it on the shelf. Then, years later, I picked it up and rewrote my version again during the COVID pandemic. During the pandemic, I met a writing coach and mentor who encouraged me to self-publish the story. Soon everything fell into place, and I released the book on Amazon in November 2022.

“So why did you decide to write it?” you ask.

During the pandemic, the question “what is happiness?” came to mind. Though happiness is relative and varies from person to person, for me I found that happiness is something you experience in the moment and found close to you. As I created this retelling, I found I was content with my life during the pandemic. Throughout the pandemic, my basic needs met, including a job I worked remotely, a roof over my head, clothes to wear, and meals I shared with my family.

     I hope this story would encourage you and help you find your happiness—close to you and your heart.

A Beginner's Experience in Creating a YouTube Video

     For film commentaries, cooking instructions, fun shows, movie trailers, and other things, I like to watch YouTube. I never made a YouTube video and never planned to until it was required for a job application.

    I applied for a job posting at a local library where they responded excitedly and wanted me to create a video about myself and send it to them as a YouTube link. Imagine my panic (if I was a cartoon character, I was bouncing off the walls in panic and screaming) as exaggerated as it sounds; I did not know how to create a YouTube video.

    When I confessed my anxiety with fellow writers of a community, they (bless them!) have told me that all I needed to do was make a recording and post it on YouTube. When they advised me in terms that made sense to me, so I gave it a try. I watched YouTube videos on making YouTube videos. And compiled a 5-minute program for the submission. After much false starts, stutters, the many uh and um’s I created a decent video that was 5-minutes long.

    So, how did I do? I think I did all right. I guess the ultimate result is whether they hire me with that submission. And even if I did not get hired, at least I gained a skill that I thought I would never (bother to) gain. And yes, that is a good thing.

Entry 06-01-2023: About Blogging

 

Blogging is always a challenge, at least for me it is.

It has been over two months since my last posting. There is no excuse to procrastination in this challenge other than finding what to write.

Usually, I write to release what’s inside of my heart and mind, to share ideas, and even to connect with others, hoping there is someone out there who shares the same wavelength as mine. There are people who do share something I do, such as love for reading books, writing stories (both fiction and non-fiction), visiting new places, and learning new things.

The desire to write in my blog came back to me when I was meeting with other writers and hearing how some have committed to posting an entry daily.

I am still new at blogging despite having a blog for years (mainly collecting dust online). And now that 2023 has started, I begin with this—Happy New Year!

For days of trials, challenges, losses, and hardships we may face ahead, may there be hope, healing, restoration, and joys at the end of life’s storms. May we grow taller, stronger, wiser, kinder, and generous than we were last year. And may all that is good we have shared with others be passed on further, making this world a better place to live.

Let's Start Somewhere

 

    I will be frank here. I am not good at creating blogs.

    To be really honest, there is a part of me that finds them hard.

    As a writer I have recently learned the value of self-promotion using social media (Facebook, Instagram, Milkshake, Blogger, etc.) as a springboard in letting the world know that your writing (or creation) is available to them see. 

    As an introvert, and an easily overwhelmed person, this is both challenging and terrifying. Challenging when it comes to creating content about what you want to release into the world, whether it is a new book, a piece of art, or even a short video of a cooking challenge.

    I started this blog as a sort of reboot for my writing. This time on inspirational reflections.

    I don't know if I could succeed, but I had to start somewhere. Whether I am able to continue being consistent with my posts or just give up we will have to see.

    And so, here we go. One blog at a time.