Vashti Quiroz-Vega's Blog, page 17
May 18, 2018
Haiku Friday – Body & Art
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Body and Art are this week’s prompt words chosen by Ronovan Hester of Ronovan Writes.
Ron hosts a challenge that anyone could participate in called Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge every Monday, and you have until Sunday to create a post featuring your haiku poem. He is an author and poet and also does author interviews and much more on his blog. Be sure to check it out. Read Ron’s Haiku Prompt Challenge Guidelines for more information.
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Leopard Gecko
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Mother Nature’s Gift
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Artsy bag of bones
Dapper in his spotted suit
Showing off his prize
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May 11, 2018
Haiku Friday – Ire & Fire
Ire and Fire are this week’s prompt words chosen by Ronovan Hester of Ronovan Writes.
Ron hosts a challenge that anyone could participate in called Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge every Monday, and you have until Sunday to create a post featuring your haiku poem. He is an author and poet and also does author interviews and much more on his blog. Be sure to check it out. Read Ron’s Haiku Prompt Challenge Guidelines for more information.
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I write Fantasy
With the passion of lovers
Making fire jealous
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Today is ‘Author Pride Day’––no it isn’t. I do feel excited to be an author today and most days.
The following are the most recent reviews for my novel, The Fall of Lilith on Goodreads (You can also find them on Amazon). Please click on any of the images below to read the complete review and if the review is helpful to you, click “Like”. Thanks! I’m very grateful to the readers for reading and reviewing and I am beyond thrilled that they enjoyed the book.
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*I love books and movies about writers. If you’re interested you can click on the images below to see 50 films and 12 novels about writers.
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50 Best Films About Writers | Flavorwire
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12 Novels About Writers
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Enjoy your Friday and to the wonderful moms out there have an amazing Mother’s Day!
May 4, 2018
Haiku Friday – Obsession & You
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Love Obsession
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You are one white rose
In a field of red roses
I only see you
I create a mist
That only envelops you
The sun clears the haze
I reach out for you
But your thorns are long and sharp
Still I grab ahold
A thorn pierces through my heart
I perish wearing a smile
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Obsession and You are this week’s prompt words chosen by Ronovan Hester of Ronovan Writes.
Ron hosts a challenge that anyone could participate in called Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge every Monday, and you have until Sunday to create a post featuring your haiku poem. He is an author and poet and also does author interviews and much more on his blog. Be sure to check it out. Read Ron’s Haiku Prompt Challenge Guidelines for more information.
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I wanted to share the cover art for my WIP, Son of the Serpent , the 2nd installment of my Fantasy Angels Series .
*This is not the book cover. It is the artwork that will be on the cover.
The illustrator for the cover art is Scarlett Fawn
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April 27, 2018
Haiku Friday – Beat & Party
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Let us celebrate
the diamantine splendor
of this vibrant night
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It’s not the moon, I tell you
It’s your smile that shines so bright
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Beautiful sketch of Gal Gadot by Chris Wahl (Click on image to see more of Chris’ work on Instagram)
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Beat and Party are this week’s prompt words chosen by Ronovan Hester of Ronovan Writes.
Ron hosts a challenge that anyone could participate in called Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge every Monday, and you have until Sunday to create a post featuring your haiku poem. He is an author and poet and also does author interviews and much more on his blog. Be sure to check it out. Read Ron’s Haiku Prompt Challenge Guidelines for more information.
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April 20, 2018
Haiku Friday – Fun & Sun
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The Fall of Icarus by René Milot
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In Greek Mythology, Icarus was the son of the genius inventor, Daedalus. Daedalus built a great labyrinth for King Minos of Crete. At some point, Daedalus and his son Icarus were imprisoned within the walls of the labyrinth.
To escape, Daedalus made two pairs of wings by adhering feathers to a wooden frame with wax. Giving one pair to his son, he cautioned him that flying too near the sun would cause the wax to melt. But Icarus ignored his father’s warning and filled with the exhilaration of flying, he flew too high and too close to the sun. The sun’s intense heat melted the wax on the wings and the feathers began to detach and fall off. Eventually all the feathers came loose and Icarus plunged to his death.
This is a tale of caution, warning us to remember our limitations. But if we do not test our limitations, how do we know how high we can fly?
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The Fall of Icarus
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Icarus forgot
That the delightful sun was
never his to touch
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Trying to get close
I burned in your atmosphere
No fun the the sun
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“Do just once what others say you can’t do, and you will never pay attention to their limitations again.”
~James Cook
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“Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they’re yours.”
~Richard Bach
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Fun and Sun are this week’s prompt words chosen by Ronovan Hester of Ronovan Writes.
Ron hosts a challenge that anyone could participate in called Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge every Monday, and you have until Sunday to create a post featuring your haiku poem. He is an author and poet and also does author interviews and much more on his blog. Be sure to check it out. Read Ron’s Haiku Prompt Challenge Guidelines for more information.
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Happy Friday, everyone! Enjoy your time in the sun!
April 14, 2018
Blog Tour: The Curse of Time by M J Mallon
So, I had surgery on Monday––nothing life-threatening, but surgery nonetheless. Therefore, I’ve been a bit off my game this week. I apologize for the lack of ‘Haiku Friday’ this week, I will try to make up for it next Friday.
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I have a special treat for you today. Author, M J Mallon recently released the paperback version of her book, The Curse of time and it is my pleasure to feature her and her book. I’ll turn it over to her now. Please give her a warm welcome.
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In Her Words . . .
I am a debut author who has been blogging for three years at my lovely blog home Kyrosmagica: https://mjmallon.com. My interests include writing, photography, poetry, and alternative therapies. I write Fantasy YA, middle grade fiction and micro poetry – haiku and Tanka. I love to read and have written over 100 reviews: https://mjmallon.com/2015/09/28/a-z-of-my-book-reviews/
My alter ego is MJ – Mary Jane from Spiderman. I love superheroes! I was born on the 17th of November in Lion City: Singapore, (a passionate Scorpio, with the Chinese Zodiac sign a lucky rabbit,) second child and only daughter to my proud parents Paula and Ronald. I grew up in a mountainous court in the Peak District in Hong Kong with my elder brother Donald. My parents dragged me away from my exotic childhood and my much loved dog Topsy to the frozen wastelands of Scotland. In bonnie Edinburgh I mastered Scottish country dancing, and a whole new Och Aye lingo.
As a teenager I travelled to many far-flung destinations to visit my abacus wielding wayfarer dad. It’s rumoured that I now live in the Venice of Cambridge, with my six foot hunk of a Rock God husband, and my two enchanted daughters. After such an upbringing my author’s mind has taken total leave of its senses! When I’m not writing, I eat exotic delicacies while belly dancing, or surf to the far reaches of the moon. To chill out, I practise Tai Chi. If the mood takes me I snorkel with mermaids, or sign up for idyllic holidays with the Chinese Unicorn, whose magnificent voice sings like a thousand wind chimes.
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(Click On Image To Purchase)
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Blurb :
Fifteen-year-old Amelina Scott lives in Cambridge with her dysfunctional family, a mysterious black cat, and an unusual girl who’s imprisoned within the mirrors located in her house. When an unexpected message arrives inviting her to visit the Crystal Cottage, she sets off on a forbidden pathway where she encounters Ryder, a charismatic, but perplexing stranger.
With the help of a magical paint set, and some crystal wizard stones she discovers the truth about a shocking curse that has destroyed her family’s happiness.
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Q & A with Marje
1/ Do you have a set schedule for writing, or are you one of those who write only when they are inspired?
When I have an inspiring idea I am driven by a demonic desire to write! With The Curse of Time, a flood of possibilities kept bouncing around in my brain and I could hardly keep up! Last week, I had a similar eureka moment. I was driving on my way to work and an idea for a ghost story hit me (fortunately no cars were damaged in the production of this story.) When this happens I get very excited and I am compelled by a sense of urgency to write my thoughts down. That’s a dangerous process when you’re driving!
2/ Do you prefer writing over reviewing the work of others.
It depends. I’d say I love both. When I read an exceptionally well-written book that stirs my deepest emotions I adore that feeling. I often cry. My tears might be tears of sadness triggered by a sad passage but sometimes I’m crying because I’m immersed in a book that speaks to me through the author’s voice. Equally, when I write a powerful paragraph I have the same depth of feeling. There is nothing like the power of words, words can thrill, shock and transport you to places you have never been before.
3/ How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
It has been such a phenomenal experience. It will be interesting to see how my writing process will change with book two –The Curse of Time is a series. The next book’s framework has already been written. Recently, I had the idea of incorporating the Midsummer Chronopage (which features a mythological fly,) into book two so I will be adding some extra passages/chapters to the narrative and looking at how this fits with the plot as a whole. Also I will be paying attention to constructive, well-written reviews to see how my readership responds to my book.
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Photo courtesy of Dr John C Taylor OBE:
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4/ Do you base your characters on real people?
Some of my characters are based on facets of one or two people amalgamated together! I love observing people’s idiosyncrasies; listening to conversations, seeing how people dress, walk, move… From these impressions I create a character bank in my mind for future projects.
5/ What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?
I’d like to give up full-time work! Working part-time would be ideal; I’d still have lots of anecdotes from my working life to inspire me to create characters. I currently work as a receptionist and I meet lots of visitors from different backgrounds and cultures. This is a perfect job for a nosy writer!
6/ Does a bad review affect your writing?
I haven’t had a really bad review and I hope this continues. My reviews range in star rating, some reviewers have ratedThe Curse of Time #1 Bloodstone five stars, some four and a few have rated it three stars. I think this demonstrates the authenticity of my reviewers. If I had all five star reviews I’d be suspicious! I do believe that reading a book is and should be a very subjective experience. Some people might not like my book, I get that, I just hope that the majority do!
7/ What’s next? Are you working on another book?
I am working on the second book in The Curse of Time series which I have entitled, The Curse of Time Book 2 – Golden Healer. In the second book in the series expect the growing friction between the protagonist Amelina and the antagonist Ryder to escalate. Ryder will introduce the reader to his birthplace, a place you would never want to visit and he will reveal aspects of his darker, shadowy side which have been partially hidden by his hypnotic personality. Be prepared to fly away with The Grasshopper to meet the most twisted rollercoaster you have ever imagined.
Beware-Time is indeed a cruel, relentless monster.
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Illustrations by Carolina Russo
Fun facts about Marje :
I wish I could be wonder woman or MJ from Spiderman.
I adore crystals, alternative therapies, the unusual and the strange. I’m a qualified Aromatherapist, Reflexologist, (I no longer work as a therapist instead I devote my spare time to reading, writing, blogging and reviewing.)
Some say that I am a white witch…my blogging friends confer and have included me in the Sisters of The Fey, a writerly collaboration.
My husband can’t remember asking me to marry him and neither can I. He suspects I cast a spell on him!
I have travelled to many foreign destinations, including: Papua New Guinea, Fiji, the Caribbean, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Rome, Venice, France, Germany, Spain, Belgium and Portugal. I would love the funds to travel some more!
I currently work as a receptionist in a massive building, home to twenty companies. In quiet moments I observe peoples’ mannerisms, listen to snippets of gossip and dream up new story ideas.
I love food! Asian food and anything spicy, yum…My mother is Malaysian and my father is Scottish so I grew up with a very varied diet.
My motto is to do what you love! Stay true to your heart’s desires, remain young at heart, and inspire others to do so, even if the odds are stacked against you like black-hearted shadows.
I studied Communication Studies at University, (marketing, media studies, public relations, etc.) My degree is coming in mighty handy now.
I love cats but don’t own one (my husband and daughter are allergic,) so I adopted a virtual black cat called Lily who looks like my black cat character Shadow in my book: https://mjmallon.com/2017/05/17/shadow-welcomes-lily-the-cat-to-kyrosmagica/
Social Media:
Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Collaborative blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
My Facebook Authors/Bloggers Support Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/
Tumblr: http://mjmallonauthor.tumblr.com/
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Follow The Curse of Time Blog Tour
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Enjoy the new week!
April 6, 2018
Haiku Friday – Regal & Hopeful
I hope everyone is in good health and has had a wonderful week. I appreciate you stopping by to visit.
Regal and Hopeful are this week’s prompt words chosen by Ronovan Hester of Ronovan Writes.
Ron hosts a challenge that anyone could participate in called Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge every Monday, and you have until Sunday to create a post featuring your haiku poem. He is an author and poet and also does author interviews and much more on his blog. Be sure to check it out. Read Ron’s Haiku Prompt Challenge Guidelines for more information.
*I was inspired by my novel, The Fall of Lilith today. It’s no wonder, since I’ve been working on my WIP day and night and referencing The Fall of Lilith plenty. I decided to write a Tanka, which is a haiku with two extra lines (7 syllables each).
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Illustration by Luis Royo
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Eager for the crown
She dreamt of being regal
And thus lost it all
She never sat on the throne
Yet she was queen in his heart
If only she knew
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Illustration by Luis Royo
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This is the latest review written by author, Nia Markos for The Fall of Lilith:
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I’m thrilled to announce that I’m on the last chapter of the first draft for “Son of the Serpent” (WIP). I’m excited but I still have a lot of work to do before it’s ready. I’m happy with the progress though.
Have a wonderful day, everyone!
March 30, 2018
Haiku Friday – Worship & Goddess
Worship and Goddess are this week’s prompt words chosen by Ronovan Hester of Ronovan Writes.
Ron hosts a challenge that anyone could participate in called Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge every Monday, and you have until Sunday to create a post featuring your haiku poem. He is an author and poet and also does author interviews and much more on his blog. Be sure to check it out. Read Ron’s Haiku Prompt Challenge Guidelines for more information.
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To worship my God
You need never visit church
Nature’s His temple
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“I sit in silence and join the song of the universe.”
~Eunsung aka Silas
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In Other News:
I am doing the Amazon Countdown Promotion for The Fall of Lilith starting today.
Fri. March 30th – 99¢
Sat. March 31st – $1.99
Sun. April 1st – $2.99
If you’ve been thinking of purchasing, The Fall of Lilith take advantage of the reduced prices this weekend starting today. Thank you!
Have a wonderful weekend!
March 23, 2018
Haiku Friday – Chance & Equal
I’ll be heading to the gym in a little while. I’m sore all over but my trainer will have no mercy on me––and that’s why I love her (wink-wink). I needed someone that wouldn’t take any of my BS. Afterward, I’ll be back to pounding on my keyboard. Well, after I walk the dog and take a shower. I don’t know why, I wanted to share some mundane info. with you today––sorry about that. Have a lovely weekend!
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Chance and Equal are this week’s prompt words chosen by Ronovan Hester of Ronovan Writes.
Ron hosts a challenge that anyone could participate in called Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge every Monday, and you have until Sunday to create a post featuring your haiku poem. He is an author and poet and also does author interviews and much more on his blog. Be sure to check it out. Read Ron’s Haiku Prompt Challenge Guidelines for more information.
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“The history of the past is but one long struggle upward to equality.”
~Elizabeth Cady Stanton
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Dear Equality,
If everyone had
the same schooling and money
would we be equal?
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Would that ever happen here?
Will they ever take that chance?
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Clip Art from Pinterest
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“Gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance.”
~Kofi Annan
March 16, 2018
Haiku Friday – Slim & Chance
Slim and Chance are this week’s prompt words chosen by Ronovan Hester of Ronovan Writes.
Ron hosts a challenge that anyone could participate in called Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge every Monday, and you have until Sunday to create a post featuring your haiku poem. He is an author and poet and also does author interviews and much more on his blog. Be sure to check it out. Read Ron’s Haiku Prompt Challenge Guidelines for more information.
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Give me one more chance.
Let me tell you why you don’t
deserve another.
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“Being the best is great, you’re the number one. Being unique is greater, you’re the only one.”
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Have a wonderful Friday and weekend, everyone!
