On writing #writing

To me, in writing, the ability to think the story through is almost no biggie. The very complex steps are: To apply the content on paper, and to ring the meaning. I found it less complicated, in creating a sketch along with a personal data next to each character. And then, plug everything together, which in the end opens the door to a first draft.

On writing #writing

As writers, we are tagging a lot on the assumption by raising this question “What if?” By making assumptions, we can make a whole drama of possibilities. By setting characters against one another, that gives the twist and  anxiousness that wanting you to find out what’s next in the story.  Making assumption is the symbol of deep thinking, which partly, how writers horn their crafts.

Click on this link below to my book preview
The Undercover of Darkness (book one)

https://www.createspace.com/Preview/1139510

I’d Rather Be Safe #safe

Home of the safe
Here are your options
You can be silent
Or be silenced
Because if you’re not
There will be violence
And though there is
No one to guide us
There are rules there
For guidance
You can challenge
Your liberty
But in the end
There is a key
To lock you up
And hold you back
Just in case
There is attack
You’re only safe
If you stay quiet
These written words
You must abide by
The land of the free
And home of the brave
Should be re-written
to home of the safe?
© 2008 by _Patricia Etienne
All rights reserved

Within Kwanzaa #Kwanzaa

~1~
 


I~1~
I ain't gonna fret
I ain't gonna cry
so I ain't got no chimney
santa gonna come tred
Through my window sly.

~2~
Chillin with my homies
This old chick drop by
Djeez, stop my game going
Mama ask me to come and listen to her
She got me hook on to a new spirit

~3~
With the green, red, black colors
Mama decorate the table nice with fruits
Pop Greetings:" Umoja" then, "Kujichagulia" and so on…
Hope and joy kinda fly in my heart
So I got books in my crib now.

~4~
Unlike a broken car with no shield lights
So now my road is aligned to the right gear
Ignorance is wiped off my eyes
Sunlight is illuminating my senses
Within the pages I'm found

~5~
 

My failures are for me to adjust---
My achievements to re-evaluate and continue the path
My lady is no chick, and has equal say
My family is for me to uphold
It's my fair duty to pothole free my community.

~6~
What a joyous festivity I stumble upon?
I am among whom I love and respect
Eating, drinking wine, feeling bliss
Celebrating the goodness of life
Giving homage to the ancestors of all.
© 2008 by _Patricia Etienne
All rights reserved

The Undercover of Darkness #bookpreview

Check my book preview by clicking on this link below.
https://www.createspace.com/Preview/1139510

You promised us #promise

Hear it way over,
coming from the other side,
sounding, like a pounding trample across the desert storm,
and the ground shifted as much as the sea level.
A total wash out!
No mercy,
no surrender,
no retreat,

O' he, O' he,
why are you letting us down?
Hear the cry of our innocent souls.
Hear the sound of our sorrows.
You said Noah's deluge,
was our last water resort?
And with a rainbow,
You promised us!
You promised us!

These demons hit us so badly.
Could it be the four horsemen of the apocalypse?
The flame waves upon the sky,
our universe is covered with the shadow of darkness.
Smoke is in our eyes!
No pity,
no sanctuary,
hell is on wheels!

Sorry father for we have sinned.
Is that enough to save us now?
You said in time of needs,
raise our heads and ask for help.
Father helps us!
In this great time of trial,
you promised us!
you promised us!

If it's our transgressions,
we beg your pardon Master!
For our iniquities,
have mercy Seigneur!

Keep in mind,
you created us human,
save the thought,
that we have our faults.

We come for forgiveness-
because we have sensed our wrong.
With the voice of our conscience-
it is much too strong,
in this time now your patience is needed.

Note from author: Inspired by the Haiti earthquake, Japan earthquake and the Philippines hurricane.
© 2011 by _Patricia Etienne
All rights reserved

Healing

Let us stand and cry, cry out loud because it hurts. Let us stand and cry, cry out loud forthe pain will go away. Men cry, Women cry, Resilient people cry, It's all right to cry. It's a good mechanism to relieve your burdens. Cry for those you loss, For your loved ones, For a broken heart, Cry one last time- Because this is the beginning of your healing. © 2010 by _ Patricia Etienne All rights reserved

Just Another Woman #brokenhearted

He came into my life like a gush of water he dispersed everything away My friends warned me of him, but his strong poetic words brought my heart to weakness Gave him my heart and strength with no measure Then the romance felt good. Each second spent on a high note of excitement ~~*~~ Like the only marble left on the round, yet unable to realize His name was the only one showing on my caller ID But to him I was just another woman Blindness of love made me unable to read in between ~~*~~ So sad, outrageously sad, my heart genuinely desired him But for him, simply nothing it was just to kill time flipped his note book, mark down on his agenda, point at his next prey Another one next door, a weak character, or fantasized how his next lust would be ~~*~~ His shallow heart and his incentive actions Brought heart to fear brought love to regress and hope to lowest point available Trapped in his arms as though I made acquaintance with Dracula My heart drained out of blood and touch © 2009 by _Patricia Etienne All rights reserved

On writing

If you feel like writing, if this special message keeps on reoccurring to you. That’s meant, it’s in you, and it’s in your infinite soul. You need to pick up the pen and write. Write from your unconscious mind and audit through your conscious mind.

~~A Less Heart Broken~~

It is like the stabbing of a million knives
It is like a snake wrapped around my torso
The hypnotic power put over me
When I have no control to speak
The words spoken in my mind are not the words that flow
That is why it is a trick
Nothing but a disguise
One that you can't see
Because once it has been stepped on before
It cannot be stepped on no more
You can not get juice from the seed
Only the fruit itself
So now I become
One less
Broken

© 2011 by _Patricia Etienne
All rights reserved

Thanksgiving

In homage of thanksgiving day, we all come together as families and friends to professing our faith to the higher-power. It's also a day, in which we reflect on all things, and everything that we have to be thankful for. As we celebrate thanksgiving- we evaluate our grace, we think of the lonely hearts, for those in sorrow and we mourn for the departed. I give thanks to the gracious Man above who has given me so much.

Happy thanksgiving to all!

~*~I'm of Destiny~*~

I’m the product of what he had written for centuries ago. A figment of his visions, the rest are yet to come. An envoy with a different portrait among so many- Thu my perspective and intention are of his directions. I’m no fairy tale whether than you think of me. I’m no imagination of what your thought may seem. I’m human, rather say a flesh, with dust and breathe he created us both. By now, you should acknowledge that I can’t be gone with the blink of an eye. Upon his will I’m leading this nation. Your impertinence onto me, hurt him more than you may have thought. Your plots verses me, have raised good patriotic concern from many Now, all the union crews are on the verge of dissension. I'm of destiny and by all means-  He's to charge. I know nothing of my past, present and future. I know nothing from the string of my hair through the tip of my toe. One thing I know he cast me a vote and so I’m a voice among you all. © 2011 by _Patricia Etienne All rights reserved

~*My Hat Off*~ #VeteransDay

To you I salute To you I honor Vigorous, bravery So visceral Take the stand Lead, lead the way Without looking back Images of The loved ones in their mind Although, With bloated hearts Stand by the oath Unknowing If there would ever be A home coming, Or see a next daylight March, march to defend Serve, protect, Keep the country pride Through smoke, dust, Mud, scorpions, snakes Lead, March the way Through torrent, winds Sleep on naked floor camouflage into the woods Step on their comrade's bodies- Swim in their blood Onwards, march Dig into the hole Reach, grasp Sealed the reason The cause is fulfilled Rise, wave the flag Victory proclaims Soldiers, you're my heroes Fallen and alive Your acts are forever gratified For every breath of my freedom To you I forever salute! To you I endlessly give honor! © 2011 by _Patricia Etienne All rights reserved This poem is dedicated to all soldiers who fought for a good cause. May their souls of their passed rest in peace, May those who survived forever receive honor and may you all at once be recognized for your brave hearts.

When depression climbs up the wall

~~1~~ Down and under Below black skies Heavy clouds follow As though with legs Clomping the air road Striving to escape as always try But… Down and under Rain water burns ~~2~~ Down and under Where light is gloomed Each step forward Is found to go backward Exhale a heavy cry Who’s there to hear Only… the voice echoing The woods to sink down deeper ~~3~~ Down and under Shoulders shrug down Sleepy eyes unable to open Within the four walls Darkness is glorified Light becomes the intimate enemy Only… Sweet taste commands the stomach walls Marriage is made with the fluffy blanket ~~4~~ Down and under Does not rhyme with shine Snow cascade from skies to heart Unable to reason or to smile Tearful eyes relieve pain Feelings of worthless invade soul Now… Suicidal thoughts take over Grim reaper Deep feet under makes the last move Note from Author: Depression is a serious disease. Allow yourself to see the symptoms and be proactive © 2011 by _Patricia Etienne All rights reserved

On life

Life is all about dealing with real baggage. Your job is to stand it, face it and suck it up. Just think of it this way- life is a constant challenge. You build your purpose and make it worth living. Or else, you'll remain on the dark side of depression. Love life!

On writing

Poetry is the voice that comes from deep within, and there's no right and wrong how to raise this language of art. It’s all depending on how the message struck the conscious mind. Poetry is the natural prayer of the poet

On Writing

A scene is the kernel part that gives a twist and turn to the story. It doesn't matter whether you are writing a fiction type of story. A scene must always seem live and real in order to keep the reader on. Remember a scene is meant to take the story forward. Scenes in general stir things up; if a scene doesn't fit the part simply toss it aside for the next availability

I read this somewhere and I found it very interesting

The second thing you have to do to be a writer is to keep on writing. Don’t listen to people who tell you that very few people get published and you won’t be one of them. Don’t listen to your friend who says you are better that Tolkien and don’t have to try any more. Keep writing, keep faith in the idea that you have unique stories to tell, and tell them. I meet far too many people who are going to be writers ‘someday.’ When they are out of high school, when they’ve finished college, after the wedding, when the kids are older, after I retire … That is such a trap You will never have any more free time than you do right now. So, whether you are 12 or 70, you should sit down today and start being a writer if that is what you want to do. You might have to write on a notebook while your kids are playing on the swings or write in your car on your coffee break. That’s okay. I think we’ve all ‘been there, done that.’ It all starts with the writing.

Robin Hobb

On Writing

The birth of a poem is a kind of lingering voices hearing inside my head. These voices cannot be ignored— they are attention seekers and not until they find satisfaction— my head won't stop pounding and my eardrums won't stop aching. Each piece of a poem comes with its own language, rhythm and always parable. In my poetry, I usually let the natural voice flow throughout the stanzas— even when I know it might come back to bite me later. What do I mean by that? Sometimes people may disagree with the content of your writing. Just remember, you are the transcriber and the message cannot be altered. A true poet does not write on the basic to please— you are just ‘one’ of many(...)

On Writing

To write is the urge to keep going. If writing is your endeavor- then, commit yourself to it. Write every day, write what makes you happy and worry. Don't be afraid to transcribe down things that annoy the pit of your stomach. Some people may not like the content of your writing. It doesn't matter, keeps the ink rolling- sooner or later you'll find people in your corner. Just remember, be natural and make sure your writing is circumscribing by thoughtful connotation.

On Writing

Every piece of writing is somewhat related to a previous content. On that note, there is no written material out there that is genuinely original. However, the style has to be unique and vital.

On Writing

Writing is like one of my fetishes. Sometimes when writing, I have no control of my words. I only have the urge to express and convey. It’s like a greater voice that’s handling my thoughts. I always believed a writer is a chosen vessel - one who delivers whatever that needs to be written.

Lily-rose Pulled The Plug

No one will ever know why Lily-rose took her life over. I repeat no one! In spite of all the back and forth- he says, she says going down the street. The words of mouth and with all the rumors surrounding the case, which could easily sort out a nice thick novel for the front shelf- However, reality stands- no one will ever find out! Inside the four square halls of her bedroom, right in the middle of the floor Lilly-rose was bared and covered in blood. Oh my heart ripped! My skin shivered! That was a shocker! And her lifeless body was laid in a pool of blood just like something that would spot in a Hollywood scene. And when I say blood... It was a very disturbing scene. Beefy red blood coming from her mouth and her ears, which caused many stomachs crawled, eyes turned away and pondered heart. There was a standing mirror across the body that I imagine- if only there could be a way to retrieve what had happened in this room from this flawless glass. But it couldn't and wouldn't rewind the scenario. So I left with the reflection of a terrible scene with a beautiful victim. As the undertaker placed Lily-rose in the maroon bag; I was hoping he wouldn't zip it all the way to her face. And when I heard one of the enforcement crew-members from the back said out-loud to the undertaker on his way out. “We have an order for autopsy.” I felt like my body took an instant plunge, under horrific water, unable to breath, see and all I could hear was the rhythmic sound of the sea. My mind, couldn't bear the thought of which they were about to scar Lily-rose perfect body. Even after her body left the premises, and so everybody was gone. I stood in the room looking around; trying to re-enact in my mind, how this whole thing went down. So you should know Lily-rose was only been married for three years and there were two children involved. In a situation like this, the spouse is usually gotten bombarded with many questions and scanned under the microscopic lens. As I continued to assess the room, I spotted those women’s magazines on the night stand table, two gorgeous gowns and their price tags were untouched laid on top of a wooden chair, a beautiful set of silver necklace well aligned aside of a duffel handbag and a fine pair of handmade shoes with glitters design on the front. Then, the voice inside my head struck me. “Lily-rose wanted life!” My critical assessment of perceived foul play- I stared at the mirror on the wall hoping for an answer to pop up. Through the window from the outside, a crispy sunlight was shone behind the lace curtain. However, the inside of the room was dull and so full of sorrow. Her blood on the floor will remain a perpetual stain. Later in the week the result of the law enforcement, identified Lily-rose had allegedly committed suicide- due to the autopsy revealed a bunch of peels ingested and found in her stomach. I must admit that it was difficult to picture Lily-rose as someone who would want to end her life. And so many lingering questions began to unravel... With a blank, A stared, A stony silence followed by a scream. How could you? How could you, Lily-rose? What's going to be left of the children? Were you being abused? Were you under any form of physical aggressions? Why did you isolate yourself away from friends and family? Were you depressed? Were you trying to strike out at someone who has been hurting you? Simply were you trying to cry out for help? If so... Couldn't you break silence? You coward, you coward Lily-rose! Not even a suicide note... Enough already! Instead of bashing poor Lily-rose-. She’s not here to defend herself and will never be. Could it be someone flushed those pills down her throat to make it seem differently? Lily-rose was a kind-hearted soul- she would take off the shirt off her back in order to warm up someone else’s back. It wasn't hard for anyone to fall in love with her. On the other hand, she had difficulty to validate her own feelings and perceptions and made her point across. She had no sense of self-worth. She was the kind of person that struggles to identify the pattern of an abusive relationship. Suicide is related to relationship crises, high degree of internal and external stresses. And when in a relationship, your spouse isolates you from others. Suicide often makes the last call. As the writer and lifelong friend of the deceased, my thoughts will never be at peace. Knowing, in that room, somewhere behind the closed walls and deep within that standing mirror holds the answer- what causes Lily-rose to take her life over?

**In memory of my beloved friend 'Jenny' You were not just a friend, but a sister-friend. I shall never forget you! May you butterfly around my home in the power of the spirit realm!**

Starting Point

Every writer has a starting point, whether it's a first novel, novella or so. Every writer ought to begin somewhere. I wrote my first novel when I was in 1st year of secondary school. At that time, I was really young, and those lines were written in French. Now, you probably wonder if I finished this written material? Yes, I did. It took me three notebooks to finish because it was handwritten. Then again, you probably want to know about the writing quality right? Well, it's as if I could read your mind. At the time, I finished this project I was thrilled and beyond myself; because I wrote and completed my first novel.

If I should tell you, this project was never published. It was stored in the drawer to gather dust with some other writings. Now as I look back through these pages- the writing was sucked beyond comprehension. However, it still feels good to know that I started and finished.

My main point is: Once you start on a writing project make sure you finish it.

Practice makes perfect- no one can master at something on the first try out.

Writing is fun. You shouldn't be scared to write. And don't let others discourage you either.

Now... Pick up that notebook, go to your laptop, PC and anywhere comfortable start writing the little story inside your head that has been wanted to come out. I'm pretty sure there's one somewhere. You just have to let your fingers take the lead.

Remember for visual practice: think of a picture, a daily scene, a place where you have been in the past. Now all you have to do- close your eyes recreate these imageries and make them your own because your writing must be authentic.

Listening practice: close your eyes, think of a tree how the leave makes sounds. The sound of a metal object falls on the wooden floor, laminated floor, cement floor tiles, carpet flooring and so forth... Don't forget the fact, that part of writing is listening.

For characters sounds and voices- think of the people you meet so far, your family members, friends, teens, adolescents, children and babies. Your job, is to identify their tone, level of energy when talking, rate of vibration(pitch) , Again, close your eyes recreate the sounds, so that you can choose the right voice for your characters. Remember- your writing must be authentic. You are going to use these techniques in character development. Matters like pacing and foreshadowing are extremely important when writing a novel, which I will bring up in later post.

Merry writing!