Monthly Archives: July 2016

Her Autonomy

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Nice words, nice to hear women referred to as the roots, the strength. Very nice.

HarlemATL's avatarHarlem Inner City Blues: Random Thoughts

What is the most important part of the tree?

Between Male and Female who best represents the tree?

Her Autonomy

Her Autonomy

Stand up and salute thee
Her anatomy paves
Way of her autonomy

She is like the root of any tree

Kept underground, hidden and unseen

Separate the root from the tree and the tree dies

Separate the tree from the root and

It’s the root that has the possibility

To spring forth another tree

Together, we create the fruit of the world.

–

She has the “Power” and the right

To create milk

To recycle blood

To house a child

Spring forth a nation

Dictate it’s direction

–

Our Creator speaks

To us through She

The Atom before Steve

A Atum before Eve’s Eden

–

She’s independent

With her independence

In her own thoughts & actions

–

Which came first

The chicken or

The egg

–

Don’t be confused

It’s…

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Autonomy

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Really really well said, I love the reference to Martin Luther King here too.

Expedition Nomadic Adventurer's avatarExspedition Nomadic Adventures

12cdb51e49170cb64c1fb812dd22dfcb

Autonomy is a word used by organizations in political disagreements, against countries, and independent groups rebelling against the establishment.

Autonomy is a concept found in moral, political and bioethical philosophy. Within this context, it is the capacity of a rational individual to make an informed, un-coerced decision.

WordPress daily word prompt

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Autonomy: Writing Prompt Response

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Autonomy

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With the UK’s recent exit from the EU and the 4th July celebrations taking place in the USA, a lot could be said about the word autonomy, and freedom. I’m going to interpret today’s word prompt response from a personal more individual view  first ,as opposed to freedom and autonomy for the masses in the UK .

To me, I love freedom whether it be financial freedom which I guess we’re all really wishing for some day, to not have to work for someone else. Do our own thing and be our own boss. I also love freedom as a person, to be who you are and be you regardless of what others say or do. Over the years I have learned what oppression can do to one’s mind and emotions if you are subjected to it. In any sense, if your freedom or autonomy is cut off it can be very damaging for you emotionally and stunt your growth as a person. 

Sometimes, it takes a while to realise or learn that you’re a victim of oppression from someone or something else. The day job, the boss, a friend, family member, partner who or whatever can oppress  us as individuals in a negative way, without even realising at first as it’s not something you’re always on the look out for. It’s important to realise the signs of it early and break away from it, or raise it with your oppressor so he/she/they/it can correct their way of dealing with you.It’s like a form of bullying to cut off someone’s autonomy and freedom in any way shape or form, in my personal view. Bullying has never been and will never be a cool thing to do.

So, our current leader in the UK gave us our freedom and autonomy to decide how we should govern ourselves, the UK voted (50 odd % only) to exit the EU as members. Hummm well I was in the 48% who wanted to stay and I’m not ashamed to say it. The leave side I guess felt their autonomy has been removed with membership of the EU over the years. And I guess  the vote was a right thing to do to see what the masses really thought.

In my mind I can’t help but wonder if our need for autonomy and freedom reflected in the vote is really worth walking into the unknown with an exit, as we are literally walking into the unknown we have no idea who are new leader will be now the current one has resigned over the result of the vote, we have no idea how our FREEDOM and AUTONOMY to move around within the EU as individuals will be impacted on, now we have made and exit, and one thing that has always worried me is what about the human rights laws that we get from with in the EU things like maternity leave, employment law rights etc many of these basic human rights come from within the EU… I guess time will tell as the country takes shape post exit. I prey that the want and need for autonomy was not an opportunity cost for us, in a sense that we lose out in the long term.  What I noticed is one side  has gained their freedom and autonomy back with an exit, and the other camp have lost their freedom and autonomy to move around within the EU as members for work, travel and relocation, and potentially even the basic human rights protection from some of the EU legislation in this area.

Freedom!  Everyone should have it, but how to please both sides of the camp? The mind boggles.

In the words of a lady I’ve grown fond of since the release of her Lemonade album as Beyonce would say on her track Freedom:

Freedom! Freedom! I can’t move
Freedom, cut me loose!
Freedom! Freedom! Where are you?
Cause I need freedom too!
I break chains all by myself
Won’t let my freedom rot in hell
Hey! I’ma keep running
Cause a winner don’t quit on themselves

 

 

Reflection #2: Book#2 Proposal Submitted!

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idea

I’ve had a few days off from the day job and I’ve been full of creative beans since I submitted my completed manuscript, for my #1 novel due out in September. After some late night grindin’ I got to work on novel #2 well novella #2 I should say. If you read my last blog post following my manuscript submission, you’ll know that I have a handful of ideas across both crime and romance/suspense genres.

I went with the romance genre as I’ve been feeling in a feel good mood, I’m almost 10,00 words in  with this story. Today (just now) I submitted a query letter, sample chapters and book synopsis for my work to my publisher. I  have to remind myself about the time delay! The state in the USA my publisher is based in are like 7 hours behind London time, and it’s a holiday being the 4th of July so I impatiently await a response ( probably in a few weeks or so to be realistic) with fingers and toes crossed that my proposal is accepted.

From discussions with my publisher regarding a second project  potential Christmas/December release date is on the cards! Just 3 months after the release of my 1st novel. I’m excited, nervous and full of creative beans.

My creativity has largely been pushed by passion my for writing and the genres I write in obviously, but also completing in the word prompt responses by WordPress and also the wonderful blogger I discovered MiracleGirl all the way over in India. If you’ve not discovered her blog you really need to take a look, if you enjoy writing challenges and lots of interesting pictures to use as writing prompts. She has a lovely blog going on there and I really wish her well with it as it has inspired me to write. I also have a book with 365 writing prompts one for each day of the year that I will be making use of in between writing novella #2.

So what have I learned on this journey thus far? I know I have a LONG way to go and things are just starting, but I’ve learned:

  • Writing has taken over my life in between everything else, whenever I get a chance I’m behind my lap top!
  • The WordPress community is a great one.
  • My most creative time is late at night.
  • Editing can be a b*tch! Slow and painful the first time you self edit, as it’s hard to chop your work up and the paranoid state over typos and tense slow me down.
  • It’s nothing to do with fame and fortune (all though every published author would not turn their nose up at this) it’s about the love of word and getting the stories out my head and on paper.
  • Sometimes in life, one door closes in one area of your life and it can be the making of you, seriously. Pushing and fuelling you to keep going  in other areas and open up other doors, you never had as a goal or even thought would be possible.
  • Never NEVER give up! Dream big, work hard, keep grindin’ it pays.

 

Have a great day!

 

 

 

MiracleChallenge week #3: The Time is Now

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Clock

Write a short poem or story using the above picture maximum 5 sentences. This is a writing prompt response to #5 of week 3’s challenge by the wonderful blogger MiracleGirl.

“MiracleChallenge Week – 3” dated 28th June, 2016

The time is now,  it’s my  creative hour;

It’s at 12 midnight every night that’s the hour;

My brain is working at full power; the time is now, this is my hour;

Some call it the witching hour;

I call it my creative writing hour!

 

 

 

Conflict in every scene? Disasters in every act? Yes and no

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Some good points can be taken from this for us writers. Useful especially as I’m about to re-read a few chapters I’ve wrote, I’ll be reading with this advice in mind making sure the story is moving forward in each scene if not -delete!

Roz Morris @Roz_Morris's avatarNail Your Novel

15517166590_fabb8e02ee_oI’ve had an interesting question from Ben Collins.

I have read that each part of a novel should contain a ‘disaster’ and that every scene should either contain conflict or be deleted. Is this too rigid a formula, or do you think it is correct?

That’s a good question with a lot of answers.

So let’s take it apart.

‘Every scene should either contain conflict or be deleted’

I certainly subscribe to the view that every scene should feel like it’s moving forwards. Something should change, and in a way that keeps the reader curious.

In my plot book I talk about the 4 C of a plot – crescendo, curiosity, coherence and change. You can hear me discuss it here with Joanna Penn on her podcast. Three of those Cs are relevant to this question – curiosity change, and crescendo. Crescendo is a sense that the pressure is…

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Island: Word Prompt Response

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IslandIsland

I am the daughter of an immigrant from this beautiful island. It’s  been many years since I’ve laid eyes on this beautiful island. I remember  the beautiful golden sands of Negril beach, walking around Montego Bay area  and hearing the sounds of sweet reggae being played. I also remember the mountains, shacks and more deprived areas of the island also, the police corruption which I experienced myself as a tourist to the island.

 I remember  eating rich and delicious  island foods such as plantains, ackee and salted fish, jerk chicken , callao and drinking plenty of carrot juice my mouth waters at the thought! Sipping the island’s local beer Red Stripe at silly o’clock in the day, in the blazing hot sun relaxing, people watching. I remember the mosquito  bites also now that was painful as I had soooooooooooooo many.

I remember how I  could walk out so far into the Caribbean sea from  Negril’s beach, before the water would reach my hips it was so strange to me.  I love this land, I love this island and I hope one day to go back and show my son this beautiful island.

National Anthem of Jamaica 

Eternal Father bless our land
Guide us with Thy mighty hand
Keep us free from evil powers
Be our light through countless hours
To our leaders, Great Defender,
Grant true wisdom from above
Justice, truth be ours forever
Jamaica, land we love
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica, land we love.
Teach us true respect for all
Stir response to duty’s call
Strengthen us the weak to cherish
Give us vision lest we perish
Knowledge send us, Heavenly Father,
Grant true wisdom from above
Justice, truth be ours forever
Jamaica, land we love
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica, land we love.

It’s interesting I was born and raised in London, do I consider myself English –  well with 33 years here yes I do, but I don’t ever forget my heritage and culture.If I was stuck on a deserted island what would I need with me.

  • My  2 year old son
  • A pen and note pad
  • Bob Marley’s Greatest hits and a CD player, so my son and I could dance and sing to them, as we do most Sundays. Just like my mama did with me growing up.

 

  • BM

 

Jamaica the carib island  I love!

#MiracleChallenge Week #2: Writing Prompt

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sunroomtable

Write a story or poem using the above picture: 5 sentences max.

Have you forgot??:

This is our spot, where we met all those years ago oh how time flys it’s been a rocky road not always smooth and straight forward.

 Has time apart shown us that we belong together?,We’re meant to be? Today we shall see.

We agreed, to meet here, at 1pm on Sunday  afternoon. If there’s still a chance, still some hope that all has not been lost between us we should meet here.

Here I am, at our spot with this empty space beside me. Where are you? Why are you not here? 

All I have is this empty chair, I am here in our spot I’m sitting here hoping that you have not forgot.

The Ending 

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The Ending 


Reblogged on WordPress.com

Source: The Ending 

I LOVED! Reading the start of this story and had to participate in this #Miraclechallenge  writing prompt to create your own ending using 400 odd words. I did not read the original post before I wrote my own ending so I have no idea what the story is really about. But I’ve turned it into some kind of crime fiction/drug story line that’s what came to mind when I read what was going on at the start. I look forward to reading the original full post to see what the story is actually about. Thanks for posting.

Really need to get home, I’ve been up all night using cocaine to keep me awake, he had me working the street corners of every street. I wish I could say no, stop, tell him that’s it this life is over for me I don’t want to spend my years as your drug runner and personal sex slave. But I can’t, I owe him, I owe him my life not only is he my pimp he was once my loan shark, my mum was in a lot of debt after she lost her job we were going to be evicted I had no choice but to do what I could to help out.

I’m only 16 but I got caught up with the wrong crowd, dabbled in drugs, drinking, dating boys I should not have been and he was one of them. With all the drama and stress at home as a way to forget he introduced me to cocaine, just to numb the pain he’d say. Everyday I say to myself I will leave this life behind, clean my habit up stop sex working to make money and go back to school.

He says it’s better to have a girl involved in his ‘’dealings’’ that way no one will be suspious the cops won’t question anything when they see a guy and a girl together the last thing they will think is  we’re a bunch of drug lords.

So here I am walking down Camden high street north London, after working the corners of some of the most mean streets in London, dying to take a shower and lay down.

Mum, bless her heart she knows what’s going on and has threatened to go to the police, but she won’t because of him he has complete control over everyone he comes in contact with.

Connor, Connor Reeves north London’s most notorious drug lord. At just 28 years old he rules the whole of north London.

I glance at my watch it’s 4.45am I walk down the dimly lit road and turn into the estate of flats, I stare up at the 6th floor the lights are out mum’s asleep. I hope I can enter without waking her.

As I approach the block of flats as usual the intercom is not working a sharp tug on the door and I’m in, the smell of urine and cheap beer greet my nostrils.

Great, the lift is out of action, I take the stairs 2 at a time up to the 6th floor. I need to get out of this place, turn my back on this life this is not for me. I’ll be dead by the time I’m 18.