IWSG: Sheena-kay the Poet

Yes I write poetry. It got me my first cheque in writing. But for some reason I don't talk about it much. It's less of an insecurity and more of an automatic closing off. I talk about writing fiction just fine. On this blog I'm writing about my WIPs all the time. Poetry however takes a permanent back seat. I love writing poetry, really do. Yet I don't do much open dialogue about it. Maybe it's my quiet side or maybe despite all the years of writing poetry (wrote poetry regularly before I became truly interested in writing fiction), I'm just not the talkative type when it comes to that aspect of my life.

My poetry dreams are different from my dreams of writing fiction. With poetry I want to travel to England and other countries where my favourite poets called home. Most of my favourite poets aren't from Jamaica. My fave poet from here is Louise Bennett. She died years ago but her influence on Jamaican culture still resonates. My favourite poets include Emily Dickinson and William Wordsworth. My poetry isn't very lyrical and I'm not a big fan of rhyming. One day I'd love to go to a writing retreat and spend a few weeks if not months just writing poetry.

Before I go here a few poems written by yours truly.

Garrison Lament

How great was the don who fed us!

Bring curses to those who took him from us!

He gave us bread and sent our kids to school.

How great was the don who fed us!

Now he’s gone and we’re just left to starve.

In this community no one can find a job.

How great was the don who fed us!

Bring curses to those who took him from us!

The Widow

I walk with an authoritive air.

My dainty steps but harsh voice

makes the maids aware I’m there.

Yes, there watching their every move.

They are my servants, this is my castle.

And I don’t care if I sound crude.

I never had whips lash my milky white back.

But words can be sharper than any whip.

And unlike physical ashes that can be

healed by medicine and tender care.

Words can leave their emotional lash

inside you forever.

As a widow, I know of this.

Jealousy fills other women’s eyes when they

see that I’m no longer tied to a husband.

My life now much freer than theirs.

And as a former wife, I understand their suffering.

My only husband is dead.

Bless his soul, but his harsh words

did worse than his blows.

Now widowed I’ve promised myself never to remarry.

But that doesn’t mean I don’t have a little fun.

I have no worries because no one here would dare tell.  

I am The Widow.

This is my mansion, my castle.

I do as I please.

If anyone has a problem with that.

They can rise and take their leave.

The Foe (formerly titled Friends)

Friends become enemies

when we lose their trust.

Betrayal will turn any

relationship to dust.

 

My Kindle Baby

My darling kindle is one month old today. I remember the Saturday I bought you in August. It was the day after getting my pay check. Definitely worth it! Love you. Shout out to all the e-reader owners. I am officially one of you now.

Timeless Cover Reveal and News

Timeless by Michelle Madow will be out November 20, 2012. This is the last installment in the Transcend Time Saga. The other two novels Remembrance and Vengeance are already out. Not familiar with the series? You can buy an e-book copy of Rembrance for just $2.99 at book stores like Amazon. Also there is the Timeless Cover Reveal Giveaway which offers several great prizes to one lucky winner. Prizes include signed copies of Remembrance, Vengeance and Timeless, signed bookmarks, a mask and more. For more on Michelle Madow you can check out her blog.

Queendsheena News

This week from Tuesday to Friday will be Playlist Week here at Queendsheena. I will be posting the playlist of my WIPS and upcoming novel Snow (November 2012 - My Jamaican version of Snow White). Also I will talk about why I picked these songs and give you special tidbits for each book. Here's the schedule:

Tuesday- Nevermore

Wednesday- Circa

Thursday- Snow

Friday- Shade Me

Take a look at Me and a Surprise

So you have seen my old profile pic forever. Me, Sheena-kay Graham in the red top at my sister's graduation. Now you can take a gander at a few other new pictures. By the end of the week I plan on uploading a new profile pic for my blog. But for today you get to just stare upon my beauty. Enjoy.

Jealous?

Oh yes, I have to show off Insurgent. Remember Kelley Lynn, you and I said we'd try to become extras in the Divergent movie.

Now without further ado. Guess what? I finally have my own e-reader!

My kindle was purchased Saturday August 11, 2012. I'm having so much fun reading ebooks at my own convenience.

And a shout-out to Kyra Lennon. I bet you can whose book this is.

I only have the sample right now. But I love what I read (Leah rocks!) and as soon as I get some cash in my paypal account I'm buying it. Or if I win an Amazon gift card. Whichever comes first. I'll also get Elizabeth Seckman's novel as well. Read that sample too.

Have a nice day everyone.

What If? Fairytale Madness Blogfest

Today I'm partcipating the What If? Fairytale Madness Blogfest. Special thanks to judges: Cassie Mae, Morgan Shamy, Mark Koopmans, and Leigh Covington. My entry is for Team Plot Twists. Best of luck to everyone entering stories in this blogfest.

Peter Pan No More

Peter Pan sat in the mess hall shackled. It had been a month since he and The Lost Boys were captured. He was locked in a cell, they were taken down below. Anytime he saw them, he ached.

He refused to eat as Captain Hook walked in. "Son!" he lit up upon seeing Peter.

The pirates burst out laughing when Peter recoiled. "Stop calling me that."

Captain Hook walked up to him. "Please understand that everything I've done was for you Edgar Hook."

Peter refused to acknowledge him. Every time he recalled the truth he felt sick. Both once lived in another world. They were Amelia, Carter and Edgar Hook. They were very close, even after Amelia died of pneumonia. But everything changed during an Easter Egg Hunt. Edgar saw a portal and tripped. Carter went after him and screamed upon seeing Edgar unconscious. Tiger Lily found then and they went to her village.

But during a pirate attack Hook was captured and spent years on their ship. He eventually broke free and took over by killing the former captain. But by then Edgar had become Peter Pan and had no memory of his past. Filled with bitterness Hook waged war against Neverland and plundered innocents all the while plotting to get his son back. Now he'd succeeded.

Peter finally looked at Hook's hopeful face. The captain regularly bombarded him with stories and photos. And despite no recollection Peter knew one thing. The Carter Hook described to him died long ago. Even though Hook let Tiger Lily and Tinkerbell go. He left The Lost Boys to the mercy of lecherous pirates.

"I waited thirty years for you. We can start a new life."

Peter glared. "Never."

Hook grabbed him by his shirt. "Then you and your friends will rot here."

 So there you have it. My entry in this blogfest. Let me know what you think.

P.S. - For a chance to win an ebook of The Hands of Time click here. Winner Announced August 17, so there's still time to enter.

Waiting On Wednesday: Level 2

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.

Publication Date: January 15, 2013

Summary on Goodreads: Since her untimely death the day before her eighteenth birthday, Felicia Ward has been trapped in Level 2, a stark white afterlife located between our world and the next. Along with her fellow prisoners, Felicia passes the endless hours downloading memories and mourning what she’s lost—family, friends, and the boy she loved, Neil.

Then a girl in a neighboring chamber disappears, and nobody but Felicia seems to recall she existed in the first place. Something is obviously very wrong. When Julian—a dangerously charming guy Felicia knew in life—comes to offer Felicia a way out, she learns the truth: a rebellion is brewing to overthrow the Morati, the guardians of Level 2.

Felicia is reluctant to trust Julian, but then he promises what she wants the most—to be with Neil again—if only she’ll join the rebels. Suspended between Heaven and Earth, Felicia finds herself in the center of an age-old struggle between good and evil. As memories from her life come back to haunt her, and as the Morati hunt her down, Felicia will discover it’s not just her own redemption at stake… but the salvation of all mankind.

This book has an amazing cover and the concept is mind blowing. I can't wait for 2013 to be able to purchase this gem.

Waiting On Wendnesay: Queendsheena Style

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. 

 

Title: Insurgent

Author: Veronica Roth

Release Date: May 1, 2012

From Goodreads: One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

I read Diverent in December and LOVED it. I can't wait for the sequel Insurgent to see what happens next and how the factions react to this crazy new world thrust upon everyone. Dystopia is here and I'm loving it!

Pre-Order: Barnes and Noble, Amazon


P.S.: There will be no Book Review Thursday this week. But you can still view last week's review by clicking here. 

Diverent Trailer

Insurgent Book Trailer

Added treat: My fave Fan trailer for Divergent Movie

 

Bieber Song

I have decided to have a rap song ghost written about the Justin Bieber vs. Maria Yeater baby controversy. I  want to put my opinion out against someone who I believe is trying to take advantage of a talented individual's celebrity status. I plan to write a basic page of lyrics and have the rapper rap their own version after he does his own edits.

Yeater in my opinion is a fame monger seeking to destroy a young mean's reputation just because he's popular on the music scene. It's even been reported that she claimed at least two other men were the baby's father before Justin - who has been professional throughout the ordeal and it's possible that he will soon silence the his baby or not debate by having a D.N.A. test done. This test should silence the sudden negative onslaught on his character and if it proves he's not the father. The female accusing him will be in a lot of trouble.

Beiber fans have been fired up about the 'baby daddy' accusation  and some even issued threats at Maria. While I wont do the same, I feel that as  a mother and she needs to be there for her baby. I hope she gets as much ridicule as possible. Just not so much that she can't function. Though I think that will be very hard since she's now going public on television with these same accusations.

All I have to say is this. People need to stop doing anything for fame. Yes there's luxuries but it also has a dark side. Achieving it through lies and deception only leave you tainted in the end. No matter how rich or popular you get.

So instead work hard, nurture your talent. Maybe you'll be famous, maybe you won't. But your good name should matter more.

Always

Yes! I found the perfect Song!

I went looking for a song for my Rachael becoming Red novel. I did something different from many authors. Most just create a playlist of well known songs that they couldn't possible afford to play if they decided to ask permission.

I took a different tack. Going to Jamendo I looked for songs that had creative licenses that allowed you to either play it on your website cheaply with permission or free. I found a song quickly. Paul Lisak and After the Ice - It Happens all the Time . The song is in the alternative category and has the perfect angsty style for a story about a girl who lost her family. I hope to try and contact the creators tomorrow.

I also did a lot of editing for my online store. I don't have any items on sale yet but here's the website.
http://queendsheena.weebly.com/

This was a very productive day. Look out for my novel 'Rachael Becoming Red' on December 15, 2011 on the Kindle.

Queendsheena Signing In

This is my first post for my new blog. Here I'll be dealing with everything Queendsheena including my upcoming novels and my T-Shirt and accessories line which I plan to sell through an online store I'm creating.

My real name is Sheena-kay Graham and my nickname (now my blog's name) was self given and inspired in part by the movie  Sheena: Queen of the Jungle. Also my love for Africa, my skin and believing in fact that we can take hold of our destinies. My nickname symbolizes this for me and creating this blog furthers plans for professional success.

This site is to generate buzz and create fans for my upcoming novels first of all. First being Rachael Becoming Red which is a prequel to my  Red book series. It's about Rachael as a child before she's a teen werewolf exterminator in the Red series. It follows her from meeting Terry leader of T.O. to her decision to stay or leave her forestall village in order to protect others from werewolves including the ones who murdered her family.

I hope to publish my first ebook early 2012 and create a following for my novels. Wish me luck.