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A Name Change

Or rather… I have a new pen name: Tessa Barbosa.

If you’ve followed me on social media you might have heard already, but I’ve updated all my handles to @HiTessaBarbosa and set up a pretty new website at TessaBarbosa.com. There’s not much there yet, but it’s set up to go for someday.

In the meantime, I do plan to keep this blog and this website. I enjoy blogging here and I plan to continue posting personal updates here. But… lately, I’ve also felt like I needed a fresh start.

Tessa is my nickname from one side of my family, and Barbosa is a family name from the other. I’ve been thinking about what I write, and it never felt quite right to use my married name to write when I’ve been writing stories inspired by Filipino culture / history / characters. I want to honor my ancestors and my heritage in my books. And I also want other Filipinos to recognize me too. I’m not trying to hide that part of me. It is me.

Things are in the works. I’ll update you when I can!

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This was my second year attending and paneling at the Creative Ink Festival (#CIFest18). This year my time was a limited and I only talked one panel, but I also did a bit of volunteering. Both are a really great way to get your face in front of people and meet fellow authors. I love how low key and friendly everyone is at this event, and if you live within driving range of Vancouver, I recommend checking it out in 2019.

CiFest18

And you, yes you, writers with even just one short story sale, or self-publisher of books, can get on a panel. You want to propose a panel topic? They’re all for it. You want to try moderating? You’ll probably get your chance. You want to try pitching your novel, or having some writing critiqued? There are opportunities for you. It’s a festival where we’re all peers, so it’s a lot more comfortable than some of the other writing conventions that I’ve been too.

The honest truth? Speaking in front of a crowd terrifies me every time, and that’s why I keep doing it. Maybe one day I’ll actually feel as relaxed as I pretend to be.

Thanks Steph for snapping the picture! Also on the “Productivity Hacks for Writers” panel: Adam Dreece, Donna Barker and (not pictured) Kristene Perron.

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