Tag: challenge

Ice Breaker Challenge – Introduce Yourself!

Ice Breaker Challenge

I saw this on Facebook and thought it would be a great way for bloggers to actually get to know each other! We know there are fakes out here so I’m calling everyone out. Put your pen where the truth is. Here’s your chance to verify your identity. Let’s break the ice.

Answer the following questions honestly on your own blog. Link back to this blog so we can see everyone’s post. Use the hashtag #Icebreaker. You can also leave a link to your blog in the comments if you want! This will be my last post until the weekend. Let’s take this time to get to know each other. You’re not doing anything at work anyway. Besides, it’s lunchtime. I’ll go first.

(Note. Yes, you can number your questions. I had to edit mine out due to technical difficulties in my WordPress dashboard).

Are you named after someone? Yes, middle name after my grandmother Marguerite.

When is the last time you cried? Two days ago.

Do you like your handwriting? No, only in notebooks.

What is your favorite lunch meat? Turkey, thinly sliced.

How many kids do you have? Two with my husband, none biologically.

If you were another person, would you be friends with you? Sure lol.

Do you use sarcasm? Yea. Sorry.

Do you still have your tonsils? These questions are weird but yes.

Would you bungee jump? No. Not. Ever.

What is your favorite cereal? Captain Crunch.

Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? No. My shoe strings are usually tucked in.

Do you think you are strong? I have to be.

What is your favorite ice cream? Every kind. It just has to be ice cream period.

What is the first thing you notice about people? Eyes.

Red or pink?  Neither. Browns, Greens, Beiges. Earth tones.

What is the least favorite thing you like about yourself? Too trusting, take things too personal.

What color pants and shoes are you wearing right now? Blue jeans, black house shoes

What was the last thing you ate? Chicken Tacos

What are you listening to right now?  My thoughts.

If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Brown or Burnt Orange

What are your favorite smells? Fresh Linen and Fruity scented candles, my husband’s cologne.

Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone? Hubby 😍😍

Favorite sport to watch? Track & Field, Basketball

Real hair color? Brown

Eye color? Brown

Do you wear contacts? No.

Favorite food to eat? Pasta Bruschetta.

Scary movies or happy endings? Both. (What’s a scary movie?)

Last movie you watched? Look Who’s Talking Too 😂 lol.

What color shirt are you wearing? Green

Summer or winter? Summer

Hugs or kisses? Both.

What book are you reading? House of The Hanging Jade by  Amy Reade

What is on your mousepad? I don’t know. Its in the other room.

What is the last TV program you watched? Queen Sugar.

What is the best sound? Birds in the morning, and crickets and grasshoppers in the country at night.

Rolling Stones or The Beatles? Neither. Temptations.

What is the farthest you have traveled? Jamaica.

Do you have a special talent? Yes.

Where were you born? Chicago

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Copy, and paste these questions in your own blog and do it yourself! Don’t forget to use #Icebreaker and link back so we can see. ☺️

6 Month Book Birthday Review Challenge – The Road to Freedom

I am sooo inspired by this post I just read! I also found it even more inspiring since I just published a post about reaching out and asking. Too bad I didn’t see this one until just now, I would have used it. Well, it’s either now or later. I’ll go ahead and use it now! First, here’s the link to the post. Check it out: 2 Easy Steps to A Massive Blog Tour

So following my recent post on asking. I’M ASKING FOR YOUR HELP. No, not a blog tour. More like a challenge.

I am trying to increase my number of book reviews on Amazon for The Road to Freedom – (Click Here to Learn What This Book Is About) in celebration of its 6 month birthday! The 3rd Book in the Stella Trilogy (also read as a standalone) was born on February 26, 2016. August 26th will make 6 months. In celebration, as I finish up the manuscript to my next book, I’d like to have a little fun. Right now I’m at the humble number of 8 Reviews. I am trying to at least make it to 15 which is just 7 reviews away! I know, I know, who am I? Well, nobody. But, like, you can help a nobody out right? Anyways, I have 3 Options for those who’d like to help:

Option #1:

Email ahouseofpoetry@gmail.com with the email header: Book Review Challenge Option 1.

Incentive: In response I’ll send you an e-copy of The Road to Freedom – Joseph’s Story AND the first Chapter to my upcoming novel, Renaissance which I have only released to my newsletter family.

…..AND

That’s not all. Finish the book and write the review and I’ll send you a signed paperback copy with my special author seal (must have written and posted review before I send the paperback copy)

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Time: Time is a valuable resource. For this reason, I am pleased to know it will not take up so much of your time to read this book. It’s only 65 pages long. Yea, you can read it in one day if you wanted to. That’s right, if you hate it I haven’t wasted much of your time. Though I seriously doubt you will ; ).

Deadline: I am asking for the reviews to be in no later than August 15th.

Serious Inquiries: I respect everyone’s time so I am asking for serious inquiries only. I have sent free e-copies of my book out before and I’ve never gotten a response back. Please only email me if you seriously want to read the book and are willing to provide an honest review. An honest review means you don’t have to like it, you just have to review it. The only true thing we have is our word. I don’t want to send my book to those who have no real intentions of helping me. If you are not interested in reviewing the book, please read on to the other options:

Option #2:

Can’t make my deadline? Not interested in reviewing the book? Interview me! Invite me as a guest on your blog and interview me about my writing process, Self-Publishing, Travel, Online / Offline Promo, whatever you want! Email ahouseofpoetry@gmail.com with the email header: Book Review Challenge – Option #2.

Option #3:

Yes! There is a 3rd Option. Not interested in Option 1 or 2? Mention me on Twitter! Don’t forget to follow me as well. I’ll follow you right back and RT your mention (This option is also open for those who have already reviewed the book). Just click the Tweet This Below:

Review Challenge: Check Out The Road to Freedom – Joseph’s Story by Yecheilyah @ahouseofpoetry– Tweet This

That’s it! That’s the challenge. Remember that you can participate using Options 1-3 if you want. Or use 1 and 3, or 1 and 2, whatever you like.

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I am not sure if this will work, but I am excited. We shall see. Anndddd…..go! (LOL)

Writer’s Quote Wednesday on a Thursday – Happiness

I think this is the first time I’ve done this on a Thursday! It doesn’t look as good as the Wednesday quote on a Wednesday but hey, nonetheless welcome back to another Writers Quote Wednesday! As hosted by Colleen of Silver Threading, co-hosted by Ronovan of Ronovan Writes.

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I really want another dog. But that’s not why you’re here. To the quote.

This weeks theme is: Happiness:

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I don’t know who said it, but this point is so timely. Its hard to be positive when everything is going wrong but thats when we have to be the most strong. Sometimes you just gotta find the light, even when its dark. When we fall or make mistakes its hard to smile and be happy but if you’re reading this at least you woke up this morning; lots of people didn’t. So, even when the sun sets, the moon is still there. Sometimes you just have to find that source of light.

 

White Privilege in America #MayChallengeDay18

It just is what it is. White Privilege exist and is alive and well in our society. It means basically that a person feels like they are entitled to things because of who they are and where they come from. Even more, not only are they entitled, but society itself entitles them. In America, white privilege is not something that is exclusive to Jim Crow or something that existed a long time ago. White Privilege exists right here today in our society. Just look at Ethan Couch, better known as The Afluenza Teen. The young man who murdered four people and got away with it on the premise that he suffers from a condition called “Affluenza” or someone who has an alleged lack of motivation and isolation due to being affluent or wealthy. When they labeled Ethan with this supposed “psychological” condition, they were basically saying that he suffers from white privilege. That is, he was born white and wealthy. This is just one such story in which white people can get away with what other people cannot. And I really hate saying “white people” since I don’t really believe in identifying any group of people by colors. There are not white people and black people. There are nations of people. So anyway, for the sake of understanding, white privilege is real and its time for us to stop denying it exists. Just to use politics as an example, had Ben Carson said half of what Donald Trump said he would have been metaphorically lynched. Destroyed. Over with. Stick a fork in him, he’s done. Everybody can see the obvious racism of this “Trump Card” but what many have not said is why he’s winning. Trump in short, plays on the people’s emotions (and not just white racists, many black people are agreeing with him too). He’s simply appealing to the heart of what many Americans have felt for years but have not voiced in public. Donald Trump is not a politician, he’s a business man. So yes, he’s a racist. Yes, he’s a clown. Yes, he’s this and he’s that but the reality is what? Many Americans are supporting him and many will vote for him. Now, what does this say about America? Because this is not about voting or about Trump. What it says is that contrary to popular belief White Privilege still exists, and more so, many Europeans do wish to make America great again. Do we understand what this term means? Making America great again is a term used by racists who wish for things to go back to the way it was in the days of Jim Crow, you know, when niggas knew their place. “Make America Great Again” is for those who wish for America to go back to the way it used to be. Blonde hair, blue eyes, white privilege. America’s sweetheart.

Silent Supporters MayChallengeDay16-17

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Dare I capture a photo of last nights meal? I suppose I could upload it to IG. At least then you’ll know I’ve eaten, right? Or maybe I’ll weigh my self-esteem against the number of followers, out of which only a handful are actually interested. What if my anniversary was yesterday? Does it cheapen the experience that I didn’t post about it?

We live in a world so dominated by technology and by sight that we rarely take the time to notice the small, silent, and seemingly insignificant. Usually, when we think of supporters we hearken to those who are outspoken enough to make themselves known. Visible. These are the commenters, likers, subscribers, and followers. After all, without this kind of support, how do we know if we’re doing something worthwhile? Is our content life changing or are we wasting dashboard space? Well, this thought led me to the intriguing world of the silent supporter. You know, that person who supports everything you do on the low. You may find them listed among your every social media outlet. Silent Supporters. The people who support your every endeavor but never have anything vocal to say. Instead they hang on to your every word in the background, taking it all in, applying, researching, and agreeing in the dark.

I think silent supporters are great and may actually be the backbone to success because they are the people who do. Act. Apply. Listen. Now success is more so determined by the personal standards of the individual, but from the basic perspective of the kind of primary support we all need to keep going, silent supporters play a significant role. They are the people you inspire every day but you will never know it. Well, if your paying attention you just might. You see, the silent supporter doesn’t say anything, his presence alone is necessary. He’ll follow you any and everywhere as long as you have something to say. The point is: don’t lose hope and don’t give up. There are people who actually follow your advice, except you won’t know it because they choose to instead put it into practice. (They laugh at your not-so-funny jokes too). And when it comes down to investing, these are the people who put their money where their mouth is, hanging on to your every word and taking into account the wisdom of your perspective. Makes you consider the weight of influence we each have on every single eye that scans across these blogs. It’s really something if you think about it. As individuals we make such great impacts on so many people worldwide and we would never really know to what depths. So then, what are we giving them? Is it something worth having or a waste of someone’s time? Are we givers of life or takers? How will your blog influence someone today? You choose.

Success is not always what you can see. Silent Supporters are out there. They are listening, they are watching, and they are learning. Never lose sight of that.

Define Your Goals #MayChallengeDay14-15

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I always say that I don’t really sit down to seriously write a book until I know how it ends. The reason I stick to this strategy is the same reason most of us have such a difficult time reaching our goals: We don’t define them. If I don’t know where I’m going with a story, the ultimate ending, I usually have a hard time getting into the flow. The flow. Its that first draft stage where you put your head down and you do not come back up until the work is done. Not even for air. You worry not about the technicalities of the work or what other people are saying about the publishing industry. Those things will become nothing more than a distraction. Well, at least to me (I can’t speak for you). So, as for me, once I do get started I can’t  worry about typos, editing or what Stephen King said. Not right now. Not in that moment. At that point I’m just trying to get the basic layout on paper. But how can I lay the foundation that will lead me to a certain point if I don’t know what that point is? I cannot build a brick house until I know I want it made of brick, least I lay the foundation with straw.

The same can be said of our life, our blogs, or whatever it is we set out to do. One thing I’ve learned over the years is the power of patience. Oh patience! I was in such need of it. If I could have bought endurance in a bottle I would have done it. I realized that my lack of patience was draining all of the potential out of my work. Why? Well because I was rushing an idea and not sitting down to seriously analyze what it will take to bring that idea forward. And not only to bring it forward but to seriously consider the plausibility of the idea. Does it makes sense? Is it real? And not only is it real, but do I believe in seriously reaching this goal that I have set for myself or is it just a dream? I hear people talk a lot about following your dreams. People are fond of dreaming, but as long as we are still dreaming our goals will be just that: imaginary.

Anyone can set goals. We’ve all been to school or to some educational setting even if it were our own living rooms, where someone told us to sketch out our short term and long term goals. In short, many of us know exactly where we want to go, and where we want to be. The problem is not the goal itself. It’s not that it is too difficult or too simple. The problem is that we have no clear vision of how we plan to get there.

The chart in this post is a great start. Make sure that your goals are: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. I tried to think about which of these was the most important, but I think they all are. If your goal is not specific enough then it won’t be measurable. If goals are not measurable then they won’t be achievable and a goal that is achievable is naturally also not realistic. If your goal is not realistic then there is no real time limit that can be placed on it. Which in turn means its more likely to stay in lala land than put into action.

What I Learned About Blogging, Writing, and Life #MayChallengeDay 11-12

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Sometimes we just want the easy answer. The easy answer, and the smooth path. We want to lower mountains, and bring them down to our understanding. And we want as many tips on how to do so as is possible; we want things to be as easy as possible. But what I have learned, whether about blogging, writing, or life in general is this: You can have all the talent, and all of the opportunity in the world but if you do not have the persistence, the endurance, or the discipline to keep working then you do not have anything. Determination is called drive for a reason, it moves you.