Day 18 ~ A Simple Little Form for a Holiday Poem

Okay, today let's write a “Holiday Poem” ~ NEXT Sunday is Easter so how about taking time now to come up with a “Holiday Poem” about Easter. This form can be used for ANY holiday.

Here ya’ go:

Line 1: Name of holiday

Line 2: Something you see on this holiday

Line 3: Something you smell on this holiday

Line 4: Something you hear on this holiday

Line 5: Something you taste on this holiday

Line 6: Something you touch on this holiday

Line 7: Name of holiday

You can use this INSTANT site to set up your poem: Instant Holiday Poem Site

Here's what I came up with ~ one kind of a typical Easter poem and the second one is more what Easter is REALLY about. Enjoy:

Easter

Girls in new Easter dresses

Ham and rolls baking in the oven

Easter Sermon

Chocolate bunnies

Baskets full of surprises

Easter

© 2011 Stephanie Abney

Easter

Hope of the Resurrection

Newness of Spring

Heavenly choirs

Joy of renewal

Savior’s love

Easter

© 2011 Stephanie Abney

Your turn!!

Day 17 – Let’s Write a Nature Personified Poem!

Nature Personified Poem

This is a fun little 5-line poetry form that will remind you of Carl Sandburg’s poem, “Fog.”

Title: Nature Form (such as wind, rain, heat, snow)

Line 1   Title + (how it arrives or begins)

Line 2   Tell what it does

Line 3   and how it does it

Line 4   and where it is

Line 5 Tell how it leaves

Example:

Wind
The wind dances in on
Trotting horses’ feet
It stops in a golden
Valley looking about through
Fiery eyes, and then rages past
At a mighty gallop.
     by J. Kurnath © at the website Instant Nature Personification Poem Site

Here’s “Fog” by Carl Sandburg:

Fog

The fog comes
on little cat feet.

It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.

by Carl Sandburg ©

YOUR TURN!! Have fun!

Day 16 ~ Let's Write a Monorhyme Poem

Today we are going to try our hand at a Monorhyme Poem! 

A Monorhyme is a poem in which all the lines have the same end rhyme.

It can be however many lines you want and about any subject as long as the last word of each line rhymes with all the other last words of each line. And you don't skip (space) any lines. 

Here's a sample:

Late for Class

I realized it was half past four
When I, quite late, ran out the door.
My history class I so abhor,
But I missed two sessions the week before.
I failed a test on ancient lore
And forgot the date of the Second World War.
(Man, my brain was really sore.)
Up the marble stairs I tore,
And slid across a just-mopped floor:
I banged my knee and loudly swore,
To wake -again- at half past four!
These nightmares I can stand no more...

                                Copyright © 2001 Dendrobia 

Here's mine. It's short and sweet because I'm not at home. I'm at my son's home and trying to do this without my files and my own computer. (His is great, no problem, just used to my own stuff). 

I'm away from home, at my son's house in Pine.
Saturday is a writer's conference, so very fine.
I'll learn new things about writing a line,
And how to publish a book, so divine.

© 2011 Stephanie Abney

Your turn!!

Day 15 ~ “What if . . . I might” Poem

This is a poem that will get you thinking of many possibilities; some thoughtful, others silly, some adventurous, or even fanciful. Let your imagination go or reach deep into your heart. 

Fill in the blanks any way you want – changing the words you can create dozens of poems. (Be sure to see the link to a poem creation site for this style).*

Line #1:  What if ____________________________
Line #2:  I might ____________________________

(leave a space between lines 2 & 3)
 

Line #3:  What if ____________________________
Line #4:  I could _____________________________

(leave a space between lines 4 & 5)

Line #5:  What if ____________________________
Line #6:  I would_____________________________

(leave a space between lines 6 & 7)
 

Line #7:  Ask a question.

* Here is a terrific ONLINE “What if” poem creator:"What if - - - I might" poem creator site

Go to the link, look at the sample, and then fill in your own words in the blanks. When you have it the way you want, click “Create My What If Poem Now” and your poem will appear on a new screen. You can copy & paste it into a document, (you will have to space it according to the outline above). Then date it and put your name to it and then you can post it for all of us to see. 

Have fun!!

HERE ARE MY EXAMPLES - for what they're worth :)

The first one is silly: 

What if I danced in the rain?

I might get a little bit wet.

What if I sang at the top of my lungs?

I could land a singing contract, I bet.

What if I went back inside and sat down?

I would never know what I might do.

I wonder, would you be so bold, if it were you?

                                      © 2011 Stephanie Abney

This one is more serious:

What if I listened very carefully to the spirit?
I might be surprised at what I hear.

What if the Lord has plans I'm not ready for?
I could try to pretend I didn't hear them.

What if I listened and obeyed?
I would be more use to His children.

Do you think I'm that strong?

        © 2011 Stephanie Abney

Day 14 - April 14th is National "Poem in Your Pocket" Day!!

So I'm posting this early so you will know that Thursday, April 14th, I'm just going to "set you free" (as in FREE verse). Write any kind of poetry you want to.

Inasmuch as April 14th is National "Poem in Your Pocket" Day I'm also going to post the Poem FOR THIS DAY by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers and give you a link you can explore!! The main idea is to: select a poem you love during National Poetry Month then carry it with you on "Poem In Your Pocket Day" (April 14th), sharing it with co-workers, family, and friends.

Enjoy!! Feel free to post any poems you want to share in the comment section. I've noticed several readers are taking their creations over to their own blogs to share. Way cool!!!!


Here's the poem:

Keep a Poem In Your Pocket

By Beatrice Schenk de Regniers
Keep a poem in your pocket
And a picture in your head
And you’ll never feel lonely
At night when you’re in bed.

The little poem will sing to you
The little picture bring to you
A dozen dreams to dance to you
At night when you’re in bed.

So - -

Keep a picture in your pocket
And a poem in your head
And you’ll never feel lonely
At night when you’re in bed.
© Beatrice Schenk de Regniers


Here's the link - you will find some suggested poems you can print off and "KEEP A POEM IN YOUR POCKET": Poem in Your Pocket Day
 
Enjoy -
    Stephanie

Day 13 ~ Let's Write a Grammar Poem

Day 13 ~ Grammar Poem

This type of poem reinforces different aspects of grammar and is five lines long.

Directions:

Line 1. Write a noun for the subject

Line 2. Write two adjectives joined by and to describe this noun

Line 3. Write a verb and an adverb to describe this noun in action

Line 4. Start it with like or as followed by a comparison

Line 5. Start it with if only followed by a wish

Remember: Most adverbs tell you how, where, or when something is done. In other words, they describe the manner, place, or time of an action.

Example:

My golden retriever

Loving and loyal

Running to greet me

Like the best friend you could imagine

If only he would live forever.

                            © 05/05 H. Renz

My Poem: 

My Savior, Jesus Christ

Flawless and loving

Atoning selflessly

Like the perfect son of God

If only I can be found worthy

            © 2011 Stephanie Abney

YOUR TURN!!

Day 12 ~ Let's Write a Tanka Poem

  

Day 12 – Tanka, “The Grandmother of Haiku”

Soon we’ll do a free verse poem using a prompt and move away from all these “form” poems, but I also think the “form” poems are really good practice because you have to work hard to fit your thoughts into the pattern set forth.

Today is another form of Japanese poetry, “Tanka” which has been called, “The Grandmother of Haiku.” This poem is distinguished by the number of lines and syllables instead of rhyme. 

Please take care to COUNT the syllables in the poem you create and only use 5 lines. Tanka poems consist of 31 syllables in the following pattern:

Line 1 = 5 syllables
Line 2 = 7 syllables
Line 3 = 5 syllables
Line 4 = 7 syllables
Line 5 = 7 syllables 

EXAMPLE:

 
Liberty bell rang

in seventeen fifty-three

struck an e-flat note

hairline crack begins to spread

starts split with Mother England.

           © 2008 Sally Clark

Here’s another example, a poem written by Gerard John Conforti, in his book, Now That the Night Ends ©1996: 
 
This cold winter night
the snow clings to the tree boughs
in the pale moonlight
the kisses of your soft lips
warm this aching heart of mine 
            ©1996 Gerard John Conforti

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

OKAY, so here's my SILLY little offering but sometimes I feel this way - has it ever happened to you?

Timing of Posts is EVERYTHING

Feel invisible

Even when among my friends

I say clever things

But no one responds to it

Darn that Face Book anyway.

                    © 2011 Stephanie Abney

YOUR TURN!! Enjoy!

We interrupt this poetry challenge to announce my AWARD!!

Hey, thought I would pat myself on the back a little - I've been awarded the "Beautiful Mommy Writer Award" for my blog. (I wonder if she will come up with a beautiful grandmommy writer award too)? 

It was awarded to me by Deirdra Eden Coppel, author and illustrator. If you like learning about authors - she interviews them on her blog at a record pace. You can get to her blog by clicking directly on the award over on the LEFT hand column of my blog page. Thanks, Deirdra

I hope you have become a follower of my blog - you can click on the "Follow" link, also on the LEFT hand column of my blog page, below the award.

If you came in search of today's poetry form and instructions, it's the post just below this one. It will end April 30th and then I'll see what else is happening. But I want to catch up on my own happenings to share as well and will intersperse that within anything else going on. That's why you're reading THIS now, in the middle of the poetry challenge. Have a GREAT week!!
 

Day 11 ~ Let's Write a Limerick!

Day 11 - Limerick

A Limerick is a rhymed humorous or nonsense poem of five lines which originated in Limerick, Ireland.

The Limerick has a set rhyming scheme of: a-a-b-b-a (meaning lines ending in “a” must rhyme with each other and lines ending in “b” must rhyme with each other) and with a syllable pattern of: 9-9-6-6-9. (See details per line below).

Line 1 – “a” – 9 syllables

Line 2 – “a” – 9 syllables

Line 3 – “b” – 6 syllables

Line 4 – “b” – 6 syllables

Line 5 – “a” – 9 syllables

This is the most commonly heard first line of a limerick starts with: "There once was a man from ___________."

It’s rather “sing-songy” so just play around with it and then check to be sure the correct lines end in rhymes and that you have the correct number of syllables. It’s tricky, but very fun!!

Example:

The Man From Aruba

There once was a man from Aruba,
Whose favorite hobby was scuba.
Every day he would wish,
He could spear a big fish.
But settled instead for canned tuna.

Copyright © 2005 Jim Dupy

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, here’s mine for today:

The Poetry Fest

Stephanie had a poetry fest

Encouraging friends to do their best

“Write a poem each day,

I will show you the way.”

“At the end of the month we will rest!

© 2011 Stephanie Abney

Day 10 ~ Let's Write a Spring Senses Poem

Day 10 ~ Spring Senses Poem

This is a simple little “finish the line” format that involves the five senses. With the crazy weather most of us have been having, you might have to dig deep for what you THINK Spring is like. You can use a single word (or two) or create a sentence as long as you wish. It’s basically a “free verse” pattern, but feel free to make rhyming endings if that’s what comes to you. Have fun!!

Spring Senses Poem

Spring looks like _____________________.

Spring sounds like ____________________.

Spring feels like ______________________.

Spring smells like _____________________.

Spring tastes like _____________________.

Here’s what I came up with:

Well, even my “one word” answers often ended up as two words. Sigh ~

Spring looks like sunshine.

Spring sounds like birds singing.

Spring feels like a cool breeze.

Spring smells like mint leaves.

Spring tastes like strawberries.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spring looks like the excited anticipation in my grandchild’s eyes.

Spring sounds like lawn mowers, sprinklers, birds chirping and children laughing.

Spring feels like a soft bunny, the wind blowing across your face and a gentle hug.

Spring smells like orange blossoms, a baby fresh out of a bath and the earth after a soft rain.

Spring tastes like Jello Jigglers, strawberries and cotton candy.

Stephanie Abney

Day 9 ~ Let's Write a Cinquain Poem (Pattern 2)

Cinquain Poem ~ there’s more than one style of cinquain poem – so we’ll call this “Pattern Two.”

Cinq is French for FIVE ~ this poem has five lines that follow a specific pattern.

This short five-lined poem doesn’t have an actual title; rather, the FIRST line (one word) becomes the title.

It does not rhyme and in this version you count the number of words per line and each line has specific requirements:

1^st line ~ one word – the subject (or title) or your poem

2^nd line ~ two words that describe the title/subject

3^rd line ~ three words that express action

4^th line ~ four words that express a thought or feeling

5^th line ~ one word synonym for title (restates your subject using a different word)

Here's my efforts on this style poem:

Service

Helping others

Let’s work together

Bearing one another’s burdens

Love

© 2011 Stephanie Abney

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heaven

Eternal Reward

Must get there

Loved ones are waiting

Home

© 2011 Stephanie Abney

Your turn!! Enjoy!

Day 8 ~ Let's Write a Cinquain Poem (Pattern 1)

Cinquain Poem ~ there’s more than one style of cinquain poem – so we’ll call this “Pattern One.”

Cinq is French for FIVE ~ this poem has five lines that follow a specific pattern.

This is a short five-lined poem that doesn’t have an actual title; rather, the FIRST line (one word with 2 syllables or two 1-syllable words) becomes the title. Each line starts with a capital letter but has no ending punctuation. It does not rhyme and in this version you count the number of SYLLABLES per line and each line has specific requirements. The first line has 2 syllables; each line increases by 2 syllables until the last line, which returns to 2 syllables:

1^st line ~ two syllables – the subject (or title) or your poem

2^nd line ~ four syllables that describe the title/subject

3^rd line ~ six syllables that express action

4^th line ~ eight syllables that express a thought or feeling

5^th line ~ two syllables synonym for title (restates your subject using a different word)

Be sure to COUNT OUT the syllables for each line. I love this style poetry and wanted to share a couple of poems I wrote years ago:

Children
A gift from God
Grace our lives for a time
Remain in our hearts forever
Precious

Stephanie Abney ~   © 1999

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Comfort
Feeling secure
Where judgment has no place
Wrapped in the safety of your arms
Husband

Stephanie Abney ~   © 1998

Day 7 ~ Let's Write an "If I Were..." Poem

Day 7 ~ Let's go from "I Am" to "If I Were"

This is another "fill-in-the blanks" style of poetry that is quite fun. It's not as long as the "I Am" poem of Day 6 (nor as mentally taxing). Enjoy!!

These are simple and fun. Just use your imagination and fill in the blanks:

If I were a __________________,

I’d _____________________ and

I’d _____________________ and

I’d ________________________.

I’d be ______________________.

OK, I'm fresh out of ideas right now, so this is STRICTLY to be an example, but the possibilities are endless. So, for what it's worth, here is my lame effort and I'm NOT going to sign my name to it - I'm hoping I'll come up with something better later on in the day. I KNOW you will. :)

If I were a new little kitten,

I’d drink my mother’s milk and

I’d chase my tail in circles and

I’d purr in your lap while I slept.

I’d be content.

Your turn!!

Day 6 ~ Let's Write an "I Am" Poem

How to write an "I Am" poem ~

This "formula" form poem was one of my favorites to use as a teacher because it ended up giving me some interesting insight about my students. Some were very serious and tender, others were silly. For example ~ one boy wrote for the "I Am" line (which gets repeated over and over): "I am an honest young man who loves the Lord." (Yep, right there in school, then he went on to fill in the other lines with the type of person he tried to be ... because he was a young man who loved the Lord). However, another student wrote "I am a happy boy who loves pizza." The rest of the poem was hysterical. You can go anywhere, depending on WHO you say you ARE. Here's the form - YOU fill in the blanks BUT you must follow the instructions for each line!!

IF this feels TOO personal - make up a character or if you are writing a book, use one of your characters for this poem ~ the easiest way is to copy and paste the format onto a document page and then read the instructions and replace them with YOUR words:

Below is the line-by-line set-up for this version of the "I Am..." poem:

I Am…

1st Stanza

I am (two special characteristics you have)
I wonder (something you are actually curious about)
I hear (an imaginary sound)
I see (an imaginary sight)
I want (an actual desire)
I am (the first line of the poem is repeated)

Stanza 2

I pretend (something you really pretend to do)
I feel (a feeling about something imaginary)
I touch (something you imagine you touch)
I worry (a worry that is real to you)
I cry (something that makes you very sad)
I am (the first line of the poem is repeated)

Stanza 3

I understand (something you know is true)
I say (something you believe in)
I dream (a dream you actually have)
I try (something you make an effort to do)
I hope (something you really hope for)
I am (the first line of the poem is repeated)

OK, I'm such a paradox personality anyway - so I used two random traits but they both play powerful parts in my daily life so, at the risk of being more vulnerable than I care to be, here's my poem:

I Am…

I am compassionate and distracted.
I wonder if people realize the sincerity of my motives.
I hear opportunities passing.
I see endless possibilities
I want to fulfill my life’s mission. 
I am compassionate and distracted.

I pretend I’m not noticing everything all at once.
I feel like I am always “on the verge” of … something.
I touch the part of me that’s missing.
I worry I might leave this life with some of my “music left inside me.”
I cry when I think about those who may have misunderstood me.
I am compassionate and distracted.

I understand the Lord is aware of my intentions and talents.
I say my writings will make a difference.
I dream of helping others with my words.
I try to give people the benefit of the doubt.
I hope they will do the same for me.
I am compassionate and distracted.

      © Stephanie Abney 2011

Day 5 ~ Let's Write an Onomatopoeia Poem

A WHAT kind of poem? Onomatopoeia!!

An onomatopoeia poem (and NO, I did NOT make up this type of poem - it IS REAL) and it uses words that imitate the sounds they represent. 

BUT - I think you'll like THIS PART: 

They can be any length, any number of syllables.

They don't have to rhyme - but they can if you want them to. You have a lot more freedom EXCEPT for using some words that SOUND like the noise they describe. Have fun!!

Here are some typical onomatopoeia words:

crash, boom, bang, kerplunk, screech, buzz, crackle, plop, murmur, fizz

Get the idea? You can do a Google search for more words if you need to.

Lots of children's nursery rhymes are onomatopoeia poems, such as "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" or "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"

Here's a sample Onomatopoeia poem:

The Rusty Spigot

The rusty spigot
sputters,
utters
a splutter,
spatters a smattering of drops,
gashes wider;
slash
splatters
scatters
spurts
finally stops sputtering
and plash!
gushes rushes splashes
clear water dashes. 

   - © Eve Merriam

OK, I have NO clue what to write ~ I ended up rhyming mine but not needed. I can't WAIT to see what you come up with.

Here's my meager effort for today:

Clatter, crash, bang!
I waken from my sleep.

Sigh, groan, moan
I hope that Jim's still home.

I tiptoe down the hall,
And see my dishwashing hubby's had a fall.

Good Luck!!

Day 4 ~ Let's write Haiku!!

Day 4 - Haiku

Haiku is a popular form of Japanese poetry.
It usually centers around a nature theme, but you can make one up about anything.
Haiku poems don’t rhyme; they follow a pattern.

The pattern for haiku is as follows:

Line 1: 5 syllables
Line 2: 7 syllables
Line 3: 5 syllables

You need to pay attention to the number of SYLLABLES, not words.

Here’s an example from a lesson plan I got online once – no author credit given, sorry:

Clouds float slowly by
Fluffy, lumpy, cotton balls
Silver, gray, and white

Here’s mine for today:

A soft, gentle breeze
Tickles leaves in my front yard
And I know He’s there.
         ~ © 2011 Stephanie Abney


OK, YOUR TURN!!

Day 3 ~ Let's write an Acrostic Poem for April

Write an acrostic poem about the month of April. Begin each line with a word or phrase that starts with the letter on that line.

A _________________________________
P _________________________________
R _________________________________
I _________________________________
L _________________________________

Here’s my efforts:

Anew
Perfect
Resurrection
Immortal
Life

A son of God
Perfect in every way
Reaches out to
Individuals because he
Loves us so

YOUR TURN!! Happy Sabbath!

Day 2 ~ Let's write a Triplet

How to write a Triplet Poem ~

Triplets are 3 lined poems that rhyme:

BUT ~ HERE’S THE IMPORTANT PART ~
EVERY LINE HAS THE SAME NUMBER OF SYLLABLES!

Fun times ~ it helps to think of a topic first, any topic (nature is usually the easiest to get an idea about).

Here’s an example (count out the syllables and you’ll see each line has the same number) by Sally Clark, found in “The Highlights of Homeschooling: How to Write 30 Forms of Poetry about Horses”

Through the waving grass we glide,
through the morning mist we ride,
galloping the prairie wide.                          
                         © 2007 by Sally Clark  


Here’s my efforts:

We’ve been together forty years,
through laughter, joys, and all the tears,
now, only you, can calm my fears.
                                 © 2011 by Stephanie Abney
                        

I pray my words today are sweet,
in case there’s some I have to eat,
it makes friends easier to keep!
                                      © 2011 by Stephanie Abney


Now, it's YOUR turn :) HAVE FUN!!!

April is NATIONAL POETRY MONTH!! 30 Poems in 30 Days

So, APRIL IS NATIONAL POETRY MONTH!! And there are 30 days in April and I invite you to try writing a poem a day -- (or just a thought, a blog, whatever) - but there are SO MANY KINDS OF POETRY out there, that not only could you give it a try, you could actually write a DIFFERENT style of poem each day. I did this with my creative writing students last year and it was a blast! It was amazing to see what they came up with. (I'm doing it on our closed writers group online but I thought if I also did it here, others might want to join in).

I thought it might be fun to post the poem I come up each day here on my blog - you are welcome to do the same in the comments (or fire up your own blog)! Everyone should remember common courtesy - if someone writes something/anything - THEY ALSO OWN THE COPYRIGHT TO IT THE MOMENT THEY WRITE IT - so don't go using something you read here that someone else has written unless you give them proper recognition (and better yet, seek their permission to use it). Always include the name of the author of any story, poem, blog post or anything that you share. Thanks. [Drives me crazy when I read something wonderful that is flying through everyone's email and no one bothered to include the author's name]. :) 

Ok, so, if you want to join me - I think I'll post a different style with an example of it each day. Then, I'll make up my own poem and post it. 

Feel free to share your creations. You might really surprise yourself!!

Here is a link that you can use on your own for ideas and inspiration:
poets.org - info on National Poetry Month & more

So, this will be fun!!! WHO'S IN????

DAY 1 ~ Let’s write a couplet:

A couplet is a two-lined verse. Both lines rhyme and usually have a rhythm to them.
Try expressing your complete thought in two mid-sized poetic lines. The last words should rhyme. It can be spiritual or silly – couplets are great to write for children or with children.


It is possible to string a bunch of couplets together to create a longer poem, but for our first day – just try one 2-line couplet.

Here’s an example from "Nature's Shows," found in Tickle Day: Poems from Father Goose by Charles Ghigna

Nature puts on little shows
Every time it rains or snows.
                            © 1994 by Charles Ghigna

Anyway, here are my two offerings, for what their worth (one is simple; the other is silly).

~~~~~~~ I was thinking about the Lord's tender mercies and came up with this:

I know the Lord is mindful of me,
And it makes me happy as can be.
                             © 2011 by Stephanie Abney

~~~~~~~ then, in a moment of frustration, I thought a little on "getting one's nose out of joint" and came up with this:

Writing this little assignment
Puts my nose out of alignment.
                               © 2011 by Stephanie Abney

Did you think of a couplet? Just look around and think on an object, or an emotion and give it a shot!!

Enjoy!!

Do you like free books?

My good friend and prolific writer of YA novels is celebrating her soon-to-be-released book, My Unfair Godmother, a sequel to My Fair Godmother. It is coming out in April and she is giving away books every day, but you have to read all about it at HER blog: Janette Rallison's blog ~ so head on over there and follow the rules and you just might find yourself with some free books!! (Oh, and tell her Stephanie sent you)!! Enjoy! She's one of my favorite authors. Her books are DELIGHTFUL!! (and FUNNY)!

Book Review - The Waterfall Concept: A Blueprint for Addiction Recovery

The Waterfall Concept: A Blueprint for Addiction Recovery
by Roger Stark, Silver Star Publishing, 192 pages, $19.95 

This is a fabulous book!! No matter what habits or addictions steal your time and/or your happiness, you can find the tools in this book to be extremely useful. I'll post my more detailed review for my regular Book Review blog once I get permission from MormonTimes.com ~ in the meantime, you can follow the link and read it there. Then I would love it if you came back here and left a comment and then followed the last link to Deseret News where you can leave comments and leave one there as well. Thanks so much!!

Roger Stark's own journey of recovery gave him the desire to become an addiction counselor. Now he shows others the way to healing through one-on-one counseling, at recovery retreats and in his new book, "The Waterfall Concept: A Blueprint for Addiction Recovery." Read the Complete Book Review at Deseret News

Check out the first 5 chapters of a fabulous new book!!

Laurie has generously posted the first five chapters of Oh, Say Can You See? at the link below. Even though this wonderful book is part of a series, you can enjoy it as a "stand-alone" historical novel as well.

This will give you a taste before you buy it!
Read the first 5 chapters here 
Watch the book trailer here:

Oh Say Can You See? BLOG TOUR DETOUR!!

Today I was scheduled to post a review of L.C. Lewis' new book, Oh Say Can You See? (a stand alone historical novel, as well as the 4th in her series Free Men and Dreamers). However, life sometimes has other plans. I'll spare you details (everyone is fine, just got an unexpected monkey wrench thrown at me) but I won't be posting that review today - Laurie Lewis graciously suggested I post it later so check back BUT in the meantime, you should just buy the book anyway - in time for Christmas - because it's fabulous!

You may or may not know that I am actually starting another blog dedicated to book reviews and author interviews.Stephanie's Book Reviews & Author Interviews ~ and that's where I'll be posting future book reviews - I may continue to post some here until people get used to going to the other one. I will definitely post my review of Oh Say Can You See? as soon as I can here as some people are being directed to this blog as part of the tour. Thanks for your patience. :)

You can also expect a review on The Waterfall Concept soon - am waiting to find out about "First Rights" to another place that will be publishing my review before I can proceed. So, guess most ventures start out with a few surprises, but stay tuned, I have lots to share with you ... soon. Become a follower!! Thanks and I'll "see" ya' later.

"The Sharp Edge of the Knife" - author contest

Hey, everyone ~ thought you might like to know that one of my author friends, Nichole Giles, a.k.a. D.N. Giles, is having a contest on her blog: http://nicholegiles.blogspot.com/ ~ Just go and read about her new book, "The Sharp Edge of a Knife" - based on the true story of a Good Samaritan who gets kidnapped, follow the instructions and you will get entered in her contest. Good Luck!

You can read the first chapter online for free - once you do, you'll want to read the rest. I was fascinated to read the interview she gave and realize that it was her grandfather who was kidnapped at knife-point - but I'll let you go to her blog and see for yourself. Be sure to read the rules on her blog on how you can enter her contest. I love author contests - I've gotten several free books and other cool prizes that way. Have fun!

A Higher Way

According to Wikipedia (such as it is, but this is a pretty good definition), “‘Social issues’ are matters which directly or indirectly affect a person or many members of a society and are considered to be problems, controversies related to moral values, or both.” The list of hot topics in today’s society runs rampant: health care, abortion, human rights, immigration, the homeless, unemployment, bankruptcy, loss of homes, welfare, business and trade scandals, terrorism, pornography, drugs, sexual preferences, child abuse, and addictions, just to name some of them.

Look up the word “social” in the dictionary and the first definition says, “pertaining to, devoted to, or characterized by friendly companionship or relations.” Next, search for “issue” and you will find over thirty definitions but the one that most closely fits the bill for this topic seems to be, “a point, matter, or dispute, the decision of which is of special or public importance.” The funny thing is most “social issues” are not friendly and too many people act as if only their view of the matter is the one that is important.

It may be surprising to learn the “social issue” that is of importance to me. I yearn for tolerance, empathy and understanding. I can’t think of a single person whose mind was changed by listening to the mud-slinging political ads, watching debates, or reading op-ed pieces in the newspaper, online, on FaceBook or their friends’ blogs. No one I know changed their vote as a result of the constant barrage of recorded phone messages or any other method people used to try to get their point across during the recent elections. Why can’t we all just get along?

We will never totally agree with each other because we all bring different life experiences, perspectives, upbringings, and religious or other persuasions to the table. But do we really have to agree in order to live harmoniously with one another? Surely there is another way. Clearly, force and/or belittlement are not working. Why not try understanding each other?

I think it is a glorious thing that we are all different. How boring it would be if we really did all think alike. None of us look alike, but should we be treated differently because of that? Hopefully, we have come far enough for people to say, “No.” How about if we have different abilities, interests, skills, intelligence, opportunities, education and socio-economic levels? What if we see different ways of accomplishing the same goals? Is one way inherently better than another? Not in my opinion. Why aren’t we embracing and celebrating our differences? How else will we ever learn about different cultures, religions, ethnic foods and traditions and new ways of doing things if we do not allow people to practice them and to share it with us?

I really like this recent quote by Dr. Stephen R. Covey, the author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, among many other titles: “Election results in the U.S. show a lot of losers and a lot of winners. However, what we really need is win-win thinking, empathic listening for understanding and seeking mutual respect and benefits, which will lead to synergy. Synergy means ‘the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.’ Synergy produces 3rd Alternatives, ‘not your way or my way but a new or higher way.’"

A higher way, one, that respects each other regardless of our politics, our religion or lack of it, our education, our experiences and our cherished opinions. Now, more than ever, shouldn’t we be seeking first to understand and then to make ourselves understood? Shouldn’t we pool our collective thoughts and expertise and come up with solutions that work for every citizen? I think it’s time we put “united” back into the United States of America and worked together for our common good.