Lisa Sharpe's Blog

Kool Kid Kruncha
And
The High Trapeze

Author: Emma Calin



I found this story to be very admirable.
Charlie, whose life is suddenly turned upside down due to the separation of his parents, has to suddenly alter his lifestyle and move to London with his mother.

Dealing with the absence of his father, Charlie had to withstand being called awful names and be the brunt of bullying at his new Junior High School.

Fortunately, Auntie Kate; with her beautiful accent, rids Charlie of his sulking, by taking him to the circus at the Commons where he showed a lot of bravery. She helped him realize that he isn't much different after all, although that was how he felt. Charlie realized that he could fit in with the best of them and continued on through high school befriending the one that challenged him the most, Damon.

This book is at the top of my list, not just because it was a great read but because the author, Emma Calin, made this an interactive book by including bonus features to coincide with a scanning app where her readers can download images, videos and audio clips related to this wonderful story.
I would recommend this book to readers ages 6 to 10. Thanks Emma!

Follow this link to get your Kindle copy.

http://www.amazon.com/Kool-Kruncha-Hi...

Recently on Facebook a dear friend posted this:

"If you could write a note from your adult self- to yourself as a child, what would it say?"

That phrase alone put a deep thought in my head. What would I write to myself? I am writing a memoir now titled "My Kinfolks Shoes." This story embodies my life but if I had to shorten the length of it, it would be scaled down to a Cambridge notepad and read a little something like this:


Dear Mousey,

How bright and beautiful you are. I am writing to tell you that the Lord is putting you in places for His will since your life is not your own. I assure you there is no cause for worry or concern for the things you think you may lack because He has you covered. Although you may face opposition and witness the frailties of those around you, Just know He has already delivered you and will not put more on you than you can bare.
This letter is for you to keep with you over the years so that you can reflect and See the things unseen.
You will blossom into everything "They" say you will not; a wonderful mother, a compassionate human being with talent and creativity. Remember to forgive yourself and say kind things to you, especially when no one else will.
Embrace what you have and know that it is a gift and please share it with others.

Letters to self are often considered methods of therapy to healing our troubled past. It is the method of realizing what you want best for yourself or in other words a form of nurturing.

here are a few links here: http://www.letterstomyyoungerself.com...

http://getbusylivingblog.com/write-le...

What a great question, feel free to respond with your letters to self. What a great practice to behold as a daily journal also.

9. “Good writing is often about letting go of fear and affectation.”

Last year Stephen King gave the world 36 killer writing tips. http://thewhynot100.blogspot.com/2014...
Authored By Brad Herzog

In my head, lesson 9. was what stuck out the most to me since "Fear and Affectation" hit close to home. How can you be a great writer and still hold back? Holding back isn't an option.
I imagined myself in front of a group of readers, reading hesitantly with sweaty palms and lumps in my throat. Experiencing all of this because of fear of what I've written. But then I look at some of the great authors that are out there and wondered if fear held them back at some point.
I couldn't imagine reading Fifty Shades of Grey knowing the author held back. It probably wouldn't have been so interesting. I remember that book going around the call center floor at least a dozen times. Even in the chat messages... "Are you finished with Fifty Shades of Grey?" I'm reading it next.
The eighteenth tip caught my eye also and had me thinking about my own approach at writing.
18. “You can approach the act of writing with nervousness, excitement, hopefulness, or even despair– Stephen King

However, for me, the excitement is always there from the beginning to the end of the book. It may just be that something became of the brainstorming and it puts me on a roll, sometimes getting 2-3 chapters done in a day. This seems to impress others around me and now, they're throwing stories at me left and right.

So having a no holds barred approach to writing could lead to a best seller. Just don't hold back. Expect your reader to be shocked. Especially with long works of fiction. All those long daunting pages require more than just fillers.

What could go wrong when writing about family? Everything if you aren't careful.
Somewhere, right now, there is an author who is anticipating spilling their guts about everyone they interacted with while growing up, whether good or bad. How do I know? Well... because I am one of them. So far, I've gotten through nine grueling chapters of my own personal memoir and have already rowled the feathers of the family's elite.
There is an Auntie who believes I should be sweeping these words under a rug. Hush it up. But I dare not deprive myself of my own personal healing. Afterall, it is my memory, my blood, sweat and tears that made up this life... so I will write it as I see fit.
Dear Auntie, I would suggest you write your own memoir. Perhaps, then we could sit down over a Chai Tea Latte and compare stories.
"My Kinfolks Shoes" is my own personal memoir of what has inspired me, growing up.
I will politely change names so as to not hurt or offend anyone.
Whatever fears that linger within our secluded bloodline may subsequently get dealt with since I will be tackling some onerous issues. I only aim to be truthful in my writing and leave a legacy for my children's children. I believe that is fair enough.

"Mean and Surly" Whoopi Goldberg said this, in the movie "Kingdom Come. " In this movie she was debating with her son (LL Cool J or A.K.A Ray Bud Slocumb) as to what should be written on her deceased husbands tombstone.
The movie started with the death of him, so you couldn't get a real perception of what he was like until she said those grave two words; mean and surly.
To be considered mean and surly, one would have to be cross, grouchy, uncivil, etc. No wonder Whoopi was so solemn the entire movie.

Nonetheless, I'm not a movie critic, However, when considering a title for your next book, you may want to use the "Raynelle Slocumbs" method and get gutter with it. You can judge a book by it's cover. Lay it all out there but keep it short and sweet. Out with the old saying "You can't judge a book by it's cover." Whenever I'm shopping for a book, the title has to entice me. I long for a great title to draw me in. Nine times out of ten; I'm often glad I chose it.

I chose Pierre Hideaway Pinkett for my children's fable book title because Pierre was real significant in the plot being that he was born from a witch just to be betrayed by the very same witch.

According to...

http://writedirection.com/5-reasons-n...

...it's all in the numbers also. Some believe it creates something magical when numbers are used as book titles.

There is a mass of book cover design sites that help draw your reader in also, giving you the ability to concentrate on that great title. I have some listed here.

http://99designs.com/book-cover-design

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bo...

Listed here are some examples of book titles with numbers in them. So, consider using numbers in your next book title. I know I will.

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...

Kingdom Cone here:

http://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Come-LL...

Everyday I awaken to a warm cup of cocoa and the joy of reading my emails. For years, I've been getting life's little clues from a renowned psychic. I've never believed in them or worshipped the stars but I do enjoy the possibilities. This particular morning when I read my email from Bethea, her revelations about me seemed to be dead on the nose. Most particularly when she reveals to me that a new moneymaking opportunity will appeal to me but I wonder if it's worth the sacrifices that I would have to make. A move is possible now or at least a change of residence.
Is it a coincidence? How could this psychic know that I've been sleeping on my mother-in-laws sofa for the past two years and desiring a place of my own.
Maybe it was a lucky guess. Nonetheless, I will always remain hopeful for the future and will wholeheartedly remain grateful for the the things seen and unseen.
She proceeds on to tell me that on the 20th the Sun enters Aquarius as does the New Moon, while Mars conjuncts mystical Neptune for the only time this year. Make a wish, Lisa! The very next day Mercury turns retrograde and the focus should be inward.
Inward, meaning the colossal stories that invade my brain and my soul? Since I lack knowledge of the New Moon and Mystical Neptune, I still have to decipher the meaning between the lines since I'm living the life Bethea is predicting.
Anyway, thanks Bethea for the lucky numbers and the forecast you send. I appreciate the entertainment.
Hopefully the next forecast will actually lead me to a downtown buckhead address. Now that would be the perfect forecast.

You are a deeply caring, understanding, and charitable human being. You are the kind of gem that people spend years trying to find. A deeply compassionate soul, you love and help others altruistically. You have a genuine affection that is easily recognizable and highly commendable. Honestly, we'd all want nothing more than to have more of you in this world!

- fromquizsocial.com/what-is-your-inner...

As if I didn't know this about myself.
If all it takes to be "All American," is writing the best novel, then honey; I'm ready to be All American. I will do just that. I will write till my heart is content. Never mind the fact that you'll find some of my writing on an android, pieces of paper strewn about my desk or often, scattered everywhere. Sometimes. it depends on where, in my house, I have daydreamed and needed to quickly jot down a thought or two. I'm forbidden to do the coffee thing, since I have high blood pressure. I'm not insane or obsessed about anything as an author, however, I have been accused of "ear-hustling" from time to time when I sneak in on personal conversations, trying to get an inspiration. Every author, from what I've read, has had an unusual way about themselves or has been deemed a bit strange. For centuries, it has taken the "strange" in the arts to unfold the kind of artist we see today.
Here's a list of those weird habits here

http://www.buzzfeed.com/kayepublicity...

10 Shocking Sides of Famous Authors here

http://listverse.com/2014/07/07/10-sh...

Nonetheless, an author's writing should speak for itself, despite the disparagement of being deemed weird or out of the ordinary. It's all about the effort of getting your story from the brain to the paper, to bring dreams and ideas to fruition. It may not even be a best seller. You may have even refused to shower, just to get a script done. However, someone will like it. Someone will relate. Someone may even be inspired by what you've written and try writing for themselves.
Having written and shared a great deal of "my project babies," on GoodReads, has benefited in beginners like myself in gaining confidence in letting others view my work. Particularly because there is a fear judgement.
I individually view goodreads as a time capsule for authors like myself and those who have had the utmost success. Laugh, if you must, right now there are 9,175 poetry tags on goodreads, mine being among them. Chances are, one of my poems would be found interosculate amongst the other poems, should there be a time of doom and all hardcopies are lost. Someone from the future could stumble upon www.stumbleupon.com the work of goodreads authors, mine being among them. Chances are, one of my poems would be found interosculate amongst the other poems, should there be a time of doom and all hardcopies are lost. Someone from the future could stumble upon {www.stumbleupon.com} the work of creative goodreads authors.
Better there than them collecting dust under your bed. Anyhow, my inner nationality did not mention my being weird or my lacking confidence. Two inner traits I do believe I behold. But it did say that I was that gem people spend their lives trying to find.
If that's not enough encouragement to keep writing on GoodReads, I don't know what is.

Your GoodReads Author

you can find my weird fable here

http://www.amazon.com/Pierre-Hideaway...

More from this author
http://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/the_da...

http://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/its_a_...

I browsed the internet this morning to review some websites discussing literacy. What I found was interesting! I discovered that the adult literacy rate globally among women vs. men is staggering. The rate for women 15 years and older was 80% vs men who were at 89%. This means that we, as women are lagging behind men; still. http://www.uis.unesco.org/literacy/Pa...

Despite significant improvements in literacy rates globally, today there are still 781 million adults and 126 million youths who cannot read or write a simple sentence – two-thirds of whom are women. These numbers weigh heavily on global efforts to alleviate poverty.- from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Save The Children says that if children can't read at grade level, chances are they will never catch up.

I remember growing up watching my great grandmother read the bible to her husband; my great grandfather. He was illiterate. Probably not having more than a fifth grade education. Now, here in the millennium, I have come across a few who still fit the mold as my great grandfather did; of being illiterate.

There is a man in my neighborhood that will ask me from time to time, "Can you send a text from my phone for me please?"
I kindly do so without apprehension. Just feeling as if it is the right thing to do. Sometimes he'll ask me to take his picture and send it to a loved one.

I've offered my services to help him along the journey of what it's like to be able to enjoy a wonderful read or get lost in a letter of love; but he cordially declines. Perhaps because he is content with knowing things the way he knows them best. My great grandfather was the same way; tenacious and set in his ways.
Literacy is so important, being that it is linked with our language and our culture.
As much as you try, you can't help everyone. As often as I hear the term, "It's a small world," I still didn't think I would run into someone so benighted. Maybe I will get out and campaign for Literacy so I won't be so untutored.

I've enclosed some helpful sites that may spark someone's interest if someone you know struggles with reading and writing and just doesn't know how to get the help. Spread the word and help with literacy today.

https://literacydirectory.org/

http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c...

http://readingprograms.org/

Other blogs on Literacy:
http://bigtimeliteracy.blogspot.com/

http://conversationsinliteracy.blogsp...

When I'm not engrossed in my own writing or a good read, I'm enjoying the show "Masterchef Junior" http://www.fox.com/masterchef with Chef Ramsey.
Tonight the kids had the difficult challenge of making pappardelle. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/mi...

This show amazes me when I see such strong children facing the best and the worst of the kitchen to create the perfect dish. Let alone, the stress of a competition.

I especially applaud Chef Ramsey for the patience he exudes towards his cast of little chef's to be. Considering his previous yell matches on Hell's Kitchen.

He sent quite a few home on this episode and they handled being booted off the show pretty well.

The moral of this blog is to say how wonderful it is to watch children strive for the best. Typical kitchen rules reflect the direction of "superior dishes," and these children proved to be suitable for the role. They were smart enough to teach any adult how to hang in there when the going gets tough.

I particularly liked Jenna's dish and her attitude after cutting two of her fingers. She cried; quickly got over it and went back to the task at hand. Now, That's what you call a trooper.

I can't wait for next Tuesday's episode when chef Ramsey takes a pie to the face.

Today I received a lovely email from a Google+ follower who had written a lovely poem and in return received a negative comment.


...since you are in my circles, were you offended by my work? How do you deal with it? Signed - M.S from Texas

I kindly told M.S from Texas that it is ok to receive a negative view from time to time and to consider most comments "Constructive Criticism," if it is coming from a good place. How do you know when it isn't coming from a good place? If the viewer blatantly uses words that are condescending, tasteless and misspells a few of them... they weren't worth the negative comment to begin with. I say delete them from your circles. If all you've gotten is one nay out of a bunch of yes's I'd say, that is a good thing.

To answer her second question, I was not offended by anyone's work. We are all different in our thought process and will not have the same idea's in our poetry or any other work, for that matter. I prefer unique reads myself.
I once had a reader scold me for my poem "Fear." She said that I was offering a quick fix to the worlds problems and that I should just bottle it up and sell it.

Everybody runs into a stumbling block at some point or another in their life and mine just happened to metaphorically be a brick wall.
Nonetheless, I've gotten over that brick wall and the rude post about my poem. I suggest M.S from Texas that she do the same thing. Own your work, stay true to yourself and continue to be prosperous in 2015.

Lisa Sharpe
A Goodreads Writer