My Teacher

June 6, 2014 Ronovan Life Christianity, Creative Writing, Love, Non Ficiton, Teacher, The Daily Post, Writing

My Teacher

by: Ronovan

Who would I want to teach me on any given topic?

Jesus and love of others without fail.

The Word of God has been misused through the centuries for man’s purposes and has marred the truth of it. Man’s traditions have twisted the true meaning of the teaching of Jesus and become part of denominational divisions.

I attempt to love everyone regardless of everything. What they do is not what God meant for them to be. I understand that and try to push those actions away. It’s difficult sometimes.

Jesus does teach me through his words and even his actions about love, but it would be magnificent to be in his presence and hear those words spoken and see the actions. I’m a historian by education and training thus this prompt brings out so many facets that I churn inside.

I will leave it there. Jesus and love, that’s who I want and the subject.

From The Daily Post prompt today.

No image for this one. I think for obvious reasons.

Feline Fridays: Meet Spunky

June 6, 2014June 6, 2014 Ronovan Life, Photography Cats, Creative Writing, Kittens, Life, Photography, Writing

Spunky

by: Ronovan

This is Spunky. You can’t see it from this picture taken with a phone, but he has blue eyes and tan stripes up his sides. I call him my little white tiger. You may have seen him before in a picture with his twin, who actually has rounder eyes, and their fluffy dark tortoise haired sibling.

Spunky is the sociable one. Each morning I quickly finish my breakfast then sit on the back steps and he and I talk. It took a while for him to find his voice. He would open his mouth and I knew he wanted some attention. Now he speaks, but he has a great voice, just like his mother, Kitty. You’ve met Kitty before.

Spunky loves to be petted and will lay in your arms and let you love on him. That’s what I like about cats. They are honest creatures. They don’t return affection just because you give it, they do it because they want to.

Whenever I need a pick me up or a laugh, Spunky is available.

I know this isn’t a normal article but Spunky is an amazing little guy and deserved some web presence.

Much Love, Respect, Admiration, and Gratitude to all those who Follow and and inspire me,

Ronovan

A Moment in a Blink

June 5, 2014 Ronovan Life, Poetry Creative Writing, Life, Poetry, Writing

Losing a Moment in a Blink
by: Ronovan

Sadness is not a pleasant thing
I had to write about loss today
Then I read about it from others
Not smart as it pushed me further away

I knew some things earlier
They are gone now
Fortunately for me
I wrote them down

I wanted to write a poem
About a certain person
But I can’t remember who
Because of today’s lesson

I think maybe it’s all coming to a head
The constant writing and hearting
I push and pull and do my best
But each day I dread there will be a parting

U2-I Still haven’t found what I’m looking for.

June 5, 2014 Ronovan Life Creative Writing, Life, Lost, Music, Personal, Poetry, Song, U2, Video, Writing

A song for the day.
Melancholy has set in.
And the sun chased away.

It’s not Poetry to me.

June 5, 2014June 5, 2014 Ronovan Life Autobiography, Creative Writing, Life, Personal, Poetry, Writing

I don’t write poetry.
I write micro chapters
Of my autobiography.
-Ronovan

A Loss of…?

June 5, 2014November 13, 2014 Ronovan ML Auto Bio, Writing 101-Blogging University Accident, Amnesia, Creative Writing, Hospital, Life, Loss, Memory, Personal, True Story, Writing, Writing 101-Blogging University

A Loss of…?

by: Ronovan

Loss: The experience of having something taken from you or destroyed.-Webster Dictionary

Everyone loses something in their lives. Sometimes there are happy losses, like you lost that hideous sweater your aunt gave you for Christmas one year, actually your mother’s aunt so you had to wear it, until it mysteriously was ‘lost’.

Most often the word loss brings about feelings of sadness. I’m no different, in a way. This is a story of something I lost.

August is unbearable in the South. The sun burns through the walls of your house to tickle your skin with a glisten of perspiration. I’ve said in poetry that the sun is a jealous lover, and I say that with knowledge.

Early Sunday mornings are for relaxation and rejuvenation in most small southern towns. You make sure your clothes are straight and unwrinkled and you sneak in the back door of the steepled building with seconds to spare before the opening prayer of your class.

That’s an ordinary Sunday.

August of 2013, the first month of my life, wasn’t an ordinary Sunday. The sun had taken its toll on me over the course of the previous week and it was about to take revenge on my having enjoyed life in spite of her.

My Sunday sneak in for prayer did not happen. My brain ached, my world spun, and I needed a splash of cold water on my face. Or so I’ve been told. Mistakes are made without warning. You walk down a hallway you’ve walked down thousands of times before, passing slowly from the bright white walls lit from the living area through the grayed area midway and into the dark.

That is when IT happens.

gettyimages © Original Photo by Matej Michelizza

Was it passing from the bright lit walls to the dark? Is that what turned my mind from light to dark? Was that passage what made me lose my mind?

A few hours later I was in the hospital with strangers around me. Everyone was a stranger.

Days went by as white coats came and went along with brief hopes that quickly vanished. I say I write through the eyes of a Lost Mind. That’s what I lost that day. I lost a filled mind. It is empty now, except for brief flashes of what might be memories.

“It’s so much darker when a light goes out than it would have been if it had never shone.”
― John Steinbeck, The Winter of Our Discontent

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.

ronovanwrites

Author, Poet, Blogger, Father, Reader And More

Writing

My Teacher

Feline Fridays: Meet Spunky

A Moment in a Blink

U2-I Still haven’t found what I’m looking for.

It’s not Poetry to me.

A Loss of…?

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.

Spread this stuff everywhere!

Spread this stuff everywhere!

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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!

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!

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!