Sherrie Miranda's Blog, page 187
June 22, 2015
Here is my interview with Stuart Aken
I feel very fortunate that a prolific writer such as Stuart Aken wrote such a glowing review for my book. I can’t wait to start reading his books and am hoping the e-books will be made into paperbacks soon.
Do you know a/b my debut novel “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador”? A young American woman goes to war-torn El Salvador: http://tinyurl.com/klxbt4y
My husband made a video for my novel. He wrote the song too:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/P11Ch5chkAc?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent
Originally posted on authorsinterviews:
Name: Stuart Aken
Age: 67 outside, about 23 within.
Where are you from?
My mother was warned I’d be born dead, due to her shock at my father’s death three weeks earlier. But, stubborn from the start, I landed very much alive. That was in a neighbour’s bed as we’d been evicted from the home that was tied to my father’s job. This all happened in Hull, a city port in the north east of England.
Now I’ve retired from employment, I live with my wife in a small village called Lydbrook. It hugs both sides of a steep-sided green valley in the Forest of Dean, in the south west of England, and not far from the border with Wales.
A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc
Following my mother’s death, two days after my 16th birthday, I left home and joined the RAF…
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June 21, 2015
World Refugee Day
I find it maddening when I think of how many countries have refugees fleeing to safer places where they may get food & shelter. It is disheartening to know that the UN shelters are supposed to be temporary but are often quite permanent. AND knowing how much danger is in most of those camps, especially for the women & children makes me very sad indeed.
Originally posted on AnaElisa:
World Refugee Day
Nomadic Woman, Plateau of Tibet
Photograph copyright, Ana Elisa Fuentes
Photographed on film donated by Kodak.
June 19, 2015
The Arts Appreciation Day
Without finding our own personal form of expression through Art, we will walk through life feeling as if something is missing. I know because I did this for more than forty hers. I moved many, many times; I changed friends, relationships & jobs. When I finally settled down with my piano player/composer husband & wrote that novel that I had carried around in my head for thirty-plus years, I finally feel that I can relax & enjoy life! Art does amazing things for the soul! ;-)
Do you know a/b my debut novel “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador”? A young American woman goes to war-torn El Salvador: http://tinyurl.com/klxbt4y
My husband made a video for my novel. He wrote the song too:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/P11Ch5chkAc?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent
Originally posted on Kendall F. Person, thepublicblogger:
As artists, we are controlled
by the vast endlessness of our imagination.
– Kendall F. Person, Controlled by Our Imagination
The Arts Appreciation Day
Spoken word is the most common form of the arts, used in introductions, commercials, trailers and the term’s most famous association – poetry. Written as an introduction, however, the pitch perfect delivery of this monologue, allows it to stand, quite well, by itself. From When the Abuse Stops the conclusion; What is art? delivered by Fran Daddy, written by Kendall F. Person
Sometimes, inspirational prose or even a masterpiece, is written only to ourselves. But somehow, it leaks out and not only are our words read, but touch the lives of those who need them. From
Life Stories
, Crystal Fairrington (my niece) with….
The Plight of a Powerless Consciousness
I’m far from my peek of consciousness;
I’m just breaking into this game.
But…
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June 18, 2015
Touch your soul
Being married to a piano player/composer, I am very aware of how important music is. I now notice how it is the music that makes you feel the emotion in movies. It is the music that brings the viewer to tears. I also believe that I am a peace activist and a writer, as well as a teacher, because of the music I listened to in the 70’s.
Do you know a/b my debut novel “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador”? A young American woman goes to war-torn El Salvador: http://tinyurl.com/klxbt4y
My husband made a video for my novel. He wrote the song too:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/P11Ch5chkAc?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent
Originally posted on momentarylapseofsanity:
Writer’s Quote Wednesday – A Silver Quote
I just had to reschedule my radio interview. I was terrible! You would think after 20 years of teaching, I could do better than that. We will try it again on Saturday.
Do you know a/b my debut novel “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador”? A young American woman goes to war-torn El Salvador: http://tinyurl.com/klxbt4y
My husband made a video for my novel. He wrote the song too:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/P11Ch5chkAc?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent
Originally posted on Silver Threading:
Welcome! This is an open invitation to join in on my blogging event called, Writer’s Quote Wednesday. This is your chance to highlight your favorite author’s quotes that give inspiration to you as a writer. Do you feel like your writing is getting stale? Are you looking for inspiration to keep writing? Then you have come to right spot!
Be ready to take part with videos and words, photos, and any other media you care to share. I would love to hear some quotes spoken or even sung! Please make sure and give credit to the author of the quote. If it is an image quote you found on the internet, please say where you found it.
There are no rules to follow. Either create your own sayings (because after all, we are all writer’s here) or use a quote from a famous author that you find gives you inspiration. Just…
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June 16, 2015
Great Advice To Writers, From Writers
POSTED 8 MONTHS AGO BY THE LITERACY SITE
Great Advice To Writers, From Writers
The writing process is something only other writers understand. For those days when the inspiration just isn’t coming, here are a few quotes that will inspire you to keep at it — from a few people who have been there.
“Until you understand why you write, you’ll have a hard time figuring out who you are as a writer.”
JAMES GRIPPANDO
“THE SCARIEST MOMENT IS ALWAYS JUST BEFORE YOU START.”
STEPHEN KING
“Believe in your idea. Full stop.”
TED BOTHA
“THE FIRST 8 DRAFTS ARE TERRIBLE.”
MALCOLM GLADWELL
“You have to simply love writing, and you have to remind yourself often that you love it.”
SUSAN ORLEAN
“BE TRUE TO YOURSELF AND TO THE CULTURE YOU WERE BORN INTO. TELL YOUR STORY AS ONLY YOU CAN TELL IT.”
WILLIAM ZINSSER
“Nothing you write, if you hope to be any good, will ever come out as you first hoped.”
LILLIAN HELLMAN
“THE ROAD TO HELL IS PAVED WITH ADVERBS.”
STEPHEN KING
“You have to protect your writing time. You have to protect it to the death.”
WILLIAM GOLDMAN
Read more at http://blog.theliteracysite.com/great-advice-to-writers/#I5Y1RGgsEBYl46DA.99
Do you know a/b my debut novel “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador”? A young American woman goes to war-torn El Salvador: http://tinyurl.com/klxbt4y
My husband made a video for my novel. He wrote the song too:
June 12, 2015
Favourite Opening Lines
I, too, invite you to add your opening lines in the “Comments” section! ;-)
Do you know a/b my debut novel “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador”? A young American woman goes to war-torn El Salvador: http://tinyurl.com/klxbt4y
My husband made a video for my novel. He wrote the song too:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/P11Ch5chkAc?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent
Originally posted on BetweenTheLines:
The selections below are a few of my favourites, which invited, pulled or hauled me into the story. I’d love to read opening lines that draw you into a book, so please feel free to leave any favourites in the comments.
The best trick I ever pulled off was watching myself die. I did a respectable job of it too – the dying, I mean, not the watching.
Tricked by Kevin Hearne
~~~
She thought of Chaos, and the original confusion, and felt as if she were part of that tumult. Earth and sea and heaven and hell were mixed up, and everything inside her was a whirligig. The Greek chorus was screaming in her head, all of them wanting out.
Multiple Wounds by Alan Russell
~~~
London, 1860. Dream world of pain and pleasure, of fantasy and phantom. It is midnight, a full moon and a cold mist rising…
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Why the Buzz Around Kate Frey?
I am still learning how to get my plants to grow, esp. the veggie plants. I really admire Kate for hanging in there all these years and for growing not only beautiful plants, but also edible ones. And huge thanks & hugs to Ana for telling this story. ;-)
Originally posted on AnaElisa:
Kate Frey pictured among blooming peas at the sustainable Fetzer Valley Oaks garden in Hopland, California.
Kate Frey, has for 18 years designed and managed the gardens at the Fetzer Valley Oaks vineyard with her award-winning bio-diverse, organic and sustainable gardening methods in Hopland, California. Her merits include gold medals at the Royal Horticulture Society Chelsea Flower show in 2005 and 2007; and a Silver Gilt in 2003. Her colorful and sustainable gardens were not only favored by the judges but met with literal approval from Her Majesty Elizabeth ll, Queen of England, who met with her privately in 2003 and 2007.
Unassuming yet vibrant, Frey was eager to roam the gardens that gave birth to her career. There are numerous accolades attesting to her achievements but there is no mistake, that her work is all about the love for sustainable gardening and the beneficial insects, pollinators, and birds…
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June 10, 2015
MOVIE REVIEW | Infamous (2006)
Last night I watched the movie “Infamous,” about Truman Capote and the writing of his book “In Cold Blood.” He had many interesting, mostly female, friends including Harper Lee, the author of “To Kill A Mockingbird.” Although it didn’t have the glitz and glam of the “Capote,” it gives the viewer a much better sense of who Capote was. When you see Capote falling in love with one of the killers, you understand why. I enjoyed this movie immensely.
Originally posted on Bored and Dangerous:
In 2005, Bennett Miller made Capote, the story of Truman Capote investigating the killing of a Kansan family that lead to his genre defining book, In Cold Blood. Miller’s movie scored Oscar nominations for Best Film, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress, plus an Oscar win for Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Best Actor in the title role. So it’s understandable that a little of the wind was taken from the sails of Infamous, a movie that came out only one year later, telling the exact same story.
With Toby Jones in the flaming main role this time, Infamous opens with Capote as the darling of New York. He’s had success with novels, plays and even movies, but his biggest success seems to be as a socialite. After hearing about the senseless murder of the Clutter family, he decides to travel to their small Kansas…
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June 9, 2015
Archbishop Oscar Romero, a True Salvadoran Patriot
Posted on May 27, 2015 by Jimmy Franco Sr.
A ceremony attended by 300,000 people was held on May 23, in the city of San Salvador to honor and celebrate the beatification of El Salvador’s deceased Archbishop Oscar Romero. Supportive commemorations were also held in Los Angeles and other cities. Pope Francis made the decision to beatify Romero which is a step before sainthood after designating him as a martyr who gave his life in 1980 for the cause of social justice. Prior to his death, the
300,000 people gather as Archbishop Oscar Romero is honored and beatified.
Archbishop had assisted poor communities in El Salvador in order to improve their lives and had been a public and outspoken critic of the brutal Salvadoran military. He had demanded that the army halt the widespread violence and killings being committed against innocent people who were merely attempting to exercise their basic rights. Monsignor Romero wrote a personal letter to President Jimmy Carter in early 1980 pleading with him to end US financial and military support of the Salvadoran armed forces due to its violence and human rights violations being inflicted upon civilians who merely wanted democracy. Carter never directly answered the Archbishop’s letter and Romero was murdered shortly after by a member of a right-wing death squad who shot him through the heart as he gave mass in a cathedral. Days after at Romero’s funeral service, Salvadoran soldiers opened deadly fire on the huge crowd that came to pay their respects to the martyred Archbishop. The murders by the government of many other Catholic church members were to follow as their peaceful activities to help the poor and pronouncements for an end to the violence had them branded as enemies by the military and their US trainers. These anti-democratic actions by the Salvadoran military and their allied death squads would lead to a violent and deadly 12-year long civil war which tore apart the country’s social fabric. Presidents Carter and particularly Reagan openly supported, financed, armed and trained El Salvador’s military and its death squads throughout the long war.
The background of the brutal 1980’s Salvadoran civil war
The civil war in El Salvador was caused by the repressive Salvadoran government that used violence to block fair elections and the democratic participation of the Salvadoran People and their chosen political parties. Peaceful gatherings were regularly attacked with deadly force as a brutal message was being conveyed by the military government to the civilian population that they should accept injustice and stay in their place. The majority of the people as well as many representatives of the church refused to
The murder of Romero by a US-supported death squad turned people against the govt.
do so as peaceful protests and public outcries continued to demand that the government respect human rights and cease their attacks upon civilians. These democratic aspirations were met by more violence and deaths on the part of the military. Leaving no other available option, the opposition groups coalesced into the FMLN (Frente Farabundo Marti de Liberacion Nacional) to oppose the US supported military government and civil war broke out. Both Presidents Carter and Reagan praised the repressive right-wing Salvadoran government as a “democratic” ally which opposed the Soviet Union and therefore needed to be given substantial economic and military assistance to crush their ‘subversive’ critics and opposition. Even the US Ambassador to El Salvador Robert White denounced the human rights abuses being perpetrated upon the population by the military and government supported death squads and for his honesty was removed from his post by Reagan who wanted him silenced. Soon, the dumps on the outskirts of San Salvador became periodically littered with bodies of students and others targeted for death for attempting to exercise their rights. This was followed by the kidnapping, rape and murder of four US churchwomen in El Salvador by government soldiers which was meant as a warning to the religious community to stop their peaceful activities which aided the poor. In 1989, six Jesuit priests at a Salvadoran university who espoused social justice in their teachings were also murdered by government soldiers who also killed their housekeeper and her daughter in order to eliminate any witnesses. In all, over 75,000 people died in 12 years at the hands of the armed forces who were armed and financed by President Reagan and trained at the US ‘School of the Americas’ at Fort Benning Georgia. During this time, Reagan also supported the repressive military of Guatemala who killed thousands and the brutal Contras rebel group in Nicaragua. This period in history was not a proud episode in US-Central American relations.
The long and brutal civil war ended with positive and negative results
The thousands who died during the 12 years of government inflicted violence along with the thousands of Salvadorans who fled the war and settled in many US cities and countries left the country deeply divided. President Reagan had consistently refused to negotiate a peaceful settlement to the civil war and instead opted for a military victory by the repressive government which ultimately failed as the FMLN coalition forces successfully fought back. A positive aspect was that many people here in the US and other countries demanded an end to the killing and assisted in applying political pressure to bring the war to a close. Broad-based
After years of struggle the FMLN which is now a party was elected to power.
organizations were developed within El Salvador in addition to support groups abroad which were training grounds for organizers to develop democratic institutions and norms. Despite the right-wing opposition by Pope John Paul ll at that time to church members who followed the activist teachings of Liberation Theology, most religious orders sided with the Salvadoran people against the brutal excesses of the government. Presently, the people of El Salvador have voted freely without any widespread violence and have elected a government led by the former FMLN rebels who are now a legal party. This would have been unheard of a decade ago as both the present military and Obama have grudgingly accepted the will of the Salvadoran People for self-determination. On the negative side, El Salvador is still a poor country which lacks jobs and resources and has permanently lost many well-educated people who were vital to the country’s economy but who left during the civil war and never returned. Another growing social problem that resulted from the civil war and that needs to be dealt with in El Salvador are gangs which were initially organized in Los Angeles and other US cities by certain young Salvadoran immigrants. Many of these gang members have since been deported back to El Salvador where they have regrouped and recruited other unemployed young people to increasingly engage in widespread gang violence and criminal activities.
Monsenor Romero: a man of principle who was dedicated to justice
The ‘Dirty War’ waged in Argentina from 1976 to 1983 by the US supported military dictatorship resulted in thousands of deaths which Pope Francis as a priest did not publicly oppose at the time and therefore he was not harmed. The beliefs and convictions of Oscar Romero would not allow him to do such a thing and simply recede into the background and remain silent and safe. During this volatile and brutal period in Latin American history there were many churchmen and women who practiced Liberation Theology in various countries. This theology emphasized a socially active church and direct work among the poor as articulated in the old Gospel of the New Testament. Many of these church members,
Monsenor Romero: a true patriot, hero and friend of the poor.
particularly the well-educated and outspoken Jesuits, were targeted as subversives by the US supported right-wing authorities and killed. During this time conservative Pope John Paul ll strongly criticized and condemned church members who practiced activist Liberation Theology. John stated that its emphasis on siding with and aiding the poor was an element of Marxism and threatened many of them with ex-communication from the church. Despite these threats, the efforts of these martyred church activists and followers of Liberation Theology contributed greatly to the struggle against tyranny, the defense of human rights and the development of present-day democracy within Latin America. They actually practiced the Gospel with their actions and not just with abstract words on Sundays. The facts of history will show that Archbishop Romero is a true hero and patriot who regardless of the danger he faced stood up to presidents and generals in order to defend justice and his people’s human rights. An historical evaluation of the actions of individuals will contrast the just principles and morality of Monsignor Romero with those of the unjust Presidents Carter and Reagan who committed crimes and behaved in an immoral and cowardly manner by supporting dictators with US weapons and giving orders to armed thugs to torture, rape and kill innocent people. The 1980’s was a decade of shameful anti-democratic and murderous US policies in Latin America that left deep scars which still exist. Many individuals who were guilty of crimes during these decades have not been held accountable nor punished for their murderous actions with many of them now living comfortably in the US. The peoples of the region are still recovering from this repressive period as a democratic and independent trend in Latin America is now beginning to freely take hold.
Copyright, May 28, 2015: Jimmy Franco Sr.
Facebook: Jimmy Franco Latinopov
Twitter: @xicanomc
About Jimmy Franco Sr.
Jimmy Franco Sr. is the moderator and writer of the blog site: “A Latino Point of View in Today’s World” latinopov.com
The assassination of Monseñor Romero is in my novel.
Do you know a/b my debut novel “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador”? A young American woman goes to war-torn El Salvador: http://tinyurl.com/klxbt4y
My husband made a video about the novel. He wrote the song too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P11Ch5chkAc
