Yoga Pants Ahhhhh

June 5, 2014June 5, 2014 Ronovan Humor Couples, Creative Writing, Humor, Husband, Husband Confessions, Married, Music, Songs, Tim Hawkins, Video, Wife, Writing, Yoga Pants

Writing Tips: Following for Inspiration

June 4, 2014June 4, 2014 Ronovan Writing Blog Advice, Blog Tips, Blogging, Creative Writing, Fashion, Foodie, Inspiration, Stalking, Writing, Writing Advice, Writing Tips

gettyimages © Original Photo by Frederic Cirou

Did you know I follow fashion blogs? And I don’t do it to just see the pretty women. As a writer I like to write about a lot of things and the characters in my stories have experiences and sometimes as a man I just don’t know some of the little things that I need to know about parts of society that would make a moment connect with a reader instead of totally destroying the scene for them.

What’s popular in shoes right now?

I have no idea. To me it’s what I like at the time, but for women there is a whole other level to it. And men, isn’t that one reason we should love and appreciate those little things? How often have you noticed how her nails seem to match her shoes and how those shoes show off her ankle just right? It’s an art form.

Pants, skirt, or dress?

I have no idea what is appropriate for certain occasions. I just know when a woman looks nice and that is fine with me. Men are lucky. We just throw on about anything and no one thinks about it because we aren’t supposed to know any better. It’s an observation on society in a way but women are supposed to know what to wear. And when a woman gets it all right, every person looks at them and pauses and the skies open up and angels sing.

I follow Food blogs as well.

You want to describe something a character is eating but all your mind sees is a bacon burger at McDonald’s but they are at a nice upscale Italian restaurant. Food blogs help me see different kinds of foods as, I want a romantic dinner not burger town. When you want to have something that is edible but sensuous to see at the same time, you need to go to the blogs. And men, ribs, steaks, and nachos aren’t going to cut it. The food has to be as sexy and elegant as the woman you are with.

Do I follow certain kinds of blogs just for reference?

No, I also follow for inspiration. I follow Artists, Photographers, Poets, and some that I don’t even know what they would be categorized in. Some of my favorites are those who would fall into the category of Life Survivors. I get inspiration for characters from something they share either emotionally or visually.

Yesterday I read a blog where the woman just poured out her soul and I connected to a spirit that could drive any female character in a book to the top of the lists. We follow blogs to support each other in the blog world but we also do it because we like what we see. And no I don’t stalk anyone. I do watch for posts from everyone I follow though.

Now Follow for Inspiration.

The Soundtrack of My Life

June 4, 2014July 5, 2014 Ronovan Writing 101-Blogging University Beatles, Creative Writing, Eleanor Rigby, In the Air Tonight, Jeremy Camp, Music, Phil Collins, SImple Minds, Songs, Walk by Faith, Writing, Writing 101-Blogging University

The Soundtrack of My Life
by: Ronovan

When you go through the history of your life you hear music, or at least I do. Music isn’t a big part of my life these days. After suffering an injury during the previous year I can no longer handle sounds and live basically in silence.

In my mind music plays at various times when I write. Some of which I am not sure where it comes from but others bring a flood of memory and a pause as I think about those times. Continue reading →

Wordless Wednesday: I’m Up For It.

June 4, 2014 Ronovan Photography Cats, Creative Writing, Hay Bale, Kittens, Photography, Prompt, Writing

If Walls Could Talk

June 4, 2014June 4, 2014 Ronovan Poetry Creative Writing, Photography, Poetry, Writing

If Walls Could Talk

by: Ronovan

Inspired by a Photograph by MaraEastern

I’ve stood through time

Lasted longer than life

Ages strive to mar me

To degrade me with strife

Yet I stand while they fade

Lives come and cover the old

But I ever remain firm

While the careless become cold

Writing Tips: Short and Sweet Keeps Them in Their Seats.

June 4, 2014June 4, 2014 Ronovan Writing Attention, Blogging Tips, Concise, Creative Writing, Easy Reads, Writing, Writing Tips

Writing Tips: Short and Sweet to Keep Them in Their Seat.

by: Ronovan

Some writing is just too long and I won’t read it no matter how good you tell me it is!

It sounds harsh but it’s true. And it’s not because you’re not good. There are many types of audiences out there a writer is attempting to engross in their story, article, or whatever other type of writing it may be. Even a research piece needs to keep this in mind.

Make that first sentence engaging-If that first sentence hooks me I might keep going and give it a chance.

Keep the paragraphs short-Short paragraphs gives me this false sense of not committing to a long read. It also allows me to pause quickly if need be and come back to the article if I have to ‘step’ away for a moment.

If Blogging give me some visuals-Visuals make for a little something to keep me there and bring me back to reading. It also can help visual people click with your piece.

If Blogging keep this in mind-You may be the only reading material that some people are engaging in. I have problems reading books now. I can’t commit to it because I know after two chapters I can’t keep going. Blogs, however, give me something I can read and learn from that are quick and to the point. Break the article up into two parts if it is extremely long. That last part is just a suggestion. (But it might bring back people for a second day of viewing to your Blog. Authors keep that in mind too.)

Unless I am really familiar with the work of the writer I will often bail if I see those long paragraphs. We aren’t in a Grammar class or Writing class where you have to do things just so.

We write how people talk
We write short paragraphs
We use double negatives

If you are Blogging think of Flash Fiction in your article. Just get to the point and get out. Yes, add humor and entertain, but when it comes to the points you are making don’t draw them out.

Short and Sweet to Keep Them in Their Seat.

My Ocean, My Lover

June 3, 2014December 17, 2015 Ronovan Writing 101-Blogging University Beach, Creative Writing, Love, Night, Ocean, Relaxation, Release, Surf, Vacation, Writing, Writing 101-Blogging University

There is a slight change in pressure as I step off the elevator. If the roar and whipping wind along the corridor does not given away the truth of what lay ahead, the white remnants of the day along the floor does.

The breeze whips around the corner of the passageway and the hours and miles of driving begins to melt away. Some say they can smell the air, but for me it is the feel of it, reaching for me, and wrapping around me—welcoming arms pulling me onward.

I turn the corner and see the palm trees sway and the rise of sand hiding what I have been aching for these long months. My pace quickens toward what is there at any pace I chose. It has been waiting for me for a long time. She is ever patient.

The smile spreads across my face and the yearlong pent up stress escapes. The metal gate clangs shut behind me, the final barrier between the two of us. I hurry along the tiled pool area of the hotel toward the wooden steps leading to my sandy salvation.

My sandals slide with a slight and reassuring twist on the wooden steps. Proof I am on the right path. Then I see her, moonlit rolling surf on her way to meet me, and calling me. “Hurry, it’s been too long.”

I slip off the leather that separates my feet from the cool sand. Each particle massages muscles that ache from too long without her touch. I ease my way forward. The breeze moves my shirt and blows in my ear like a lover that one wishes they had. Happiness is within reach, my feet step onto surf pounded sand, damp from millennia old waters.

The roar in my ears is like a lullaby drowning out all other sounds, or like the call of rejoice of one to another at a much longed for embrace. Perhaps that is why I love her so. She covers me with the first touch. Gentle, warm fingers wrap around my legs and urge me onward.

I walk a few more steps, close my eyes, and feel the sand wash away as I begin to sink into her. With each grain of sand and each retreating surf, another negative memory drifts away. Another glowing thought enters.

My shoulders slump, tension releases, muscles tremble. Yes.

Some love the sound of music to relieve their life, some a massage, and some art. For me the music of the surf, the massage of sand sifting and the art of the moon on the waves take it all away. Lovers come and go, but for me the ocean always returns and welcomes me whenever I need her.

“Welcome home, Ronovan, I’ve missed you.” I open my eyes, and see the moon on the waves and let the rhythm drift me away.

Ella the Ever Agreeable

June 3, 2014June 3, 2014 Ronovan Poetry Cats, Creative Writing, Felines, Photographers, Photography, Poetry, Writing

Ella the Ever Agreeable

by: Ronovan

A photographer’s art must be oh so difficult

Oh, look a tree with a Muppet like branch nose

Perhaps I’ll shoot that boulder over there

It looks like it has pebbles for toes

Oh, please, don’t get me wrong

You see my name is Ella

And I belong to one of them

A lady named Mara

I believe she must run out of things to do

Because I find a lens aimed at me

Will all I wish to do

Is sleep in the flowers under the tree

But no, no way

Will it be allowed

She pulls out that contraption

And it whines out loud

I know, I know

She cannot hear it

But what can I say

She’s not sentient

We felines are so far above

That you two legged creatures

Just don’t have

Our enhanced above human features

I pity her wandering about

Looking at trees and rocks

When she should really be

In the house in her PJs and socks

Oh look here she comes

Time must be getting tight

Needing a new photo

For her computer site

Well I suppose I can help

I’ll act like I’m half dead asleep

Then she can click and write

But she best know I don’t work cheap

Inspired by Ella and her human at maraeastern.com

Gypsy Night Deep with Sighs

June 3, 2014June 3, 2014 Ronovan Poetry Creative Writing, Gypsy, Love, Photography, Poetry, Vouyer, Writing

Gypsy Night Deep with Sighs

by: Ronovan

Golden ruffles like a gypsy night
Drawing glances from denying eyes
Twirling in the air they laugh
As the vouyer breathes deep with sighs

Inspired by #307 Cluster at MaraEastern. See the photo here.

Respect: Part One-A Poem

June 3, 2014June 3, 2014 Ronovan Poetry Creative Writing, Intgelligent, Men, Men Listen and Learn, Poetry, Powerful, Respect Women, Women, Writing

Poweful Woman — gettyimages © Original Photo by pokchu

This was a practice not only in message but also in the visual form of the writing.

Respect Part One
by: Ronovan from Life

Yes
We All
Are Aware
Of Your Ogles
And Your Staring
Of Your Cat Calling
And Of Your Compare
Your Blood Flowing
In One Direction
Your Brain
Caught
Up in
Yes
Crude
Immature
And Vanity
Filled Inspection
Not Anyone’s Piece
Nor Their Property
Nor A MidNight
Boy’s Fantasy
I Am Brains
Beauty
All
You’re
Weak And
Feeble Of Mind
With Ego Fractured
Y’All Don’t Understand
Why We’re To Be A Man
A Mature Being of Life
Appreciates Beauty
Intelligence And
God’s Creative
Masterpiece
Woman Is
For Life
Honor
Love
Air

Writing and Blogging For Therapy

June 3, 2014March 18, 2015 Ronovan Blogging Blogging, Creative Writing, Encouragement, Fiction, Inspiration, Therapy, Writing

Why did you start blogging? For some it was to create a platform for their writing in preparation for a career as an Author. Others may have approached it as a way to share their creativity or even a cause they have embraced. And yet there is another category, therapy.

There are people who do not have an outlet in their lives to free their minds and souls of what ails them or inspires them. If they try, the people around them look at them strangely or even interfere. However, if they blog, they are looked upon as artists and inspirations. They are accomplishing something!

I’m not really certain as to why I began to blog, perhaps a platform, not a hobby, but most definitely therapy. I have so many thoughts and ideas that I need to get them out of my head and somewhere else.

I wonder if it’s validation I am seeking? But then I am also a person that likes to support and encourage others to push forward. I may see doubt in a specific word but in the body of the work I see hope and potential and I like to share that vision.

You may receive a comment from me every now and then. I only comment if I really feel moved to do so. It may be by the piece posted, or something that just inspires me that this person needs to be talked to, or maybe a personal link that I feel.

Whatever reason you post, it is a therapy of sorts and it does allow for healing in many ways. Just make sure to keep relying on the output of your thoughts and ideas instead of the input of the comments of others to help you know that you are great at what you do. Yes, professionals help you, but I am speaking of those of us who may not be complimentary for other reasons.

Every piece I see in blogs has something to it that I learn from even if it is not my cup of tea so to speak. It might be the most awful piece of garbage ever, but I learned how not to do something. Being honest there. I may not click like on the ones I really do like at times as I have a problem with remembering to do certain tasks at times, but I learned from it. So keep posting, keep therapying, I know I made up a word, but that’s part of the fun, isn’t it? I’ll keep reading, liking, when I remember, commenting and learning. And thank you for helping with my therapy by sharing your own.

Why did you start Writing or Blogging?

This is Kitty you might read about in some of my articles.

Do your best…or not at all…advice from success.

June 3, 2014June 3, 2014 Ronovan Writing African American, Atlanta, Blogging, Blogging Tips, Business, Coca Cola, Creative Writing, Executive, Georgia, Inspiration, Motivation, Woman, Writing, Writing Tips

Do your best…or not at all…advice from success.

by: Ronovan

In my previous life I was in the business world, if only that were meant as reincarnation.

Yes even stuffed animals give me looks of sympathy and pats for comfort. But it wasn’t a complete waste of my life. After all you can learn from every experience, whether it is a good lesson or a bad lesson. This is a bit of a good one.

I attended a business luncheon in Atlanta, GA and there was a very much respected business woman there as the guest speaker. She was a self-made woman who not only had her own business but was also an executive with Coca Cola.

I’m sorry to say there were no free Coke t-shirts but a lot of free and excellent advice, as was the food, although expensive to my company, and miniscule in size the food not the advice.

Now back to our program. The lady spoke of two things that day, one of which I will talk about here and the other another time.

Being Your Best at What You Are Doing When You Are Doing It

The lady had not come from a silver spoon background. She fought her way up including obtaining her education. One reason the lady said that she had become such a success, and this was not ego speaking, was that in everything she was doing at a given moment she was giving it her all, trying to be the best at it.

She felt she had to try harder than anyone else for two reasons; 1) she was a woman in the business world, and 2) she was African American.

At no one point could she be focusing on two things. If she were in school and working on a research paper, that would be the only thing she was focusing on. There was no other class in her mind at that time, no boyfriend in her mind, no TV show, nothing.

If you are writing an article about dogs then write the best article you can even though you might want to watch a movie instead, or be working on a manuscript. You chose to write an article and made a commitment. At that moment you are to be the best dog article writer in the world. Why do anything unless you are going to do the best? What you put out is what people see you as so why put out garbage or half attempted material? And why put out something that isn’t you?

This translates to editors and literary agents as well. If they see that you put everything into whatever you write then they have confidence in signing you. They know they can depend on you to get the job done, that you will not turn in a half effort or be late.

Use this in every job you have. It doesn’t matter what it is, do your best, and be the best.

Read her second piece of advice ‘Don’t ALLOW people to control you’.

What super power would I want? Heart surgeon…sort of.

June 3, 2014June 3, 2014 Ronovan Life Creative Writing, Happiness, Life, Love, Peace, Super Power, Understanding, Writing

If you were given a chance to be a superhero…what power would you want and why?

This was a writing prompt from WOW.

I read on AARYA‘s site about wanting to be a certain superhero. Check it out!

But that reminded me of a question I was asked by another blogger about what power would I want and so here it is.

I would want the ability to turn the hearts of people from the dark to the light, from bad to good.

Why?

For understanding, peace, love, and shared humanity.

I’m sorry it’s no longer than this, but that’s pretty much it.

Much Love and Respect

Ronovan

3 Writing Tips: To Know When to Stop Writing…for the day…and how.

June 2, 2014June 2, 2014 Ronovan Writing Avoid Burnout, Blog, Blogging, Burnout, Creative Writing, Follows, Tips, Writers Block, Writing, Writing Advice, Writing Tips

3 Writing Tips: To Know When to Stop Writing…for the day…and how.

by: Ronovan

When the laptop falls off your sleeping body or maybe when your ‘other’ smashes it with a hammer? Sorry but I just can’t help but think of Yzma in The Emperor’s New Groove every time I say ‘smash it with a hammer’, Eartha Kitt had an awesome voice. I think we all have our own inner Yzma at times. And Eartha Kitt’s voice was purrrfect for the role. (Yes, I just went Adam West Batman on you.)

But when to stop writing is very important and will help you in how to start the next time you sit down as ready as you were when you left off writing the previous day.

1) Leave yourself with ideas.

There is nothing worse than having worked so hard all the previous day only to sit down the next time and have nothing in your head to go with. You need to end your session with a good deal of material in your mind left. This way you will likely be thinking on it while away from your writing area and when you sit down next time you can immediately pick up where you left off and just let the creative juices flow. If you are concerned you will forget something, make a few quick notes to remind you so you have it ready to glance at when you sit down.

2) Stop before exhaustion stops you.

Too many of us just don’t want to stop as those ideas are flowing, but the truth is some of those ideas aren’t going to be very sharp and you’ll have to fix them later, and you most likely won’t be able to really remember what all you did very well. So set time limits and stick to them. Also ending exhausted makes for a weary begin to the next day of writing.

3) Set time limits and stick to them.

You need a break, you need structure. If you are working on a book, blogging, researching, submitting, and living, then you need to set some boundaries. Most people who write a book want to do it for a living. Keep it fun and creative but you need to keep it in check or it will burn you out.

I have been completely wiped out writing, had writer’s block, and just really been a wreck. I’ve written a 30,000 book in 24 hours and was literally unable to function for two days. You have to set limits. For me it was a bit of a necessity at that moment, and maybe I will explain that another day, but I should have stopped, and no, there was no deadline. It was a great feeling to have accomplished something like that but it also made it so I didn’t want to look at another piece of writing for quite some time.

One part of becoming a success at writing is to keep writing, and to keep writing you need to keep it fun both mentally and physically. How do some of you keep from getting burnt out?

You may also be interested in Writing Tips: Working Through Writer’s Doubt…Just Flip it 3 Ways.

Writing Tips: Working Through Writer’s Doubt…Just Flip It 3 Ways.

June 2, 2014June 2, 2014 Ronovan Writing Creative Tools, Creative Writing, Fiction, Overcoming Doubt, Spark Creativity, Writers Doubt, Writing, Writing Tips, Writing Tools

JUST GIVE UP, YOU CAN’T WRITE WELL ENOUGH TO GET PUBLISHED! Did that get your attention? It gets mine each time I face writer’s doubt when rejected either through email or get the SILENT treatment we all just love waiting for regarding my latest novel attempt. And to be honest, that give up feeling is strong and succeeds for a while…at first. It takes a few battles in the war before you realize that not every agent has the time to reply to the hundreds of people wanting to get their book signed.

But you get over it. You just have to learn to get over it quickly. What are some ways to do that?

Write Differently: I write novels so instead I write

Poetry

Haiku

Flash Fiction

Blog Articles

Rewrite Someone Else’s Stuff

(Take your favorite book or almost favorite

and do one of the following)

Change the setting and time of the book.

Turn it into a Super Hero comic.

Flip the leads.

Make the good guy a bad guy.

Turn the Horror story into a Romance.

Take a World Event and Change the Characters or Location

Change the Leaders into TV show or Cartoon characters and write how they might react in the same situation as the real leaders involved.

Make the World Event happen on an alien World or on a huge space station.

Make the Leaders have split personalities that fight themselves to control what happens.

After a few experiences you learn to immediately go to something to write after a rejection, doubt, or writer’s block. It just comes with the territory. But even then there will be times that it gets to you. Just remember the only way you don’t win is if you give up.

But while you doubt or get down about your project just keep writing something creative. The more you write the better you get. I know that’s old advice but it really is true. I use Flash Fiction a lot as my go to when I just can’t get going on a novel and it really trains me to be a better writer. I scale down a scene to the bare bones while still relaying it to the reader. That’s what you want to do in your regular writing anyway.

The above are just a few of my thoughts on how to overcome those moments, what are some of your ideas?

You may be interested in 3 Writing Tips: To Know When to Stop Writing…for the day…and how.

I’m the Patron Saint of…? The Daily Post Prompt

June 2, 2014June 2, 2014 Ronovan Life Creative Writing, Encouragement, I Believe In You, Life, Patron Saint, Positivity, Prompt, The Daily Post, Writers Prompt, Writing

“In 300 years, if you were to be named the patron saint of X, what would you like X to be? Places, activities, objects — all are fair game.”

Prompt from The Daily Post.

Those who come after you normally declare what you are the saint of depending on what your life message was. But I suppose I would like to be known as the Patron Saint of Encouragement. Encouragement is something we can give without it costing anything. Although it may cost in emotional energy, but I am okay with that.

I think in many cases a person works most in areas that they don’t have themselves. Oh, sure I have encouragement but is there ever too much encouragement? I mean honest encouragement, not the token encouragement. I don’t encourage people in a talent or a situation unless I honestly believe in it. I don’t like to mislead or give false hope or impressions. I let my yes mean yes and my no mean no.

A bit boring I know but it’s what I could come up with. But I really think it’s up to those who know you to determine what you would be. People could say that I am the Patron Saint of (Insert Polite Words Here Please).

He who Loves

June 2, 2014June 3, 2014 Ronovan Poetry Creative Writing, Death, Haiku, Love, Poetry, Writing

He who Loves
by: Ronovan

Without hope of Love,
There is a promise of Death,
Without he who Loves.

Are You Half Empty Or Half Full?

June 1, 2014June 1, 2014 Ronovan Life, Odds and Ends Advice, Creative Writing, Family, Fiction, Half Empty, Half Full, Life, Philosophy, Thinking, Writing

Are You Half Empty Or Half Full?

by: Ronovan

You have heard the old question “Is the glass half empty or half full”. The idea is if you say half empty, you are a pessimist and if half full, an optimist. I like to reply with this, “What’s your goal, to empty the glass or fill it?”

gettyimages © Original Photo by Brooke Pennington

The point is philosophy and other thought studies like to box one in by decisions they’ve already made about the answers you haven’t come up with yet. It’s the same for people taking a look at you and making a judgement for the first time.

They don’t know how your mind works, what your morals are, or what your life has made of you. All they see is the answers they’ve already come up with before even asking the questions.

What’s the moral to this little rambling? If there is one it might be to always ask honestly, answer honestly, and listen honestly. Honestly, it is the best policy.

Tim Hawkins: Hand Raising in Church

June 1, 2014June 1, 2014 Ronovan Humor Church, Comedy, Creative Writing, Hand Raising, Humor, Satire, Tim Hawkiins, Writing

Sometimes you just need a laugh. In my church if you raise your hand they think you either have to go to the restroom or you just volunteered to cut the church lawn next Saturday.

Help Me Be… (My First Poem)

May 31, 2014May 31, 2014 Ronovan Poetry Creative Writing, My First Poem, Poem, Poetry, Prose, Verse, Writing

Help Me Be…

by: Ronovan

I heard you crying

I asked what for

You said it was nothing

As I headed for the door

I heard you sighing

Now I knew you were lying

So I turned around

And walked the floor

Why do you do that

Why can’t you just be real

I’m just a man

I inherently don’t know the deal

I want to know you

I want to be helped to grow

Just let me listen

By telling me what for

I heard you crying

I asked you what for

You said it was nothing

I ignored you to the core

Now I hold you

I listen to you breathing

No words are coming

But I know you are healing

Help me be a man

The only one I was meant to be

I don’t know what is keeping

Keeping me from being free

ronovanwrites

Author, Poet, Blogger, Father, Reader And More

Creative Writing

Yoga Pants Ahhhhh

Writing Tips: Following for Inspiration

The Soundtrack of My Life

Wordless Wednesday: I’m Up For It.

If Walls Could Talk

Writing Tips: Short and Sweet Keeps Them in Their Seats.

My Ocean, My Lover

Ella the Ever Agreeable

Gypsy Night Deep with Sighs

Respect: Part One-A Poem

Writing and Blogging For Therapy

Do your best…or not at all…advice from success.

What super power would I want? Heart surgeon…sort of.

If you were given a chance to be a superhero…what power would you want and why?

3 Writing Tips: To Know When to Stop Writing…for the day…and how.

Writing Tips: Working Through Writer’s Doubt…Just Flip It 3 Ways.

I’m the Patron Saint of…? The Daily Post Prompt

He who Loves

Are You Half Empty Or Half Full?

Tim Hawkins: Hand Raising in Church

Help Me Be… (My First Poem)

Spread this stuff everywhere!

Spread this stuff everywhere!

Spread this stuff everywhere!

Spread this stuff everywhere!

Spread this stuff everywhere!

Spread this stuff everywhere!

Spread this stuff everywhere!

Spread this stuff everywhere!

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Spread this stuff everywhere!

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If you were given a chance to be a superhero…what power would you want and why?

Spread this stuff everywhere!

Spread this stuff everywhere!

Spread this stuff everywhere!

Spread this stuff everywhere!

Spread this stuff everywhere!

Spread this stuff everywhere!

Spread this stuff everywhere!

Spread this stuff everywhere!