Category Archives: Books

Who You Chose To Be…

English: In January 2009, President of the Uni...

English: In January 2009, President of the United States of America, George W. Bush invited then President-Elect Barack Obama and former Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter for a Meeting and Lunch at The White House. Photo taken in the Oval Office at The White House. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Life is about choices, right now in some states, Americans are already voting for their next President, the man who would lead them for the next four years. If Obama did not seek for a re-election, someone else in his party would be standing in his place right now!

But he chose to do it again. Obama could have been selling drugs but he chose to go to school, study hard and make something of his life. Romney ( I don’t really know much about him) chose to get rich and he did.

Where am I going with this you may ask? It’s simple, you can choose to ruin your life or choose to forget about the mistakes of your past, your failures, your bitterness, hurts and forge ahead to break down new barriers.

Like yesterday, I chose not to write a single word of my novel, and today I am itching to start, I can even write more than five thousand words, it’s all about choices.

You can choose to be poor by not going to work or by drinking yourself  into a stupor every night, psychiatrists call that addiction right? But I call it bad choices!

And you can choose to sit tight and write a 50,000,00 word novel this month of fiction fever (NaNoWrimo) and win a publishing contract. Or maybe, self publish it and make no sales or… a lot of sales.

Life is about choices and I hope to God, we’ll make the right one today!

A Word War?

English: Monument of Henryk Sienkiewicz, Polis...

English: Monument of Henryk Sienkiewicz, Polish Nobel Prize-winning novelist and journalist, Okrzeja, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland. Village seen on the left side is Wola Okrzejska — writer’s place of birth. Polski: Pomnik Henryka Sienkiewicza na szczycie kopca jego imienia w Okrzei. Po lewej stronie widoczna jest rodzinna wieś pisarza — Wola Okrzejska. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I have declared a war of words on the State of Noveliar (that is a new word I just coined right now!) I am going into battle from the first of November. The melee actually began last week when an email was sent to me about the National Novel Writing Month, (NaNoWrimo)

I decided to join and write a fifty thousand word novel in November even though my hand is full with projects. It’s strange but I find out I write more when I am under duress or let me rephrase… When I’ve set a deadline or a target for a particular project, it doesn’t have to be about writing alone.

Because I am currently reviewing a novel, and I have a lot of writing projects slated for the end of November, I wondered if I have bitten more than I could chew? After thinking for a couple of minutes, I looked at myself in the mirror and said out loud,

”Seyi, (I love talking some sense to myself sometimes, it does keep me sane ) who on earth are you kidding? Can you actually pull this off?”

After some deliberation with my muse (inner self) I decided to proceed with the challenge of Kill A Word Month! (my own interpretation of the literary month) I am sure I can nail it!

I don’t know if any other human being is like me but I would really love to find out because I seem to enjoy working under tight deadlines, and I also set too high a standard sometimes. All the same, I am in this for the long haul and I am going to enjoy myself thoroughly.

I have got three strategy which I believe if properly applied, I should be able to pull this off brilliantly, and here it goes;

* Tell everyone who cares to listen that I am writing a 50,000,00 word novel in November (so they can wish me well and won’t be mad when I don’t their pick calls)

* Talk less on the phone.

* Plan every infinitesimal details of my life starting from November 1st so there won’t be any distractions.

(I would still be blogging by the way, it’s like my way of life!)

If anyone has other ideas do drop a line but I am really, really excited!

Squally Sandy

East Didsbury

East Didsbury (Photo credit: paulhome)

It’s all over the news, a mammoth storm ( tagged Hurricane Sandy, what a horrible name!) of great proportion is to hit the East coast of America affecting more than 50 million people spanned over eight states which has now declared a state of emergency.

My heart goes out to everyone in the line of this brutish, atrocious monster. Nature is arrogant, stiff-necked, downright selfish. Nature can take your house and you dare not talk! What courtroom would you take this gargantuan monster to? Nature cannot be tamed, it cannot be held to account. How would you approach it? Can you scold nature, can you tell it to shut its horrible howling face and tell it to get lost?

It will come back with a vengeance to haunt you! It will slap your face and you dare not retaliate? How can you? When you’ve got sand in your face and gravel in your mouth! When your fancy stiletto shoes gave you no refuge.

But I want to drag nature to court!! Now who is with me?

(I think every where is kind of silent)

I asked James Bond (Daniel Craig) and he took to his heels, even his fancy, custom-made cars were no match for nature. I knocked on the door of Barack Obama but he told me he was preparing for his election, but he promised to protect the American people, ( now I believed him, no fancy speech can halt Sandy’s fury) I drove to Romney’s house but his stern face aides won’t let me in except am a devout Mormon or his die-hard supporter, but I am neither. But I screamed my voice hoarse that nature is on the loose and we have to contain it. The door was slammed on my flushed face… Can you imagine my disgust at been shunned for trying to bring nature to justice?

Now after exhausting all my options, I sank to my knees, surely God would intervene and avert a major catastrophe.

Can you guys at least pray with me?

 

 

Nominated For The Liebster Award!

I have been nominated for the Liebster Award!! I was nominated by JackieP of  Change

Piers Morgan Tonight

Piers Morgan Tonight (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For Better Me. What an honour!

 Thanks Jackie for the nomination, it’s awesome and I have still got a big grin on my face as I am writing this but you may be wondering;

What Is A Liebster Award?

According to ThoughtProvoking Moments and I am going to quote her word for word, she says,

”The Liebster Blog Award is given to up and coming bloggers with less than 200 followers, and nominated by fellow bloggers. Liebster is a German word meaning sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.”

What a cute way to describe me, I am chuffed! So there you have it, I was nominated by Jackie and I would in turn nominate other eleven bloggers.

You see, I’ve got a big fat imagination and I could just envision been with Jackie on ”Piers Morgan Tonight” He is a British journalist who took over from Larry King’s show, you know, Larry is quite a legend.

Well as I was saying, based on this assumption that I am on air with Jackie of course, on Piers Morgan’s show. Piers is just listening, chipping in every now and then, and yes, Jackie is dressed to kill, I won’t describe her cos she’s simply gorgeous, and right now I will be answering the eleven questions.

This are Jackie’s questions;

  1. What got you into blogging?

That’s a straight forward question, as a writer, I probe my brain by blogging and I also want to rub minds with other writers, poets, great people who blogged everyday. It’s very exhilarating for me.

2. What have you learned about yourself through your blog?

I have learnt that I could juggle five things at once and still get an incredible result. I’ve met great people online, and my imagination is at the peak, and it’s all thanks to my blogging.

3. When you aren’t blogging what do you do?

I am a freelance journalist, working for a London-based magazine, ‘Black Heritage Today,’ and when I am not on field trips, I am glued to my computer in the office, typing furiously. I am currently editing three novels at once and I am also a reviewer for Bookpleasures.com (I am not been paid by the way, just loved reading novels) And I am a mom of three boisterous and active kids, that’s like a twenty-four hour shift job! Never ending but I love it.

4. If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?

Norway, I had wanted to go this year but obviously it’s October now and the kids are in school, So next year, it’ straight to Norway.

5. What’s your greatest vice?

None that I can think of, honestly! ‘Jackie why are you looking at me like that!’ (Piers is smiling everyone!)

6. Who is/was your greatest influence in your life?

My mother, she is strong, hardworking and very determined. She is also a great woman of faith, the word ‘impossible’ is not in her dictionary, I love her to bits.

7. Who is your favorite author?

I have a lot of them but I’ll pick John Grisham, I love all his novels especially, ‘The Firm’ His books are so real, it’s as if you’re in the story.

8. What music do you prefer to listen to?

I love gospel and cool smooth jazz. Music is powerful, I love all kinds, sometimes I go  country as long as it’s a great tune with inspiring words, I’ll go for it.

9. If you could, who would you like to have cook for you?

My husband! Yes, he is a very good cook but it’s been a while since he’d cooked last!

10. Imagine that you could meet anyone living or dead, who would it be and what would you say?

My best friend while I was in college, she died suddenly. I would ask her why she didn’t fight to stay alive! I missed her…

11. Are you happy?

Absolutely!

There it is, and we were honourably ushered out of CNN studio by studio hands, that’s what they’re called isn’t it? Anyway, Jackie and I had a great time.

Now I am honoured to nominate the following bloggers for the prestigious Liebster Award

http://wendy@escapeintofiction.wordpress.com

  •  WaytoKabul

http://waytokabul.wordpress.com

  • Talking Of Faith

http://talkingoffaith.wordpress.com

  • thebettermanproject

http://thebettermanproject.wordpress.com

And this are my questions, the same as JackieP by the way! Because I thought her questions are quite cool!!

  1. What got you into blogging?
  2. What have you learned about yourself through your blog?
  3. When you aren’t blogging what do you do?
  4.  If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?
  5.  What’s your greatest vice?
  6. Who is/was your greatest influence in your life?
  7. Who is your favourite author?
  8. What music do you prefer to listen to?
  9. If you could, who would you like to have cook for you?
  10. Imagine that you could meet anyone living or dead, who would it be and what would you say?

That’s it folks, and thank you again JackieP for the honours and good luck to all you glorious nominees!

Circle Of Life

Talkin' About Life and Death

Talkin’ About Life and Death (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A very good friend of mine lost her younger brother yesterday to the cold hands of death at the age of 35, which brought the poignant topic of death shrilly to my subconscious mind this evening.

Yes, we don’t like talking about IT but it’s all around us. I mean, we are born, we grow old with all our aspirations and we wither and die. Simple as!

But there is a catch. Death is not an end in itself, it’s a beginning, I believe firmly in life after death because I am a Christian but what about people who don’t? What is their hope?

My motto in life is ‘live life to the full and spread the love, don’t pile up hatred, you’ll be the one to stink and believe in yourself. Once there’s a will, there will be a WAY!’

My mind is still reeling from the news and my heart bleeds for my friend but the die is cast and the deed is done. The grim ripper’s done his worst, he can’t do more than that!

Borrowing the words of Mofasa in Lion King, ‘It’s just the circle of life’

Adieu Ambrose!

This was truly inspiring and beautiful, please enjoy!

ioanna angelidaki's avatarlife portOfolio

I am having one (or more) of those days where 
my middle finger is the answer to everything.

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Lately i ‘ve been coming across all sorts of lists, to-do and how-to posts.  Today i think i got at the end of my tether.

I found this:

Please tell me, IS IT ME, or needing to consult a list in order to be creative is just too much??? No.22 even says “Don’t force it” !!!!

1

Then i came across a blog post “S.M.A.R.T. Goals; Organizing your goals (1, 5, and 10 year)”. (I am not posting the link because it is a sponsored post. Plus it pissed me of. Google it if you like). Repeating, 1-ONE, 5-FIVE, 10-TEN year goal organization. Quoting “Maintain a strong habit of running your life like a business”. Wow, that’s great! This way we can replace the “bite the dust” phrase with the “went bankrupt”

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What in heaven’s name is this? I think it’s symbolic though. I could just liken it to us, you, me, people every where. When we don’t forgive, that ‘s the kind of baggage we would be carrying around! What a heavy load!

rasb2's avatarrasb2

© http://www.rasb2.com

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I love ginger root, I have read so many wonderful things about it and it’s healing properties. This post is so informative and awesome that I just had to reblog it. Ha ha ha! It’s also brilliant! Brilliant!!

oneanna65's avatarcancer killing recipe

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Fanatics On The Prowl

It seemed the events of the past few days can be aptly described as ludicrous, uncalled for and a useless way to express one’s faith, or the madness of faith. I don’t get why I would bother fighting for a ‘God’ who cannot defend ‘himself’

I respect people and their ‘faiths’ but when at the instance of very little provocation, there is wanton destruction of lives and property, then something is fundamentally wrong.

I was watching the news today and was dismayed that Pakistan declared ‘Day Of Love’ a day designated to show love for their prophet, a day to fight for Prophet Mohammed and what was the end result? Blatant waste of lives.

Scores of the demonstrators lay dead, in a pool of their own blood, all because a man dared express his opinion about a religion. I don’t subscribe to insulting people or their beliefs but neither do I support murder!

Islam is declared as a religion of peace and tolerance yet time and time again we have seen thousands mutilated and killed in  the name of a god?

Nigeria is a classical example where a group of fanatics will gather together in the name of religion and orchestrate orgies of violence against defenceless people. Thousands have been brutally murdered, especially in the northern parts of Nigeria densely populated by Muslims…

A word wrongly spoken or a whisper misdirected could spark a riot and Christians are always at the receiving end again and again and again.

Boko Haram, a militant Jihadist sect famed for their murderous activities have killed thousands of people in the northern part of Nigeria, according to Wikipedia, ten thousand people are reported to have been killed since the organisation was formed in 2001 by Mohammed Yusuf who believed that Western education is sinful and that Sharia law must be enforced at all cost in the country.

Yet, he was riding a jeep and using laptop, he even knew how to make a bomb! I can go on and on over this but as for me, I don’t see the reason why I would fight for a god who cannot defend himself…

Tales Of Five Lies

The Book Cover

Tales Of Five Lies

The Paperback and Kindle Edition of my new book, a short story, ”Tales Of Five Lies” has been released.You can click on this link and it will take you directly to Amazon.Com  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0096W3PZ0 This explosive thriller is filled with suspense and unexpected twists, it’s a tale of betrayal, murder and deception.

Below is a brief description;

”A brutal murder in the cover of darkness. A shameful secret fuel by deceit…

Christine White is rich, beautiful but  gullible. She witnesses a crime which ultimately changes her life and to make matters worse, the killer is on the prowl, ready to pounce again. The only way she can survive is to unmask the murderer before all hell breaks loose but is the truth closer home than she cares to imagine?

 Events soon spiral out of control and she realises her whole life is an illusion and everything she holds dear is base on a lie. In a race against time, she must fix the glaring holes in her life before it is too late but time is not something she has in abundance but it is what she needs to unravel the mystery threatening her life and that of her family.

 But sometimes, the truth is worse than the lie…