Take a look at the article, but there is one that is free that I don’t think they really mention here, but they might.
Youtube.com. Yes, you can do a personal video about your book, like an interview of sorts, post it and then share it everywhere you are present in social media.Put the link on everything you have. People will get a personal connection to you. Just make sure that you test it on some people, including some internet friends and see if the right feel is coming across that you want. And think about asking people for reviews of your book. They can record their response or you can put a clip of the email message in a nice form on the screen for the people to see.
I’ve seen some really cheesy, read BAD, ones done. I couldn’t even finish them and it made me not even download the free Kindle book just as a show of support.
Agents and Publishers alike want the authors to do a lot more of the marketing and promotion these days. The article tells you some easy ways and the Youtube idea is one more.
And each time you get a new review you could add it as a new Youtube clip with you reading it as it appears on the screen. Basically you have your own author Youtube channel. Remember that when naming any social media anything. Everything needs to be able to work together name wise. But that’s for another article.
If you’ve been around my blog a bit you notice a lot of things written about how I hurt sometimes, usually in my poetry. That’s my release, that escape hatch. But something else you may have noticed is, I haven’t stopped living my life.
For one I do a fairly decent job of putting out a lot of content for my blog, and it’s varied. Perhaps that’s just the old noggin not being able to shut down from the concussion.
Sorry, I had to write down an idea for another blog article. But as I was saying I don’t let Fibromyalgia stop my life. I have a son, let’s call him B, yeah for boy, original, huh?
But wait, you say you don’t know what Fibromyalgia is? Wow. Actually I’m not surprised. Oddly enough you may be reading this and have it yourself. You’ve heard of Chronic Pain and Chronic Fatigue syndromes? Then you know something about FMS, Fibro, Fibromyalgia. I’m not going to go into details right now, but just think of having pain all the time or pretty much every minute. I’ll do an article of what it acutally all entails another time, but I’m not letting it take over my life of having fun blogging right now.
Now back to living. I’m not supposed to do a lot of things with my ailments because they make me hurt. But here is the thing . . . it’s a secret so don’t tell anyone else, okay? Good. No matter what I do or don’t do I’m going to hurt anyway, so I’m going to enjoy life regardless.
Sure I can’t sit in a chair very long. I can’t lay down very long. I can’t stand up very long. Riding in a car is grrrr. But other than the car I know I can stop or change whatever it is, and those I am with understand it and if they don’t they can just go on without me.
My son needs practice hitting a baseball. We have some wiffle balls to use and he has my old Louisville Slugger little league wooden bat. Yes, I know they use aluminum bats but this is what we have and it is actually working on his strength. Just imagine when he pick up an aluminum bat to hit the kind of speed he’ll have.
So what do I do in the day time? 20 wiffle balls in a bucket times five rounds of buckets equals 100 pitches from the guy that isn’t supposed to do things. Oh and that’s 2 buckets for him to hit right handed, and 2 to hit left handed and the final 1 for whatever he wants to do. Yes, 9-10 year old who can switch hit, all on his own. These are very light so it’s not the weight that gets me it’s the arm motion. My arm doesn’t move like that any longer, but I make it do it.
He sometimes wants to learn to throw a spiral with the football, American football. I’ve discovered during this summer that I can apparently pitch pretty well and my throwing arm for the football is not bad at all.
What happens after these B times? Yeah, pain. What happens during the B times? Yeah, pain. But you know what happens as well? Life, learning, laughs, and love.
Just because I have something that can’t be cured doesn’t mean that I have to let it dictate my entire life. Are there days I just can’t do things? Oh yeah, plenty. And everyone understands that. But if it is at all humanly possible I’ll do things. You see I’ve lived with pain for so long that it’s kind of like a limp. I have it every step I go but I don’t notice it, I just keep walking and I keep getting to where I want to go.
Oh, but there is one thing my son won’t let me do. He won’t let me on his bike. I tried when his back was turned and he nearly freaked out. I don’t know if he was worried about me or his bike. But yeah, he does watch out for me.
I read my computer. That may seem like an odd way to start an article and an even odder thing to actually do. But I read the things I have written before. One note mentions an Arizona preacher who used scripture to say women are to be silent in the church and that meant not even to say Amen. This was from back in March of this year, 2014.
Let’s just say things inside of me went–
And that’s now. Just imagine what I must have felt to make a note of it!
“34 Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.”-1 Corinthians 14:34-35
Women are NOT to be Silent in the Church
by: Ronovan
To read the scripture that . . . preacher . . . points to you would say, well he’s just doing what the Bible says. This is the problem with many preachers today. They read but do not know. First I have to explain something to you. There are preachers and their are pastors. Preachers just get up and preach at you.
Pastors take time and make the effort to tend to the church members.
“1Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.”-Romans 13:1-5
Some may wonder about why certain leaders are in power, but then again look at how the Jews were put under the yolk of others. There is a reason. Often times it is to make us stronger with God. But I digress. Perhaps that will be a point for another article another day. But I don’t put scripture out there in part, I like to put parts that pertain to the scripture I want to discuss so you see the context of it. I don’t pick and choose.
What this passage says, from Paul who also wrote Corinthians is that we are to follow the laws of the land in order that no one may say anything against us that we are rebellious or anything and thus we may continue to live and believe as we like.
What the Arizona pastor apparently does not do when he reads the Bible is look at historical context. In the times in which the scriptures were written it was illegal for women to speak in public gatherings. That is why the scripture says what it does. Paul and scripture were not against women speaking or even being leaders in the church as Paul mentions Phoebe as a deacon of the church which means she worked with the elders of the church in an important role. Even if some question exactly what her role was, they cannot deny her importance in the church.
Paul also, in the same chapter, refers to Priscilla as a co-worker in Christ Jesus.
I listen to preachers preach and I have this alarm that goes off when something doesn’t sound right. I also do a lot of studying on my own. I actually take out the chapter and scripture number references/divisions of the books of the Bible and read them as originally written in order to not read them in a way that man has decided they should be divided up, instead of how God had his handpicked scribes put them to parchment.
Romans, one of the more controversial books and actually one of the most misquoted and misused books, has a very different message than some realize when read as a letter or essay and not with chapter breaks that make you stop and dwell on things where God did not mean for you to, but a man wanted you to because that’s how he thought. The actual real messages are more obvious than you would ever imagine.
Back when I was having to be the lead singer for our Church’s youth praise band I sang ‘I can only imagine’ more times than any of you can imagine. That was the big MercyMe hit. It was slow and for someone who couldn’t sing and had never even sang in front of anyone in their entire life it was an experience to be sure.
Last week I shared ‘Shake’ by MercyMe which was different than you may have expected. This song was before that one and really changed their style and sound. It’s by far my favorite over even ‘Shake’. One line says;
“I just might bend but I won’t break
As long as I can see your face.”
Listen and enjoy.
Move
I’m not about to give up
Because I heard you say
There’s gonna be brighter days
There’s gonna be brighter days
I won’t stop, I’ll keep my head up
No, I’m not here to stay
There’s gonna be brighter days
There’s gonna be brighter days
I just might bend but I won’t break
As long as I can see your face
[Chorus:]
When life won’t play along
And right keeps going wrong
And I can’t seem to find my way
I know where I am found
So I won’t let it drag me down
Oh, I’ll keep dancing anyway
The day after the Fourth of July is a tradition every year. Ah . . . what, you didn’t know that? Well every year the Fifth of July happens.
You see these lists of what to do on the Fourth of July. I decided not to do one of those, nor a ‘what traditions there are’ list. Instead I decided to give my Friends a look into the American Male.
You go home from the emergency room after the ‘I can be a World Cup Soccer Player’ game went tragically wrong and you need some extra leg room in the car.
You might be an American Male if . . .
When you want to sleep in you are out ‘Enjoying’ time with the significant other at the day after sales.
You might be an American Male if . . .
You are still getting over being angry that your wife canceled your Pop Goes the Larry the Cable Guy’s Fourth Six Pack to TVO the Modern Family marathon.
You might be an American Male if . . .
You are attempting to deny you are the one in the epic grill leap video.
You might be an American Male if . . .
You are treating all of the mosquito bites from the night before that you didn’t realize you had from either the World Cup Soccer Ball ‘game’ or ‘grilling’.
You might be an American Male if . . .
You and your friends are still having to yell at each other after the fireworks shows or concerts you went to.
And finally, you might be an American Male if . . . well just watch for the last guy.
Why in the world Mrs. Cindy of A Slice of Life nominated me only the Lord knows. But as I read her About The Author page I found someone that was like me in many ways. God in life, lover of History, and then it happened I read these words, “I love classic movies, especially the films with actors such as Cary Grant, Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, and Deborah Kerr. I enjoy movies like “An Affair to Remember” and “Adam’s Rib” in which these actors starred. How does the saying go? They don’t make movies like that anymore.”
I couldn’t find the Follow quick enough. And I say Amen to that. And of course one look at her and you just have to follow that happy joy filled face.
She said she nominated me “For good, and honest writing.” She’s got a direct line to the Lord, so I am not going to say she fibbed on that one.
Here are the rules:
1.Thank and link to the amazing person who nominated you.
2.List the rules and display the award.
3.Share seven facts about yourself.
4.Nominate 15 other amazing blogs and comment on their posts to let them know they have been nominated.
5.Proudly display the award logo on your blog and follow the blogger who nominated you.
Now for the seven facts:
I have cut my own hair for over 20 years now. Imagine the money I’ve saved, not only on haircuts but all of those dates early on that said no. Think about it.
Considering I have an Amen lady giving me the award, I was baptized in my 20s by a man in his late 70s. I’m 6’1” and was 240 lbs at the time. Needless to say, I was a bit skeered, but I decided that if he couldn’t bring me back up I was covered anyway. Can I get an Amen on that one?
Since she mentioned it in her About The Author page, I’ll say it here. My favorite actor is Cary Grant, followed closely by Sidney Poitier. There are more similarities between these two men than you think. I’ve read biographies and autobiographies on both and taken notes.
One of my favorite TV shows ever is apparently Golden Girls. Don’t ask me why, I don’t know. Add Designing Women to that and if I could actually watch TV now I would probably be happy for the rest of my life, oh and don’t forget the Cosby Show. Just like Mrs. Cindy said about not making movies like they used to, they don’t make TV shows like they used to either.
My favorite candy bar is the Butter Finger but I also have an affinity for the Peanut Butter Snickers. I think you see the link.
Nobody cooks fried chicken like my MawMaw. But then she can’t make homemade tortillas and grilled soft tacos either. But give me the chicken!
I make an excellent homemade grilled zucchini and squash pizza. That includes the crust and sauce–homemade that is.
“I suppose the thing most people notice about me [other than my charm and good looks – shh mum or I’ll put you in a home] is my generosity of spirit and my deep belief in sharing my opinion with anyone who will stand still long enough to hear it.
If you’re busy and don’t have time to stop and listen don’t fret I’m nimble and can expound even as I chase you down the street. I’ve recently started this blog for all those who are unlucky enough not to have the benefit of my erudite opinions in person and I would dearly love to see you at Unload and Unwind again.”
“I am firm believer that the difficult times in life can help bring out our true potentials. After experiencing a pretty crappy 18 months or so, I only look back on those times as a blessing. For those darker times, are the times which inspire me the most. Last year I became lost, but through writing (as cliché as this sounds!) I hope to find myself again. I could waffle on, but I shall save that for my blog!”
Anyone that has my blog over the past few weeks knows I am a fan of Amanda’s. I reblogged while she was on ‘vacation’. That turned out be not exactly the right word for it. Amanda has inspired me in the past with her humor and the way she puts a blog together. She’s one of the best. But it’s not always about humor, or not JUST about humor. She shows us more and doesn’t pull punches or hide anything in the article Amanda Does Thailand: Part One. I learned a lot from this one. I read it twice and will likely read it again. And the photography is amazing. You see Thailand not from a tour guide ad but from one of us.
“I’d very much like to become a published author, but mostly I want to write great stories and share the characters from my brain with others in a way that is compelling. Because, to tell you the truth, I love these people in my head….well most of them. Some of them are pretty awful and creepy, but I can’t imagine a story without them, either.”
She’s one of us. I mean that as in she’s ‘an author in the works’. I like how she shares on her site. I feel connected in some similarities in our approaches even if we don’t end up in the same places. Plus she is great and loyal follower where she follows. I honestly think if I needed someone to help me with something, like a quick blog post or anything, I could go to her and she would help. We’ve never really been in conversations like that but her actions in what she does do just tells me that. That inspires me.
“So I have set up this blog with no plan, no posts written and no idea where to proceed from here but determined to at least try and post something (if my nervously sweaty fingers don’t slip off the publish button).”
Read the article The Kindness of Strangers along with her About page and you will see why I’m inspired. Again some similarities I feel between us but she has done so much with her life, including a second blog The Happy Starfish.
“I aim to give you a greater understanding of how writing can positively effect your life and overcome issues you may have with the world or yourself. I hope to open your eyes to important news stories and maybe show you a different view point on a highly opinionated topic.”
I enjoy Steven’s site because it’s different. I like the interviews he does and the fun he has. It makes me want to explore other things to do. I have interviews in the works but his are entertaining.
“I am a writer, educator, and internet enthusiast. I want everyone to be able to experience the joy of writing, and my intention is to help people become better writers.”
You ever followed someone and keep seeing them around liking the same things you do and you just seem to share the same interests? That’s Hilary and me. Wherever I go I see her there. She’s me in a more creative mind and better grasp of writing. And she looks better too. I would note one article of hers but you need to visit and choose for yourself. I like the one about How to write Haiku, oh wait, that was a reblog of my article. Ah, she has good taste too, did I mention that?
Well that is it for this time folks. I chose a variety for you with true reasons behind the receiving of the Inspiration award.
You ever notice how when your blog gets tweeted by someone that it says ‘by @wordpress’? You want it to say ‘by @yourtwitterhandle’, well not actually the words yourtwitterhandle. It would actually be whatever your actual . . . um, you get it.
Why is this important? Each time someone clicks the Twitter option to share your blog article you want your name attached to. That’s advertising, that’s credit, that’s what you deserve. When I share an article of a blog I like and the Twitter Handle isn’t in there I go looking for it either on their site or on Twitter itself and replace the WordPress with the real thing, but I don’t know if that’s just me or not.
How to get your Twitter Handle to show up when your articles are shared in Tweets.
Scroll down the page and find “Twitter username to include in tweets when people share using the Twitter button.”
Type in your Twitter handle, without the @ included.
Click Save Changes.
To check and make sure it is working properly, go to one of your blog articles and click Twitter. Your Twitter handle should now appear. Now whenever anyone Shares and Tweets your blogs your name is attached and you get a bit of name recognition out there. If it’s not showing sign out and back into WordPress and possibly clear cache. I haven’t had to do that myself but those are things to try just in case.
This is a message to my Friends that support me here in WordPress and also happen to be on Twitter.
I want to ReTweet you!
Please HELP me by letting me know if you have a Twitter account so I can ADDYOU to my NEW WORDPRESS LIST there. I want to make sure that I first and foremost RT (Thats ReTweet for all of us Twidiots as I call people like me.) all of your blog Tweets and anything I think is cool that I can share with people and secondly I want to focus knowing my Friends. Yes if you are Following my Blog I consider you a Friend. You’re not a Follower. You’re a Friend. And I like to support and help my Friends. Click here to learn about Twitter Lists. (Think Friend List.)
Maybe this sounds like some odd thing to you, but I’m serious. You can ask others on my list. I don’t ask anything of you, I just like to help. It makes me feel good about myself at times. I know that’s a selfish reason but it helps me.
I know, some of you follow me on Twitter already and I RT you already, but I am trying to go through my list of people and I’m finding it difficult at times discovering who is what and where.
AND DO NOT THANK ME FOR AN RT! Otherwise you will be doing that a lot most likely. We support each other in the community and it’s something I WANT TO DO!
This will also possibly help other WordPress members follow each other as well.
Just reply to this Post or if you are already Following me in Twitter you can shoot me a Direct Message (DM).
Much Respect (I so wanted to say ‘and Tweet you Later, but I refrained.)
I wanted to say something about the Blog Tips and Twitter Tips that I put out to draw more Followers. I don’t do any of these things to draw in more followers myself.
It has been running through my mind of late, and you know if I know it has then it must be serious, that my Friends here that visit me in blog world might think that I do things intentionally in such a way to lure you here and try and make you stay. Plus receiving a email saying I’m a hypocrite with the way I say Much Respect, Much Admiraiton, or Much Love when I sign a Comment or Reply made me feel a bit down.
First I sign that way when it is that way. I respect anyone that puts themselves out there for the world to criticize. That’s what each of us do with our work when we click Publish. I admire great work and hard work. I have much love for those who inspire me and have shown me much love in care and encouragement. I see no reason to hide it. I love my Friends, my Readers.
I don’t. I just do what I do. I would be writing what I write no matter who was following me, how many were following, if no one were following me.
I am a teacher with over a decade of marketing background and corporate training experience. It is just in my nature to share things I see with others. To be honest if I really wanted to have a successful blog and be competitive, I wouldn’t share any tips and keep them to myself.
The thing is . . . I love my Friends here, even those that never say a word and just visit, even if they never click like. Likes are good but you visiting is what counts. There are a few people you could ask that could tell you that I know things to make my site more successful in views and the like. But I don’t use them because my goal is to create a nice Friend visit.
But anyway, it’s been on my heart to share that and explain that. I just don’t want anyone to think that I do anything I do in attempt to increase Followers on any social things I have.
What can your Blog give me that no one else can? Why should I read something from you instead of someone else? Make me stay on your site and keep coming back for more. How can you do that? How can you MAKE me want to come back for more? So what I am really asking from you?
Make me WANT your Blog
by: Ronovan
I know a lot of bloggers who, especially of late, are finding it difficult to keep creating things to write about. They cannot come up with a new fiction story, a new poem, a new 10 Things list, or a new How To list. How many sites do you know that have those types of things?
I’ll go out to a movie while you count, and maybe a bite to eat as well.
Sniff, sniff . . . Ellllliiiiiooooot.
Oh, um . . . hi.
Yeah, I’m back, you can finish the counting later.
I have some friends who do the slice of life and list blogs very well and I love them. But they can take their toll on you. Just take a look at them and there is more than just a story about what happened. They tell a story and the good ones go through creating a lot of images to go along with it to make it that much more fun for you. All that can equal to . . .
You’ll likely see that as my header photo for my blog someday . . . soon.
There are others who just are getting to the point of their blogs are not going in the direction they want them to. They want to continue but they are lost somehow.
Then for some reason they will publish something about where they are from. It might be personal memories, opinions, or photographs. Their voice in the writing is completely different. It’s personal. And that is when they draw me in completely. Even if you are from the city next to mine, I still want to see what you see and learn about how you see things.
I want to learn.
We have an opportunity through our blogs to connect to people around the world and turn each country into a place with human beings in it and not just a news broadcast of something bad happening or where a politician, sporting event, or celebrity happens to be. The news turns the place into the event.
The event has nothing to do with the people.
Mix your blog up a little with a bit about your country. I know I don’t do it, but I am so busy putting poetry and tips out that I rarely have time to even think about anything else. But I have done a couple of articles about Southern Culture. And I plan to do a little more.
I think some of my writing tells a bit about where I live through my life. I tend to explore deep feelings and emotions in my writing, not intentionally, but it happens. I know not everyone will do that. Use your photography and your experiences and tell us the story of how your country, your city, your culture really is.
You’re scared to death of Twitter. IT FREAKS YOU OUT! No worries. You don’t really have to be there to use it. Just have an account and let WordPress do the work for you. Here’s how to connect Twitter and WordPress together.
Automatically Sending your new Blogs to Twitter
By: Ronovan
Be logged into Twitter.
Go to your Dashboard in your blog
At the bottom you will find Settings, hover over this and a box will appear, click Sharing in that box.
OR
If you click Settings a box of options appears below it and you can choose Sharing there.
You will see various social networks to link to. Choose any you like. For now click connect beside Twitter. Then accept it asking you to connect.
Difficult, huh?
Now whenever a blog of yours posts it will go to Twitter as well, or should, it is technology after all.
Bonus Tip
You’ll notice in the Add New Post section, where I am typing this now, that on the right side where you have the Publish button there is a Publicized: Edit Settings option. If you click Edit you can customize the message that will appear with your Twitter announcement of your blog post. I sometimes put in the hashtags I want to use, you know the #Blogs or #Photography things you see sometimes. You don’t have to go to Twitter to do anything.
Also when you click Edit you can uncheck any of your authorized connections you don’t want the article to Publicize to. Like I don’t always want mine to go to facebook.
“Bill, one of the boys isn’t looking too good back there,” said the man dropping down in the co-pilots seat.
“Airsick?” Lt. William Thies asked.
His friend nodded. “Probably all this flying around blind we’ve been doing. Dead reckoning is fine but we really need to find some clear sign to point the way home soon or we’ll all end up sick. There’s something about this not seeing anything but sky and air that can get to you after a while.”
“I’ll bring her down some. Maybe that’ll help.”
PBY Catalina Patrol Bomber
The men in the back of the plane felt the descent.
“Told you he would do something about it,” said one young man.
One sick looking man just moaned. “I didn’t want him to know I was airsick. Just think, an airman airsick. Tough man, huh?”
“Just get over by the window and focus your eyes on something instead of the movements.”
The sick man nodded. “Good idea.”
Pressing his face against the window he watched as the plane lowered down through the clouds. He had always liked that part. He felt like one of the new comic book hero types like that super guy, just not having to wear long underwear. He smiled at the thought, already beginning to feel a little better.
He spotted water below and a sense of reality settled over him. It wasn’t solid ground but at least it wasn’t invisible air. His eyes roamed over the water. His teeth hit the window hard as he slammed his faced against the glass.
“Land!”
“What?” His friend turned to him.
“Land–there,” he said to excited to actually give directions.
Independence Day.
byfor: The Soldiers of America
WWII in the Pacific, 166 years and 6 days after the Declaration of Independence. I know the United States is celebrating or about to celebrate July 4th, Independence Day, and that isn’t something associated with WWII, but in truth any fight American soldiers are involved in that keeps the country independent is part of the celebration to me. And that is why I wanted to write about a story that had escaped me for so long, or perhaps the old mind had forgotten it.
Enola Gay
I have mixed feelings about what happened between Japan and the Allies. A lot of innocents died at the end. One has a guilty feeling about being against the bombings of Japan, but it wasn’t the citizens who bombed Pearl Harbor. I know people say that by dropping the atomic bombs that many more lives may have been saved than were lost. But it still doesn’t make me at ease.
This in no way means I think badly of any soldier involved. Orders were given, they were living in the time of war, and they knew more than I did. There are things you cannot understand unless you are there. I’ll never be the one to be a Monday morning quarterback, or more appropriately a Next Century General, when it comes to actions. I have my freedoms and liberties today because of things these men and others like them, including my father, did in the service of their country.
Sure I can have opinions but for some things I just don’t know. I think if we are all honest with ourselves we twist inside about things.
Things may have turned out differently if not for that airsick crewman of the American PBY Catalina on July 10, 1942 over the Aleutians near Alaska. The conversation may have been my own creation but the situation was not. I don’t know that there has been an exact dialogue written down.
The crewman really did look out the window as the plane, off course, flew lower because he was sick. He saw land, which meant they could find their way back to their base. But they found something else instead.
Dutch Harbor Unalaska June 1942 After Zero Attack
About one month earlier Tadayoshi Koga had to make an emergency landing after his Zero had been damaged in an attack run on Dutch Harbor on Unalaska Island, Alaska. His Zero flipped upon attempting a landing on
Tadayoshi Koga
Akutan, he died upon impact. He was 19 years old.
Why do I write about this?
Koga’s plane was the first intact Zero the Allies had been able to get their hands on. After recovering the plane and making it work properly again it was tested and the
Tadayoshi Koga crashed Zero
weaknesses of the plane were discovered. The plane that had been destroying the Allies in the Pacific was no longer the deadly threat it had once been.
If not for an airsick crewman the war may have ended differently.
Was it luck in finding the Zero? If so, then whose luck was it, the good of the Allies or the bad of the Japanese?
Also, I still cannot help but think of the results of the two bombs. “But look what they did at Pearl Harbor.” Those civilians didn’t do it. And like I said, I have nothing but respect for the men who carried out the mission. Did they know completely the devastation that would happen? What went through their minds before, during and all the years following?
People like to think soldiers don’t think about the results, the impacts. My father doesn’t talk about his war experience. He doesn’t want to relive it. I don’t know any of those in the service that do. They talk about their time with their fellow soldiers and the good times they were able to snatch.
Unfortunately for me I have this mind that feels both sides of something. I cannot help but feel the hurt and anger and devastation on both sides of the war. I understand those who say Pearl Harbor meant it was okay to do what happened. Then I see those surviving citizens in Japan who say my child didn’t do anything. Then the Pearl Harbor parent will come back with, “Neither did my child.”
Independence comes at such a high price. We are all the same people. We all want the same things. I just wish we all could understand that.
You won’t find images of either Pearl Harbor or the bombings in Japan here. I looked at them and neither of them are something I want to share. I don’t want to remember them. I am hoping that after sleep my amnesia will take it away . . . but I don’t think it will.
Sometimes things come out of the blue. For me most of the do. Yes I can make a joke or two. But I only will get by with a few.
One of those out of the blue moments occurred when I received this particular Very Inspiring Blogger Award from Be Inspired. In all honesty from the site I believe I will be enjoying digger deeper into what is to be found there. Then on top of that to know who nominated this particular site makes it even more interesting, StantonSunshine.
I encourage you all to visit both sites to see why they received their nominations. I don’t think it will take you long.
1.Thank and link to the amazing person who nominated you.
2.List the rules and display the award.
3.Share seven facts about yourself.
4.Nominate 15 other amazing blogs and comment on their posts to let them know they have been nominated.
5.Proudly display the award logo on your blog and follow the blogger who nominated you.
I’ve decided to do my seven facts a little different than usual. Since this is the Inspiring Blogger Award I wanted to share some facts that I hope might inspire someone reading. And if you do go to my page and read my work, just know some of it is just getting things out of my head to get rid of it. That’s the great thing about writing, getting rid of the clutter.
The Facts:
After high school I didn’t go straight into college. I worked for a few years at various jobs. Once I was ready, I was ready. I made the Dean’s List and all of that type of thing. I mention this because some people feel pressure to immediately go to college or some feel that it’s been too long to go to college. You’ll know when.
I didn’t have the greatest biological father. A lot of people can say that. For some it may pretty much destroy their lives. I ended up with a great step-father, who I refer to as my father now. But as a result of those early years I have a love of children, not necessarily wanting to throw myself into the middle of a bunch of 1st Graders, but I love to see happy kids. Whenever I would work in a classroom of young ones the inevitable would happen . . . the lap time. Of course I would then stand up the rest of the day. I know I may look like a big teddy bear, but there are some things you just have to be aware of these days. But I’m good with kids even though I say they’re not my specialty in the education field.
The first girlfriend I had basically was using me to make her ex-boyfriend jealous. It didn’t last long. I wasn’t happy about it, but as time went by I realized some people aren’t worth the memories.
Prayer works.I know it does because I’ve seen it in action. People say things happen by coincidence. No, not so much. I’ve prayed specifics and they’ve happened. I’ve prayed for things doctors have said would never happen, and they happened. I know God doesn’t always answer us the way we want Him to, or sometimes people don’t realize the answer has been given, but it’s there. I didn’t become a comic book artist. Does that mean God didn’t answer that prayer? No, it means He said no, or it might even be a ‘wait’. But I turned to writing.
I am drawn to those who need help in some way. It doesn’t start out as such but somehow over time I discover I am in a new friendship for a purpose. Again, I don’t believe in coincidences. I may help that person to the point of mental and physical exhaustion, but I will help them. And I know that the friendship will probably move on and away at some point but I like to hope I leave the person in a better way than when I stumbled upon them.
I was about three months away from being diagnosed as diabetic when I had a fall that changed my life. I was already on high blood pressure medicine so add being diabetic to that and wow. But the doctor was giving me a chance. After the checkup I then had the fall. There was nothing I could do with my life at that point but I knew somehow that I needed to lose weight. At the next checkup after the accident I was no longer prediabetic, and I no longer am on high blood pressure medicine. I set my mind . . . no, I changed my mind to know I could do something and I did it.
I have Fibromyalgia and Migraines, along with Osteoarthritis. I’m in my early 40s. I face a future without the ability to work, and judgments of people who see a healthy me and wondering why I am a lazy bum. I blog. I share whatever comes to this odd mind of mine and somehow some of it speaks to some people. I can stop when the pain gets too bad. I don’t get paid in money, but I feel I have worth. As for being a lazy bum? It’s kind of funny. I would kind of like to wander around their home one day unannounced and see how perfect their home is and their life is. The people that count in my life understand me and that’s all that matters.
What makes some qualify as an Inspiring Blogger to me? I believe for one I have to be able to connect in some way to the person behind the blog. There also needs to be something more than just talent. I look for sincerity behind the mirror that is my laptop screen.
These are in no particular order:
Brett of Brett’s Future-A recent addition to my family of Reader Friends, Brett and I share some similarities, partly being of comparable age and insanity of having done the corporate world angle to now venture into the world of words.
Hannah at Inked Roses-I met Hannah during Writing 101 for Blogging University. I have to say that I’ve seen her comment and pop up from time to time around my blog and there is always a sense of honesty in her likes. I enjoy that. Revisiting her site for this award I am blown away by her storytelling. Her Writing 101 material is dead on and she shared things in a way I couldn’t. A great writer with a delicate touch. I want that, but I’m heavy handed and plodding. I admire her. I want her to do more. I want to see what else she can do. That wanting inspires me. Know what I mean? If you don’t want more are you inspired?
KiwiBee at Snap Thoughts-Life is an adventure for this young lady. I admire her exploring her world. Looking at her blog more for this award I am more inspired than when I first selected her. An American in Paris? No, try South Korea. From Wyoming to South Korea? Read her About to find out. I love journal entry style she uses, and the photography of the country she now lives in. Her and her fiance also have another blog together Korea Bound that I am about to start looking into.
Dazzling Whimsy– I’ve followed her blog since she began and the inspiring part is how it has become a bright and shining spot to escape to. Her photography is of everything around her with beautiful flowers and daughters, and yes the daughters are little girls with brown and or hazel eyes. So of course I was sucked into that world. Take a look at her articles and you see a Mom who loves her kids and apparently does everything possible to give them the best life she can. Who isn’t inspired by that? Also she doesn’t just share a photo she also gives a story behind it. I like that for an occasional change if the is a real story to tell. She has the stories.
I am supposed to nominate many more, but over the course of time I’ve been through many and I follow so many blogs that it’s difficult to keep all of them sorted properly. My apologies but at times the combination of concussion recovery and Fibromyalgia take their toll and now is one of those times. I will nominate others at another time perhaps once things are better but for now I believe I have given quality blogs for you to take a look at. They are different from each other and I believe you will find enjoyment with each.
All links open in a new window unless noted as ‘you will leave this page‘.
There are various Japanese Forms of poetry based on syllable structure (see Haiku, Tanka, and Haibun. It’s all poetry to me. Learn the difference.), much like many nations and cultures of the world (see How to Write an Espinela or Décima Poem). The Japanese Haiku poem is probably the most challenging due to its low syllable constraints. (5/7/5 or 3/5/3 or 2/3/2) If you really want to be challenged, try a1/2/1. I don’t think this is really a Haiku form, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was. Examples further down the page.
This post discusses How to write a Haiku Poem in English Form. Haiku purists in the Japanese style attempt to write a Haiku that can be read in one breath. This means it’s minimal in word choice while vivid with imagery and short at the same time. The more you write, the easier it becomes to exclude words such as the, is, and there, etc. from your thoughts while thinking of your poems and count syllables in your head in the middle of a drive to work or store. I find myself tapping with my fingers counting syllables in the strangest locations.
Six things to remember about Traditional Haiku form:
You have three lines of poetry.
17 total syllables, some say sounds, in the 5/7/5 pattern. (The syllables of words may vary due to the country’s English you speak.)
You normally tell two opposing images in the poem.
Lines one and two should read as a complete sentence and lines two and three should read as a complete sentence. Easier than it sounds.
Haiku do not have titles/names.
You normally use mostly descriptive words and as few filler words as possible, such as the, and, there, is, etc. Note lower in the post my example 3/5/3 version of the 5/7/5 Haiku I provide as an example. You get the same message with each version.
Notice the word normally. You can have the poem be about aspects of the same thing, but normally you look at it from two different ways.
Artistic and traditional elements include kigo or words that are related to seasons: (Learn more about kigo here, a different website. The following through Kigo List T-Z are from the same site.)
Noted on the site that not all words are Kigo. “Some are haiku TOPICS (keywords) to be used during the whole year.” There are several helpful links in the site’s sidebar.
You use these elements:
to give a visual of whatever you are attempting to relay
and usually include the season you write it in
Remember you can use 3/5/3 or 2/3/2 syllable structures as well as many others, but the three below are plenty to start with.
Three examples of the same haiku using the different syllable structures.
5/7/5 Example
The tree is falling,
Down among the river rocks,
Fish bring forth new life.
Lines one and two read as: The tree is falling down among the river rocks.
Lines two and three read as: Down among the river rocks, fish bring forth new life.
The tree is falling and dying among the rocks of the river
And fish are living and bring life among the rocks of the river
Two opposite things happening.
Note the capitalization and punctuation in the haiku. It is important to use those wisely to convey your intended message.
3/5/3 Example
tree falling
among river rocks
fish new life
2/3/2 Example
tree falls
mid stream’s rock
new life
1/2/1 Example
tree
feeds water
life
Strangely enough, I like the 2/3/2 version the best and this is the first time I’ve tried one. This is an update on September 12, 2020. The original post is from July 02, 2014. As you can see, over six years and my first try.
Opposites are not a MUST, but are the true way of Haiku and add to the challenge. And you don’t want to reveal to much in the haiku so the reader is able to make an interpretation. Do not let that prevent you from writing. The more you write the closer you get to achieving true Haiku.
As Matsuo Bashō put it,
“The haiku that reveals seventy to
eighty percent of its subject is good.
Those that reveal fifty to sixty percent,
we never tire of.”
My original Haiku reveals 100%.
The tree is falling,
Down among the river rocks,
Fish bring forth new life.
Can I take the Haiku and make it fifty to sixty percent?
Life splinters apart,
Down among slippery mounds,
Life brings forth new life.
In this new version, the same thing is said but also leaves some interpretation to the reader, which in a way I like to do for the reader. Give the reader something they can connect within their own way. It is easy to slip away from writing haiku this way as you begin to play around with different themes.
That is the basic way I usually like to write Haiku but often veer off into another message. It is fun, challenging, and an artform. I am not saying I am an artist, but I do believe those who can do it well, are. I am still a finger painter in this world, but I enjoy staining my skin in the ink.
To get to the point where you can consistently write like a true Haiku artist it could take years, but writing is the purpose and eventually, you get there, if that’s where you want to go. Otherwise, enjoy the way you want to write and the message you wish.
Below should be all you need to help with Haiku: Sure there are plenty of sites you’ll discover, some thatt even write the haiku for you, but why?
The best syllable counter is the dictionary. Others I’ve used will give different counts to the same word or the same Haiku. Stick to the dictionary. I’m deleting the syllable counter link from my poetry challenge with my next challenge, 10/12/2020. https://www.merriam-webster.com/
For synonyms, thesaurus.com. It also provides antonyms and the drop box where you enter your word also includes DEFINITIONS as an option.
It’s time to step things up a notch with a blog tip. Everyone wants more people to connect to them through their blogs. We all want people to keep coming back and maybe even mention our site to other people. Yeah, sure, a great article might do it, but you want to really make an impact? You do? Okay. Tell them what they want to know . . . about you. Where? On your About page.
I’m not a big secret for those who wandered around the walls of my blog a few times. Everything I write has me in it. I don’t hide. But there are things I don’t tell people. But I let them know the things that matter to them.
I’m talking about my About page. Some call it the About Moi page. I won’t name any names because they may be reading this. Some people can get away with that, I’m not one of them.
Guess what after my Home page is the most Viewed thing ever on my blog. Here’s your cookie if you said my About page. That’s right. And guess what has the most likes of anything else on my blog. Aw, and here is your glass of milk to go with the cookie. (I’m not sure the bit of sarcasm is my style, but I tried. Hmm.)
Why is it liked more than other things? I really have no idea to tell you the truth. I look at it and shudder with it all. I have almost wanted to start over but I’ve put so much work into it that it makes me physically ill to even move an index finger towards the delete key.
To get a Follow from me you 99% of the time have to have an About page with something remotely decent in it. Sometimes if there has been several exchanges in comments or I just know the person through their being a Literary Agent or Writing Resource I will Follow without an About page. But I really like to have a little something to become connected to.
The About page also lets me know the person and site is legitimate. There may be some of you reading this that noticed that when I decided to Follow your blog that I made a comment on your About page. That wasn’t an accident.
“Ronovan, I don’t want to do an about page because I don’t know what to put on there.”
Take a look at my About page. Yes I shared more of me than you might, but I did it without telling anything really.
There are different ideas on how to do an About page. Some say do it short and just tell them what they need to know about the site. Some say do an essay of the world so to speak.
Okay so maybe they want to know what kind of nut writes the things I write. But I think you can see they are interested in connecting to the person writing. I feel sorry for those that read through both the About and the Fun Facts. My apologies.
Here are the tips for an About page from my own personal experience.
Tell them about your experience that makes your having this Blog worth their being here. If you have a writing blog such as mine you don’t tell them you were a professional Dish Washer as your first paid job. (Which was mine.) That can come later. First make them know they are in good hands.
Tell them what they are going to get from your site. Your part about you should be brief and this should be longer than that. Your Readers are the important ones so make them feel welcome, wanted, and give them a reason to want to return.
Give them a little of what turned you into what you are. For me I noted books through the formative years that turned me into a reader and eventual writer. For an artist it could be museum trips, a teacher, a movie just whatever brought you to being a creative person.
Show them what kind of person are you as a result of this in regards to creativity.
Share with them some professional aspect of you that influences your creativity, such as my having been a History teacher lends to my loving reading and creating worlds and histories of those worlds and people.
Throw them the boring things that you might want to. You never know what will connect with someone.
Tell them about any causes you might be connected to if you like. I have Fibromyalgia so I have a connection to people that have similar problems.
Tell them why you are blogging. I know you probably put some of that in the number one and you should have, but expound upon it here at the end.
Give them links to your social network connections.
Notice the About page tells about YOU but is reallyforTHEM. You already know about you. Share you with them. If you think you are so boring that people don’t want to know about you then what in the world are you doing? You’re creative and blogging. They showed up to your site! They think you are at least interesting once!
I’ve had a little fun during this article, a few jokes, but in all seriousness, the About page is truly one of the important things of your site. It’s where personality can come through that your work won’t reflect. Visit the About pages of people you admire and see what they have. Make it as big or little as you like, but by all means put something in there.
If you found this article helpful you may want to check out my other blogging tips by clicking here. If not . . . thanks for stopping by.
The Daily Prompt today asked about a musical instrument. It surprises me sometimes where a few words in print can lead you back to another life.
My bio-father was a musician, that is to say when he wasn’t doing other things for money. He recorded at Sun Records in Memphis, TN. Yes THAT Sun Records. And yes he was a truck driver. No, he wasn’t Elvis. But he was from Tupelo, MS. He was a drummer and singer primarily.
I don’t know if I ever heard him sing for certain. I had his record once until I smashed it into a million pieces and threw it away.
I’m told I would be placed on the side of a pool table and shoot pool as an infant and entertain the people while he performed. But things are passed down from one generation to the next. For me, I have rhythm. I can keep a beat without a thought.
Everything became a drum when I was tiny. Both sides of my family were musical. My maternal grandfather was a singer as well. Both musical men ended up leaving their families.
I was discouraged greatly in regards to music. I guess maybe it was because musicians were associated with wandering men in my family, or bad men. Now I write words to songs that I cannot put music to. I hear it in my mind but cannot put it to paper.
With my concussion and the results I cannot listen to music any longer. I guess finally they’ve won. No more music possibilities for me. I still write songs, but they are poems now. The reader can make their own music to match what they feel.
I never look at the bad as bad. You can always use it for something good. Sure, it’s bad for you but you can use that experience in life to help someone else. It only stays bad if you let it stay bad.
h country into a place with human beings in it and not just a news broadcast of something bad happening or where a politician, sporting event, or celebrity happens to be. The news turns the place into the event.
ronovanwrites 