What do I want For Nano?

Today is the start of Nanowrimo. The thirty day a bunch of crazy people decide to write a novel in one month. The All I want for Nano Blog Hop is a way to share Nanowrimo aspirations and celebrate a site which does so much for writers and a hop that has writers who are planning to help donate to assist Nanowrimo in staying alive. My nano wish this year is to complete Briar's Dilemma during nano and share the world this book is in with my readers. Since I have thirty days to finish it, I'll just get the second half of my wish out of the way now.

My Vision For My Nano Project

Title: Briar's Dilemma.

Nano Summary: Briar Bullfrog overhears mermaids whispering of a plot to destroy all humans. As guardian to humans like all bullfrogs he rushes home to his father the #2 most powerful guardian to reveal this betrayal. But the king is away and instead he tells his step-mother the queen. With orders to continue his dual life as prince underwater and human teen above ground, he obeys without hesitation. Guardians were able to take on the form of those they are sworn to protect. Dolphins were the #1 guardians and not only had the duty to monitor other guardians and maintain nature's balance. But also the ultimate ability to transform into almost anything when under threat. As the dark plot is revealed and enemies launch their attacks Briar has to protect a new classmate and half-mermaid June Merr. With his allies including his defecting brother and human girlfriend and a few unaligned animals. Does he really stand a chance against the masters of this dark plot. The dolphins. Worse, they're not alone either.

My Word: Briar's Dilemma has been a story I wanted to write for a while. My last attempt went bust but I never forgot about it. This time I'm determined to start and finish this novel. Fantasy is a genre I love.


Briar:

In human form his latest identity is a teenage boy. He considers his human identity as nothing more than a cover and while he cares for humans would never consider having a relationship with one.

As a bullfrog. He's a prince, literally. Also bullfrogs are guardians for humans and as such can take human form.

Setting:

Briar as a bullfrog lives in the ocean. From underwater he can swim to portals that can transport him to various kingdoms. As long as he has permission and access.

 "

Above ground as a human he attends to High school.

Enemies:

Dolphins are more than cute entertaining animals in Briar's world. They are also the number one guardians for earth and are charged with maintaining balance and keeping chosen guardians in line. When they mastermind a coup that involves destroying all humans with claims of protecting nature. Things get nasty.

Seals have joined in the plan to exterminate humans. Bitter about recent events including oil spins and being forced into captivity to provide human entertainment. While not the brightest of animals in the coup, they are dedicated and when ordered, even vicious.

Events of trainers being dragged underwater are no accident. Killer whales are deep cover agents helping to take out humans who have deep connection with sea creatures in order to make way for the extermination of the human race. Aquariums and even the circuses are going to become very unsafe places.

Hamsters and Gerbils. While seen as bottom of the food chain by many. Dolphins went to them personally. With no guardian position, not only can they go under the radar but they are also popular pets.

Reason for attack:

Some members of the animal kingdom blame humans for most ills and see them as the bane of nature's existence.

Callous

Murderers

Waste caught on live surveillance.

Reason to fight for and protect humans:

They are individuals and while some don't protect the environment like they should. That's no reason for complete extermination.

The world is not for any one creature. Living together in harmony and through crisis is natural. If humans are exterminated who can say what else might be determined too dangerous to live. Maybe even those who don't ally with the next coup or the current one.

In Conclusion:

Briar's Dilemma is the start of a fantasy series that I'm thrilled to finally be making headway with. Today is day one and by day thirty I plan to have a finished manuscript. First draft be damned, I plan to celebrate. Thank you all who dropped by and I hope you are intrigued by my project for 2013 Nanowrimo.

From the Great Beyond Bloghop

So which celebrity would I summon in a seance? Let me do a dramatic version of a seance for you.

Let me just brush off my crystal ball.

Source: By digitalart, published on 16 November 2011

                                                                    Stock Image - image ID: 10064857

Now watch! While I the great fortune teller Sheena the Omnipresent brings forth the spirit I'll be communing with for the From the Great Beyond Bloghop.

Whispering the words of power passed down from generations, my hands move expertly around the crystal ball. An image begins to form. Aw it's him! He has returned and now there's an open line with the spirit world?

Heath Ledger! It appears his spirit is shown as he best looked in life. He went so young and his role as The Joker in The Dark Knight is still one of his best and among his final before he passed on.

Oh what to to ask. My questions would include how he felt winning an Oscar after his death? How death has changed his view on life? What he now thinks of all his movie roles? What the response to his role as The Joker feels now since he has become one of the best movie villains of all times up there with Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Lecter? Is seeing loved ones from the other side hard even with the time that has passed?

*Takes a breath*. Alas I'm not a real fortune teller but if I were like Ledger I'd totally transform myself for the role.

See?

Photo Credit: myjedilightsaber

Transformation complete and thank you for visiting.

How To Date A Nerd Blog Hop, But before that....

Click here for my Follow Fest Post

...I have to do a tiny rant.

In July Turbo came to theaters then left before month end. Was pissed I missed it. But that happens.

Sunday (September 22) afternoon I read the paper and realize Turbo came back during the weekend only 2:30 pm slot. How did I not know this! And with Cloudy...2 coming it won't be around another weekend. So I missed a second chance to see Turbo and I am super pissed.

Those snails were awesome even if this movie made just about the least money of any Dreamworks animated movie. So yeah I'm way pissed off.

Thanks for listening. Now unto the hop.

How To Date A Nerd Bloghop is hosted by the dear writer and blogging comedy extraordinaire Cassie Mae. Also her latest novel How To Date A Nerd is out and I couldn't be happier for her. Today we reveal what is the nerdiest thing about us in hopes of fun, zero embarrassment (HA!) and some neat swag.

What is the nerdiest thing about me?

Harry Potter Fan? Known.

Fan Fiction? I write and read it. So maybe.

Writing song lyrics? How dare you question my talent. Ahem, I mean practice.

Poetry? No! That's creative.

Writing novels? Oh come on, so known that option is sad.

So okay then...Fan Fiction. I'm a crazy fan fiction machine. I have multiple accounts on fanfiction.net alone and towards 200 stories written across them from multiple books, tv shows and so on. My main account is Reggaeshikotama and while I haven't updated in a while there is another where I have my most recent stories. Most insane stories there are Get Away, Rugrats No More and KND: RUN.  I mainly do cartoons but don't be fooled it's not your toddler's fan fiction.Some might question the nerdiness of this but when you spend many hours creating ways to turn lives of characters that aren't even yours upside down or right side up how can that not be nerdy. Also love reading fan fiction and all sorts of craziness ensues when you go against Canon (established) pairings. For example Teen Titans (Cartoon Network and not the new Go! version) would have Starfire and Robin as Canon but a fan fiction writer can do a Robin and Raven pairing instead. Or if you want to go books try Hunger Games with a President Snow and Katniss pairing (shivers) or Divergent with a Peter or Eric paired with Tris (sacrilege she belongs with Four!).

Have I freaked you out yet?

So I'll leave with one extra fan fiction oldie but goodie by me. Check out Cursed or Unlucky.

Follow Fest

Today I'm taking part in the Follow Fest along with many other bloggers. This is a chance to introduce ourselves and allow others to know us better and decide whether or not to follow us via social media.

Hi I'm Sheena-kay Graham happy blogger, christian, book lover and writer. Welcome to my blog.

Name: Sheena-kay Graham

Fiction or Non-Fiction?: Fiction

What genres do you write?: Young Adult. Whether I write Dystopia, Paranormal or Fantasy it generally falls under the YA umbrella. Recently though I've added one Middle Grade w.i.p. Monster City.

Are you published? : My YA Dystopia novella Sacrifice Her will be out in December. It is book one in my self-published The Sacrifice Series. I have also had poetry published in our local literary magazine Bookends.

Do you do anything in addition to writing?: I plan to take up voice acting lessons within the next year and I'd like to an extra on a movie adaptation one day.

Where can people connect with you?

How to connect with me? Let me show you the ways.

Blog (follow buttons on right sidebar), Author Facebook Page, Goodreads, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest.

Otherwise just look on my sidebar. All my links are displayed and easy to use.

Is there anything else you'd like us to know.

You can check out more about my writing on The Sacrifice Series and Works in Progress pages.

I have plans to launch a new genre called AYA. Read here for more info.

I participate in the Big Dreams Bloghop where once a month participants discuss their progress on a chosen goal.

On Thursdays I have a topic Getting Personal where I post about something happening in my life.

I enjoy blogging and visiting other bloggers in turn. Also participating in cover reveals, blitz and any other forum that helps authors promote their work. I also do guest posts, book reviews and a few posts about movies I've seen. Plus I'm a Pinterest and stock photo stalking addict. I mean who isn't right?

I am from Jamaica, a proud christian and big time book lover. Let's be friends and I hope to see more of you at Queendsheena and anywhere else we can meet and chat.

The Mating Game Bloghop: Escaping Wonderland

Today Victoria Smith and company are hosting The Mating Game Bloghop. I'll be using my WIP Escaping Wonderland. How this came out is a funny story. I started Nano with Gold who was a stripper running away to Wonderland along with Wolf and The Mad Hatter. But due to a fall, illness and computer trouble I had a lot of drawbacks and ended up not reaching my Nano goal. During that time I started to realize though that there were things I didn't like about the story including the fact that Hatter's issues were eclipsing Gold's. So by December I decided to make some changes and in a few days I decided to split the idea into two different novels. Escaping Wonderland and Gold. Gold now had Gold (Goldilocks) running away but not to Wonderland and Escaping Wonderland gets Hatter but it's his son who is on the run with Alice.

Now back to the bloghop. I will be using my starring characters Alice and the Hatter's son Max Hatter to answer the judge's five questions. They were almost a couple when Max's father betrayed her to The Queen of Hearts. Escaping Wonderland starts with Alice breaking out of prison just before her execution and going on the run with Max.

Question 1: Tell us about a memorable experience you shared together.

Alice: Wow um....there's quite a couple. I guess if you want lovey dovey stuff then it was when I wasn't a fugitive. Um...Max, his father and I were at The Grand Tea Party where we were celebrating the anniversary of The Mad Hatter's business. Max and I were laughing up a storm and held hands a lot. We weren't official and I hadn't yet decided if I was going to stay in Wonderland forever or go home. It was perfect. Then the queen's guards ran in and I got arrested. *Sigh* Learned quickly that The Mad Hatter had agreed to let Wonderland's ruler arrest me for treason.

Max: That was a horrible memory.

Alice: Well Mr. Perfect share yours.

Max: Okay. It was at night and we were watching the frogs do their symphony on the lily pads under stars. You were so perfect in the blue dress I'd bought for you. While we listened to the music I couldn't help but stare. The light from the moon and the stars gave your blonde hair an ethereal quality. You glowed and I couldn't stop watching that glow. And that was the first time I took your hand in mine. Really took your hand in mine and when you finally turned, you went red and pulled away. It was sweet.

Alice: Oh.

Question 2: What would your character do if the one they wanted was terrified of their feelings and pushed them away?

Max: Guess this is my question. (Alice rolls eyes) After my father betrayed Alice our budding relationship hit a brick wall. Though we're together again, it's not the same. Alice won't open up her heart again but I won't stop. I'll help her go home and both along the way and there I'll do everything possible to earn back her trust and hopefully later, her heart. If I have to die to save her, I will. I love her.

Question 3: What is one of the roadblocks standing in the way of you getting together?

Alice and Max: The Queen of Hearts a.k.a. The Red Queen.

Max: Red Queen is her execution nickname.

Alice: Well you answered the last one so it's my turn. The Queen of Hearts wants me dead because I'm the saviour for Wonderland. As long as I'm alive her rule is threatened. Also The Hatters are a powerful family with the first born sons having the ability to teleport between worlds and on rare occasions bring something over from somewhere else. Me and Max possible getting together has her mind brimming with crazy theories and she'll rather kill Max, the last living oldest son in the family line than risk me getting a chance to use the power against her. Short story, she's nuts.

Question 4: So, how would how would your characters describe the other person, using only one word at a time? 

Alice: Um...Helpful?

Max: Seriously? Beautiful.

Alice: Brave.

Max: Amazing.

Alice: Arrogant.

Max: Jaded.

Alice: *growls* Handsome.

Max: *beams* Extraordinary.

Alice: *smiles* Devoted.

Max: Loyal.

Alice: *voice cracks* Loyal.

Alice: Loving.

Max:.....

Question 5: What was the first thing your main characters noticed about each other?

Alice: Yeah...I don't like remembering when I first came here. Now all the can think about is how...

Max: Fine I'll answer first. You were a bit disheveled.

Alice: I had just came through a wormhole from a hat!

Max: Portal. You were disheveled for company with the Hatters but you were also beautiful and the moment I saw you I knew you were special. But again you were a mess when you arrived.

Alice: Well..I noticed that you wore a suit...like an old guy.

Max: That's so not what you thought! I was only telling the truth.

Alice: Fine. I saw a teenager in a suit starting at me. I noticed you were...handsome and looked snappily dressed. And your face had a bit of an...arrogant look.

Max: What!

Alice: Well you kind of were looking at me up and down like...

Max: But you were....

Alice: Okay! Okay! Don't say it anymore please.

Max steals a kiss on the cheek.

Alice punches him in the shoulder. Then she blushes and stiffles a giggle.

Max: You liked it.

Alice: *acting coy* Maybe.

So that's it everyone. Remember to visit the other blogs participating in this bloghop and have a nice day.

The Thankful Bloghop

Tara Tyler and Vicki are the hosts of The Thankful Bloghop.

Here’s the rules, folks:

1. Sign up on the Linky List below.
2. Post thanks to your readers on your blog between Monday, November 5 and Wednesday, November 7 by 1700 UK/1200 noon EST US time.
3. And if you don’t have a CP and you would like to find one, go ahead and post a ‘personals’ ad. 
4. Be CREATIVE. Write a letter, a piece of flash fiction, a haiku, a poem, or a vlog. It can take whatever form you like. We’d like it if you kept it under 300 words but won’t be counting. 
5. Naming your reader(s) is up to you and feel free to link to them. 
6. Hop around and comment on other people’s!

I'm extremely grateful to those who read and comment on my blog. Below I'll like to thank a few who have really showed me great ongoing support.

Panda Ninja - Or call her Brittney. Whichever name she uses, she was the first to comment on my blog and she is still here. An aspiring writer like myself we both started blogs to put ourselves out there and today she's self published a novella (which she has since pulled for editing) and I'm getting ready to release mine in 2013. Panda Ninja has been there from 2011 and I believe she will still be reading my blog and chatting with me in 2013. Thanks for all the support and love you.

Cassie Mae - What can I say about Cassie? First she's awesome, second her blog is awesome and thirdly through her co-hosting the I'm Hearing Voices! Character Blogfest, I met not just her but Kelley Lynn and Elizabeth Seckman in February 2012. They all still pop by my blog and I really appreciate it.

Elizabeth Seckman - Oh Lizzie, you have been more than a supporter, you're a true blogger friend. You're not only supportive but fun and kind and when I had my bloghop and you couldn't get your blog in due to a certain evil linky. You entered anyway and posted your explanation in your post. I'm absolutely determined that we meet face to face one day and wish you all the best with your blog, book(s), friends and family.

Alex Cavanaugh - One of my newer readers he's a commenting dynamo, supporting the entire blogosphere and being the coolest blogger ninja I know. He even offered to post thing I've set on my blog on his on more than one occasion. I'm thankful that someone with such a highly supported blog and schedule would take time out to help so many bloggers including myself.

Obsession: Tara Tyler - No I'm not a stalker or trying to get extra points. Ever since I found her post in the WIP- Movie Blogfest in March 2012, I have been hooked on her book Pop Travel. She has since found a publisher and it will be out in 2013. CAN'T WAIT! Tara has also been a reader and supporter as well and even helped critique an excerpt from my WIP Nevermore in a previous post. I visit her blog regularly and believe her next piece of work Broken Branch Falls will be a hit when ready for publishing.

 (Not the Final Cover)

Local Support: J.L. Campbell - Hey J.L. I was so stoked when I posted on her blog and responded. Now she stops by regularly and I know one day we can actually meet without the tricky situation of a plain ticket and well...cash for a plan ticket. Yeah. Authour of several books including Contraband and recently Distraction (which I got an e-copy directly from her, *Grins*). A fellow Jamaican writer is just what I needed in my support group. While it's great having supporters from around the world (America, England, etc), it's really nice having at least right here in Jamaica. Thanks J.L.!

Other Supporters:

Jenny Morris

Rachel Schieffelbein

Rachel Morgan

Emily King

Leigh Covington : Been off the Blogoshere for a while Leigh. Hope to see you back soon.

And there's my post. Have a nice day and remember to hop around and read your fellow bloggers posts.

 

Blogoversary Celebration and Bloghop

One year ago today I started this blog. Queendsheena was created to get me closer to aspiring writers like myself as well make friends with fellow book lovers and bloggers. One year later I can I've achieved these things and have several novels and novellas in the work including four to be self-published in 2013 and others that I'm working on to send to agents/publishers in later 2013 and early 2014. All this was done through hard work and enouragement from many new friends I've found through the blogosphere. Sadly my closet family have never taken a real interest in my writing but I have friends and relatives who have commended me on taking such an endeavour. Yet before creating this blog I never truly met people really dedicated to their writing who I could keep true contact with. Also none whose books have been thoroughly promoted outside a website and a blog that is just really a book sound bite. But after creating this blog I met several of you. I'm still meeting more of you now and lifts my spirit whenever I see you self-publish a new book, get an agent, a contract or have a small or major press publish your work. Also I can never forget the encouraging words I've received for my own work and it warms my heart when others see things in my work even I didn't notice. And that's through excerpts and synopsis alone! How astute you are! I just want want to thank you all for your support and hope you take joy with me in celebrating my one year blogoversary and enjoy the bloghop.

Bloghop

The Blogoversary: Sacrifice Book 4 Bloghop is my way of thanking all my readers and followers as well as share my one-year celebration with everyone. You can click the link or check the tab under my header for more information and to sign up. The chance to sign up ends today at noon and you can post your entry from October 24 to 26. Each entry has a chance to win the opportunity of naming and creating the storyline for book 4 in The Sacrifice series written by me. So don't forget to shine those entries and read all the rules and requirements before entering.

Since I'm hosting I won't be posting an entry. Instead I'll post a poem I wrote a long time ago but still resonates with me today. I edited it a bit since I originally wrote it in 2004. Happy Blogging.

Bubble Gum Girl

Bubble Gum Girl.
Bubble Gum Girl.
You stretch and twist
just like real bubblegum.

Bubble Gum Girl.
Bubble Gum Girl.
You handle so much
and yet you don't burst.

Bubble Gum Girl.
Bubble Gum girl.
You know that no
one person can
handle everything forever.

Bubble Gum Girl.
Bubble Gum Girl.
Either get your life
together or surely
you'll burst.

Just like real bubblegum.
Bubble Gum Girl.

Waiting on Wednesday: Tidal by Amanda Hocking and Blogoversay Bloghop Reminder

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Publlication Date: Early 2013

Summary: "It felt like a tidal wave rushing over her and crushing her, destroying everything in her life. And Gemma was powerless to stop it." 

I can't wait for Tidal. It's the third book in The Watersong series and book two is coming in November. EEEK!

Blogoversary Reminder!

Blogoversary: Sacrifice Book 4 Bloghop is almost here. Tomorrow will be the official celebration of my one-year blogoverary. But starting today and until Ocotober 26, followers of my blog, both fans and sporadic readers can post their entries in the bloghop. To enter click here. Linky closes at noon on Thursday October 25. So be sure to sign up in time so you can post by friday (26th) the latest.

IWSG: About Writing, Blogoversary Contest, and Express Yourself Meme

Click here for Wating on Wednesday Post.

So another IWSG day is upon us. Today I'll be discussing my upcoming blogoversary and news on my writing. When I created my blog Queendsheena, I was determined to get my writing off the ground, get published and make friends and contacts with other aspiring and successful writers. While I've not yet published a novel, I have achieved the other two. But while I'm not yet published, I don't regret my decision. While I plan to go both the self-published and traditional route. Neither will be done with half-polished or okay work. Until I'm satisfied that my novels are ready, none will be published. I've had various issues. A chapter doesn't work, the voice of a character sounds too old (happened in Sacrifice Her with Kale, I'm correcting that) and etc. I nearly decided to change one to New Adult but decided against it because it's part of a YA series of single books. Instead I worked getting everyone down to the appropriate age. My self-published books have been pushed to 2013 publishing dates and I'll start agenting for my manuscripts for traditional publishing when I feel they're ready.

Now unto my Blogoversay. Nearly a year ago on October 25, 2011 I created this blog. During this time I have accomplished a lot as an aspiring writer and met blogger friends that connect with me just as well (if not better) than those who I see day to day. Now I have decided that as a way to thank those who have been visiting my blog to give them a chance to do something few people get to do. Decide on a novel an author writes. Everywhere they're offers of gift cards, books and so on. I love those giveaways and contests, don't get me wrong. But I like a challenge. So instead of just giving something away, how about giving an opportunity. I thought really hard about something that would set my blogoversary apart. Get the blogoshere chatting, typing, whatever. Then it came to me. I had decided about the first three books in The Sacrifice Series for a while and planned on deciding on others later since I had other self-published titles to think about for the future. Why not make a decision on book 4. In fact, why not allow fellow bloggers to decide. That's how my unique Blogoversary idea was born. Having a Blogoversary Bloghop Contest where the prize is getting a chance to title and create the story for book 4 in the sacrifice series.

For more on The Sacrifice Series please visit The Sacrifice Series Page. The entry page will be posted October 5, 2012. So be ready to enter your links this friday. October 25, 2012 will be the big Blogoversary celebration and the winner will be decided between November 8-15. Depending on the volume of entries. Full details will be revealed on Friday when entry page is unveiled.

The basic requirements for the contest are:

1. A title no more than three words. e.g. Sacrifice Her, For My Country

2. The main character has to be a teenager, no younger than thirteen, no older than seventeen. You can have up to two protagonist. Gender is your choice. He or she has to be in a situation where they're up for sacrifice. You can choose how and why.

3. A quick sumary of what your idea for book 4 is about.

4. 500-1000 words of your idea in story form.

5. Being signed up on the entry page by October 25 at noon. Posting entry on your blog between Oct 24 - 26. No late submissions will be accepted. If you have an issue with posting dates let me know by email or in comments. I'll contact you and see what can be arranged. Anyone who can post on the 25 would be greatly appreciated but if not you have between the 24-26 to post.

Optional:

1. Naming other characters you'd like in the novel.

2. Detailed setting.

3. Anything else you'd like to say in your entry that's G-PG-13 and doesn't go against the requirements for entry.

Genres Allowed: (Please remember this is book is part of a YA series) Contemporary, Dystopia, Fantasy, Paranormal, Supernatureal, Light Sci-Fi, Romance. And no, you don't have to pick a genre but your idea is likely to fall under one of these when I make it into a novel.

Absolute No No's: Western, Steampunk, Horror, extreme gore, Heavy Sci-Fi (can't write Brave New World type fiction, sorry).

Winner has their entry turned into a novella for June 2013 or September 2013 release. Sorry but July and August are for promoting and releasing my self-published novel Snow that I plan to have in both paperback and ebook format. So if not June, it has to wait for September. You will be credited and have a pre-released pdf version to read and free copy of ebook when it's released.

Express Yourself Meme

Dani and Jacki are co-hosting the Express Yourself Weekly Meme.

Here's the schedule:

Oct. 1-5- pick a name in your current wip; what was your process of acquiring it?
Oct. 8-12 List five movies/books that cause the hair to stand on the back of your neck.
Oct. 15-19- What language would you like to speak and why?
Oct. 22-15- List five favorite monsters throughout history?

Name in my WIP: I'll discuss the names for The Lost Boys from my WIP Nevermore.

For my contemporary dystopian zombie ya novella Nevermore I had to name Peter Pan's crew of Lost Boys. I recalled them in the original Peter Pan and decided I wanted something completely different. So I thought about what I wanted and decided I wanted a variety of young people brought together by the unfathomable circumstance of a zombie apocalypse. I knew they needed to be resourceful, smart, fast and unique. So I ended up with four members and their names are as follows. Three are nicknames, one isn't. Loud is the only girl in the group, I gave her that name because she is loud and outrageous. But she's also strong and independent. Blur is the only non-teenager in the group. He's an asian Peter Pan had picked out because he was small enough to crawl into tiny spaces. He earned his nickname by being unusually fast. Razor is a white teenager who earned his nickname because of his very blunt outlook on life. He and Blur are the only non-African Amercians in the group. Spike is the last member and Peter Pan's best friend before the apocalypse. Spike's his real name. I couldn't think of a nickname for him and decided Spike could work.

Thank you for reading my latest IWSG post and hope to see you on my Blogoversary whether you enter the contest or not.

IWSG & Fact or Fiction Bloghop: Part 2

Yes this a combined post.  IWSG is  a great forum to express any writing insecurities. Right now I'm competing in the What I did last summer fact or fiction Blogfest. It is fun and nerve biting to be competing for writing prizes. First prize winners get a book of their choice and two runners up get an opportunity to have their own book critiqued. Win or lose I'm having fun. But let's face it. I want to win a prize. So wish all us entrants the best of luck and yes this is probably the shortest IWSG post ever. Sue me. WAIT! DON'T!

I am happy to be taking part in part two of the Fact or Fiction Bloghop. Can you guess what is fact and what is fiction? Well let's get on it and see if you're right and who is just plan wrong. Click here to read Part One. Thanks Emily and Melodie for this exciting bloghop.





Real or not Real?

I couldn't believe it. No acceptance all summer. Bookends Magazine after accepting my poetry over the years had finally tapped out. I should have seen it coming. Poetry was getting less and less space. What was once five to seven slots a week dropped to two and sometimes even zero. Short stories and essays and book/movie reviews seemed all the rage now. I could try sending some short stories but the reviews were only done by their official staff. I was a paid contributor. Only paid when my work was accepted, no salary. And a lot of the short stories were also done by Sharon Leach, the magazine's editor. Talk about cutting cost.

I can remember my first accepted poem. I was so excited about being accepted by a local magazine. And paid! Their main rival Arts and Entertainment, a section of the Sunday Gleaner, only took free submissions. So my love affair began in 2007 and now ends Summer 2011. It's clear that they're no longer interested in poetry. I was already competing with teachers, professors, published local authors, local literary award winners and others like myself who aren't big names but submit anyway. Now the names are almost always the same when a poem actually appears. It's not easy to move on but after months of no acceptance, dwindling space and the fact that they're others to submit work to...it was great while it lasted.

Moving on is tough but I have become more focused on getting a novel finished and publish worthy. Also I still have my dream of travelling to Europe to visit the sites of some of my favourite poets and also meet some who are still alive. In Jamaica my favourite was Louise Bennett but she died before I could meet her.

So as I move on, I'll remember all the fun times. Poetry a;ways holds a special place in my heart and I wish the magazine all the best. Someone once said Poetry is the Cinderella of the arts. Well this Cinderella needs a new pair of shoes.

Fact Or Fiction Bloghop

Thank you for hosting this bloghop Emily and Melodie.

Fact or Fiction? You Decide:

I walked down the road and entered my local library. It was in the afternoon and all I wanted was to pick out three good books and head home. A library a short walk from home was very convenient and the free internet didn't hurt. The last internet cafe to open in the mall nearby closed earlier in the year. No surprise. Prices in Jamaica are already outrageous. Free has no competition. Plus the internet quality's better at the library anyway.

After searching through several rows I found the ones I wanted and borrowed them. The lady at the desk smiled as she took my cards and handed me the books I'd be hogging over the next two weeks. Books are a big love of mine. My dad was a big book buyer when I was in my teens but as I got older he just stopped reading. Sad really, I'm the last true bibliophile in my family.

So I went to the bag area and to get my bag. But the security behind the counter handed me the wrong one. When I told him so, he showed me my number. On a bright red bag. I had to take a deep breath and explain that bag wasn't mine. Also that my bag is always empty because I never leave anything in it since the library isn't responsible for theft. With a sigh he asked me which bag was mine. After looking around for infinity, I found the brown thing stuck between four other bags. When he picked it up he was annoyed to see it also had the exact same number. I had to hide a laugh as I took it gently and wished him a good day.

Outside I burst out laughing. After I got home I realized something. The man had stuffed the red bag at the bottom without putting back the tag number on it. I sighed hoping God would help the poor woman who'd sooner or later come to collect it.