Error In A Published Work? 3 Things To Do…

Finding A Book Error

Your book is published, yea!

It’s an outstanding achievement especially for a first time author. Be proud of yourself. But then patrons buy your book and later a reader finds an error or worse–two. It may be his/her interpretation but an error none-the-less. You feel sad. Down. Disappointed in yourself. How could that happen? But before you throw in the ‘author’ towel, here are 3 simple things to do.

Write Quality Books

Write quality books. I can’t stress that enough. Those of you who have worked with me know that is most important. It makes the difference in the success of your product. Quality means, professionally done book cover, formatting, editing and more

Edit. Edit. Edit Some More

Of prime importance is the editing. Nothing is more distasteful than a product that wherever you read, you find errors. That being said, in professionally published books… be it traditional or self-published, you may find errors. That’s the reason reviewing your work with an editor is so important. These days errors are found even in the media. But the great thing now with the media is that it’s mainly online in many cases. Often in their haste to get the news out, they falter. But with online, errors can easily be edited and republished fast. In a printed book, this can also be done so get in touch with your publisher for immediate correction. If self-published, correct the manuscript and republish.

There Will Always Be Haters

Accept the fact. Know that you will always have haters and especially in Poetry, it’s your interpretation, your craft. If the errors are not spelling, then some will still complain because you write as you ‘see’ things.

So in summary, keep your head up. Do something about the complaint. Validate it and if its a fact, correct it. Then move on to writing and publishing your next book. Remember, life is filled with ups and downs. But it’s what you do about it that counts.

Need to write your book? Let’s connect.

Cheers!

Note this discussion does not go in-depth into writing and correcting errors. It is written as a simple recommendation to uplift and rebuild the new author’s inner drive to continue his/her craft.

We Are The Caribbean

As we commemorate National Caribbean American Heritage Month, the tribute written by talented Poet Charmaine Allwood-Hanson sums up the history and cultural perspective. Be intrigued as you read.

Charmaine A.'s avatarI Speak. You Read.

WE ARE THE CARIBBEAN
COUNTRIES AND ISLANDS
CONNECTED BY THIS VAST BLUE SEA
PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT RACES
RELIGIONS AND CREEDS

WE ARE THE CARIBBEAN
A GREAT MELTING POT
BRED FROM SLAVES, COLONIZERS
MERCHANTS, INDENTURED LABORERS
AND INDIGENOUS TRIBES
CULTURALLY WE ARE SO DIVERSIFIED

WE SPEAK ENGLISH, FRENCH
SPANISH AND DUTCH
PATOIS AND CREOLE
OUR LANGUAGES EMBODY
THE NEW AND THE OLD

WE ARE THE CARIBBEAN
OVER 26 NATIONS STRONG
LET ME NAME A FEW
AS THE LIST IS LONG

WE ARE GUYANESE, BARBADIAN
BELIZEANS AND JAMAICANS
PANAMANIANS, HAITIANS AND GRENADIANS
CUBANS, DOMINICANS, AND ANGUILLANS
WE ARE THE NATIONS OF ST. VINCENT
MONTSERRAT AND MARTINIQUE
WE ARE COUNTRIES, SMALL AND LARGE ISLANDS
WHICH MAKES OUR REGION UNIQUE

WE HAVE MOUNTAINS, VOLCANOES AND TOURIST RESORTS
WATERFALLS, HEALING AND HEALTH SPAS
TOP NOTCH SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES
WE ARE KNOWN FOR OUR DIVERSITIES

WE HAVE MANY HISTORICAL SITES
WE TRADE TOBACCO, SUGAR AND BANANAS…

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Quiet Isn’t Always Peace…

Deep thought. Articulate she was as she shared her soul searching work to a global audience captivated by her eloquence during the historic inauguration As a writer and lover of words like she is, how could I resist the opportunity to share the work of a Quiet Storm, Amanda Gorman.

The Hill We Climb
by Amanda Gorman, USA Youth Poet Laureate

When day comes, we ask ourselves where can we find light in this never-ending shade?

The loss we carry, a sea we must wade.
We’ve braved the belly of the beast.
We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace, and the norms and notions of what “just” is isn’t always justice.

And yet, the dawn is ours before we knew it.
Somehow we do it.
Somehow we’ve weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken,
but simply unfinished.

We, the successors of a country and a time where a skinny Black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president, only to find herself reciting for one.

‘This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge’: Joe Biden calls for unity in first speech as president – live

And yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine, but that doesn’t mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect.
We are striving to forge our union with purpose.

To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters, and conditions of man.

And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us, but what stands before us.

We close the divide because we know, to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside.

We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another.
We seek harm to none and harmony for all.
Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true:
That even as we grieved, we grew.
That even as we hurt, we hoped.
That even as we tired, we tried.
That we’ll forever be tied together, victorious.
Not because we will never again know defeat, but because we will never again sow division.

Some Die So Others Can Live. The Death That Created Success…

The difference some people make comes alive after they are gone. Sad but true.

S. Cameron

Martin Luther King, Jr., was a Baptist minister and leader extraordinaire. His death catapulted a movement so others could live. The more recent deaths of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and many others who lost their lives and in their deaths they made an impact. Their deaths made others live.

It causes us to wonder if some people are born with the purpose to make a difference after death. We think of children. Amber alert was created after little Amber died after being abducted. Sad but her death encouraged changes that saved the lives of others.

Sadly, it is in death that we understand. Only after some die that we understand the purpose of life. Today I encourage you to look back on your life. Try to understand your purpose. Are you on the path that leads you to making a difference?

Reflect. Think about your purpose. Why are you here? While you’re at it, reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s last speech. It depicted a leader who had attain his true purpose.

Go now, find your purpose.

Cheers!

South Florida Writers Of Color Literary Magazine, 2nd Edition…

You can. You should and if you are brave enough to start, you will. Writing is magic as much the water of life as any other creative art. The water is free so drink. Drink and be filled.  ~Stephen King

 

The world is never the same once a good poem has been added to it. ~Dylan Thomas

The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins, South Florida Writers of Color Literary Magazine. An Online Literary Magazine. Read. Indulge your writing prowess in these editions:

South Florida Writers of Color Magazine 1st Edition

South Florida Writers of Color Magazine 2nd Edition

Hope you are inspired to write.

Cheers!

Ditch It. Switch It. A Story…

Most of us have only one story to tell. I don’t mean that only one thing happens to us in our lives: there are countless events, which we turn into countless stories. But there’s only one that matters, only one finally worth telling. The tale of someone’s life begins before they are born.

Listen to my interview with former Regional Director turned Radio personnel, singer, songwriter, Poet and Musician shares how he Ditched It to do what he loves in order to follow his passion. Learn the strategies he used.

Most important his audience was exposed to the inner secrets of the man behind the mic.

Stay tuned for new book soon to be released “Your Career: Ditch It. Switch It”

Cheers!

Love’s Here To Stay…

Curling up with you for awhile today

Showering my love for you to stay

 

Though you’re far away, I feel you so near

And bask in memories so precious, so dear

 

Longing for you seems measures away

Words without end, there’s so much to say

Memories,  soft kisses, light smiles along the way

 

For you I long

For you I cherish

For you my sigh, my bliss, my all

 

For all the militias so very far away

Love’s wounded, but it’s here to stay

 

Dedicated to Military families that distance separates.
Dr. Shelly C

 

The Beauty. The Ease To Write…

The ease to write

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

I miss you.

Your tender love.

Your Warmth relax.

Your strokes caress

With you everything is okay.

My joy complete

My stress eased.

My space breathe.

My words flow.

Indeed …you take my breath away.

You are My love. My joy. My peace.

That’s the reason I WRITE

To tell my story

To Release

To encourage

To motivate

To captivate

Because what’s inside can’t wait to be released

I thank you. I praise you.

I Can’t wait to be with you again.

My heart. My writing soul.

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Getaway To The Waves. The Sea. The Shore.

Waves splashing. Seas rough. Birds chirping. Softly. Quietly. Then louder as if composing a song. As if complaining … oh why so rough?

Now they fly. They soar. They meander. Still chirping high above beneath the sky. The white clouds embrace.

Waves calm down. Storm’s afloat. Passes by the outskirts as if to say, I’ll stop by next time…whenever that is. Behind it leaves weeds on the shore. Washed up. All aghast.

She Reads By The Sea

Book in hand she reads by the sea. Listening. Listening to the sounds of the waves. The birds. People shouting indistinctly in the distance. Soaking up the sun. Then softly covered by the clouds. Be still my soul.

Trees. Palm trees sway softly. Tenderly. Hear the birds call. The sun shines brightly against the afternoon’s wave.

The Right Time To Write

‘Tis the right time to write. To pray. To listen to the still small voice. Speak. Help me listen. Help me hear you. Don’t let me miss what you must say.

Peace.

Why Writers Write…10 Reasons

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I write because there’s something in me that needs to come out.  I am at peace when I write. Writers write for many different reasons. Some personal, experiential, or environmental. Christine Caldalzo created a pictogram of 10 reasons writers write. Here I share 10:

10 Reasons Writers Write

  1. They love to write
  2. To express their thoughts
  3. To communicate
  4. To share experiences
  5. To tell about events
  6. To share their feelings
  7. To persuade
  8. To teach
  9. To Ask Questions
  10. They want something

Does any of the above resonate with your reason(s) to write? Any missing that you would like to add? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

 

Register Now to attend Writers Retreat

Write Not Under Stress Or Duress But From Inspiration…

Who are you fooling? Can you write a book in 2 days? Absolutely! But only if you are inspired with  the words just flowing like milk and honey from what’s deep down inside. It might be an experience that tugs at your heart through inspiration, trauma, dreams or more. No edits, just letting the words flow.

The Stress To Write

I was chatting with a fellow author at a recent book festival and he shared that he does not write under stress or duress but by inspiration. Me too! I write best from inspiration and not under the stress-to-write. I share that because at the upcoming 2 Days to Write Retreat, you will find the space to getaway! A mini retreat. This will be more about sharing your writing project with a group of like-minded writers where you can receive feedback on your writing project. After all, your work will be shared by the mass and not just for you only (though some choose to go the me-only route).

The Challenge

Participants are encouraged to challenge themselves to a writing project that can be shared at the event. It might be a cadre of poems, short-stories or excerpts of a longer writing book project. Share. Get critiqued. Append. Share again. It will be well worth your writing project as you push through your goal.

So Register now for early bird rates and book your place to join us on this 2 days to write small group retreat.

Cheers!

Toni Morrison. Novelist, Essayist, Editor, Professor Emeritus. The Tale…

Inspired. Informed. Educated. An iconic life exceptionally captured in one piece by author and educator Tiffani Knowles.

Excerpt cited. Read Tiffani’s full piece here

It was 1965, after splitting from Harold, when she began her career as an editor at Random House where she was instrumental in publishing American writers and luminaries such as Angela Davis, Henry Dumas and Muhammad Ali.

Yet, she knew there was a story that still needed to be told, one she hadn’t read or seen before.

At first, she was private about her own writing and would do so as a pastime very early in the morning before her boys would wake.

“I remember reading the ‘Bluest Eye’ and thought it was wonderful,” said Robert Gottlieb, a Random House colleague and the chief editor of the Alfred Knopf sub-division.

When Random House got wind of the fact that she was publishing, they wanted to keep her work in house and so, with the exception of one book, Gottlieb got to edit all of her books while they were published through Knopf.

Her first book, as Morrison claimed, intentionally eliminated the white gaze without “codes or notes explaining things to white people,” as she decided to put the entire plot on the first page.

“Quiet as it’s kept, there were no marigolds in the fall of 1941. We thought, at the time, that it was because Pecola was having her father’s baby that the marigolds did not grow.”

It was 1970 and “The Bluest Eye” boasted a story inspired by a conversation Morrison had had with an elementary schoolmate in Lorain many years before.

Her friend told her she had been asking God to give her blue eyes and he never did.

“How painful … can you imagine that kind of pain?” Morrison recounted for filmmaker Timothy Greenfield-Sanders in the “The Pieces I Am” documentary. “So, I wanted to say, this kind of racism hurts. This is not lynchings and murders and drownings. This is interior pain. It’s so deep to know that an 11 year old would think that if only she had some characteristic of the white world, she would be OK.”

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