Take the two words and write a Haiku. I use Haiku in Englishas my style, which is 5 syllables for the first line, 7 for the second, and 5 for the third, but you can use what you like. For syllable help visit HowManySyllables.com.
The two words can be used as you like. Words have different definitions and you can use the definitions you like. You can even use a synonym word as long as it does not change the meaning. Go to Thesaurus.com for Synonym help.
Copy the link of your finished haiku URL in a comment so we can all go and visit your site to see what you have done. I will comment on your site. You can do a ping back. What’s a ping back? Put a link back to this prompt page, if you like within your post, as long as it does not take away from your haiku. This is simply a prompt and challenge to encourage people to try Haiku and give some a prompt and a place to share in comments so we can find each other. A link in your post does give others a chance to find us and join in. Use one of the two below if you like.
You may copy one of the badges/images appearing in this post below or above and place it on your site if you wish, most normally use it within their post. I am not saying you need to, but if you would like to do so then go ahead. It is simply my way of saying thank you for participating. I sometimes make custom images for the week, if time and health permits.
The Challenge is currently posted at 8 AM New York City time on Mondays to give people a better chance than the old 9 AM time.
Deadline is Noon New York City time on the Sunday following the Challenge Post release.
The Challenge Words!
Tide & Flesh
Not sure how to write a Haiku? Click HERE for a quick How to write Haiku Poem in English Form.
Much Respect-Much Love
Ronovan
Ronovan is an author, and blogger who shares his life as an amnesiac and Chronic Pain sufferer though his blog RonovanWrites.WordPress.com. His love of poetry, authors and community through his online world has lead to a growing Weekly Haiku Challenge and the creation of a site dedicated to book reviews, interviews and author resources known as LitWorldInterviews.WordPress.com.
Ronovan is an author, and blogger who shares his life as an amnesiac and Chronic Pain sufferer though his blog RonovanWrites.WordPress.com. His love of poetry, authors and community through his online world has lead to a growing Weekly Haiku Challenge and the creation of a site dedicated to book reviews, interviews and author resources known as LitWorldInterviews.WordPress.com.
I get the feeling the prompts were either difficult or were perhaps confining this week. One of the greatest things about Haiku is the recalling of memories when pulling forth inspiration for writing. That’s one reason I like the stories I read going along with Haiku or photos the poets have taken and used for the challenges. It’s a nice way to get to know a bit more about each other.
Closing Haiku
Han Solo, scruffy Nerf herder in space he is Very loud with Chewy.
First Time Offenders to the Haiku Family.
NEW!Liz Bennefeld: Cool name, right? Noiseless Memories | Quilted Poetry. Very nice story behind the Haiku you can find in the comments of the Challenge and a bit more on the Haiku post itself. “Poet, photo artist, and retired person. VP, 2013-15, Science Fiction Poetry Association (SFPA). BA Philosophy and English, Concordia College, Moorhead.”-From her About page. A bit more in its comments. I feel so inadequate now. o,O @QuiltedPoetry
Annette Rochelle Aben(Best SellingAuthor, Radio Show Host): Stag Line | Annette Rochelle Aben. Annette got part of my intended meaning with her use of Stag this one week. And then we had quite the exchange on my ReBlog of TJ’s Stagnating on my blog. It was so punny it was painful. I kid you not. Check out Annette’s books at the Author link above and her Radio Show at the Host link.@YouAreTheExpert
Clarence (2 this week):Boozed Bravery | PrarieChat. Loved the use of braced here. Excellent. Also this gives me images of a time long past in old movies. Really enjoyed this one. Bully Moose. o,O And he did go there. 🙂
Judy:Wedding Canceled | Edwina’s Episodes. I was going to call this Typical Judy after a comments exchange she and I had but that didn’t sound right. Nothing is typical about Judy and I felt the title would give the wrong impression of what I intended. She’s a real dear.@EdwinasEpisodes
Alice:Expecto Patronum | Boomerang Zone. I did not even think of this, at least I don’t think I did. But I should have. 🙂 And is that her shirt she has a photo of? Oh my. @Vidocq_CC
D.B. Mauldin (Author):Prom Night | mama bear musings. How many of us can identify with this one? I think this is a lot more common than anyone realizes.Check out the Author link for offerings on Amazon and click HERE for the About page links to other online distribution such as Smashwords. @dmauldin3
Jane Dougherty (Author):Calm | Jane Dougherty Writes. Either peace or the title Quiet would fit this Haiku. But after starting to type and getting this far I changed it to Calm as that is what I think it conveys.Check out Jane’s books on Amazon at the Author link above.@MJDougherty33
Elizabeth:Party Time…Oh bother. | Tea & Paper. I love how people have things on hand to use for these challenges. It’s nice how they prompt not only Haiku but memories as well. You might have read that line at the beginning of the review as I like it and intend to use it if I remember by the end of the review. @teandpaper
Melissa Barker-Simpson (Author): Solitary | M Barker-Simpson. Ah, nicely done. Actually used one prompt word twice in different forms. And got my own meaning of stag. Click the Author link above to visit her on Amazon.
Sue Vincent (Author):Challenge | Daily Echo. Nice. And the image is awesome with this. Click the Author link for Sue at Amazon and her many books.@SCVincent
Steven:Haiga and Rutting | Ramblings of Drabbling Mind. Off to search engine I went for this one for several reasons. But we not only received a Haiku about one of the theme we’ve seen so far but also one about the mating call of s seldom scene nature inhabitant.
Pat B.:Tippy Toes | A season and a time. Okay, I have an image in my head that the Haiku gave me and thus the name I chose for the Haiku. I am now dying of laughter even though the Haiku is not a humorous one. But then I need a good laugh at times. Odd things set me off that way. 🙂
denis1950:dear deer | Haiku Hound. Okay, this one is perhaps one of my favorites. The Haiku is excellent then you throw in the photography.
Elusive Trope:Going About One’s Day | Elusive Trope. Well who knew that? Learn something every day. Well for me I learn a lot more than something. But I had no idea about this.
E. Rawls (Author): You Never Know/Late Shire Party | Rawls E. Fantasy. As was suggested and should give you hint…Happy Hobbit Day.Check out Bleeding Hearts, a collection of short stories, poems, and riddles, at Elizabeth’s Author page on Amazon by clicking the Author link above.@VChronicles_
Florence:Whining Sans Buck | Meanings and Musings. Okay so the title isn’t exactly right, but she wrote three this week…after whining to her daughter about my prompt words. Check out Colleen as part of the LitWorldInterviews team by clicking here to see her book reviews.@FTThum
Mine/Ronovan:Here | Ronovan Writes. I wrote this one in honor of National Suicide Month.
Ronovan is an author, and blogger who shares his life as an amnesiac and Chronic Pain sufferer though his blog RonovanWrites.WordPress.com. His love of poetry, authors and community through his online world has lead to a growing Weekly Haiku Challenge and the creation of a site dedicated to book reviews, interviews and author resources known as LitWorldInterviews.WordPress.com.
I reckon I can find a way A way to say it But don’t betray it Cause I don’t know if my heart can take it Playing with a somber tempo Baby I used to solo Not sure about this But I’ll give it all I’ve got to . . . know
Why am I so jaded Has my love line faded Do you know what I’m hopin’ Keep the windows open Shine those rays over Taking me slower To the extreme Kisses are splendid Broken dreams are mended Our senses are blended When we are of one My walls are forming Memories are storming Time for performing Why do I turn and run My knees are bruising So sore from overusing Tumbling from confusing Please give me something to hold on . . . to Slippin’ on pages Filled with rages Somehow never engages Now fighting for someone Tell me your staying No more delaying Baby I’m praying For you the one Why am I so jaded Has my love line faded Do you know what I’m hopin’ Keep those windows open Shine those rays over Taking me slower To the extreme
Having memory problems one needs to consider many things. For one, it is impossible to keep things straight in your mind. That being said, tell the truth. Telling a lie creates more lies to be told to cover the first. We’ve all heard that before, but it is true. At some point you will be asked something about that lie, and you will need to make a decision to continue with it or to be honest.
Writing is a practice in honesty. That sounds unusual for a storytelling art form. What I mean by honesty is honesty to the story, characters and the readers. I’ve written novels where I intended for one character to be one of the likable ones. But for some reason she didn’t want to let me make her that way. I tried, failed, and decided to go with her being one of those annoying types that you want to like but can’t find it in your heart to do it.
But honesty goes with life as well. I teach my boy “B” that as well. Either speak the truth or don’t speak. It’s amazing how many times a person speaks when they don’t need to. I’m not certain he is learning this little bit of advice yet, but I keep working on it. He is only 11. But he does speak the truth. Almost to a fault. Sometimes when your dad makes you Cookie Crisp cereal with Chips Ahoy chocolate chip cookies instead of the cereal itself, since we don’t buy sugary cereal, he somehow thinks he has to confess this fact to everyone.
This has been written in response to the #BeWoW (Be Wonderful on Wednesday share hosted by me, and the Writer’s Quote Wednesday hosted by Colleen Chesebro of SilverThreading.com. You can find Colleen’s post at the link above, click on her post for 9/23 and either ping back to it or copy and paste your link in the comments of the post to share with others participating and reading.
Much Respect
Ronovan
Ronovan is an author, and blogger who shares his life as an amnesiac and Chronic Pain sufferer though his blog RonovanWrites.WordPress.com. His love of poetry, authors and community through his online world has lead to a growing Weekly Haiku Challenge and the creation of a site dedicated to book reviews, interviews and author resources known as LitWorldInterviews.WordPress.com.
Ronovan is an author, and blogger who shares his life as an amnesiac and Chronic Pain sufferer though his blog RonovanWrites.WordPress.com. His love of poetry, authors and community through his online world has lead to a growing Weekly Haiku Challenge and the creation of a site dedicated to book reviews, interviews and author resources known as LitWorldInterviews.WordPress.com.
This was written because of National Suicide Prevention Month. Thousands who die don’t die alone, they die around us. They call for help but we don’t know their language. Why? Because they’ve been made to feel as though there is something socially wrong and almost illegal about themselves. If they say they are depressed what happens to them? What happens at work? How does their family treat them or look at them? Do people ignore them with a “It’ll be alright.”?
For some of us we are lucky and have that one moment of clarity, that image that comes to our mind that pulls us back just in time. Not everyone has a boy “B”. Not everyone can be strong enough or maybe has fought for themselves hard enough to make it through. The above poem and image may not get the full effect I was going for, I may try again, but it tells you how we feel. All of the world around us, so close, so loud, but we feel all alone…and we don’t know why.
For some of you reading this, just think that you would never have met some great people if not for this blog. Perhaps a person has become very important to you that you met through a post or a challenge you found here.
Share this so people have an idea. We’re not crazy. But we are just out of step with something that will make us understand what is going on inside of us. And we call for help in different ways. Try to look, try to know your family, your friend. Know their language, in words, emotions, body. And when that language changes, find out why.
Okay, this week the words are making you scratch your heads, right? Now it’s time to go to the thesaurus. I’m not kidding you. That word stag can mean way more than you think. My Haiku is something that happens in this part of the word A LOT. But you may have already seen my contribution to the challenge this week earlier. And the link below is right this week. 🙂 I have triple checked but you can always copy and past from the URL above. 😉
Challenge #63
The rules are simple.
Take the two words and write a Haiku. I use Haiku in Englishas my style, which is 5 syllables for the first line, 7 for the second, and 5 for the third, but you can use what you like. For syllable help visit HowManySyllables.com.
The two words can be used as you like. Words have different definitions and you can use the definitions you like. You can even use a synonym word as long as it does not change the meaning. Go to Thesaurus.com for Synonym help.
Copy the link of your finished haiku URL in a comment so we can all go and visit your site to see what you have done. I will comment on your site. You can do a ping back. What’s a ping back? Put a link back to this prompt page, if you like within your post, as long as it does not take away from your haiku. This is simply a prompt and challenge to encourage people to try Haiku and give some a prompt and a place to share in comments so we can find each other. A link in your post does give others a chance to find us and join in. Use one of the two below if you like.
You may copy one of the badges/images appearing in this post below or above and place it on your site if you wish, most normally use it within their post. I am not saying you need to, but if you would like to do so then go ahead. It is simply my way of saying thank you for participating. I sometimes make custom images for the week, if time and health permits.
The Challenge Words!
Stag & Noise
Opening Haiku
It’s almost that time
When deer run from the forest,
They bring noise from brakes.
The two sentences should read as;
It’s almost that time when deer run from the forest.
When deer run from the forest, they bring noise from brakes.
Much Respect-Much Love
Ronovan
Ronovan is an author, and blogger who shares his life as an amnesiac and Chronic Pain sufferer though his blog RonovanWrites.WordPress.com. His love of poetry, authors and community through his online world has lead to a growing Weekly Haiku Challenge and the creation of a site dedicated to book reviews, interviews and author resources known as LitWorldInterviews.WordPress.com.
Did these sweet creatures instinctively know that I was about to leave and clustered about me in sympathy. I am sure they must have.
Where the deer roam free
Far from the noisy city
I found stag nation
It’s Monday and Ronovan writes has thrown out a difficult coupling – stag and noise.
I had to resort to a pun. Still, it has given me a chance to use the photo I took of the obliging deer that strolled about while I stayed in Magdalen College Oxford a few years ago. A wonderfully peaceful and beautiful place.
Another week, another challenge, another group of 47great people making all of this work, and I didn’t go searching for lost and errant poets this time. Both WordPress and Blogger blogs are represented.
I’ve had people recently tell me how much all of you communicate with each other and engage each other. People wonder how “I” created such a great THING here where people show up and participate. I always say I have nothing to do with it except coming up with two words a week and an example. I’m not sure how it’s grown like this, well I do, you guys have done it. Thank you for what you do to make this the success it is.
Okay, enough of the mushy stuff, let’s get on with the awful poetry this week. 😉 Ahhh, sarcasm, it suits me so well.
Closing Haiku
Torrid dreams begin,
This night of Longed For passion,
Ends with cold shoulders.
Sometimes those Honeymoon nights can be a bummer. 🙂 Not that I PERSONALLY would know that. Nope, not moi.
New to the Challenge this Week
NEW! D.B. Mauldin (Author):Appetites for Consumption | mama bear musings. I sometimes don’t know where I come up with the titles but I just go with it. There are actually two Haiku and they are linked in meaning. “I am a professional and published writer. I write articles, short stories, and I am currently working on my first novel. I have had four short story’s published, in a variety of anthologies, during 2015.” Yes, author. 🙂 Check out the Author link for offerings on Amazon and click HERE for the About page links to other online distribution such as Smashwords. @dmauldin3
ReNew!Marcy Erb:To Catch a Criminal | Illustrated Poetry. Yes, I said ‘ReNew’. Why? It’s been sometime since Marcy has had time to join in and I felt a need or a want to reintroduce her. Such a unique and amazing Haiku. One of my MUST READS this week. Her explanation of how it came about is a lesson in itself. My IQ may be quite high but this one made the brain pain a bit. AWESOME! About Marcy? That’s a bit difficult. Super nerd turned poetry nerd? I mean the lady did her About page in poetic form. Don’t believe me? Check it out HERE. @ML_Erb
First to Arrive
Judy:Make it Hot in Here | Edwina’s Episodes. You know. I wonder about her episodes sometimes. I have them too. When I miss my medications. Well, she sort of SAID she was going in one direction instead of her original intent, but I think she most likely ended up there anyway. It’s Judy. Come on. You just know she has to get a little. well Judy with it. @EdwinasEpisodes
Al:Cheap Cookin’ | Al the Author’s Blog. Okay, so the title is mine. I can’t help but think of how I boil eggs when I read this one. But it is very possible Al meant this to be about a relationship. He can like what he wants, and I will like what I want. Don’t judge me! @AlistairLane
Annette Rochelle Aben(Best Selling Author, Radio Show Host): Screamin’ Hot | Annette Rochelle Aben. Um, it’s not what you think, honestly. A theme is going here. Not sure how long it will last but it’s there. Check out Annette’s books at the Author link above and her Radio Show at the Host link.@YouAreTheExpert
Colette:Flagging | The Wishing Well. I have to say I really like how the words were used here. Also some less often used words as well. Cool.
Kat:Venom | Like Mercury Colliding. My son “B” would be proud she got this one right. He’s been correcting people since he was 4 about venom and poison and what is what. If the name isn’t a trigger warning for some of you, well I…good luck. 🙂
Alice:Hot starts | Boomerang Zone. 5 syllables in one word? Awesomelynessness. No that wasn’t the word. And no, again, not want some of you are thinking it’s about. I am impressed with the thinkings this week. @Vidocq_CC
Olga:Toasted! | Stuff and what if …. Where do I come up with these titles? From the Haiku of course. You’ll get it and then want it!!!
Ritu:Autumn Desire | But I Smile Anyway… That’s two Haiku, just so you know. Holy Hannah and her sisters. I need to turn the air on in here. I think one name would have actually fit both. O,O @PhantomGiggler
Sandra:Yellow | Wild Daffodil. She’s a combiner and this week I don’t just mean all the challenges she puts into one. She makes an Empty promise for next week. Muahahahaha.
Jane Dougherty (Author):Life of a Flower | Jane Dougherty Writes. Jane says her three Haiku don’t have a common thing, but I say they do, if you want them to. That third one is the one you have to think about using imagery and metaphors. I think the title works.Check out Jane’s books on Amazon at the Author link above.@MJDougherty33
Melissa Barker-Simpson (Author): Helios Power | M Barker-Simpson. Mel read my mind. As I was preparing my previous weeks Haiku I was wanting to use the Heliotrope because of its color but could not fight through the migraines to make it quite the way I wanted it. Now here we are. Awesome.Click the Author link above to visit her on Amazon.
Shida:Blaze Up The Fire | 876LoveR. And of course off I go for YouTube adventuring. Like Protoje’s voice, natural. But with and Chronixx…well, who knows, right? @realrebel_r
Elusive Trope or ET for short?:Upon the Anvil | Elusive Trope. Perhaps I should not have made the ET reference? Hadn’t seen the title of the Haiku before I said that. Oh boy, now to see what ET put upon the anvil. My head perhaps? Hmm, I think I am safe. Or so I am interpreting it as my being safe. Gotta love readers prerogative. 🙂 Wow, reading the comments and the big words used, I feel sooo inadequate now. 😀 (No idea why the use of all the smileys.)
Sue Vincent (Author):Anticipation | Daily Echo. Oh she is going to hate it, but AWESOME! She knows what happens when she includes her lovely other half, Ani. Muahahaha. Click the Author link for Sue at Amazon and her many books.@SCVincent
Melissa?:Preparation | The Aran Artisan. This person seems somewhat familiar. Hmmm. 😛 About time she got herself back here. Just read a book she MUST READ. Mentions hats common in Aran, also set in Galway. An American woman who goes to Ireland and falls for an Irishman. I instantly thought of our Aran Island Girl except it happened in reversed and he kidnapped her back to his homeland. Great pictures as usual, and a look into what it takes to live the life she does. So happy she is back here…home. @thearanartisan
Elizabeth:Magical Day | Tea & Paper. I read this one earlier in the week but just now realized the opposites in both it and the photo. Very cool. @teandpaper
Pat B.:Hot Walker | A season and a time. Um again, one of those titles I come up with that make you go hmmm. Did you know that Pat’s blog is on Blogger? That’s right, this isn’t just a WordPress community. 🙂
Maylian:Hot summer night | personalselfperfection. An interesting Haiku that the title didn’t give away the meaning. You have to read it or you will make the wrong assumption. The image and Haiku obviously go together.
Marje:Hot Rave Drug Murder and Tsunami of Tears | Kyrosmagica. These are not our usually humor Haiku from Marje this week. So I gave her a hard time this week and almost stumped her? And I wasn’t even trying. I’ve thought about seeing if I could come up with difficult words, but then I would have to use them as well…at least twice. @Marjorie_Mallon
Vashti Quiroz-Vega (Author):Night Terrors | The Writer Next Door. One word and this would have a totally different meaning. Check out Vashti on Amazon at the Author link above and you can see her interview by clickingHERE. @VashtiQV
Colleen:Day Break | Silver Threading. She used the word cherry in a most unique way. Awesome! You know, as Colleen makes a location change I can’t help feel a little sad because of her inspiration for her book was found where she is leaving from. But perhaps she will find some of their cousins where she ends up. @SilverThreading
denis1950:Hot Start | Haiku Hound. 3 Haiku in the 3/5/3 style. You may see this around quite often in the challenge. The 3/5/3 makes it even more challenging. Try it if you like. So a Serious, a Nature, and a Humor. 🙂 I think the nature one qualifies as Humor as well. Hate to say it but it reminds me of ladies at a hair salon. 🙂 Not sure why. I know I will pay for that one when some read this. Great images, the first is a wow, the third is very cool, and the middle is the hair salon.
Carol:September | Mama Cormier. I would almost title this False Impressions if I were Carol. 🙂 But I feel this one. Getting the same thing here. @Carol_Cormier
vronlacroix:Hot air balloon | Simply Snapshots. I really like this one. The image, the Haiku, the word used in place of start, it all works so well. Original in idea. Very nice.
Becky G: Becky G? Oh, That’s Me! I love the contrast here in the image. And we have a Nature Haiku.
E. Rawls (Author): Race Track/To Win | Rawls E. Fantasy. I like that second one a lot. Check out Bleeding Hearts, a collection of short stories, poems, and riddles, at Elizabeth’s Author page on Amazon by clicking the Author link above.@VChronicles_
stu06bloc9:Startling | Pitter Patter Poetry. HA! You so think stu went a weird route with the prompt word then suckers you in at the end. Muahahahaha! Classic.
Ronovan:Heat | Ronovan Writes. In addition to the two Opening Haiku and the closing I actually did a separate post for another. The image could be misleading, take the meaning of the words as you like. @RonovanWrites
Ronovan is an author, and blogger who shares his life as an amnesiac and Chronic Pain sufferer though his blog RonovanWrites.WordPress.com. His love of poetry, authors and community through his online world has lead to a growing Weekly Haiku Challenge and the creation of a site dedicated to book reviews, interviews and author resources known as LitWorldInterviews.WordPress.com.
Author: Claire Fullerton Title: Dancing to an Irish Reel File Size: 373 KB Print Length: 237 pages Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0990304256 Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited Publisher: Vinspire Publishing (March 6, 2015) Publication Date: March 6, 2015 Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc. Language: English ASIN: B00UCOZJXM Text-to-Speech: Enabled Word Wise: Enabled Lending: Enabled Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction Kindle: $1.99 Paperback: $13.99 Audible: $17.95
I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review. And of course with me, you know that’s what you get. Good or bad. Here we go!
What happens when an L.A. music exec goes on sabbatical to Ireland? Well this is a romance, so I’ll say romance, along with love, music, and most of all confusion—caused by love, language, and longing. You might think a Southern girl who moved to L.A. might be accustomed to culture shock and speaking a different language, but Ireland is an island unto itself.
Dancing to an Irish Reel is about American Hailey meeting real Ireland and new-to-love Liam Hennessey. What you get is a story of Hailey learning about the place she comes to call home and as she learns about it and begins to understand it, she also begins to understand the man she falls for.
I like the character of Hailey. She is not your stereotype romantic leading lady that people like to think of. She is strong, knows what she wants, has common sense, and above all—she doesn’t do the typical damsel in distress routines.
Men, you will like this book. I say that because men need to realize that a great deal of books with Romance in the genre are not exactly what you may think. Movies men seem to like have romance in them and could be labeled as such in genre. So get a clue.
In other words this will hit with all people.
I found this book a bit of a surprise in some ways. Things don’t happen the way you expect, which to me is good. You want to be surprised these days. I do want to say that the character of Liam, well—Fullerton does a great job of explaining the Irish male in several places from different viewpoints. Very interesting, I thought.
You might at times want to hit Liam over the head with something, like his accordion, but then, he is a man, it’s love, and he’s young, so what else would you expect? And that is one thing that makes this book real and allows the reader to connect with it. No one is perfect in the book. Even those thought to be perfect are flawed deeply, and not entirely due to their own doing. And as for the accordion, it’s a loved instrument in Ireland and makes Liam somewhat of a local celebrity.
I loved the description of Ireland, the people, how the language works and the culture itself works in so many different ways. Those parts alone make you think you have read a much larger book because you learn so much. I view the romance part of the story as a side by side symbolic representation of Hailey’s coming to terms and coming to understanding Ireland itself.
How does the book end? Is it a happy ending? That’s something you have to find out for yourself. Does Fullerton leave things open for a sequel? Could there be a trilogy or even a series of Hailey books? Personally, I would like to see more of Hailey in Ireland. How Fullerton uses Hailey to teach us about the real Ireland is something that needs to be revisited.
Recommendations:
I recommend this book to lovers of Ireland, real people, common sense romance, and reality.
Character Believability: 4.5 0Flow and Pace: 4 Reader Engagement: 4.5 Reader Enrichment: 4.5 Reader Enjoyment: 3.5 Overall Rate:4.1
You may be looking at that Reader Enjoyment number and wondering why. There were certain characteristics of Liam that somewhat annoyed me at times. I think maybe it was because I’m American and he’s Irish and as Claire Fullerton explains in the book, those two types of men are different. But Liam is real to the Irish male character. Perhaps being of Scottish background, maybe it’s just me.
Claire Fullerton grew up in Memphis, TN and now lives in Malibu, CA. She is the author of literary fiction, “Dancing to an Irish Reel,” which is set in Connemara, Ireland, where she once lived. She is also the author of “A Portal in Time”: A paranormal mystery that unfolds in two time periods set on California’s hauntingly beautiful Monterey Peninsula, in a little village called Carmel-by-the-Sea. Both of Claire’s novels are published by Vinspire Publishing. Claire is a three- time award winning essayist, a former newspaper columnist, a contributor to magazines including Celtic Life International and Southern Writers Magazine. She is a five-time contributor to the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book series and can be found on Goodreads as well as the website under her name. Currently, Claire is writing her third novel, which is a Southern family saga based on her award winning essay in the 2013 San Francisco Writer’s Conference.
Ronovan is an author, and blogger who shares his life as an amnesiac and Chronic Pain sufferer though his blog RonovanWrites.WordPress.com. His love of poetry, authors and community through his online world has lead to a growing Weekly Haiku Challenge and the creation of a site dedicated to book reviews, interviews and author resources known as LitWorldInterviews.WordPress.com.
I’ve been working on my Romance novel and thoughts as I lay in bed last night, attempting to go to sleep, led me to impressions. Just so all of you are aware, my brain works in odd ways and chases what some in the world call rabbits. Rabbits are something you want to see, perhaps catch, even just for a photo, but will take you far away from where you once were.
For me, rabbit chasing has always been a philosophical adventure.
As I lay there thinking about one of my characters the idea of that person’s impression on others rattled around in my head. Then I began wondering about the kinds of impressions are made.
Where I ended up next is beyond me.
Some impressions are like the impressions you see as you walk along the beach in the evening. The footsteps you travel along beside with the deep heel, shallow toes and slightly kicked up bit of packed bits of all the things that make up that sand. You think about how interesting they look, wonder who made them, how lonely they look alone in their single file. Come the next morning you return to the beach and find that after a night of sleep the impressions are gone. They have been washed away by time and by nature.
Some people are like that. They pass through your life without leaving but a momentary impression. There was nothing in the impression to stay with you. A single file of footprints in an evening beach will be seen again, and not made by the same person, on a beach far away.
Then there are the impressions in your backyard. A frame was set up—the right mixture of materials of dry to wet—smoothening of the cement—patience for the cement to set up just right—then you are brought out as a child and your feet and hands are pressed into the wet but firm cement. You are now set.
Time was taken to make that impression. Time was taken to set it firmly in place. Care was taken to make certain everything was just right in order you would be a part of that world for as long as possible. There would be no overnight washing away of these prints.
I thought about impressions this morning during a conversation. The impressions we leave with our children. Those impressions are like an artist with a chisel. With each strike we leave our mark—our impression—on their minds, hearts, lives. Do we leave the impression of always being there and loving them and doing what it takes to get it ‘right’ or instead do we reinforce the impression of not caring, not being bothered to do something, thinking of ourselves first?
“The mind is like a sheet of white paper in this, that the impressions it receives the oftenest, and retains the longest, are black ones.”Julius Charles Hare
With each strike of our hammer into the chisel we set our impressions in place with our children and with those we interact with. What impression do you want to leave? Do you care what impression you leave? Have you sat back and thought about the impression you have made, are making, will leave?
This was written for my #BeWoW (Be Wonderful on Wednesday share) and for the Writer’s Quote Wednesday hosted by Colleen Chesebro ofSilverThreading.Com. Click her site link if the Writer’s Quote Wednesday does not have a link in it directly to her post for the day yet. You simply ping back to her post or copy and paste your link there. You do the same with your #BeWoW posts to here if you have one. Not familiar with a ping back? Click here to find out how.
Much Respect-Much Love
Ronovan
Ronovan is an author, and blogger who shares his life as an amnesiac and Chronic Pain sufferer though his blog RonovanWrites.WordPress.com. His love of poetry, authors and community through his online world has lead to a growing Weekly Haiku Challenge and the creation of a site dedicated to book reviews, interviews and author resources known as LitWorldInterviews.WordPress.com.
Passion? Nature? Life? Love? What is it about? Is the image coloring your impression?
Ronovan is an author, and blogger who shares his life as an amnesiac and Chronic Pain sufferer though his blog RonovanWrites.WordPress.com. His love of poetry, authors and community through his online world has lead to a growing Weekly Haiku Challenge and the creation of a site dedicated to book reviews, interviews and author resources known as LitWorldInterviews.WordPress.com.
The link I had in the Haiku Challenge had the wrong date on it. I am so sorry about this. If you used that link for your ping back it won’t work. Please double check so I can be certain to find you, and readers of the Challenge can as well.
Thank you, Jen-The Secret Keeper. Glad she didn’t keep this a secret.
If you see any Challenge Haiku out there please make sure they are showing in our Challenge post comments. If not, copy their link. Please forgive my mistake.
Um, yeah, my Opening Haiku this week is sooo bad and sooo not serious that I am almost ashamed to include it. But hey, it’s me. I have NO SHAME! No SHAME FOR YOU! Muahahha. I have just ruined any credibility this challenge may have had. (And one month to my next doctor’s appointment and medication update. I am sooo sorry for you people.)
Challenge #62
The rules are simple.
Take the two words and write a Haiku. I use Haiku in Englishas my style, which is 5 syllables for the first line, 7 for the second, and 5 for the third, but you can use what you like. For syllable help visit HowManySyllables.com.
The two words can be used as you like. Words have different definitions and you can use the definitions you like. You can even use a synonym word as long as it does not change the meaning. Go to Thesaurus.com for Synonym help.
Copy the link of your finished haiku URL in a comment so we can all go and visit your site to see what you have done. I will comment on your site. You can do a ping back. What’s a ping back? Put a link back to this prompt page, if you like within your post, as long as it does not take away from your haiku. This is simply a prompt and challenge to encourage people to try Haiku and give some a prompt and a place to share in comments so we can find each other. A link in your post does give others a chance to find us and join in. Use one of the two below if you like.
You may copy one of the badges/images appearing in this post below or above and place it on your site if you wish, most normally use it within their post. I am not saying you need to, but if you would like to do so then go ahead. It is simply my way of saying thank you for participating. I sometimes make custom images for the week, if time and health permits.
The Challenge Words!
Start & Hot
Opening Haiku
Lighten up y’all peeps,
The party’s about to start,
Gettin’ hot in here.
The two sentences should read as;
Lighten up y’all peeps, the party’s about to start.
The party’s about to start, gettin’ hot in here.
Okay, so this is hours later after I finished putting all of this together and I just could not leave you with that as the only Opening Haiku, but I am at least leaving it to show how crazy and stupid I can get. (Don’t tell my boy “B” I said the “s” word. It’s bad.)
The seasons change here,
From hot to cold the air chills,
And the birds start south.
The two sentences formed should read as;
The seasons change here, from hot to cold the air chills.
From hot to cold the air chills, and the birds start south.
Much Respect-Much Love
Ronovan
Ronovan is an author, and blogger who shares his life as an amnesiac and Chronic Pain sufferer though his blog RonovanWrites.WordPress.com. His love of poetry, authors and community through his online world has lead to a growing Weekly Haiku Challenge and the creation of a site dedicated to book reviews, interviews and author resources known as LitWorldInterviews.WordPress.com.
Judy, Judy, Judy is our first in this week for the challenge.Um, urrr, I think I may be turning red right now from that last sentence formed. It’s getting hot in heeerrreee.
I was going to go in a totally different direction with the prompt words this week for Ronovan’s weekly Haiku Challenge (you can probably guess from the words rahter than the picture)!
Week 61 was for the words Wine & Tears. I came up with the prompt words from a spur of the moment thought I had in a melancholy mood and I shared it on Twitter. I liked the way the words turned out after reading them the next day and they became the starting point for the example or opening Haiku of the Challenge. Laughter can do miracles. It’s my go-to for any situation and usually works to get people I know into a better frame of mind and realize all is not lost or hopeless or as bad as they think.
The Closing Haiku
With a wine red nose,
The clown made the people laugh,
While tears flowed inside.
Click Here for the Image version I created today and posted earlier.
Everyone, please try to visit all the poets you can for a show of support. Also share this Review in whatever way you can in order for all to get as much Social Media coverage as possible and perhaps be visited by someone new.
If you have been keeping up with the links in the Challenge comments in order, after you check out the new this week section, why not try working your way up from the bottom. That way you may visit people you’ve never met before.
New to the Challenge this Week:
NEW! Shelly Faber:No Rest For Me | My Red Wine Diary. Yes, that’s the name of her blog. Is that like so appropriate? “I look forward to sharing this precious practice. My stories, poetry, and thoughts relate to experiences I have learned from, and feel privileged, to be a part of, in my personal, and, professional life.” That is from her About page, but what did it say her career profession was? Click here to find out. Very interesting. Seriously. @ShellyFaber
NEW! Alice:Fade the Pain | Boomerang Zone. So the Haiku title is mine, and it is a take on the words she used in the Haiku. Funny. I did a take on her words when she did a take on my prompt words. Okay, maybe not that funny, but loved how this was put together. Great words. I like it when different words are used in great ways. By different I mean not the usual everyday words. Alice has been here before, but it has been a while and it was not quite as formally done as this, so it’s an offical welcome time here. “I am a Dutch non-practicing lawyer/human rights defender. I work on unsolved homicides, wrongful convictions, and assist other human rights defenders and attorneys when requested. This is my personal blog.”Notice she said that it’s her personal blog. Seriously check out the rest of this about page entry for her other blog and why it was named one of the Top 100 Blawgs by a certain American Association. I kid you not. Click here to check out the About.@Vidocq_CC
NEW! Colette B. Wine along | The Wishing Well. Ha, a play on words AND RHYMES! “‘The Wishing Well’ (previously Bedressed, then Bubblicious) has come a long way during August’s Blogging101 course and I’ve enjoyed the journey. There’s still a long way to go, but now we’re travelling in a well-equipped jeep rather than a saddle-packed donkey. As with any vehicle, there’s re-fuelling needs, maintenance checks / tasks and undergoing some hopeful improvements and further learning progression.” And that’s just the beginning of her About page?
First to Arrive This Week:
Faith Unlocked:Come Taste the New Wine | Faith Unlocked. If there had been any other type of message in this Haiku I would have been surprised. I was only waiting to see how it was done. And there was no disappointment. And 32 other people agreed with me. @FaithUnlocked
TJ Paris:Early but Too Late | La vie est trop courte pour boire du mauvais vin. Yeah, I know, the blog title is a mouthful, but if you think we have a hard time saying it, try it with a mouth of Early 21st Century Cake. As for the title? I came up with that from not only the Haiku but the description of the photo used. As always you know we’re going to get something creative from this entry. Entry #2In Vino Veritas. Looks like TJ has begun Writing 101 through Blogging U. Will be interesting to see what he comes up with. @Roccoco_a_GoGo
Annette Rochelle Aben (Best Selling Author, Radio Show Host):Fond Memories | Annette Rochelle Aben. That’s my title for her Haiku and I’m sticking with it. I just hope PETA doesn’t get hold of this one. Annette will have some ‘splainin’ to do. Click the Author link for Annettes books on Amazon and the Radio Show Host link for just ONE of her shows. @YouAreTheExpert
Judy:Bad Blood | Edwina’s Episodes. The title I gave this week is implied somewhat by the Haiku. I get a sense of initial conniving followed by realization. As I pondered a title friendship came to mind and the colors in the image used, and a take on the prompt words and that led me to Taylor Swift’s song Bad Blood. There is a story behind the song about friendship. @EdwinasEpisodes
Carol:Affair to Forget | Mama Cormier. Two Haiku that one reader noted was an affair in two Haiku. Thus I decided on the title. For me it would have been Moutain Dew cola at Taco Bell instead of the setting in the image she used. 🙂 @Carol_Cormier
Ritu:Dutty Wine Glass | But I Smile Anyway. Well, I learned a new song today. Now I am trying to picture Ritu in the one of the Haiku she wrote. If I tried that I would so not be able to move ever again. (still picturing…) @PhantomGiggler
Kat:Buzzin’ | Like Mercury Colliding… So with a prompt like tears and wine do you really need an explanation of my title for this Haiku?
Alka:To drown in Wine and Poetry | Magnanimous Words. That title would make a great blog title . . . and I didn’t come up with it. 🙂 All Alka. Now who in the world would think of creating an image like that is beyond me, but it worked. I didn’t know they drank. But now I do. @girally
Sue Vincent (Author): Rosé | Daily Echo. Have to say, this lady has a following. People loved this Haiku. Very nice use of the prompt words. Very poetic, as it should be. Nice. Click the Author link for Sue at Amazon and her many books.@SCVincent
Janice:Heart Torn | Ontheland. I think this one does a great job of playing with the words. This could be about romance broken, love lost, or a musician’s life. @ontheland1
Jen:Twisted Vine | The Secret Keeper. Very nice. Bit of mythology with a two meaning Haiku structure. The painting shared goes well with the Haiku created, and fits the prompt words perfectly. @occultguardian
Steven:Vineyard | Ramblings of a Drabbling Mind. Quite poetic with the words this week. I know poetic in a Poetry Challenge should be a duh thing but sometimes the offerings are very poetic. I would explain it but the more I read it the more the words begin to jumble. 🙂
Clarence:Taste of Wine | Prairie Chat. Clarence has been letting his inner romantic out lately. He doesn’t disappoint this week.
Sandra:View | Wild Daffodil. Combining the two challenges she likes to do, this one and Bluedaisyz Weekly photo challenge, we get a amazing photo that goes perfectly with the Haiku. I just hope they made it back okay. Nice to see where you’ve been as long as you can still make it to where you’re going. 🙂
Denis1950:Sunset Over Wine | Haiku Hound. Okay, the two Haiku are great. But when you put your photos of those sunsets of over the bay with those boats masts silhouetted…WOW. Great combinations all around.
Amy:Recovery | Haiku of a Homeschooler. I enjoy those Haiku that have a deep personal meaning. When the author shares that meaning and allows you to enter into that world of emotion with them, it is something special. This is one of those. The title is mine, but the Haiku gave it to me. @me_the_seeker
Meredith & Martha:Wine brings forth the truth | Meredith’s Musings. As you know, if you are a regular, we have four Haiku this week from our Angels. The one title is mine to somewhat sum up the feel I get from what they shared. First there are Frivolity & Lachrymose from Meredith and then Red, Red, Wine & Obloquy from Martha. You know, when you need a dictionary to read the Haiku you know you are in over your head. 🙂 The ladies went all out this week. @Meredithlbl
R Todd:Watercolor Ponies | A Flash of Fiction. This is the day for videos inspire or Haiku inspire video selections. A very sad Haiku. I may be dropping into a depression bout now. Read on at your own risk, unless I take a break. @psibrone
Shida:Another Option | 876Lover. I think this may be what they call Jamaican Rules. Not sure why but I want to say her blog theme or layout has changed since she first joined us. I’ve seen it like this before but I like the color and all. @realrebel_r
Becky:Peace Like Wine | Becky G? Oh, That’s Me. Nice twist here. I like those peaceful inspiring Haiku, especially when doing the review. (And now while doing it and my boy “B” ‘playing’ his trumpet he just got on Friday.)
Elizabeth:the solution | Tea And Paper. Ah, nice. Makes me wonder if it would make it worse. 🙂 And I wonder that because of some of the other Haiku I’ve read, but it seems like most of them would agree with Elizabeth. @Teandpaper
Geoff Le Pard (Author):The Problem Solver | TanGental. At first you think, “Oh no, he got it wrong.” Then you are like he suckered us. But he’s an author, so what do you expect. Click the Author link to go to Amazon.@geofflepard
Maylian:For Tears and Wine | Personal Self Perfection. Two Haiku this week. You know, I’m not sure why people are talking so much about wine causing or curing tears in their Haiku this week so much. 🙂
Serins:Turn With the Wind | Serins Sphere. Poetic. (If you haven’t picked up on it by now, that’s a big compliment from me.) Very good use of the prompts and phrasing. Very image inducing. @SerinsSphere
Shailzaa:The Plunge | Fewunsaidwords. You know, if you think about it, after this is over with, The Plunger might end up being appropriate. 🙂 Oh I slay me sometimes. And you people thought I had lost my sense of humor this week. Hrmph.
Vashti Quiroz-Vega (Author):Happy Tears | The Writer Next Door. Nice story behind this one. 🙂 She even managed to plug her debut novel The Basement. Check it out on Amazon by clicking the Author link above. @VashtiQV
Colleen:Sutter Home | Silver Threading. You know, I wonder what the yesterday is referring to here. Could be wine or tears. Very well done. Check out Colleen as part of the LitWorldInterviews team by clicking here to see her book reviews.@ColleenChesebro
Florence:Woman as Wine | Meanings and Musings. Well, Florence is afraid people will think she is a drinker, when she’s not. She can’t touch the stuff really. But this Haiku seemed to me more about woman than wine. At least that’s how I read it. Check out Colleen as part of the LitWorldInterviews team by clicking here to see her book reviews.@FTThum
E. Rawls (Author):Singing Dwarf & Crucified | Rawls E. Fantasy. Two for the return of the one called E. or Rawls. or maybe Rawls E. Hmm Rawlsy. Rowdy Rawlsy. Stop me now…please. Seriously. Okay. I’m good now. Check out Bleeding Hearts, a collection of short stories, poems, and riddles, at Elizabeth’s Author page on Amazon by clicking the Author link above.@VChronicles_
Juliette:More Vino Please | Battered Wife seeking Better Life. Two Haiku this week. She said her first one isn’t a proper Haiku, but I don’t see anything wrong with it. I think she tells a story of many lives in our Challenge without even knowing it. She would be surprised. @BWseeingBL
stu06bloc9:Drops Holy | Pitter Patter Poetry. A deep entry this week. Not only as far as placement but in meaning. I think people will take away several thoughts about this one. And the closing Video. You didn’t think I could do these prompt words and not use this video did you?
Much Respect-Much Love
Ronovan
Ronovan is an author, and blogger who shares his life as an amnesiac and Chronic Pain sufferer though his blog RonovanWrites.WordPress.com. His love of poetry, authors and community through his online world has lead to a growing Weekly Haiku Challenge and the creation of a site dedicated to book reviews, interviews and author resources known as LitWorldInterviews.WordPress.com.
Ronovan is an author, and blogger who shares his life as an amnesiac and Chronic Pain sufferer though his blog RonovanWrites.WordPress.com. His love of poetry, authors and community through his online world has lead to a growing Weekly Haiku Challenge and the creation of a site dedicated to book reviews, interviews and author resources known as LitWorldInterviews.WordPress.com.
I wasn’t planning on posting anything about a certain issue here in the U.S. but I will now. A clerk in the state of Kentucky refused to give out marriage licenses to same gender couples, stating it was against her religion. From my understanding she was then told specifically by the courts not to interfere with her employees passing the licenses out.
As a Christian I am to follow the law of the land as long as it does not keep me from following the Word of God.
Apparently the court actually gave the woman a way out. Although she was the head clerk and in charge and was supposed to sign the licenses, they said she didn’t have to. She simply needed to stay out of the way and not issue them herself.
She chose instead to do something a Christian is not to do. She forced HER Christian beliefs onto others, other workers. I say HER because her understanding apparently differs from mine.
She is not a hero or martyr for Christianity. That’s my opinion. She chose to make herself an example. The government where she lived could have fired her. But instead it was arranged for her to work around the law.
Every Christian has their own interpretation of what Christianity is. Even non-Christians have different opinions. But his is mine. I believe what I believe and I don’t force it on anyone. Each persons beliefs, relationship with God or not, is their own PERSONAL thing. By doing what this woman did she actually did exactly what the Bible said would happen, she gave people cause to speak against her and against Christianity.
I wanted to say something. I have. I’m done.
Added 18:23 EDT 9/13/2015
Reading some of the comments, I believe there are a few misunderstanding what is being said here. I am for her right to stand up for her beliefs in regards to what she does with her OWN job. But when she stands in the way of the court order that stated to allow her subordinates to issue licenses, that is when she forced her belief onto others. She in effect was making them do what her belief stated. Although some of them are Christians as well.
For those who are thinking I must be a liberal politics leaning person, I’m not. I am conservative. But what I truly am is Jesus led. Someone asked what would Jesus do in this case. Jesus would tell his opinion and then move on. He would not stand in the way of a couples personal decision to follow the law of the land OR be with whomever they chose to.
Much Respect-Much Love
Ronovan
Ronovan is an author, and blogger who shares his life as an amnesiac and Chronic Pain sufferer though his blog RonovanWrites.WordPress.com. His love of poetry, authors and community through his online world has lead to a growing Weekly Haiku Challenge and the creation of a site dedicated to book reviews, interviews and author resources known as LitWorldInterviews.WordPress.com.
Ronovan is an author, and blogger who shares his life as an amnesiac and Chronic Pain sufferer though his blog RonovanWrites.WordPress.com. His love of poetry, authors and community through his online world has lead to a growing Weekly Haiku Challenge and the creation of a site dedicated to book reviews, interviews and author resources known as LitWorldInterviews.WordPress.com.
ronovanwrites 