tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189936638654548472024-03-19T15:45:43.036-07:00So, I'm going to start this blog stuff. :PAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07688474849589537472noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918993663865454847.post-17699719674751991742017-09-17T04:12:00.004-07:002017-09-17T04:53:42.933-07:00Breaking One’s Own Spell…<style>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Breaking One’s Own
Spell…</span></b></span></span></div>
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-Tiana Laveen</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaj0SJbBufMYBCh732yz0EWm722R6AlpMrMvpzbHLUEUebf03yXolbrNe8thn86LQfxE9EqsmQLYQ7JTwtTnz2xm8KuNP_DmC77ihYifg8_sQZIXQ15E2QVfxEJKArU2eaArsj970KTLc/s1600/worldshare-earth_books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="907" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaj0SJbBufMYBCh732yz0EWm722R6AlpMrMvpzbHLUEUebf03yXolbrNe8thn86LQfxE9EqsmQLYQ7JTwtTnz2xm8KuNP_DmC77ihYifg8_sQZIXQ15E2QVfxEJKArU2eaArsj970KTLc/s320/worldshare-earth_books.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As a little girl, I was an outsider at my school. In fact, even in some extensions of my extended
family I seemed to be rather awkward, not quite considered completely acceptable.</div>
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I was the strange one, the child that didn’t quite fit in.
At the time, I found this to be a hurdle that was too much to bear. I tried in
vain to mimic the “cool kids”, in hopes of thus becoming a successful honorary
member. As you may have guessed, this tactic of course failed. I enjoyed music
that didn’t always fit the “norm” for a child that matched my physical
characteristics – i.e., a little Black girl who enjoyed bands like Tears for
Fears and Nirvana. I found reading and writing to be pure pleasure, and taught
myself how to type on my mother’s old typewriter that she used while attending
college. The ribbon was washed-out, the ink in shades of faded gray.
Unfortunately, my world was stark black and white. There were clear
expectations of me from others who didn't know me... unspoken rules of what a child is supposed to do and be,
all of these I could not seem to meet. I forever remained the ‘weird kid’. I
enjoyed drawing, painting, daydreaming and pretending to be someone that I
wasn’t…</div>
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…Accepted for being me.<br />
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Oh how desperately I wanted that to be true.<br />
<br />
Tormented by bullies, one child in particular who made my elementary school days
and freshman high school year a living a hell (it only stopped when she finally
departed and went away to another school). After awhile, I no longer tried to
fit in, belong or be one of many. I embraced myself, my eccentricity, my
willingness, no… my <i>need</i>, to think outside of the box. Writing was an outlet
for me. It was medicine. A cure to a broken spirit and tormented soul. I had
parents who loved me, a roof over my head and food in my stomach, but I
struggled for so long until I finally was able to look at myself and say, “Hey,
you’re alright…”</div>
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There are so many different people in the world… children
like me who grow into adults and by our mere existence, challenge what is
acceptable, in fashion, likeable, attractive, etc. Being cookie cutter is comfortable,
but it doesn’t make waves. It doesn’t pick apart the carefully constructed matrix of superficiality and hierarchies to keep us from truly investing in ourselves. It
doesn’t move the puzzle pieces around, it doesn’t sway the still waters, it
doesn’t gain momentum up the mountain or like that old typewriter ribbon, fade
into a misty, fog like mysterious gray. It’s stagnant, hell-bent on remaining
clearly black or white, never asking ‘what if’. If both sides of the lines
mixed, blurred, became friends, dare I say, become one, what in the world would
happen? I went from a shy, at times depressed young lady, to an outspoken, jovial,
assertive, open-minded woman who embraced her creativity and set out on a
journey to make it more than just medicine. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnEKpR47i66l9m1DwnpJMvLGgkLChlNjS3d1KHlOk5w4D-gJtY8SsPVWxwTqE0EHjXl6twwxarHamaihrqr41TieBGNxACoq3J9VMYMFHK-G7WvC2IQTxDCxHITON9tp-ISjXALLnLBY/s1600/bookworld.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnEKpR47i66l9m1DwnpJMvLGgkLChlNjS3d1KHlOk5w4D-gJtY8SsPVWxwTqE0EHjXl6twwxarHamaihrqr41TieBGNxACoq3J9VMYMFHK-G7WvC2IQTxDCxHITON9tp-ISjXALLnLBY/s320/bookworld.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Medicine helps with
the symptoms of an illness… I wasn’t sick… I was just fine, ‘AS IS’. My writing
became my soulmate, my best friend, my companion, my voice when I had none. It
was no longer an escape route, it was a part of my very being. We transformed
and grew up together, and this special box set represents a transformation from
the norm, stretching creativity, embracing the societal outcasts and casting
them in their <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">true</i> light – a thing of
beauty. This set of stories embraces and uplifts characters that deserve their
time in the sun, universe, deserts, jungles and all the little places in
between… they’ve earned their stripes. My book in this set is about an alien… a
warrior soldier from his planet who goes from being revered on his planet, to a
social outcast on Earth. Only, he doesn’t realize it right away. He is so
hell-bent on his mission, that a lack of understanding becomes a part of him
and bleeds into his duty. Things look different on the surface, proving you
can’t as they say, judge a book by its cover. Xzion is not human, but he is
forced to deal with true human issues that affect him in an unexpected way. And
yet, though he is the outcast on Earth, he has appreciation for those experiences
led him to find out things about himself that changed his life forever, for the
better. He has no regrets…<br />
<br />
I have no regrets about the experiences I have shared with you, because they
made me stronger and who I am today. I have the confidence to bring my readers
stories that are deemed different from the norm, delve deep into character
development, stay true to my own style of writing and what I wish to convey. I take
the reader on a journey of exploration of not only other worlds, planets and
lifetimes, but gently nudge them into a place of reflection and analysis.<br />
<br />
This universe is too big to limit oneself. There are so many different types of
people, places and things to explore. YOU ARE ALIVE, SO LIVE YOUR TRUTH. What if you tried something different and
lo and behold, liked it? What would that say about you? <br />
<br />
I think it would say that you have good taste and are now feasting on the
carefully prepared delicacies created by the eccentrics, movers and shakers and
quiet storms of the literary world. Bon appetit.<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_177382952"></span><span id="goog_177382953"></span><br />
</div>
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To preorder your copy of, "Sigils and Spells", please purchase by clicking any of the below links.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075LW1WNZ/" target="_blank">AMAZON</a><br />
<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sigils-and-spells-lori-titus/1127094993" target="_blank">BARNES AND NOBLE</a><br />
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sigils-and-spells/id1282222574" target="_blank">APPLE/ITUNES</a><br />
<a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/sigils-and-spells" target="_blank">KOBO</a><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07688474849589537472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918993663865454847.post-47330162961240429492017-09-15T07:31:00.002-07:002017-09-17T03:46:47.392-07:00So hot, it's burning at the stake! <style>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b><span style="font-family: "apple color emoji";">😈</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Witches,
Warlocks, Demons, oh my! </span><span style="font-family: "apple color emoji";">😈</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Apple Color Emoji"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">This
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Apple Color Emoji"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In
this big caldron, you will find more than a few tasty tidbits to sink your
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Apple Color Emoji"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br />A super soldier…<br />Born and raised on the planet Zarkstorm, Xzion
is endowed with superior gifts of speed and strength, as well as the
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but this pales in comparison to finally getting her prize. <br /><br />Be careful what you wish for... <br />As
worlds collide, choices must be made—put duty first, fulfill the
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addictions, deadly encounters and consequences, and an out-of-this-world
fierce love affair. In the end, will Xzion answer to a heart that he
never knew existed?
<br />
…But it’s not for the faint of heart since some of the heroes and heroines
don’t have a heart at all…</span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Apple Color Emoji"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">You can PREORDER your copy today!</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075LW1WNZ/" target="_blank">TO PURCHASE ON AMAZON</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sigils-and-spells-lori-titus/1127094993" target="_blank">TO PURCHASE ON BARNES AND NOBLE</a></div>
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sigils-and-spells/id1282222574" target="_blank">TO PURCHASE ON ITUNES</a> </div>
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<a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/sigils-and-spells" target="_blank">TO PURCHASE ON KOBO</a> </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07688474849589537472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918993663865454847.post-20289353078877118542017-06-07T06:25:00.003-07:002017-06-07T06:28:51.060-07:00Shopping in Tahiti... grab your credit card, let's GO!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>PayPal credit, cashier's check, cold hard cash, I don't care, just have it for this shopping trip in Tahiti!<br /><br /></b></span></span><br />
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Now, if you are a true Shopinista such as myself, then you are always looking for a bargain.<br />
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I can find plenty in the Dollar Tree and Neiman Marcus, Please don't get it twisted. Now, being that I am an introvert and people make me itch (Kidding, not kidding) I do tend to do at least 50% of my shopping online, that said, when you are in a tropical getaway, you MUST get out and check out the local art, the shops, the vendors, the fresh fruit and vegetable stands, the gift shops and of course the book stores.<br />
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Now, picture it! You and me and our crew, racing about Tahiti on a shopping spree of the lifetime. No matter your budget, here are some places that you will DEFINITELY want to check out:<br />
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<span style="color: #d9d2e9;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tahiti Pearl Market</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Let's get into these jewels, gems and shiny things, okay?!</b></span><br />
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<br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Pearls are a big deal in Tahiti,</b> and the amount of places you can get them can be overwhelming. </span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This place doesn't disappoint. It is a bit pricier, however, the quality is impeccable and you can walk</span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> way knowing you've received the real deal. Here is a review: </span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">"They have a huge variety, and they will customize a bauble for you on
the spot. They come with certificates, and will even help you to
purchase duty free. I am now loving my one-of-a-kind Tahitian pearl
necklace!"</span></i></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></i></span></h1>
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<span style="color: lime;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Municipal Market</b></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Are you ready to get some fresh produce, fresh squeezed juice and gifts to take back to the<br /><br /> homies? Look no further!</b></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></i></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></i></span><span style="color: #f4cccc;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="street-address">Francois Cardella Colette Streets</span>, <span class="locality">Papeete 98714, </span><span class="country-name">French Polynesia</span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="street-address">Boulevard Pomare</span> | <span class="extended-address">Front de mer Place Vaiete</span>, <span class="locality">Papeete 98713, </span><span class="country-name">French Polynesia</span></span></span></h1>
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<b>As an artist and art lover myself, whenever I see a public art studio, art museum or art shop,</b></div>
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<b> I have to stop inside. This one is top notch. If you are in the mood to spruce up your place, </b></div>
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<b>change up your decor or get that special something to stage as a conversation piece, this is the </b></div>
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<b>spot to be.</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="country-name"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="country-name">This concludes our Polynesian Tahiti shopping trip, and I've enjoyed this time with you. </span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="country-name"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="country-name"><br /></span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="country-name"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="country-name"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>My girls Olivia Gaines and JK Rivers have some info. for you as well such as information about the island itself and places to grab a bite to eat so be sure to check out their blogs, FB Posts, etc.<br /><i><br />Until next time, keep on reading! </i></b></span></span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="country-name"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i> </i></b></span></span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="country-name"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Author Tiana Laveen</i></b></span></span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="country-name"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>www.tianalaveen.com</i></b></span></span></span></span></h1>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07688474849589537472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918993663865454847.post-8439974175740668582017-06-07T05:05:00.001-07:002017-06-07T05:17:41.547-07:00Spilling the Tea Announcement: New Book on the horizon!<div id="yiv0335450169yui_3_16_0_1_1496829123076_18166" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Boys and girls,<br />Romance Readers of the World!</b></span></div>
<div id="yiv0335450169yui_3_16_0_1_1496829123076_18166" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I am here to spill this Tiana Laveen Tea Time Tea!</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaODxAB2MWaQEHOkYofxzzeut1sd1q_sY-gamnPaLKiIR8ETT6Oq-JwdRNgH7LGwrA75P1pMzYo16mkgKs1cxEv7y_OqLSQ9kKzWs8IusK_qvo-9pnDdzVp_2JQkEVXHTFhLzdA_W57nw/s1600/tumblr_o90gumc51E1vnxm5yo1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="500" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaODxAB2MWaQEHOkYofxzzeut1sd1q_sY-gamnPaLKiIR8ETT6Oq-JwdRNgH7LGwrA75P1pMzYo16mkgKs1cxEv7y_OqLSQ9kKzWs8IusK_qvo-9pnDdzVp_2JQkEVXHTFhLzdA_W57nw/s320/tumblr_o90gumc51E1vnxm5yo1_500.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have something exciting to share, a project that myself, Olivia Gaines and JK
Rivers have been working on is out of the bag.<br />
<br id="yiv0335450169yui_3_16_0_1_1496829123076_18170" />
Picture it! Tahiti, 2017…<br />
<br id="yiv0335450169yui_3_16_0_1_1496829123076_18172" />
You, your boo and a whole lot of, “What in the world did you do?”</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrx2SFViU2IHWx_UCt5rvP7VO-qJL95ABls-NeA9vxLBumsprbN8Adp7H4JuW2xZyctgXgGe9m4k2Hg56c7hjGeEszffo6mSUBwrk3eFEmKy2VeLi8xktBfi0aqPZDgSpxVmcpXu3aPk/s1600/bungalows-tahiti-french-polynesia-FREETAHITI0317.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrx2SFViU2IHWx_UCt5rvP7VO-qJL95ABls-NeA9vxLBumsprbN8Adp7H4JuW2xZyctgXgGe9m4k2Hg56c7hjGeEszffo6mSUBwrk3eFEmKy2VeLi8xktBfi0aqPZDgSpxVmcpXu3aPk/s320/bungalows-tahiti-french-polynesia-FREETAHITI0317.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwNY32xfTXNd2PPOnHsgZ6FZrN-ACJ0x1Xp7QRIoF1yhbE_cpKEmuntPPKTAMknTOZQbci3XMah_pWy3RvJxDcVt0cvYFg0SZzckF4yQ9lrW5xK4mwtGjH_P8qoMpYJu8Q1_tpogqpps/s1600/18893132_1960139460885637_2317934608808147886_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="945" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwNY32xfTXNd2PPOnHsgZ6FZrN-ACJ0x1Xp7QRIoF1yhbE_cpKEmuntPPKTAMknTOZQbci3XMah_pWy3RvJxDcVt0cvYFg0SZzckF4yQ9lrW5xK4mwtGjH_P8qoMpYJu8Q1_tpogqpps/s320/18893132_1960139460885637_2317934608808147886_n.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is the blurb so you know what this book entails:<br />
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<div id="yiv0335450169yui_3_16_0_1_1496829123076_18177">
College friends, Leah, Naima, & Yuri reunite for a fun filled
weekend in Tahiti. The ladies check into an exclusive luxury resort as three
beautifully crafted stories begin by taking the reader on a two-night, romantic
adventure.</div>
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Artfully woven romances bloom in a tropical paradise backdropped against a
picturesque setting kicking off a personal transformation of all three women,
with new men, new challenges, and loads of love.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZu29IT7it0GtbRv5c3j-xpf3lhagSZnd-dhOfewtg7UdLM3xVX5vZqxjdlPqgnsNhH84tb_5gJDxpSM395IqetieHSdq5zIXwv60mCRGSqdYH17Ma_03ZJPWGtdGcy67ZcR3LneuVJ3c/s1600/tumblr_olqwidcg6N1rbud4zo1_400.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="305" data-original-width="400" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZu29IT7it0GtbRv5c3j-xpf3lhagSZnd-dhOfewtg7UdLM3xVX5vZqxjdlPqgnsNhH84tb_5gJDxpSM395IqetieHSdq5zIXwv60mCRGSqdYH17Ma_03ZJPWGtdGcy67ZcR3LneuVJ3c/s320/tumblr_olqwidcg6N1rbud4zo1_400.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div id="yiv0335450169yui_3_16_0_1_1496829123076_18179">
<span id="yiv0335450169yui_3_16_0_1_1496829123076_18180"> </span>Now, my book is
entitled, “Leah”. All three characters have their own story and the stories
intertwine. You will hear more about Leah in the upcoming weeks, but I just
needed to take a moment and let you all know what we’ve been cooking up in the
writing kitchen. <br />
<br />
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<br id="yiv0335450169yui_3_16_0_1_1496829123076_18182" />
Now, here is the best part…<br />
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You can pre-order this book RIGHT NOW, for only 99 cents. It is available where
most books are sold: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, iTunes <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nights-You-Travel-Club-Book-ebook/dp/B071J5RX35/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496836016&sr=8-1&keywords=2+nights+with+you+laveen" target="_blank">CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE BOOK</a><br />
<br />
Make sure you one click and get your copy today so that when the day comes, you will awaken to it right there on your device. <br />
<br />
Myself and the ladies are looking forward to bringing this novel to you. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1DXhGX9NfvynqBByhcJSrvanh3NqxFJT3hpqiOq0T8nSvG0IWjQwwep1Oyu1jzG7vDGVSrNt9zRjEeb_fEdeIiqTGG1mg-c87qpHTwKUN2Kf3e7zIOw1F1rNhs-DnNnoYHOq2GHj4Y0/s1600/tumblr_or0x142aO61v2useeo1_1280.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="941" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1DXhGX9NfvynqBByhcJSrvanh3NqxFJT3hpqiOq0T8nSvG0IWjQwwep1Oyu1jzG7vDGVSrNt9zRjEeb_fEdeIiqTGG1mg-c87qpHTwKUN2Kf3e7zIOw1F1rNhs-DnNnoYHOq2GHj4Y0/s320/tumblr_or0x142aO61v2useeo1_1280.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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Tiana Laveen</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07688474849589537472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918993663865454847.post-49568310064546167322017-01-29T08:49:00.002-08:002017-01-29T09:21:40.100-08:00Saint's sins...<style>
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On April 20<sup>th</sup>, 2012, a book that rocked the IR
romance genre was released that was almost NOT released.</div>
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I realized that the book had a high chance of not being well
received. I put off releasing it, convinced myself at one point in time that it
was best to simply keep it to myself. But then one day, I decided to go on
ahead and have it edited and see where the chips fell. Funny, I dragged my feet
on releasing it even after all of that time and effort, even after it’s
immediate sequel was written and edited, too. It wasn’t even supposed to be a
series, it was supposed to be just one book… a Hero of Black women during a
time when we were, and still are, subjugated to negativity that we do not
deserve. This movement of an active and festering attack on women of African
ancestry has been alive and well and socially accepted for at least two
decades. It is demonstrated in the musical lyrics sung by men that we throw our
hard earned money away to support as they discuss us as if we are merely
created to service them and provide sexual gratification alone. It is shown in
the books written by those that wish for us to adopt this warped notion that if
we do not fall in line, we will fall from grace. It is broadcast on social
media and videos from people who either know the truth, but simply don’t care
because YouTube is now a viable way to make income, especially if you are being
messy, trashing others, threatening, roasting folks, etc. When we as human
being are being “rewarded” for losing our humanity, we also lose our hold on
reality.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZu4rbCfZNFXC1GhYE7zIitTX5UR0B2r0JKV_qgWqVbA3cx3BQ1G9LslkrQRfIb7Qj44AepPIfppfM89LfXvaejjTGlChD6IEuIoJhMoj_y1B5ZZqDHFp6UENzoWbQwZ_UmN0mSqsSotg/s1600/d8517cac24ac070a29eba69631b81d8c.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZu4rbCfZNFXC1GhYE7zIitTX5UR0B2r0JKV_qgWqVbA3cx3BQ1G9LslkrQRfIb7Qj44AepPIfppfM89LfXvaejjTGlChD6IEuIoJhMoj_y1B5ZZqDHFp6UENzoWbQwZ_UmN0mSqsSotg/s320/d8517cac24ac070a29eba69631b81d8c.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As an author, and a Black woman, and a lady in love, happily married with two
beautiful children, I witnessed and occasionally experienced the aftermath of
verbal, emotional and mental abuse via those that are threatened by Black women
who do not live in fear due to not meeting the stereotypical stepping stones
and criteria set out for us by people who have in general, shown a lack of
concern for our overall well being. Love is not the same as being controlled,
and loyalty should not be a blank check to an entity, force or movement that is
steeped in manipulative and emotionally abusive tactics. There was an
especially heinous backlash for those of us whom chose to date, love and marry
men who are equally yoked with us, despite their cultural background. We were
not choosing our mates due to their melanin concentration, we were choosing
mates whom treated us well, that we had mutual respect with, could grow a
family with. If that man was Black, great, if he was White, that was great,
too. If he was Asian, Indian etc. so be it! We were deciding to step out of the
box and look at the total picture, not be closed-minded and accept that the man
that our Creator may have for us, may not be the same ethnic makeup as us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He may come in different gift-wrapping. Wow!
Surprising! Though Black women and non-Black men still make up the smallest
percentage of IR/MC marriages (interracial/multicultural), we are a growing
percentage, and that has caused curiosity, alarm, anger, misunderstanding and
at times, lashing out. This climate, this situation and the misguided, warped
and hatred driven movement to attempt to prevent any further refugees from
escaping Blackistan, is the catalyst that gave birth to a character named, Dr.
Saint Aknaten. </div>
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Saint came to me in my dreams…</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jbNDRSG9PSuLXKR2eRRufZ7py8dS2YSbgnI9FXaHbKGzRjVcScPeo0RAT3P0ZuyXJtHJWhy-vdw_97SFBB23BDs1-ynurO_lYNMRj6iBp-XwHdUmor75jPr3cu_nS-4zdu-Qu8arfR4/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jbNDRSG9PSuLXKR2eRRufZ7py8dS2YSbgnI9FXaHbKGzRjVcScPeo0RAT3P0ZuyXJtHJWhy-vdw_97SFBB23BDs1-ynurO_lYNMRj6iBp-XwHdUmor75jPr3cu_nS-4zdu-Qu8arfR4/s320/giphy.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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He is the only character where I consistently would write
until the wee hours of the morning and literally almost each and every time,
not recall the bulk of what I’d written the evening previous. It was like I was
in some trance. These characters need to be fed, and the muse for Saint had
taken possession of me. A stated, he arrived in my dreams, and then demanded
his story be told. That story was, “The Naughty Sins of a Saint” and “When
Saint Goes Marching In.” <br />
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Saint books take a lot of time and energy to write. However, because it almost
feels like I’m ghost writing for some invisible entity, there is a bit of ease
when I write them as well. They just seem to magically come together, more
times than not, in ways I didn’t expect. Here’s the curious thing about Saint
though… <br />
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Though he is highly controversial due to his abrasive language, overt sexual
nature, New York/South Bronx upbringing which fostered a rather tough
personality, he was way more accepted into the reading community than I’d
originally imagined. Matter of fact, I was shocked to see the first two books
soon after their release and word spread, selling at a rate that was more than
admirable, especially for a fairly new author on the block. It appeared that
Saint either was highly loved or deeply hated and resented. There were few who
swam in the middle of the ‘What do you think if Saint?’ pond. </div>
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I would receive ‘hate mail’ from people, mostly Black women and Black men, who
felt somehow wounded by this fictional half Korean, half Egyptian man. I’m
convinced some didn’t even actually read the book based on their non-accurate
assessments of events, but that’s neither here nor there. Anyway, Saint told
the truth many times, and I refuse to apologize for that. I agree with many
things Saint said, some I do not, I had to use some creative license here, but
again, Saint and I’s private conversations about politics, sexism etc. are
personal. Hell, even the love of his life, Xenia, his beautiful wife, doesn’t agree
with everything her husband says and does! Who realistically, co-signs on
EVERYTHING that a particular person thinks? That’s not even realistic but I
digress. Some people complained that he was overkill, a brute; his taste in
music was blah, so on and so forth. They either completely missed the point, were
nit picking because they felt somehow personally attacked by him, had issues
with alpha men in general, or he just wasn’t their cup of tea- which I totally
get. No harm. No foul. Some readers didn’t like the idea of a man telling them
their flaws, especially a non-Black man. Yup. It’s true. Saint wasn’t just a
put the Black lady on a pedestal type of guy, because to TRULY educate and help
people, you have to tell the ENTIRE truth, not just the cute and cozy parts. I
expected for these women who felt he was misogynistic, an asshole with no
filter, to come forth. BUT… I also got a boatload of love letters about Saint,
mostly from Black women, but every blue moon, a non-black man would write me
and say something to the effect,</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“My wife/girlfriend is
Black. She bought this book and began to cheat on me with her new book
boyfriend. She became obsessed with a guy named Saint from New York. Thank you,
Tiana. I am now having the best sex of my life!”</i> LOL!</div>
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The one thing that makes it all worth it are the two emails
that I received where two readers stated that he saved their lives… they were
suicidal. So for that reason for certain, I’d do it all over again. This man,
fictional or not, became MORE than a book boyfriend for some readers.<br />
<br />
Saint became a muse, a curiosity and a teacher. Teacher… yeah, and that’s the
thing. See, the books became a series. At the time, I was a reluctant series
writer. But Saint is gregarious. He kept talking, He kept demanding to be
heard, and I kept dreaming and then writing. But then, resentment set in…</div>
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Saint, on record, appears to be five books total – six if you include a shoot
off story called, “Cruz Control” that now only appears in paperback. (Part of
an anthology with two other authors – Olivia Gaines and Xyla Turner.) – Book
title: “The Company.” In actuality, the Saint series is actually 9 books –
because over half of them are double novels. I now divide up double novels,
because these books were HUGE. “Saved and SAINTified” was almost 1000 pages,
folks. So yeah, there is PLENTY of Saint available. Now, the reason I brought
up resentment is because the numbers, reviews etc. didn’t match the alleged
love. Saint has been alive and breathing for over 4 years, and he just, in
2017, made it to 100 reviews… (My husband verified this for me) yet he was
selling. Something wasn’t right…</div>
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What was going on here? Where were all of these people that allegedly loved Saint so
much, but were too afraid to leave a review, or didn’t feel it was important,
or didn’t have enough time to write one (though it literally can take less than
3 minutes)? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept being asked to deliver, but saw no investment to 'Keep hope alive' so to speak. Where was the support for the 9 previous books? This is not a woe-is-me post. Trust me on that. I've processed the reality of the issue and I'm over it like a bridge, but the question still remains...</div>
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Why should I, as
an artist, keep slaving away for something that takes a hell of a lot of time,
energy, research, gearing up, getting into character (Because you can’t just
sit down and write a Saint novel, I literally have to become him and get into
character—and he is a piece of work) why should I keep doing that over and over
and over again when the book is being pirated left and right, when some people
aren’t even really getting the TRUE message of Saint – they are just swimming
in the intense and graphic sex scenes and missing the entire damn point? Now let
me be clear. I am not talking about <u><b>ALL OF THE READERS</b></u> of the Saint series nor everyone who has questioned me about further books in the series!
Obviously this sentiment doesn’t apply to all of you, and I am incredibly
grateful for that reality. However, the thing I detest most is when I announce
another book of mine is about to drop and someone says, without acknowledgement
of the book I just posted which will be ready to read in a week or less,</div>
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<i><b>WHEN IS ANOTHER SAINT BOOK COMING OUT?</b></i></div>
<i><b>
</b></i><br />
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</b></i><br />
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<i><b>WILL THERE BE ANY MORE SAINT BOOKS?</b></i></div>
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<i><b>I WANT MORE SAINT.</b></i> THE F--K WITH WHATEVER ELSE YOU MAY WANT TO DO, I WANT MORE OF HIM INSTEAD. (They didn't say that last part, I'm just being melodramatic.)</div>
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No, hi, how are you doing, nothing. <br />
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<br />
These comments/questions out of this context are perfectly fine, expected and
acceptable. I am BEYOND thankful that many of my readers found me due to
Saint—but when an author is announcing something else they are doing, something
new, and we can’t even get a hello, congrats on the new book, can’t wait to
find out what this is about, etc. – and they go straight to Saint book
interrogation in a post about a NEW BOOK that has NOTHING to do with Saint, it
just drives in the point/sentiment even further that, "This isn't okay with me..."</div>
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“ I’m an artist; I don’t want to be pigeon holed. I
don’t feel the Saint series is even well understood.” See, that’s one of my
main goals, and the fact that I didn’t seem to meet it is disheartening for me.
I’ve gotten over it, but in that moment of realization, it was devastating. Let
me explain further what I’m talking about…<br />
<br />
Saint is a sex addict and sex therapist. But he is FAR MORE than sex. He is
sensual, he is very attractive physically, he is tall, he is well off
financially, and he is addicted to his wife, highly protective of his family,
and refuses to be talked down to or treated like some flunky by ANYONE. He has
a good heart, a ridiculously huge ego, he can be draining, at times bratty –
but he is so giving, so intelligent, funny and full of life, that my life is
permanently intertwined with his. I can NEVER leave Saint, and he can NEVE
leave me. We are tied at the hip. He provided a public service announcement – a
call to action. He placed a mirror in front of our faces and said,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4Fi1hZZ5-cv5Ul7A1ZnOTO5aOdeFi5cOX1gkrt6Yi3BGT5PL2pPVLGrlGtz4rC6HNgzAp8bGqoCTGfewZyf-lSTyX8Enh-dLwfUFdar8cOz0aCITcybmkZ5QkzErlz7jH8icacUhDNY/s1600/raw5.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4Fi1hZZ5-cv5Ul7A1ZnOTO5aOdeFi5cOX1gkrt6Yi3BGT5PL2pPVLGrlGtz4rC6HNgzAp8bGqoCTGfewZyf-lSTyX8Enh-dLwfUFdar8cOz0aCITcybmkZ5QkzErlz7jH8icacUhDNY/s320/raw5.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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“LOOK AT YOURSELF!” But some readers didn’t do as he
instructed…<br />
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They only held on to the ‘Oh my’ and ‘Clutch your pearls’
passages –violent fights and graphic descriptions of Saint making love to his wife. Those
were important too, they were crucial to the story, but they weren’t the ONLY
parts of the story. The wisdom gems were tossed aside, not given a second
glance.<br />
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And honestly, that stung me as an artist. Perhaps I missed the mark. Maybe my execution
was flawed. When favorite Saint book quotes roll in, more times than not, they
are dominated by the sexual acts, or something sassy from Mama Pam. Those are
great too; I had a hell of a fun time writing them… but what about the 10s,
20s, and 30s of pages of Saint speaking to the Black Queens and Rainbeaus at
conferences? What about him addressing our low self esteem issues and how they
arose? What about his relationship with Bomb? Scenes with his father?What about racism he discussed in this country (USA)? About interracial love and how Black love
comprise ALL love, because we ALL came from the original Black woman and man!
Why don’t I see this more?</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <u><b>Because </b></u></span><u><b>I failed… </b></u><br />
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I've received threats on my life, because I chose to write IR/MC romance, entertain and help my sistas… <br />
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But I failed.<br />
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I am told I am a bed wench, but yet, I write another Saint
book, and it too, didn’t seem to be fully understood by many… I failed.</div>
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I took valuable time away from my family to sit and write
these long ass books, from the POV of a cunning, yet soul-draining
man/character, and that’s not even appreciated enough for a review to be left... <br />
<br />
I failed.<br />
<br />
Some of the books in the Saint series haven’t even hit the 60 review mark last
I’d heard. (I don’t read my reviews after the first few days of a book launch)
But yet… some readers still want me to kill myself and write these Saint books. I
know it sounds dramatic, but it’s not. Each time I sit and write a book,
beautiful readers, I pour my heart and soul into them. Not all of my books will
resonate with each and every one of you, but my dedication as far as I’m
concerned, should not be even questionable. <br />
<br />
So… when I’m asked when is another Saint book coming out, I answer truthfully…</div>
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“I never say never, but there are no plans for that at this
time.”<br />
<br />
I want to create a million worlds for my readers to dive into. I need
diversity, because I’m a diverse person, I also need to be understood. If I
feel as if my message in my art is not being understood, then it would be
foolish on my part to not at least ponder that situation. I love Saint. I love
him so much, that I know I would have a hard time telling him no if he came to
me in a dream again, but like any dream to become reality, he and I both need
fuel. Saint has to be fed. And he is an egomaniac. His pride is wounded, and I
can’t too much blame him. He is grateful that his love making skills have
garnered attention from thousands of women, but he wants the knowledge that
pours out of his mouth, that was intended to cover and coat and saturate your
heart, to be just as mind bending, memorable and exciting to you.<br />
<br />
<b>Ladies, sex, is cerebral… I love your body, the color of your skin and the
glorious kink of your hair, but making love to your mind was always my MAIN objective…</b></div>
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And yeah, Saint didn't just write that last line, he wrote this whole damn blog.<br />
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Love,<br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Saint Aknaten<br /><br /><br />To Purchase the series:<br /><br />"The Naughty Sins of a Saint"<br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Naughty-Sins-Saint-Tiana-Laveen-ebook/dp/B007WGH3RI/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1485710131&sr=1-1">FIRST BOOK IN SERIES</a><br /><br />"When Saint Goes Marching In"<br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/When-Saint-Marching-Tiana-Laveen-ebook/dp/B008N1NUKA/ref=pd_sim_351_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=DCX60E4NS5JYVQVK9ZVT">SECOND BOOK IN SERIES. CLICK HERE.</a><br /><br />"Saved and SAINTified" - (double novel)<br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tiana-Laveen/e/B004KIKI2I/ref=pd_sim_351_bl_2?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=BWWRWEZN1R79H3ZNR8K4">THIRD BOOK IN SERIES. CLICK HERE.</a><br /><br />"Saint's Sacrament - Sins of the Father" - (double novel)<br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Saints-Sacrament-Father-Tiana-Laveen-ebook/dp/B00EXWXXU0/ref=pd_sim_351_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=BWWRWEZN1R79H3ZNR8K4">FOURTH BOOK IN SERIES. CLICK HERE.</a><br /><br />"Saint and Sinners - The King Angel Child of New York" - (double novel)<br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Sinners-King-Angel-Child-ebook/dp/B00LAB7CNG/ref=pd_sim_351_6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=BWWRWEZN1R79H3ZNR8K4">FIFTH BOOK IN SERIES. CLICK HERE.</a><br /><br />"Cruz Con</i><i>trol"</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Company-Frisky-Business-1/dp/1532773404/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1485710484&sr=8-1&keywords=the+company+laveen">SIX BOOK IN SERIES. CLICK HERE. (Paperback only)</a></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07688474849589537472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918993663865454847.post-2750411944082072552017-01-18T16:22:00.000-08:002017-06-07T05:18:12.398-07:00The Introverted Author<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The introverted author</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxL2Nu8p0eMueiXrVaSCWh4mC4zTzSvInKFE4tXWytWjbCThaXUec30l2i73asFIOd6Skudpnh68_eZCosrie9gNWsIDMro_Iv1NB54EEdWyn8YC32LDTWhvQhTYrekk-MEBt9D1AqFc/s1600/signs-youre-an-introvert-saturday.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxL2Nu8p0eMueiXrVaSCWh4mC4zTzSvInKFE4tXWytWjbCThaXUec30l2i73asFIOd6Skudpnh68_eZCosrie9gNWsIDMro_Iv1NB54EEdWyn8YC32LDTWhvQhTYrekk-MEBt9D1AqFc/s320/signs-youre-an-introvert-saturday.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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I’m sure, comes as no surprise that a fair number of
writers, published and non-published, are natural introverts. Our minds after
all are filled with stories, ideas, pieces of characters and scenarios that
we’ve concocted either right there Johnny on the spot or have been nesting and
nursing for months, perhaps years. Being an introverted author myself, it takes
much psyching myself up to present myself to crowds in which the light will be
upon me, even for a short duration. I don’t tend to enjoy that, I’d much rather
drift in the background like a leaf blowing in the wind… you see me, but you
don’t. I prefer the words in my books to be the star performers, while I pull
puppet strings in the background via a completed novel. Being an introverted
author has pros and cons…</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDji4cDPIs4ZG9mqe61aQsGXX12jzgUoqesvCHCb0FOxvsI-XiK6qPHoM5OChjuR7UNGv-Xr5eBr25_3udRhkpb-JEwc6lkgeLfMMaidEHICXdFUMKtmAaFLrJOUWHbqKI6xvnAdXSKD8/s1600/66556089-368-k237420.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDji4cDPIs4ZG9mqe61aQsGXX12jzgUoqesvCHCb0FOxvsI-XiK6qPHoM5OChjuR7UNGv-Xr5eBr25_3udRhkpb-JEwc6lkgeLfMMaidEHICXdFUMKtmAaFLrJOUWHbqKI6xvnAdXSKD8/s320/66556089-368-k237420.jpeg" width="204" /></a></div>
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One, I regard my connections in almost a spiritual way. I am guarded now due to
experience, being burned a few times and simply wishing to just keep things to
myself, so if I open up to someone, for me at least, that’s a pretty big deal.
Some of my readers that have actually met me in person have stated, “Tiana, you’re down
to earth.” Or, “You seem open, approachable.” I do not have a diva type
attitude as it pertains to getting to know and fellowship with my readers. I have
to urinate, blow my nose and brush my teeth just like the rest of you. TMI, but
you get the point. This fact of me being ‘open’ so to speak, has afforded me a
friendship of sorts with some of my readers. That’s important, for our reputation as authors is
part of our brand and how we treat our readers can impact that. That brings me
to a con, however… sometimes the introverted author does not wish to engage.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZa-6QFeEpKEpt5FrZRo2AIt7iwwXmGCBd7DZGI_0grfkW2nAt69Gf6CyAW5EMJj3kDKiTOOwOeMU25Sm4dPTeIDouc0vwp8WOjRutV3_z0GL0KGND5vcC2wt4bRqVlyaHXjsDraZVhyphenhyphenc/s1600/introvert-pic-goldfish.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZa-6QFeEpKEpt5FrZRo2AIt7iwwXmGCBd7DZGI_0grfkW2nAt69Gf6CyAW5EMJj3kDKiTOOwOeMU25Sm4dPTeIDouc0vwp8WOjRutV3_z0GL0KGND5vcC2wt4bRqVlyaHXjsDraZVhyphenhyphenc/s320/introvert-pic-goldfish.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What that means is, for example, let’s say a reader sends me an email. (Lately
I’ve been having my emails screened due to receiving ones that let’s just say,
are not beneficial to me or anyone else for that matter.) I, being the person I
am, wish to respond to each email I receive but time to time an author may run
across someone whom as soon as you respond to them, they take that as an
invitation to slide shade in their emails under the guise of 'love', also in the disguise as fan-dom. I’m
not one of your little friends and I’m not Boo-Boo the fool, just as some of
our mama’s used to tell us, lol. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_KjbQ77BUl0ZjyYSwZY5Dz4Wn1ecl7tUjbC5OXHKUk64v3IsGB9Jh78KkpXvEikz9shYkGj7XhgamvVi6kwvDuBH_eZpDDhRHPyzUQuHF6PXSonRK7s6o_SklERGb22O4h4QhQCWaf8/s1600/a5528f37c38c7e2bec9edd50daeffaf8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_KjbQ77BUl0ZjyYSwZY5Dz4Wn1ecl7tUjbC5OXHKUk64v3IsGB9Jh78KkpXvEikz9shYkGj7XhgamvVi6kwvDuBH_eZpDDhRHPyzUQuHF6PXSonRK7s6o_SklERGb22O4h4QhQCWaf8/s320/a5528f37c38c7e2bec9edd50daeffaf8.jpeg" width="313" /></a></div>
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So I end up teetering on the fence—I don’t want
to ignore the individual, but acknowledging them may fed their inner troll-dom.
As for the past 8-10 months, the screening process has been a big help and I
don’t have to deal with this nearly as much, therefore, I am not compelled to
feel an obligation to a person who wishes to try and pull a fast one. I do
however, get immense pleasure from emails from individuals who enjoy my books
and let me know. Those emails get through to me and I respond as needed. (I
will do a separate blog about ‘author abuse’ at a later date.) So anywho,
social media and emails are a curse and a blessing all at once. More people
have access to their favorite authors, singers, etc. than ever and it is not
unreasonable to receive a tweet, email, and FB message back from someone you enjoy as far as their expression of their art. It’s a win-win
situation, and my readers are awesome, so the engagement is fine, especially
since afterward I can slink back into my little cave. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMpbLE7At2ifA-CZOINIX3XeTPDqHDWjPj5nxlWuwXOt7aNqORTThuT-n77kB2bL8si44rpdaQ4hnxBMAeQWYCajzlQ6peVSwyc_NSG5lCusUMzdLjPB50SMl07ibnRGVw1U7h20VNhA/s1600/a5b621ad8969368f34eb883f88d068fa.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMpbLE7At2ifA-CZOINIX3XeTPDqHDWjPj5nxlWuwXOt7aNqORTThuT-n77kB2bL8si44rpdaQ4hnxBMAeQWYCajzlQ6peVSwyc_NSG5lCusUMzdLjPB50SMl07ibnRGVw1U7h20VNhA/s320/a5b621ad8969368f34eb883f88d068fa.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In closing, I like being an introvert, people. It took me a long time to accept that
I’m strange, overly-reflective, take my friendships seriously even if said
‘friend’ didn’t feel the same, live inside of my head, can be at times
emotional and at other times cold and unmoved. I need my space and private time or I will begin to disengage and can become quite irritable. (Don't feed me after midnight.) I at times love animals
more than people. (Shrugs shoulders). It’s cool with me now, I’m fine being introverted, matter of fact, I wouldn't have it any other way -- it is part of who I am.
Some of my best ideas come to me when I am away from the world, dancing inside
my own mind. My dreams even create stories – example, the character Dr. Saint
Aknaten came from a dream. Go figure?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ozN4NMv_7mXQd3JJfb2D3eZubDUXodU50ESmAynG5peLFesBrYmGdh4m0DjpuMkfpfwDGtZbsBgO4jHJnehl7mvo3hk5iIqIiVyX-UqnaotP7tdpYtyAHEd_buTB9Mu9UCKD6QW24FI/s1600/51NVWbjmD-L._SY346_.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ozN4NMv_7mXQd3JJfb2D3eZubDUXodU50ESmAynG5peLFesBrYmGdh4m0DjpuMkfpfwDGtZbsBgO4jHJnehl7mvo3hk5iIqIiVyX-UqnaotP7tdpYtyAHEd_buTB9Mu9UCKD6QW24FI/s320/51NVWbjmD-L._SY346_.jpeg" width="212" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Naughty-Sins-Saint-Tiana-Laveen-ebook/dp/B007WGH3RI/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1484784362&sr=8-1">You can purchase that book on Amazon here. Just click this link.</a><br />
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<b>Introverts unite! </b></div>
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<b>(In separate rooms with locked doors and peepholes… I’m just
sayin’.)<br />
<br />
Wink!<br />
<br />
Tiana Laveen</b><br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJNNGvDIWalstMcF09gsOJAphY-T6OsDX8kYgkfcfP095VVPBJqghmph5xpolKdKKs-7fSTMouqJ02miZljyiWmsB6N3un3xz0CY1erewEEp8efSMYOjjn9PhzCSXIAnOOvcnZs9p_Wo/s1600/introverts-unite.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJNNGvDIWalstMcF09gsOJAphY-T6OsDX8kYgkfcfP095VVPBJqghmph5xpolKdKKs-7fSTMouqJ02miZljyiWmsB6N3un3xz0CY1erewEEp8efSMYOjjn9PhzCSXIAnOOvcnZs9p_Wo/s320/introverts-unite.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><br />
P.S. If you haven’t already, take a look at my latest two books released a mere
2 weeks ago for the Raven Maxim series. All of the books in that series are
stand alone – so feel free to jump in anywhere you wish. Thus far, there are
three books in the series:</b><br />
<br />
1. Ghost Writer<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Writer-Raven-Maxim-Book-ebook/dp/B01KTZL3TC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484785085&sr=8-1&keywords=ghost+writer+laveen">Link to purchase Ghost Writer. Click here.</a></div>
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2. White Trash<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/White-Trash-Raven-Maxim-Book-ebook/dp/B01MT5RF2U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484785144&sr=8-1&keywords=white+trash+laveen">Link to purchase WHITE TRASH. Click here.</a></div>
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3. Black Class<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Black-Class-Raven-Maxim-Book-ebook/dp/B01N7OU082/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484785214&sr=8-1&keywords=black+class+laveen">Link to purchase BLACK CLASS. Click here.</a><br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3C5Ai7hV904a-9VgQxfVJonVMRhAJkYUhLJJucmzpbGrzmoPq7K4t9KXszHzaC9muPYnV2efGz5vZdphY1Hg-wwoLJCAhG80p01rjOz8Vg-RB90jEkv2Lm8SwZxiwCtnht1KKwcpkBM/s1600/s-l300.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3C5Ai7hV904a-9VgQxfVJonVMRhAJkYUhLJJucmzpbGrzmoPq7K4t9KXszHzaC9muPYnV2efGz5vZdphY1Hg-wwoLJCAhG80p01rjOz8Vg-RB90jEkv2Lm8SwZxiwCtnht1KKwcpkBM/s1600/s-l300.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<b>Thank you for visiting my blog… until next time.</b><br />
<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07688474849589537472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918993663865454847.post-49329892971920769962017-01-14T11:21:00.002-08:002017-01-14T11:22:22.666-08:00That Sweet and Sour Character<style>
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That Sweet and Sour Book Character<br />
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In
my first book of my Raven Maxim series, “Ghost Writer”, I deal with an array of
complex characters, yet, they are relatable. One character that rubbed many
readers the wrong way, while gave many others abundant chuckles, was Aunt
Sugar. </div>
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Do you know why some hated this woman, some loved her and some hated and
loved her at the same time? Because she was a sweet and sour soul…</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHHe813d44pOKkg_DVg_CryecdsOPesr5qLOTEzsK4e0xrYz5UshIhwfZZDJFIAPr54JtV2tLzzn_4b6oDaYVC1vnHmSLNXpgEN9FY8fFP_0iMYKbiwBdgk8OvNowEcFGECkKl4sAiAQ/s1600/a3ec1c73b03e60a8a95951dc8e65b507.280x175x1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHHe813d44pOKkg_DVg_CryecdsOPesr5qLOTEzsK4e0xrYz5UshIhwfZZDJFIAPr54JtV2tLzzn_4b6oDaYVC1vnHmSLNXpgEN9FY8fFP_0iMYKbiwBdgk8OvNowEcFGECkKl4sAiAQ/s1600/a3ec1c73b03e60a8a95951dc8e65b507.280x175x1.png" /></a></div>
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A
sweet and sour soul is a person who is stewed in ignorance, hurtful ways and stubbornness.
They seem void of any educational leanings, and believe that their own thoughts
and beliefs should be adopted by all. They are difficult people, albeit complex people
and they get on many people’s last nerve. These people are also teachers,
however, and despite how they often come across, they are far from stupid. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7bBfkdbASecjmypcgHDNNp92TtaVaw0PQncIa2dbmb9nl99UAMSieDf1rrFtVNykj_HdNL3GhnZSFDwqL63C0hB_wtXEVwKqAXVbZHODHu1xPN7aXvuphXSUcYw5esERYSRNOtpOIU0/s1600/quote-a-friendly-look-a-kindly-smile-one-good-act-and-life-s-worthwhile-anonymous-300978.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7bBfkdbASecjmypcgHDNNp92TtaVaw0PQncIa2dbmb9nl99UAMSieDf1rrFtVNykj_HdNL3GhnZSFDwqL63C0hB_wtXEVwKqAXVbZHODHu1xPN7aXvuphXSUcYw5esERYSRNOtpOIU0/s320/quote-a-friendly-look-a-kindly-smile-one-good-act-and-life-s-worthwhile-anonymous-300978.jpeg" width="320" /></a>They
have lived many life times, endured hurts that many of us have never seen nor
would we survive, and one of their own mechanisms to simply make it, was to
build a wall, a fence if you will, around themselves. This fence can come
across as being closed off, as being devoid of empathy for others. As being set
in their ways, silly, delusional and down right crazy. But one thing that makes
them different from someone who literally wakes up in hopes of destroying
another person’s zest for life, is that they DO care. They DO love. They DO
cherish. </div>
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They often live in the past, because the past, to them is safe. There
are no unknowns there, and they know their way around the roads of yesteryear quite
well. The future is scary for them, for there is no crystal ball available to
tell them each and every turn that is to come. The Aunt Sugars of the world
remind us of what we <span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>do not want to be</b></u></span>, but also, what in some ways, we must
become in order to truly accept ourselves. They are not as they appear – they
are so much more than that. We miss the blessing in looking them in the eye,
hearing their voice and growing weary of their stories if we take them only at
face value. They are rich with lessons – <b><i>the ones we should avoid, and the ones
we should repeat. </i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfapw0YdN1jGmrNbLLG1gPjFjHQFDdQc6doQ2CVFEnRQjGL1-bi1HrEMJgNXhRRhgqO_ADf0BeqjUfYk_3674qm4pTOdjd-PiS9dGoKg_jOuLrLfWdGe3FmphfB9QNhj-9yrKLkEDEcKc/s1600/Worried-Woman-620x480.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfapw0YdN1jGmrNbLLG1gPjFjHQFDdQc6doQ2CVFEnRQjGL1-bi1HrEMJgNXhRRhgqO_ADf0BeqjUfYk_3674qm4pTOdjd-PiS9dGoKg_jOuLrLfWdGe3FmphfB9QNhj-9yrKLkEDEcKc/s320/Worried-Woman-620x480.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b>
So before we laugh at Aunt Sugar, or hate her with a passion, perhaps we should
observe her from various angles and hold her somewhere in the middle… She’s a sweet and sour soul, indeed.</div>
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She is served best in small doses, but she is a delicacy, an acquired taste, a learning lesson on repeat and a treasure, all
the same…</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70cdTQxWbxU8rXGKenUbq0jEX6AqItYJ7AFLIzdvTEEJ-yWF2Ii2JxvJ2kCELt3C5Rp2399-pRVz-Z6vo8Cq9tqnTVV1bYLAx02sTuPP0WMOMGvMwz-WkhOVkb4iDFouyMBkOz7RdkVw/s1600/unnamed.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70cdTQxWbxU8rXGKenUbq0jEX6AqItYJ7AFLIzdvTEEJ-yWF2Ii2JxvJ2kCELt3C5Rp2399-pRVz-Z6vo8Cq9tqnTVV1bYLAx02sTuPP0WMOMGvMwz-WkhOVkb4iDFouyMBkOz7RdkVw/s320/unnamed.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
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<br />
You can purchase "Ghost Writer" on Amazon.com as well as Barnes and Noble.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Writer-Raven-Maxim-Book-ebook/dp/B01KTZL3TC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484421521&sr=8-1&keywords=tiana+laveen+ghost+writer">https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Writer-Raven-Maxim-Book-ebook/dp/B01KTZL3TC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484421521&sr=8-1&keywords=tiana+laveen+ghost+writer</a></div>
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- Author Tiana Laveen</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07688474849589537472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918993663865454847.post-74605317401891700832016-09-28T08:11:00.000-07:002016-09-28T08:12:15.584-07:00Jewel Collectors<style>
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DID
YOU KNOW THAT YOU WERE IN THE JEWELRY BUSINESS?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDGl4Md4zUPgCoV7hqw-KOZXL5g1r4Frfdj2wAvw_0cVgMo1mG6rvYBDfctvAOIPpxSDd7GDtdqbNCEv7h1Oz6vIvuM-k7PoohsDn8s4mQttHnb0OBPvYB0AdT1woL1OcZG7a_p7vsv0/s1600/diamonds-loose-certified-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDGl4Md4zUPgCoV7hqw-KOZXL5g1r4Frfdj2wAvw_0cVgMo1mG6rvYBDfctvAOIPpxSDd7GDtdqbNCEv7h1Oz6vIvuM-k7PoohsDn8s4mQttHnb0OBPvYB0AdT1woL1OcZG7a_p7vsv0/s320/diamonds-loose-certified-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As
authors, sometimes we have the best-laid plans. We believe we will awaken, get
right to work on our manuscripts after a hot cup of coffee/tea, morning duties and
a nice shower, of course. Some of us simply squeeze in a bit of writing here
and there before, after and yes, even during our day jobs. Some of us only
write in the wee hours of the morning while some of us prefer afternoons, and
the remainder, the witching hour… you know, that time when the entire world around us seems so
quiet that you can only hear your own breathing. It is often at those times,
that we are at our most peace. </div>
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Whenever you are at your most peace could be
when you are resting or sleeping, playing with your pets, children or
grandchildren, shopping or chatting with a friend, those are often the time
when you collect many jewels. I am not talking about rubies, emeralds and
diamonds. I am talking about wisdom, life changing experiences and precious
memories.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAIESCAO0pUWWp47TF1671OK3gtA5tTY4eqU7oR6xMbgQWn9ngwjvobVyj5-BTX9bn4re74ms0DRAUeyvBMBAsShavrfVkaABwec0dK3qoJ81hbXb3OAJlrCWOKPJn_Q3zwxpBgpZxjw/s1600/relaxation-techniques.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAIESCAO0pUWWp47TF1671OK3gtA5tTY4eqU7oR6xMbgQWn9ngwjvobVyj5-BTX9bn4re74ms0DRAUeyvBMBAsShavrfVkaABwec0dK3qoJ81hbXb3OAJlrCWOKPJn_Q3zwxpBgpZxjw/s320/relaxation-techniques.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As an author, I use what the energy of the world and people around me to
create. Without an environment for me to pull energy from and our energy into, I wouldn’t have much
to say in my books, now would I? When we are in collection mode – collecting
jewels, we often will feel much better, smile brighter and our spirits lift.
Unfortunately, this is also the same time when you attract jewel thieves… You
see, jewel thieves can smell happiness, peace of mind and serenity a mile a way. When you are giving out
and taking ‘jewels’, you radiate. Here are a few examples:</div>
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1. Telling someone that they adorable. (And meaning it.) – ENERGY EXCHANGE,
CREATING A POSITIVE SENSATION INSIDE OF ANOTHER ENTITY BY COMPLIMENTING THEIR
EXTERIOR/INTERIOR.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZAB1h4EivEeRkPhYLWQ00AIqlUXp2bw58-xx3GuoiAD_GrKTfgZVsJL3vCkLBGl7PyQby_77HCub9WIlTM6OwwT9WZYWM8r8w96qTtmmPPSqPzpNXtiI7hQNZbREfJsjl1boAGe-8XM/s1600/13179762324_361342f1a0_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZAB1h4EivEeRkPhYLWQ00AIqlUXp2bw58-xx3GuoiAD_GrKTfgZVsJL3vCkLBGl7PyQby_77HCub9WIlTM6OwwT9WZYWM8r8w96qTtmmPPSqPzpNXtiI7hQNZbREfJsjl1boAGe-8XM/s320/13179762324_361342f1a0_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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2. Someone allowing you to cut in front of them on the express way so that you
don’t miss your exit…perhaps someone had just done the same for them. - ENERGY EXCHANGE, PAYING THE JEWELS FORWARD.</div>
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3.
Leaving a book review for an author that you enjoy – SENDING OUT POSITIVE
ENERGY, AND IT COMES RIGHT BACK IN THE FORM OF THAT AUTHOR HAVING FEELINGS OF GRATITUDE WHICH ALLOWS HIM/HER EXTRA INCENTIVE TO KEEP ON PRODUCING FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION.<br />
<br />
I want you to do a little experiment. For the next two days or however long you wish, I want you to make
a conscious effort to give out jewels. I then want you to watch what happens,
and pay close attention to the jewels you receive back. There is no karmic way
that you can give out positive energy, without it returning back to you in some
form or fashion. Even if you are the underdog and never seem to get your just
due, please know this – what you are doing for others is not going unnoticed and
it will be rewarded. </div>
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Sometimes TIMING is an issue, but trust, small things are
being done in your favor on a daily basis that you are completely unaware of.
We are all energy. We are mere shells transporting souls. A smile is a jewel… a
laugh of joy is a jewel… a kind word is a jewel… a well written book is often a
basket of jewels… an uplifting review is a jewel… and all of those jewels are
magnetic. You put one out, you attract another… If you put out a stink bomb
however (negativity), you will lose jewels, positivity, upliftment, encouragement, laughter and mutual bonds/relationships. This is not a boogie man theory, it
is the truth. </div>
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The laws of attraction are based in science, and we make daily
choices in just how much we are going to attract and detract/turn off other
energies. Sometimes it’s a conscious choice, sometimes it is not, but we are
doing and saying things, thinking things, too, that affect our lives in ways we
never dreamed possible.</div>
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Be a jewel maker and giver, diamonds and gems. Life is hard, so becoming a
glimmer of light and something beautiful is one of the best gifts you can give
yourself, as well as others. Let the collectors, also show off their collections, in the form of gratitude and light.<br />
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Be well. <br />
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Author Tiana Laveen</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07688474849589537472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918993663865454847.post-69722562709111636102016-03-11T13:24:00.002-08:002016-03-11T13:24:29.728-08:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Bad Habits of the Habitually Creative</u></b></div>
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- Tiana Laveen</div>
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My name is Tiana Laveen, and I’m a strange little thing…</div>
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I stand 5’5, but I behave at times as if I’m 6’7. In this case, this isn’t a compliment, either…</div>
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See, creative people add salt, sugar, and pepper to the world, but we also create havoc. In our mind, we have been our own set of loosely connected rules, and people who don’t comply or agree with them, are, well, often times wrong… (in our hidden and not so hidden perceptions of course.) This is due to our need to make ‘beauty’ were ugliness resides and a wish for us to escape our own realities, though trust, we know the TRUTH all too well. You see, creative people aren’t just born, they are made. We’ve all heard it… some of the funniest comedians suffer from depression. Some of the best singers and musicians to grace the planet, were drug addicts, battled anger issues and had a disdain for society in general. Some of the most prolific writers were in fact mentally ill… so on, and so on, and so on…<br />
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We don’t have the months and years to sit here and sort out the theories from factual data, but as a member of this strange society – and married to my ‘yang’ – a hard-wired left brain thinker who sees things a lot less whimsically and topsy-turvy, I must say that there is some truth to these stereotypes. Let me give you an example. I always prided myself on being a positive, uplifting person. If you study me online, regarding my blogs and vlogs and interactions with my readers and fans, I try to be engaging, offer the ‘glass is half full’ ideology and be kind to people that write me… even those that may not deserve it. In the books I write, I attempt to give food for thought and a few avenues for deliberation via the human experience and how our minds and hearts interact before we derive at a conclusion – hence, the H.E.A. is that really me, though? Perhaps. However, I believe I began to buy my own hype.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfPDj3q03G5M5FV_VCsooYCwxLaygpuocOzW-BZaC0vXvxqZHiDBTUCD67jeAZ6hJcR6DcHBhzWjGH7K7BJFf2_Wpvp5GkvQ1AhjXq-911HSddpc1lwqKcewrH8z5lJx5s8LEE-ujr4c/s1600/letter-a-logo-angry-artist.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfPDj3q03G5M5FV_VCsooYCwxLaygpuocOzW-BZaC0vXvxqZHiDBTUCD67jeAZ6hJcR6DcHBhzWjGH7K7BJFf2_Wpvp5GkvQ1AhjXq-911HSddpc1lwqKcewrH8z5lJx5s8LEE-ujr4c/s320/letter-a-logo-angry-artist.png" width="320" /></a></div>
What I mean by that is, though I have the emotional resiliency of a springboard – and no, I’m not bragging, it is just the truth, I carried deep, dark, heavy baggage from repeated, unfair circumstances that came my way and continues to arise from time to time. Every intentional hurt directed towards me, every act of cruelty from someone I trusted, so on and so forth, built up. I resented the circumstances, and I resented the people involved, but more times than not, the hurt and anger still lingered, despite my cursing them out and going on my way, or telling myself, ‘It’s over – you’re fine.’ What ended up happening was I had wrapped myself in a shell. This is partially why I’m able to write about characters who on one hand, appear one way, but inside, are quite the opposite. Honestly, being human is a complicated business.<br /><br /></div>
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We have control over various aspects of our lives, and some we do not – and with the constant stream of information, experiences, lack of actual physical interaction due to technological advancements and the need to touch, feel and heal not being met… well, creative people turn a bit… well, crazy. Or is it crazier? Either way, things happen to us, just like everyone else, but how we process those experiences seem to often swing from one pendulum to the other. We don’t seem to know a healthy medium unless we ‘train’ ourselves to know the healthy medium. We either show a complete lack of concern or we blaze out of control. We are reactionary, or quiet as the last second of Armageddon. Thus, self-medication comes into play. Creative Souls HAVE to self-medicate. Luckily, there are positive self-medications via our chosen craft or finely tuned talent. If I’m pissed… chances are high I need to sit down and write. If I’m giddily happy and want to ‘never forget that bliss’ chances are, I should pour it into a love scene in one of my books. If I don’t do this, some very bad things can happen… (Insert spooky, haunting music here.)<br />
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Okay, that’s a bit dramatic, but for instance, like no longer being optimistic and encouraging. I can become negative (seeing everything wrong in the world), jaded (everyone sucks), down and under (depressed and despondent), angry, bitter (she doesn’t deserve that… she’s a jerk.) and just plain horrid (F*&! You). I may not be even saying a word, not typing a thing– but inside, I’m a time bomb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am quite self-aware, and that definitely helps, thus, when I see other Creative Souls demonstrating similar behaviors, the alarm bells go off… I know almost immediately that they are not mentally nor emotionally well at that moment… they are actually starving. Since many of us tend to isolate and become manic about our craft, we naturally can cause a situation of emotional starvation – which becomes a never-ending cycle of self- inflicted cruelty in order to create our “art.”</div>
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Writers are more times than not, emotional creatures. If we are not feeling very productive, wanted, needed, esteemed or appreciated, we may decide to unleash our disgruntled mood onto unsuspecting victims. Now, this is not to say that we plan it, map it out, and execute it to a ‘T’. No, it is way more disorganized than that and more times than not, we don’t even recognize we’re doing it, and sometimes even after it’s over, we still don’t know it happened. Let me give you an example. Let’s go back to me being optimistic and resilient. That is my natural default, but as stated, life happens, and if those past situations aren’t addressed, instead just skipped over, then that means that the unresolved pain and anger surrounding the issues ARE GOING TO COME OUT, eventually, no matter how smiley faced we may pretend to be. Creative Souls do two things from the time we wake up until we go to sleep (some argue it even continues while we slumber):<br />
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We take in, and we put out. It is how we feed and survive. We are literal vampires of the earth’s essence, life’s experiences if you will – sucking in everything around us and twisting it in strange, colorful ways that the “common guy” is not. For instance, you may look across the street and see a little beat up newspaper stand that is empty. I look across the street and see a time long forgotten… a time when people cared about newspapers, tucked them under their arms securely as they headed away with their coffee to a place they deemed as important. I see how archaic they appear to some people nowadays, how the art of a carefully crafted article printed out on tree pulp and covered in warm ink is a dying beauty, right before our eyes. I’d possibly believe that the newspaper stand probably hasn’t had any re-fills in months, perhaps years. The average guy isn’t doing all of that, okay?</div>
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Almost everything I see, everything I do – I am processing in ways that some won’t understand. It makes me who I am. It is not to be apologized for, but the way in which I convey these thoughts and concerns very well may call for an apology indeed. Creative Souls can come across as jaded when reality continues to tell us that there will be no fun-for-all Ferris Wheels, dripping chocolate ice cream cones and fresh daisies to sniff in Hell. No matter how we try to ‘brighten up’ the ugliness of the world, we are told to steer clear, and this creates creative constipation. Remember now, we do two things – take in, and give. Anything that impairs that process can create a disaster. We find out the truth – and we make a choice. Keep trying, or start starving and dying. It comes in the form of our experiences, reality checks if you will. And this can thus, come out as negativity. Need another example? Sure! Here’s one - We may be on social media and see someone post something a little something like this:<br />
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“I was in my car this morning, waiting at a red light and saw a gorgeous woman walk past! I wanted to ask for her number so bad, but by the time I got the nerve, she’d already walked down the steps to the subway.” The damaged Creative Soul who has been bitten by reality and has now came to the conclusion that the world is a soulless, heartless place that deserves nothing but spit and piss, may then respond:<br />
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“Just be lucky you have a car, I don’t… and the hell with that woman. On second thought, the car puts out too much pollution, you should’ve walked or taken a bike to work. And no worries about the ‘one that got away.’ Most women nowadays are ( insert insult of choice here).” – Now, we may not write all of that, but we very well could be thinking it but chances are fairly high we will have something unfavorable to say because well… the platform and the audience were there for it. We need to feed, we know people are going to read it, and if we tell ourselves that what we are writing is true, then we are then able to excuse our rudeness and bad behavior. We become the big, mean elephant stomping into the room, “LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT ME, YOU HEATHENS!” Meanwhile, the ‘common guy’ reading that post is thinking,</div>
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“Yeah! He should have said something!” – Nothing more, nothing less. But then when he reads our reply, he writes:<br />
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“You’re a big ass, you know that? You need to go see a shrink or take some happy pills. Everyone is sick of you and by the way, your last song you wrote, sucked.”<br />
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…As you can see, the 'all is wrong with the world' virus we contracted soon becomes contagious. Instead of then just licking our wounds, we then get into a nasty debate with a practical stranger, all because we wanted positivity and love from the jump- didn’t get it, and turned into a damn monster!<br />
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Is negativity the new black? For Creative Souls, it seems to be. We NEED human interaction and nourishment and as the world changes, we become more and more jaded, angry and accusatory.</div>
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We. Are. Starving.<br />
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The internet only delivers fast food. We need five-course meals on a daily basis. We need to look into your beautiful eyes, feel your hand against ours, smell the sweetness of the candy you just devoured, hear your whiny little voice as you complain about working late again. Our creativity is born from our reality. If we see our reality as warped and wrong – and we FEEL warped and wronged, guess what? Our craft/talent, our personality, our well-being and our disposition suffers. We push people away without knowing why they no longer want to be bothered with us. We blame others for what we are experiencing. We become victims. The fact of the matter was – we WERE a victim when it first began, but now we are just a victim of ourselves! Is this our true nature? Somewhat – but the emaciated version, the malnourished version… Everyone knows that “hungry” people are not nice… just watch any Snickers commercial, lol. Artists take in and put out just as fast. We have to. We are walking osmosis.<br />
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So, to my fellow Creative Souls, are you being fed? What are you “eating?” Are you “crapping out” repugnance and negativity, gloom and doom, ‘Debbie Downer mess’ and being the “Devil’s Advocate” time and time again or are you taking personal responsibility, taking inventory of how you feel and why you feel that way? Are you sucking the positivity and love out of a room/area/website/message board because you can’t nourish from a bounty of connectivity? Are you harboring deep, dark secrets that you continue to allow to destroy you, then vomit them out in the form of judgment of others that you do not know, always saying the exact opposite of what is being mentioned simply to be argumentative, or ‘socking it to someone’ not because you wish to have an intelligent discourse, but because you are bitter, angry, mad as hell and the world shit on a damn good person (YOU) and yet no one seems to care? Guess what, buddy? LIFE AIN’T FAIR.</div>
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It wasn’t fair today, it wasn’t fair yesterday and chances are high it won’t be fair tomorrow. Being creative doesn’t give us the right to trample on others. The very reason people gravitate towards us can be the very reason we become alienated. Even in this crazy world – you can still eat, baby, and you can eat well! Go take a walk… call a friend… meet some folks online then ENSURE you meet these people in person. Leave your baggage at the door, no one wants it, not even you! You’re just so used it being there, it feels “normal” to you to be so weighted down now.<br /><br /><br />
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The world needs us to keep joking, keep singing, keep dancing, keep writing, etc. You were given a very special gift, and that gift will bring you joy, but occasionally also grief. Embrace it – and don’t let what has happened to you, destroy that blessing. People are watching you, even when you aren’t watching yourself. They are looking towards you for direction, enrichment, entertainment, and enlightenment. Jokes have inspired, books have changed lives, songs have moved people to tears… the words we speak due to disenchantment can do the exact opposite. Why? Because Creative Souls may be introverts or Type A personalities, we run the gamut – but our gifts are strong, so when we are emotionally impaired, we try to gain strength by swinging our arms out wildly towards the world, hoping and praying we hit something, latch onto the thing that we lost so very long ago. We hope it’s something we consume, will make us feel full… something we can nosh on, something we can enjoy time and time again. But it never is… it’s flavorless, made of air and causes gas and burping…and worst of all, it repeats. The sad part is, more times than not, we end up the most bruised, with horrible heartburn due to a broken heart, but we don’t even see it until it’s far too late.<br />
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Bon Appetit, Creative Soul. Put your forked tongue aside and become the better version of you, again. Your delicious dinner awaits…<br />
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-Tiana Laveen (Best-selling author and lover to a manipulative and moody muse.)<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07688474849589537472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918993663865454847.post-38207655010184860392015-12-29T10:56:00.001-08:002015-12-29T11:09:13.309-08:00DISENCHANTED... Now what?<div style="text-align: center;">
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</b></u></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><u><b>I find myself disenchanted… </b></u></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpP0xIObAHimtFDDj_wx1OD-hdliy_gQKBr_QMgKaJPW2-cQ1K0XAbY219iGkxeTsTT5Og8qLs_rqzOl-E5jh7U5DBizqEh0cKqHxw3-OiNbjYH-T_79Q8N_rdU1vn6ss2m1mAs8BKWmc/s1600/fof.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpP0xIObAHimtFDDj_wx1OD-hdliy_gQKBr_QMgKaJPW2-cQ1K0XAbY219iGkxeTsTT5Og8qLs_rqzOl-E5jh7U5DBizqEh0cKqHxw3-OiNbjYH-T_79Q8N_rdU1vn6ss2m1mAs8BKWmc/s200/fof.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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2015 is almost over, and I was spending precious time with family,
reminiscing, but as I filtered through photos of friends with their loved ones,
opened gifts from under a tree, Kwanza candles aglow and menorahs lit in colors
of azure and white, I kept running into headline stories that dulled the
moment, shaded the emotions and left a burning coal of irritation in my gut.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglo3WgrmmCXyc2Rd6ZMiEMHuvZCGNZ5uBHwk_9bBfEOXi5oO49Kjwe5RuaWHrEacCu-rOuvTCNz0pQMvUsKC3-meR9WHfGdbAAfZ4TnsJ-WUqMRIXGb7w0Con9d0bzwZhL06nhyphenhyphenDsDegc/s1600/1c00898.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglo3WgrmmCXyc2Rd6ZMiEMHuvZCGNZ5uBHwk_9bBfEOXi5oO49Kjwe5RuaWHrEacCu-rOuvTCNz0pQMvUsKC3-meR9WHfGdbAAfZ4TnsJ-WUqMRIXGb7w0Con9d0bzwZhL06nhyphenhyphenDsDegc/s320/1c00898.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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How many Kardashians must I see? Why do I need to know that
so and so has one billion followers now on Instagram? Do we as a nation really
believe that Donald Trump, who has spouted some of the most hateful speech of
the year, perhaps decade, is the best candidate for president? How many ‘your
blues isn’t like mine’ posts must we see to figure out who’s wound is bigger
and more sore (All Lives Matter, nah bruh, only Black Lives Matter… dude!
That’s crazy, only American Lives Matter… how about none of you motherfuckers
matter?!) – these are real conversations going on while yet someone else is being
decapitated for not believing as another does. It is then televised and the
person that is outraged about it is ridiculed and told, ‘Were you that upset
when so and so was gunned down by the police? Or do you care about them only
because they were this or that color?’ <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgUM1ngHuho4CvUEUSBQUkLYPzLQPALRoOYWPzbKRIeeM51g4V5auD-8UbiXPMZ78AcSmMfrR18T7ea_vJydsdT7n9sb2N4iiBoKMauHJExZrGmGI56xq_b-UORjq_XF1YllEOu2zczQ/s1600/are-you-serious-wtf-meme-baby-face.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgUM1ngHuho4CvUEUSBQUkLYPzLQPALRoOYWPzbKRIeeM51g4V5auD-8UbiXPMZ78AcSmMfrR18T7ea_vJydsdT7n9sb2N4iiBoKMauHJExZrGmGI56xq_b-UORjq_XF1YllEOu2zczQ/s320/are-you-serious-wtf-meme-baby-face.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH US? <br />
<br />
Are we so jaded, so
soulless, so inherently evil now, fresh out of the womb, that all we care about
are the latest contour make-up tips, how to get rich in five days, diet tea and
corsets and who had the best ‘What are thoooose?!’ vines? Has our entertainment
became our real lives or merely an obsession? <br />
<br />
Do we turn the station when a documentary of the Underground Railroad comes on,
or Suze Orman trying to give us pointers on how to grow our funds in favor of
watching the Real House Wives of Planet XYZ? Is every woman who takes a selfie in a skirt a THOT, is trash talking another person now a competition and
crowns are passed out for who can give the most shade? Do we not care about our
fellow human being anymore? Has it gotten to the point that only what we do on
social media counts, and the REAL us slowly dies for we know if our followers
truly saw our hurts and frailties, we’d lose LIKES? Because no one LIKES a real
human being anymore…<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMi443Pm_qKaRsQb4Yp8QtzbWVhg0ZOeBWvBEWW_li9WyVA2bLhzZ5MzeXdzmtVCrZPzO8Inayo5gn4ErJ9ytUqu8S8ckN8Yo7IqzfU72_K9HYF8VRzzsh7el6wjJf_XHNAPgDb3VQh3g/s1600/Who-are-you.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMi443Pm_qKaRsQb4Yp8QtzbWVhg0ZOeBWvBEWW_li9WyVA2bLhzZ5MzeXdzmtVCrZPzO8Inayo5gn4ErJ9ytUqu8S8ckN8Yo7IqzfU72_K9HYF8VRzzsh7el6wjJf_XHNAPgDb3VQh3g/s320/Who-are-you.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
This is why I’m disenchanted. I’m not upset about anyone getting their hustle
on, making a way out of no way. What I’m upset about is the lack of soul, the
lack of grit, the lack of integrity, the lack of self-respect, true courage,
consideration and the narcissistic behavior that is now deemed as ‘normal.’ We
laugh now when people are down, depressed – we encourage them to kill
themselves if they post they don’t want to live anymore. We ridicule a person
that is struggling with mental illness, yet we praise performers who see women
as only cum guzzlers. We give high fives to women who only want a check, versus
that ‘baby daddy’ to be in their child’s life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I ask again, WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH US? We are nasty to others for
no reason, vicious when called on our bullshit because the truth hurts and
materialistic to the point that we’ll put bills in our childrens’ name just so
we can use our ‘other money’ to buy crap we won’t even remember having in a
week or two. We even get pissy if the man of our dreams doesn’t buy the diamond
ring we wanted --- then wonder why we are still single ten years later and he
found someone more deserving of his time, attention and energy. YUP. I said it.<br />
<br />
None of this is normal… Trashing a person on Snapchat for wearing last years
designer jacket isn’t okay. Internet trolling and thugging is a thing – everyone wants to be
a superstar, and negative attention is better than none at all. Now so-called reality TV is a gateway, but it’s a poisonous
gateway, for once you enter it, it leaves one spiritually splintered and
emotionally diseased. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9YL6aHcSyUHUCVFeGMtrEfnL27Q4xJ2UAkiKH3REskRVEeOXGsjl6wZo1shvJJcI0aRv8l1ejKeS5LtBIilL1yp97TTock6FPAjzi98p5VkFYVrVDpBRWr2lBV-pjgDuNeXgKgWVMp4/s1600/reality-tv-logo.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9YL6aHcSyUHUCVFeGMtrEfnL27Q4xJ2UAkiKH3REskRVEeOXGsjl6wZo1shvJJcI0aRv8l1ejKeS5LtBIilL1yp97TTock6FPAjzi98p5VkFYVrVDpBRWr2lBV-pjgDuNeXgKgWVMp4/s320/reality-tv-logo.png" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
People no longer know who they are, why they are here and
what they can possibly become. Our vision is tunnel, our sites short, our love
jaded, our forgiveness nonexistent, our thirst for knowledge dry, our desire
for compassion – long gone. I’ve seen so much negativity and nastiness, and it
is a chore trying to sift through it to get to the good stuff. I end up feeling
like I’ve had a ten-hour work out, with no breaks. I want to be able to turn on
my computer or television, and not see an update about any reality star, or a
performer who had some hissy fit on stage. I want to be able for <u><b>just once</b></u>, to
see the front page of Yahoo say, ‘FIVE UPLIFTING, COOL NEAT STORIES FROM
ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO’VE DONE SPECTACULAR THINGS.’ </div>
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No one is allowed to call anyone on this behavior – because
then you’re deemed ‘not fun’, an ‘old foggie’, ‘jealous/hater’, 'sippin' the Kool-Aid', 'A sell out' and all the
other adjectives and titles one can wrangle up. I don’t care about what some
celebrity wore to dinner, I care about what my fellow sister or brother wore to
their job interview that helped land them the job. I don’t care about showing
the ‘good things’ Donald Trump has done, I want to see the people that actually
care about the guy making minimum wage that still goes out and feeds the
hungry. I don’t care about any of this nonsense, and this is in part why some
people don’t get ME, what I write about and how I write it. Some people are
trying to feed substance to people who only want filler, I had that problem
too, but I sure as hell don’t anymore. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXI3Xfoyu6jfaEd9Y-uW_A60r__Q4dxyH8uUiFMZmaAxYOTbMH0ZFZwmG4wXpNE9Ecn9bqANyuHSIfnDvevvwtgm7MoPbYYYeHeyShNLMhexJwVO5W3AOtvZKpoO1U_F3_X6yMC3wSz4/s1600/image11.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXI3Xfoyu6jfaEd9Y-uW_A60r__Q4dxyH8uUiFMZmaAxYOTbMH0ZFZwmG4wXpNE9Ecn9bqANyuHSIfnDvevvwtgm7MoPbYYYeHeyShNLMhexJwVO5W3AOtvZKpoO1U_F3_X6yMC3wSz4/s320/image11.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
I’m not trying to force-feed anyone anything,
any longer. I will do what I do, and whomever is down, cool, if not – there’s
the door. The heart of man is broken. The mind is, too. We are spiritually
corrupt. What will we do to stop this, before we have nothing left of
ourselves, but a remembrance of what we truly could have become?<br />
<br />
In a very short while, the very essence of all inner beauty will be a distant
memory. We will know nothing of love and redemption. We will only care about
the things in this world that we can not take with us. Well, all I can say is,
I hope it was worth it…<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibH9WpZWtgYFwibz5BGQo_K4LKA7RVxZQjtsSvLWaxUK0bVYxAweYYrfxZDyKjrgmtZAMFrAsouPn-2IotAliUeNt8XzIpaqM_H3a8gTH9H-P42hIyX6mzcyrupRR4mqfCD4qAFwDuug8/s1600/flowers-on-a-grave.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibH9WpZWtgYFwibz5BGQo_K4LKA7RVxZQjtsSvLWaxUK0bVYxAweYYrfxZDyKjrgmtZAMFrAsouPn-2IotAliUeNt8XzIpaqM_H3a8gTH9H-P42hIyX6mzcyrupRR4mqfCD4qAFwDuug8/s320/flowers-on-a-grave.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
<br />
Tiana Laveen (author or romance and lover of beautiful minds.)</span></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07688474849589537472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918993663865454847.post-45837727014884819392015-07-22T10:12:00.000-07:002015-07-22T10:29:06.488-07:00The Proof is in the Details...<style>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>THE PROOF IS IN THE DETAILS…</u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/g/giorgioarm392438.html?src=t_detail" title="view quote"><span style="color: blue;">To create something exceptional,
your mindset must be relentlessly focused on the smallest detail.</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-<a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/giorgio_armani.html" title="view author"><span style="color: blue;">Giorgio Armani</span></a></span></div>
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Come here. I want to show you something.</div>
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You’re too far away… come a bit closer. Okay, you see this
here? <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9MDKWCUarRPNj8my_uOCqa-DUedWVJNwSqUhiwRp_n9YzVlVIJ4ErvzQVXuvsYLjs8x3HL-QIA35_fiXOHY1lMIFwqcT1CaJmfEWzb7ypnwlsQb9dYBJWI1m0LjwNJ4uqQlXF9QcXbU/s1600/BingCherries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9MDKWCUarRPNj8my_uOCqa-DUedWVJNwSqUhiwRp_n9YzVlVIJ4ErvzQVXuvsYLjs8x3HL-QIA35_fiXOHY1lMIFwqcT1CaJmfEWzb7ypnwlsQb9dYBJWI1m0LjwNJ4uqQlXF9QcXbU/s320/BingCherries.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What does it look like to you? <br />
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An oval shaped crystal bowl of freshly washed bing cherries.
Awesome. </div>
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Now, what’s over there?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGb_4a6rmzflP7Fm1tu6fzveFFCX6SgDf4pWM_2G19AeDUPUIxNfFgyL4N53DV9w19OC5S0csw8LDLXhhZsDLrCs_pfU1NVnGyPcSJP3O-NXAjsxng-jXkxE5drvyjO7BiXd_tirp3SA/s1600/the-cherry-bowl-lyn-delano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGb_4a6rmzflP7Fm1tu6fzveFFCX6SgDf4pWM_2G19AeDUPUIxNfFgyL4N53DV9w19OC5S0csw8LDLXhhZsDLrCs_pfU1NVnGyPcSJP3O-NXAjsxng-jXkxE5drvyjO7BiXd_tirp3SA/s320/the-cherry-bowl-lyn-delano.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A picture of a bowl
of fruit. </div>
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Essentially, both are the exact same thing. I have two
crystal bowls of freshly washed bing cherries but one was described in detail and
the other was not, but you can still ‘see’ it. Now, in my mind, I see things
quite vividly, like the first description and picture. <br />
<br />
I have an art background, and I pay
attention to tiny freckles, a half cast shadow across an oblong, slightly
tanned face. Those things do not matter to some, but to me they do. Therefore,
the things that matter to <i>me</i>, I put inside of my book because I am essentially
trying to use my art background, visual addiction and imagination and pour all of that into words upon a page. In other
words, I am attempting to paint a representation with librettos. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why? Well, because it is what I do and I have
to lessen our degrees of separation. You and I do not live together. Chances
are high we don’t even live in the same city, perhaps even the same state or
country. More importantly, you do not dwell within my brain. You can not possibly know what I think and how I perceive things without me telling you, guiding the way so to speak.<br />
<br />
Therefore, I have to bring you close to me from afar. I do this via details,
but also with ‘focused’ character development. Some readers do not enjoy
character development and details. Well, that isn’t fair. Let me rephrase. Some
readers do not want an in-depth read for they may feel bogged down by the
details and simply want to ‘get on with it’. <br />
<br />
I respect that, however I too,
need to be respected for the the fact that I do not serve "that" at my
‘restaurant.’ There are plenty of diners in town that do, and I could give
quality recommendations for such but I will not change my menu because a patron walks in
wanting something that I do not prepare. You would be asking me to be something that I am not, and I simply refuse to do that just as I should not ask you to be anything other than what you naturally are. If stylistic changes are to be made, well, that's a personal choice. </div>
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<br />
Now, recently, Stephen King’s tips for
writing has been swimming around online. He wrote that eons ago but it recently made a come-back. I love this man. I have not read any
of his more recent work, but classic Stephen King? Yes, I have him on lock. In
any case, he mentioned the act of ‘bogging down with detail.’ Here is the
problem, however. What some people are failing to understand and he did not
mention, are that these rules are not necessarily for across all genres. Confused? Let me
elaborate. For horror and mystery for example, many times less is more. It is
critical in these two genres, for you, the reader, to use your own imagination
in order to make the situation that more terrifying and emotionally debilitating.
The best horror movies and books rely on this technique. This is why the dark
closet always stays with us far longer than the man chasing us with the
rusty, blood splattered chainsaw. Why? We see him – we know what he is and though we may not enjoy how
he is terrorizing us, our brains can make sense of him. He can be a successful
technique never the less, but he does not have the same lasting power as ‘void’, ‘dark’,
‘empty’ and ‘lack of origin.’ We are able to place him in some boxes: A man - check! A lunatic - check! He is running towards us with something dangerous - check! He is growling and gnashing his teeth which means he is angry or at the very least, hell bent on murdering us. - check! We may not know why, which can be disturbing, but we do have at least part of the puzzle solved which gives us some resolution. Lasting horror however is nebulous. <br />
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No one can scare you more than yourself, you see? The most horrific things
we’ve ever seen sometimes were simply shadows or a faint cry that came from
some unknown source. There was no ten-foot tall slimy, green monster with
tentacles holding a sign that read, ‘666’ and yelled at you in Russian. No, it
was the implication, the thought that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">some</i>thing
was hiding in the dark waiting to get us, take us away and gnaw on us slowly
over a period of anguish-inducing time. However, when it comes to romance, a
slow build is what I like to call, ‘foreplay.’ I understand that the majority
of my readers are women. Therefore, more times than not, we need to be ‘warmed
up’ before we are psychologically and emotionally screwed. But I don’t want to
just stop there… I want you to quiver, shake, and sleep with a smile on your
face.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I want you to fall in love with the characters and truly SEE
them. I need you to feel emotionally invested and attached. There are many ways
to accomplish this. For me, I use detail and character development. If I were
writing horror, I would still use these methods, but far less of it because I
have to look at and consider my goals. Is it my goal to scare you, turn you on or make you
fall in love? Once that is established, I then plan a course of action. Every
book is essentially a manipulation of your senses. So, I plan accordingly.
These methods are also used as it pertains to the differences between romance,
erotica and written pornography. All three utilize the art of language bending
and all three have to be treated differently to derive the desired effect.
Sometimes romance and erotica are blended together in the same story, however,
it is almost impossible to blend romance and porn, because though pornography
at times can be deemed, ‘romantic’ it rarely lives in that realm for the
duration of the description of acts. That is the line between erotica and
written pornography. Pornography is more direct; it relies on less descriptive words
and more action words. It does not spend an eternity developing characters, if at
all. It serves one purpose and one purpose only, to titillate. Romance and
erotica serve different purposes, and sometimes they overlap.</div>
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I respect just about any genre that you can bring to my
attention, and I have read almost any genre that exists. I understand the
basics of how each of them work, are effective and constructed. That said, we all
still have artistic license, if you will. I use my license to get behind my
computer and write the stories that I love, in the way in which I choose. It is
important to me to stay true to my writing, and that includes my style of
writing. Some will enjoy it, some will not. Not everyone will be happy, and it is not our job as authors, to strive for such an impossible feat.
Besides, if I changed myself based on another person’s opinion, more times than not a
stranger that wants to coach me from afar and does not have an inkling as to what REALLY goes on in regard to writing a book, then I’d be a fool and easily manipulated as well as
depressed due to not truly writing about what I wish to write and how I wish to
do it. Authors reading this: Do not change your writing based on popular
opinion. Popular opinion changes and is fickle. Audiences are, too. You will lose your zest for writing if you do! It is a trap. Beware.
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<br />
You must feel good about your end product, and that is what truly matters.
You must focus on tightening up your craft and doing your very best, but the essence,
the soul of your writing? No, they are not negotiable unless YOU feel that they
are. <br />
<br />
Authors have to sometimes remind ourselves why we began writing in the first
place or we will lose focus due to outside forces and opinions that are not
always in our best interest. When you do something you enjoy and you do it to
the best of your ability that within itself is a form of success. I am blessed
to have people that enjoy my books and want to hear about the bing cherries in
the crystal bowl and not simply a two-dimensional container filled with fruit. Both types of
writing serve a purpose, but one type is not mine... and I’m glad to know that.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I was born for many things, one of which is to write and
express myself. I have received too many emails from women and some men,
telling me they could identify with a character or a book in general, and that
it in some way helped them. There are readers who express to me that they enjoy
my detailed writing, that they actually feel as if they’ve been transposed into
the scene. That is what I want. I am an entertainer, but I also want to be of
assistance more times than not. So, I will continue to do what I’m doing,
hopefully getting better and better along the way but in the meantime, I’d like
to take a lunch break and I’m willing to share.</div>
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Would you like a cherry?</div>
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-Tiana Laveen</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07688474849589537472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918993663865454847.post-14211678241316351962014-02-11T06:17:00.001-08:002015-07-22T10:29:49.957-07:00Dear Potential Indie Author...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYsHVQiI217N3EuxIAQqHFhwwbvtn5eAKFQQAyCxMBhk8F_6hYEfTn3GMam5Cvq1T8eYGL0iPitEopZDmVhhJRVQrunNTvLmyqC8ARVv1FlzztPQ5BgH8B7UbPhGWIZ3Z7PRH5sxzlXY/s1600/chat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYsHVQiI217N3EuxIAQqHFhwwbvtn5eAKFQQAyCxMBhk8F_6hYEfTn3GMam5Cvq1T8eYGL0iPitEopZDmVhhJRVQrunNTvLmyqC8ARVv1FlzztPQ5BgH8B7UbPhGWIZ3Z7PRH5sxzlXY/s1600/chat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Hi! I take it you want to write and publish a book? Okay, let's have a little chat about what to expect once you unleash your 'masterpiece' upon the audience...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
To the men and women who for their own personal reasons, are deciding to go the Indie route, I thought I'd write you an open letter. You see, I've had a baptism by fire, so to speak, and I still don't know shit. But...I know a bit more than I did yesterday, and the day before that, so that means that I can in fact help someone. I get emails all the time from people that wish to write professionally. I am asked,<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<b>"Tiana, do you know a good publisher?"</b><br />
My answer: Of course I know OF a good publisher(s), but I'm indie, and I chose to be indie because I am a control freak over my own product. <br />
<b><br />"Tiana, I have an idea for a book, who can I talk to about it?"</b><br />
My answer: Keep your trap shut and <u>immediately</u> get it copy-written once said story is written. Unless it is a coveted, trusted friend or your mama (and you may even have to give her the side eye if she likes to flap her gums) KEEP.YOUR.IDEAS.TO.YOURSELF. Now luckily, the folks that have sent me their ideas or unsolicited samples, I didn't pull any mess and run off into the sunset with the notions that actually got me going. The other point to this story is, an idea, is just that, an <i>idea.</i> Do not ask anyone for ANYTHING, until you have actually <u>written the story and the second draft is complete.</u> Not just a page, not just an outline, the entire story. Why? It's not fair to waste someone's time as well as your's, talking about 'an idea' you had when you may not even write the damn thing. Now, don't get your undies in a twist, we've all done it, but you won't be taken seriously and if you are taken seriously, then you still sold yourself short because you came to a gun fight with a water pistol. If you are telling me you want to get wet in the pool, I expect you to arrive in your bathing suit, not a PICTURE of your swimming gear. Come correct, or don't come at all...<br />
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<br />
There are other questions, as well, so instead of going through all of them one by one, I believe I can just write a manifesto of sorts, to help aspiring writers out as they make the decision to do this thing we call blood, sweat, tears and fears for a slice of pie and a pencil fragment in the eye, all for a slither of a writing career...(I'm a poet and didn't even know it.) Yes I did, I just like saying that because I have a corny bone that enjoys senseless banter. ONWARD!<br />
<br />
<i>Dear Potential Indie Writer,</i><br />
<br />
Here is how it is going to go down:<br />
<br />
1. You will be overjoyed, beyond elation when you get your first book published. Not to rain on your parade, but it will be the least well written of all of your books, that is of course, if you survive #2.<br />
<br />
2. Someone is going to pull their damn pants down and shit on your happiness. Yes...the shitman/woman uh-cometh. You see, new indie writers are like fresh meat. You don't know shit. All you have is your trusty computer, a dream and stars in your silly little eyes then someone comes up the steps of hell and knocks on heaven's door (on your apartment door, because you stay in room 59A with your head still in the proverbial clouds) You will open that door, smiling from ear to ear, and they will be standing there drunk off haterade, but are prepared to 'sober' <u><b>YOU</b></u> up. They will say, "I just left a review and it says, 'You are a talentless, editor-needing asshole who should have never graduated high school. Don't quit your dayjob. Oh, do you have an umbrella? 'Cause I'm rainin' on you hoes!" <br />
<br />
Okay, the last sentence wouldn't be said, I just threw that in there for dramatic effect, but that is how you feel when you discover the (cue melodramatic creepy music) 'watch crew' has used your new found happiness to defecate on, repeatedly. Because more cometh, baby! Moooore cometh and if you care one fraction of a damn about your craft, and you've been doing this as long as I have (I've been writing stories since I was seven damn years old), then yeah, you might feel some kinda way about it. <br />
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<br />
My advice: Don't respond to the review. I had to learn this the hard way. Some reviewers are kind, some are assholes, many float somewhere in the middle. Regardless, if you engage one, especially a Negative Nelly who really doesn't want to know the truth, your explanations, etc. no matter how nicely you put it, then you are setting yourself up for a mess. If you can't resist responding, then don't read the shit. That is what I do. You won't find my behind on any of the review sites unless I have my blog/tweets tied to to it for updates or I need to buy something that has nothing to do with my own books. Now sure, sometimes I do see a review here and there, but it is truly not planned nor sought after. I do have readers who enjoy my work, email me regarding their own reviews and they started doing this on their own because the word has spread that myself and many others, do not read our reviews. This one, protects me from the urge to respond, and two, if it is a set-up (Which I will discuss in #3)then I don't fall for the okee doke. Throw up the deuces...<br />
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3. If you are a bad writer, someone will come for you because well, the work needs improvement and/or you are new, so you are a target. If you are good writer, even more will come and if you are a good writer trying to improve and are obviously serious about your craft, an avalanche of bullshit is coming. Now you see, #2 and #3 are linked together, but #3 here, explains to you the psychology behind it. Let it be known, there are publishing companies who don't appreciate what they deem as 'competition.' (There is no such thing as competition in book writing, but I'll get more into that later in a different blog.) They will send their henchmen out to attack! (Picture people with pitch forks approaching Frankenstein. Yeah...that's it.) There are also other authors who may not like the attention you are getting, and out of a fit of greasy jealousy, they will come with their faces bawled up like fists, under a different name most times, and tell you to never touch another keyboard again. They will tell you that the story sucks, you suck, and ducks float like a boat - as if all three are true. Look, (placing my hand on your shoulder as I give you comfort.) Even if they are right, even if the story DOES suck, don't fall prey to negative criticism. Negative criticism is the anti-Christ, to constructive criticism, and we've seen reviews that demonstrate both. That leads me to numero four...<br />
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4. Your book is not perfect. The sun doesn't set and rise on that damn thing. I don't care if Gandhi, Mother Theresa, The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Honorable Elijah Muhammad helped you write it - it is NOT perfect, and you will need to accept that. SOMEONE is going to notice it's imperfections and they will focus on those imperfections, and though it sucks, that's life, and that is their right. Not everyone that hates your book is a hater. Some are, but some aren't. Not everyone has to like it. There is not ONE BOOK in existence, that everyone enjoys. You will be hard pressed to find any movie, book, play, song etc. that an entire city, state and country just adores. Why? Because there are different strokes for different folks and what we do is ART. Art my dear, is subjective. Art also hurts, so that leads me to number five...<br />
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5. When you are feeling like, "The hell with this, I'm not publishing another book again." - and trust me, that day will enter your mind at least once, I want you to go back to an email, tweet or Facebook post you received where someone you didn't know, came out of the blue and said, "I loved your book!" I want you to read that, re-read it, and read it again. THAT is the person you focus on, okay? During moments like that, you think about that person and you use that energy, to pour into your next book. Energy that you didn't have because you were tired of the drama, in-fighting and nonsense. You were drained because when you released your second book, which was significantly better than the first, you were silly enough to believe that people would like YOU and the book, and you soon discovered, that no, you actually angered more people because you didn't allow their negativity, silliness, drama-seeking, sadness and self-hatred to destroy you. And...you didn't allow the people that told you your book wasn't up to par, but they were nice about it, (and it may have been true), distract you either. Instead, they motivated you. If they said you needed an editor, you now took that seriously. Here are two examples: One is of negative, ugly feed back and the other is constructive criticism. The constructive criticism one can be used as rocket fuel. The negative one should be thrown in the toilet, because it is dung, and useless to your growth as a person and a writer. One is created to tear you down, in order to build the reviewer up, and the other one is used to uplift you, because well, they like to read, may be a decent person and want more books to choose from for their reading pleasure.<br />
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<u><b>USELESS:</b></u> This book is dumb as hell. I can't believe anyone wrote this. I asked for a refund after I finished reading it. If I could give a half of a star, I would. I fell asleep during reading it. I want my time back for reading it, too.<br />
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<u><b>HELPFUL:</b></u> Though the book had potential, things went astray. The ideas were good, but the writer left out crucial points, such as, What happened to the baby after Samantha gave birth? There were quite a few editing issues and the writer called the character the wrong name, twice, in the book. One time, it was Samantha, the next, it was Sandra. I will give this writer another chance, because the concept was interesting, for the most part it was well written and it was a good idea but I hope he/she gets an editor soon and republishes this.<br />
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You see the difference? It also lets other readers know what the specific problem was, it does not come across as 'trollish'. Oh, you don't know what a troll is? A troll is a person that is on social media and review sites, simply to give negative feedback and start drama. They want to hurt people, because they themselves, are bored with their own lives, or are hurting as well. Happy people don't lash out at others in order to cause emotional pain, they simply don't. <br />
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In conclusion - if you are going to join the ranks of being an indie author, it will not be easy. Some days, you will question if it is even worth it. Sometimes, your answer will be 'No.' For me personally, I love what I do. I have to do it, because writing is who I am. If no one liked any of my books, I'd still write. That is how you know that you are cut out for this. After being bashed, hated on, given constructive criticism and loved and supported, after all of that, if you are still standing and getting BETTER, then baby, hang in there. The waters will get rough, but as long as you respect yourself, want to be the best writer you can be, respect your readers and your craft, you WILL make it. Writing is hard work, but if you love it, it will love you back.<br />
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<i><br />P.S. Surround yourself with positive people who want you to succeed. This may be fellow authors, and/or readers/fans. Without them, it is a much more bleak existence.</i><br />
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Love always,<br />
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Tiana Laveen<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07688474849589537472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918993663865454847.post-91135646734767867942014-02-03T06:49:00.003-08:002014-02-03T07:52:51.889-08:00COLOR BLIND<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2UTNNWh8sdwavgJfrJMOQklvqv6q7WvjehSp2-XVeTdhx1MlIdPJQTLtu8t6xVf2OryvyOJxg9ZW8C0QoXeMrSbx4uX99AuwiIdZr2uKcOxSgmLXo3pZ6R5XiwnWpZQrJk3pC6-F3dY/s1600/colorful-ranbow-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2UTNNWh8sdwavgJfrJMOQklvqv6q7WvjehSp2-XVeTdhx1MlIdPJQTLtu8t6xVf2OryvyOJxg9ZW8C0QoXeMrSbx4uX99AuwiIdZr2uKcOxSgmLXo3pZ6R5XiwnWpZQrJk3pC6-F3dY/s1600/colorful-ranbow-6.jpg" height="170" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of the catch phrases since the 1980's, has been, "I'm colorblind." This means, as pertaining to race, that the person stating it is claiming to not see the color of a person's skin, but instead, inside of them - the content of their character. It sounds good, right?<br />
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Well, maybe not...<br />
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As a writer, I tend to sit around and think about things a lot. Even when I'm busy with other tasks, which is most of the time since I am also a wife and a mother, I think about words, concepts, behaviors, emotions, actions, so on and so forth. I look at people and wonder about their story. I am curious as to what drives them to wake up in the mornings, and finally go to sleep at night. I am drawn by the physical as well. What someone else may see as obscene, I may see as beautiful and what another may view as open-minded, I view as dismissive. And so is the case with this terminology.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NJmzw1Ik6pBxymOnqXgQstXuNtkJzHtSC7PrrekcFUmog8RqMmn0xAtNHb1M2AgWid7jRyHWzrjbRrqye2Og3kwlKuv7rbRfU6vL9xHb0LrLKck7VRIbCQQ2QgojbvLYWESnzHdsJjU/s1600/rainbow-eye-with-pretty-lashes-by-ih8m0r0nz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NJmzw1Ik6pBxymOnqXgQstXuNtkJzHtSC7PrrekcFUmog8RqMmn0xAtNHb1M2AgWid7jRyHWzrjbRrqye2Og3kwlKuv7rbRfU6vL9xHb0LrLKck7VRIbCQQ2QgojbvLYWESnzHdsJjU/s1600/rainbow-eye-with-pretty-lashes-by-ih8m0r0nz.jpg" /></a></div>
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You see, I don't want you to be 'color blind' when you look at me, and people that favor my physical components. No, I want you to see me. I want you to see my skin tone, my full lips, my hair texture, my eyes. I want you to KNOW that I am a black woman. Why? Well, because I think it's sexy. I think it's amazing. I am okay being all of that and more. If you tell me that you're colorblind, that means you no longer SEE me. But...what I look like, is a part of me, rather you find that attractive or not, is not the issue. My physicality, is definitely a part of who I am as a person. It is how my children know it is mommy that has stepped into their room to wake them up. It is how my readers know, it is Tiana, that is talking to them, answering questions via a vlog or public appearance. It is how my mother knows that her child is standing on her porch waiting for admittance when she looks through the peephole. When someone says they are 'blind' to something, it means, that it is not important to them, that, it doesn't need to be discussed or highlighted. If you think it isn't important, then you've erased my culture, because my culture is important to me, and my culture is part of the reason that I look in the way that I do.<br />
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I don't want to be erased. My history has already been historically tampered with and some of it forgotten and the truth of various aspects, never to be known. I have a little slice of something here, and I don't want it taken away. I'm feeling rather possessive about it, you see. Now, I'm not saying to use my physical attributes to discriminate against me - that is going all the way to to the other spectrum. I am simply saying, "Hey, I don't mind that in YOUR mind, when you see me coming, you think - 'That's a black woman.'" I'm cool with that, really, I am.<br />
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Being color blind would of course eliminate 'colorism', but to me, the core of colorism is NOT actually the hue of the flesh. The core of colorism, is based on hurt, racism, regurgitation of sinister-driven, warped beliefs and ideology that help one person feel superior to another. Now, we have a notion called, 'reverse' colorism, kind of like, reverse-racism, which is rather silly because in my opinon, there is no reverse of either of these constructs. You see, colorism is just that, colorism, regardless if the perpetrator is light complexioned, medium hued or dark complexioned. The same for racism. Either you said something racist or you didn't and this whole notion of black people can not be racist, because we have no power, is preposterous. We can, because we DO in fact have power because every man, woman and child has power over SOMEONE or SOMETHING in this world. An eight year old boy may have no power over his big sister, but he has power over his five year old brother. Whomever is lowest on the totem pole of hierarchy, is the one that will get it the worse from those that SEEK to identify themselves, through the humiliation of others. Per my example, take a look. He (the eight year old boy) is an influence, a role model rather he likes it or not and he can cause tears as well as joy for his younger sibling. <br />
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We ALL have power, over something, somewhere. I have been a 'victim' of this so-called reverse colorism. It is nauseating. It has been taking place my entire life, in various degrees. I get no rewards for NOT being dark complexioned. But Tiana, 'your type' gets to be in the music videos. Wow, now isn't that a treat?! Yes, I want to be exploited! Choose me! Choose me, please! (((eye roll))). But Tiana, that sends messages to darker girls that they aren't pretty enough to twerk. Yes...because twerking and grinding with homely rappers by a swimming pool for cash is something to aspire to. I just can't with this s**t...<br />
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When the local police see my ass speeding down the street, or even minding my own business, they see a black woman, and that is the bottom line! They don't give two s**ts that I am the color of the 'brown paperbag.' They don't care! I had my license plate ran in my own driveway once, because my husband's neighbor was a cop and saw me as 'suspicious' when I was first moving in. Give me a f**king break! I could go on and on about that, but that is another topic for another time. Now, let me get back on track here.<br />
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I want to see you...<br />
I want to see your damn face. I want to see your incredible skin, and if you have the type of skin that makes me do a double take, I might want to even do the unthinkable, and touch it, with your permission of course. I have always been drawn to hues, particularly, dark-skinned people. NOT because I found them unattractive, but because their skin was so damn beautiful to me. I have never, not once in my life, felt that a person was attractive or unattractive, based on their skin tone. I wasn't raised that way. I never heard anyone say anything that spoke of 'colorism' issues and both of my parents are light-complexioned African Americans. They were proud to be black, in every sense of the word. Race, none of that was the factor. Skin didn't have anything to do with it. I have found myself apologizing to my some of my darker sistas, because I sometimes stare at them, like a man does a woman that he wants to get with. It is truly that intense. I LOVE looking at skin, from the palest Irishman you can find, to the darkest West African in the world. I.WANT.TO.SEE.THEIR.SKIN. I don't want to dismiss it, I don't want to turn away, I don't want to pretend it is not there. I do NOT want to be colorblind. <br />
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Why would I NOT want to see this woman?! STUNNING!</div>
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I LOVE your skin, even if you don't. I love what you look like. I want you to embrace your heritage, your culture. I want you to SEE the world, full of these different looking people, all of them, contributing and making the world a better place. <br />
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Nah...I'm not colorblind, and never will be.<br />
I see you, Beautiful. Damn, and I can't take my eyes off you...<br />
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Tiana LaveenAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07688474849589537472noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918993663865454847.post-13384517934039246472013-12-18T20:40:00.004-08:002013-12-19T11:53:56.966-08:00The Misrepresentation and Disrespect of the Black Woman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I sit here in my office, the door closed drowning in my thoughts, I can't help but blast Jay Z's, 'Take Over' as my face is etched in 'game.' Yeah...I got my game face on because I am not going to sit here a second longer without addressing an epidemic that has taken over social media, politics, our damn brains and every where else that garbage can collect and spread.<br />
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The title of this blog is, 'The Misrepresentation and Disrespect of the Black Woman.' As a little girl, I was raised to have pride in myself. That was essential for my development, especially since I was raised in a majority Jewish and White neighborhood and there were only a handful of 'us.' As a little black girl growing up in this tiny slice of American pie, I soon came to realize that not everyone thought I was very 'tasty', and they hadn't even tried me yet. Now, this is not a sexual innuendo, it is simply a metaphor once I understood that being a 'black girl' was synonymous with being socially undesirable. I was too young to understand the origins of this and what was completely happening, but as I matured, I soon realized that no matter what I did, said, carried myself, etc. I would always be blamed for someone elses' transgressions or behavior, simply because they were the same race and gender as I. <br />
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I found that perplexing. No where else were others suffering this same fate. For example, if a white woman robs a store this evening, and it is on the news, there is not then a call to action against all white women. White women are not suddenly portrayed as thieves and stains on their heritage. If a Chinese American man sets his wife on fire, there is not then a call to action, against all Chinese American men. Now sure, some racial jokes from racists will no doubt take place, but the entire Chinese American race will not been tagged as 'Wife arsonists' based on this one person's deeds. Yet in still, there are degenerates, derelicts, defiled humans and the like, in every single race, ethnicity and sexual identification. But let a black woman do something...oh, it's on!<br />
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There was a chapter in my life, where I literally looked in the mirror and asked myself, 'Tiana, what the f**k is wrong with you?" Why is it, that no matter how hard you try, no matter what you do, you are still put in the same bucket with the 'Atlanta House-Wife' mentality women? Hmmmm... Inquiring minds wanted to know. I was not gold-digging, I went to college and got my degree. I didn't have 50 kids out of wedlock, mater of fact, I had none. I took care of myself. I knew how to cook, and cook well if I say so myself. I cleaned, and was self-reliant. I wasn't overly aggressive or 'rough'. I wore my natural hair many times. I had my own car, bills in my name that were paid on time every single month. I didn't speak in Ebonics, I wore quality clothing that fit me. I exercised and cared about my health. I had a career. I had a sense of humor. I had a spiritual foundation. I cared about my culture and my self esteem. I didn't deem myself as ghastly to look at, appearance wise. I knew of course I would not be everyone's cup of tea, no one is, but surely, there had to be one or two people who found me attractive in this big, wide world. <br />
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Regardless of all of this, I continued to meet and date men who did not appreciate such a person. Was I perfect? No, but almost every man that I ever dated, tried to get me back after the breakup, regardless of who called it off because that grass being greener on the other side was a real phenomenon and once they saw what they'd lost, the double-back was a sign of the Tiana times. I made the mistake of taking one of these DD's back, but that is another story for another time.<br />
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I eventually did meet someone who found what I had to offer extremely appealing, and also had something to bring to the table himself. He was a breath of fresh air, especially since I was out there on the sidelines while my exes kept comparing lawns. What I came to conclude, from my own past as well as many of my sistas who fit similar descriptions as what I relayed, it is not only that we are we being tossed into one bucket and stamped with, 'All The Same' across our foreheads and being thrown completely under the bus, it is also that there is a <i>blatant</i> misrepresentation and disrespect of black women in this country. It is horrendous! Even other races of people are noticing it, and speaking amongst themselves in hushed voices. <br />
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Hell, some aren't so hushed any more, they've joined the bandwagon and are heading the brigade. As a writer of romance books for black women, I must say that we need all the upliftment and support we can get! We sure as hell aren't getting it from the media, music, many men, and any other 'm' you can throw in there. No other race of people, disrespects their 'same race' women this way. We are the ONLY ones, in which nasty-gram videos are being made, over and over again based on our race and gender. Now, I have actually no problem with anyone voicing their honest opinion, even if I hate and/or don't appreciate what they are saying...if it is the truth. Truth sometimes hurt, and people need to hear honest interpretations, perceptions as well as facts. <br />
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What <i>is</i> a fact, is that we are being blamed for all the woes of an entire nation. What is also a fact, is that there are many black women co-signing this bull in order to 'look good' in the oppressors eyes, that it is sickening and so blatantly obvious. So sorry sweetheart, you didn't get a 'golden' promotion or increase in status because you 'Aunt Thomasina'ed' yourself out. You are STILL seen as lower than low, only now you've been elevated to mule status. For any men who speak out against these attacks against us, especially if they are black men, they are labeled, 'Manginas', 'Ankle lovers', 'Bitch a** N***" and so it goes... If anyone goes against this agenda publicly, they are ridiculed and hung by their toenails. Yes, the idea that the black woman is God, which many don't adhere to anyway, but for the sake of argument, has now turned into, Black women are demons - will cause your physical and spiritual death if you get with us. Now...let's say this is all true. Let's say the majority of us are EXACTLY what is being said:<br />
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1. Gold diggers<br />
2. Loud<br />
3. Obese/unhealthy<br />
4. Unattractive<br />
5. Artificial (fake hair, eyes, nails etc.)<br />
6. Unintelligent<br />
7. Ghetto<br />
8. Lovin' thugs<br />
9. 'I don't need a man' automatons<br />
10. Baby Poppers<br />
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If this is all true, and let's pretend that it is, then the current addressing strategies of said 'situation' does not help nor aid in the ceasing of this 'disease.' (That's because the goal is not to empower the black women, it is to destroy, but let me stay on task here.) What is TRULY a disease, is our obvious hatred for ourselves and other women that are in our same camp. The inner-bickering about colorism in which lighter complexioned black women are told they are NOT black (not talking about biracial women) or that their lives have been wonderful, chock full of sparkling daisies, fairy dust and pink sunrises because of their skin tone, thus, they must 'pay' by being harassed and degraded by some of their own darker sistas due to what OTHER ignorant, backward ass, self-loathing black women did to them. Yes, that makes PERFECT sense to me...just go right ahead and attack the people that had nothing to do with it and are still just as likely to be racially profiled, harassed, etc. kinda like when we burn our own buildings down during rioting, but again...I must stay on task.<br />
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The arguments about WHO is black in this country and WHO is not, allowes others from the outside looking in, to pick up our torches, the war of sexes, etc. NONE OF THIS is helping! Has it made a difference?! If so, where? Where are the improvements due to this attack on black women? How has it changed and improved lives for black women? It has been going on for decades, but all of this in-fighting is Bullsh**t and getting us no where. I have no desire to tell someone their pain and experiences are not valid, but the same thing we are experiencing from 'outside forces', we should NOT do to one another! <br />
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We are ALL black women! Yes, people can say what they want, how they want and when they want, and some of these 'hateisms' are coming from people that show a high level of intelligence, but intelligence does not equate being RIGHT all the time or even being SANE. Now, this attack and disrespect of black women, has been going on for years but due to easily accessible social media and blogtalk radio (people having their own radio shows), there is an influx of this disease. Let's take the ten points mentioned above, and give a very brief response to each.<br />
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ALL BLACK WOMEN ARE...<br />
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<u><b>1. Gold diggers</b></u><br />
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Okay, gold digging... Gold digging is when a person, usually a woman, has gotten with a man or (another woman) in a romantic way, in order to obtain access to his/her material goods/wealth. This could be in the form of cash, shopping sprees, his connections, etc. I find it rather interesting that a person's need for perseverance and stability is connotative with 'gold digging', but I digress. Now, with that said, I also don't believe in asking that a person give you something, that you don't currently have and/or are not close to having yourself. What I mean by that is, say a woman demands/need a man with a 2014 BMW, when she herself drives a Ford Escort. There is nothing wrong with a Ford Escort as long as it gets her from A to B, but it is unfair to then act like 'you are too good' for a mate that has the same as you.<br />
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Black women are perpetually being coined Gold Diggers, however, historically, we are the ones that were with 'broke ass men' and carrying the load. Don't believe me? Look at the unemployment rates of black men in the 60s, 70s and 80s and tell me who had the jobs in those households. It was black women! This is a fact. Look at the employment rates during these three decades, the household demographics, and then try to tell me this isn't true. Now sure, some of this was due to systematic and economic racism, but regardless of the reasoning, we were the ones putting food on the table, and yet in still, we stayed with them. We did not turn coat, we did not holistically dog them out. No, we worked and took care of home. Yet, we are notorious gold diggers, huh?! Really? MFer,<i> please</i>! Also, when other races of women, such as celebrities, are 'gold digging' they suddenly get a pass or are overlooked, especially if they are attractive.<br />
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Example: Kim and that entire Kardashian clan. Why? Because Kim is attractive and she likes black men. She is also a 'rich black man' celebrity chaser, aiding in stroked egos across the globe, but this little observation is rarely mentioned. You can't have a debate with someone about this topic if you are overlooking this simple fact. In other words, people see what they want to see, despite the obvious truth that contradicts their argument. <br />
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<u><b>2. Loud:</b></u><br />
It has been stated many times, that black women are uncouth and verbally belligerent. Now, I will be honest and say that culturally, as I compare us to other races, we do appear to be more vocally demonstrative. Our white counterparts can compete with us for this title only when they've been drinking heavily, lol. Also though, Jewish, Latin and Italian folks, especially the women, have been known to have voices that carry, especially during passionate debates, so, I am going to chalk this up to cultural. Now, it appears that the media is hellbent on finding the women who are notorious for this as their basic 'default' setting however. Most of us do not wake up ranting and raving, with our fist bawled up tight talking about, "You gone learn today!" On the news, they'll find the woman with curlers in half her head, the other side wild and crazy and in colors of purple and pink, talking about, 'I saw tha whole thing!" When this is constantly being portrayed on television, movies and in magazines, of course it is going to look like we have diarrhea of the mouth and then with all these ratchet reality shows showing us beating the daylights out of one another, sleeping with so and so's man etc., it is no wonder that this perception has been adopted. <br />
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<u><b>3. Obese/unhealthy:</b></u><br />
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Black women die the most of heart disease. We also have some of the greatest diabetes rates in the entire country. This is a problem and it is linked directly to our overall lack of physical activity and consistent poor eating habits. Now, this is not an excuse, but it is an offering of understanding to a greater problem. We also suffer greatly from depression, but it is rarely addressed. We feel we don't have 'time to be depressed', because we have children, etc. that need tending to. Depression is directly linked to part of this epidemic regarding our health. We have GOT to address this. Not to 'look cute', though that is in the top 10 reasons, lol, but more importantly, so we can be alive long enough to see our children into adulthood and enjoy our senior years. So many times I hear, "But my grandmama ate bacon and eggs every day, and she lived to be 112!" Well, you know what? I bet she was on 20 damn different medications, could barely walk and some days was in a lot of pain. I don't care to live to 112 if I feel like death warmed over. Also, grandmama didn't have the steroid pumped up food we have, and she more than likely ate more fruits and vegetables than we do today. McDonalds sells mummified apple slices, old salads and fries...that is the closest you are going to get from them, towards good health. Don't talk to me about the long life of grandmama, tell me how she <i>felt</i>! <br />
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This is not about attacking womens' body shapes and sizes. It is about being truthful about a problem in our community so we can address it. We do all come in different packages, and not everyone is supposed to be a size 3, but NO ONE is supposed to be wheezing out of breath, unable to walk up their steps without getting winded, etc. We have to start loving ourselves again. This is tied into our self esteem that is partially plummeting due in fact, to the misrepresentation and disrespect of the black woman. We are buying the hype, believing we are exactly what we are being portrayed as, which results in a defeatism attitude. We shrug our shoulders and give up. Don't. If you don't cherish yourself, no one else will. We teach people how to treat us.<br />
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<u><b>4. Unattractive:</b></u><br />
Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and society has told us that darker skin tones, kinky hair, full lips, etc. are not attractive. Let's put the age old argument aside that we know that some other races are getting tans and lip and ass injections, they are still NOT black, so understand, they get a pass, and we don't so all that but so and so does it, doesn't mean a hill of beans. There is nothing that can be done about the laws of basic human attraction. Either someone finds you attractive or they don't, and you know what? The Eurocentric standard of beauty is just that, Eurocentric. We are not nor will we ever be white, nor should we adopt this notion that anything other than what we are naturally, is better and something to aspire to. Again, this ties into self esteem, and ours has been on the decline for eons.<br />
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<u><b>5. Artificial (fake hair, eyes, nails etc.):</b></u><br />
Again, let's be honest. We are keeping these weave importers in business. As more and more black women embrace their natural tresses, the numbers are declining, but there is still a need for it, due to wanting a change of pace as well as protective styling. Now, I must also mention, many white female celebrities are wearing weaves, too. However, we rarely hear about them, though they often openly admit that they have weaves, colored contact lenses etc. When a white woman gets a fake tush, no one accuses her of trying to be black. When a black woman gets a weave, suddenly, she has been having dreams of being a white princess and hates her black self down to the little brown core. It is utterly ridiculous. <br />
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Ancient Egyptian women were dying their hair ,making wigs, putting on make-up, etc. long before a white mofo even stepped FOOT in their land. Were they trying to be white? How can you try to be something that you've never even seen?! Not <i>all</i> black women that wear weaves, wigs, etc. want to be a non-black women. This is so old and stale, I think some people need to come better than this. Now again, the other side of the coin is this: Yes, there are SOME black women who more than likely hate their physical appearance due to their afrocentric features, and try to change them in order to feel better about themselves, however, I'm so sorry, I don't believe for one second this is the majority. Women of all races, are notorious for enjoying changing our hair and appearance for the sake of fashion. Even women in indigenous tribes are doing body modifications, it doesn't mean they hate themselves. It is a form of expression, period.<br />
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<u><b>6. Unintelligent:</b></u><br />
Is this based on test scores? It is based on personal observations of the majority of black women in this country? No. This argument is used by those that can't come up with anything else. It is like two children fighting and one says, "You're ugly." and the other says, "Oh yeah? Well you're stupid!" NEXT!<br />
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<u><b>7. Ghetto:</b></u><br />
People behave in the manner in which their environment dictates until they are taught and/or see better. Yes, there is a such thing as a ghetto mentality. I didn't write this blog to sugar-coat s**t and have some little chit chat with cocoa around the fireplace. No, I did this to be totally open, honest and frank. Here's the thing about 'ghetto' though, it is similar to what some coin, 'white trash.' Funny how, we don't hear about the WT when the ghetto argument is being used to degrade black women, while women of other races are put on a pedestal and twirled around for all to see. Oh no, my dear, the focus is only on US since <i>we</i> are the target. Again, cherry picking and straw-manning are common argumentative tactics that fail, but sound good to untrained ears. <br />
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<u><b>8. Lovin' thugs:</b></u><br />
I never understood this one. I've personally never been attracted to a man that went in and out of jail, drank himself silly, smoked weed like his last name was Dandelion, wore his pants saggin' so that the crack in his ass was visible to the world and other nonsense. I never wanted to date thugs, have sex with them, let alone be in a relationship with one. That was never my speed, and last I checked, I'm a black woman. I am not convinced that the people that say that all black women love thugs, have run into a few 'ghetto women' and because they had horrible luck or poor judgement in character with women telling them they didn't want their ass, now, we <u>all</u> want thugs because they got rejected, so now they are butt hurt. And what's the next step? That bucket I spoke of earlier is removed from the dusty ass shelf, and we are all thrown into it and pushed down the basement steps. I wanna, thug, huh? Give me a m**** f**** break!<br />
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Do some women like thugs? Sure, and so do a lot of white women chasing black penis for the Mandingo myth! Yet, I don't see billboards, massive amounts of videos, vlobs and blogs about these women. Hmmm, interesting! Get the hell outta here with that. Thugs are not reliable. They are not good communicators. They don't understand the importance of family. The only know now how to screw, not make love. Their intelligence, if it exists, is hidden because being smart is considered 'uncool' to them. They are rarely spiritually grounded. They don't help keep bills paid. They don't care who they impregnate. They have little respect for women in general and a treasure trove of other issues. A lot of women like alphas, <i>not </i>thugs. There is a BIG difference.<br />
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<u><b>9. 'I don't need a man' automatons:</b></u><br />
I've never heard any woman ever actually say this in the last ten or so years, yet so many of the oppressors out in the field, keep hurling it in our direction. The fact of the matter is this. No one should NEED anyone. We should greatly desire someone, and want them, but need them? No. Needing someone denotes dependency...and didn't you just say you didn't want a gold digger? I'm just sayin'...<br />
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<u><b>10. Baby Poppers:</b></u><br />
We pop out kids like rabbits. I suppose we got pregnant on our own. There is some magic invisible penis in the sky, that is getting all of these black women pregnant as soon as they go to sleep at night, right? None of these babies are coming from an actual flesh and blood man, correct? We are just making our selves pregnant and then popping the babies out in order to get that check and that child support and keep his behind tied up in court even though he told us that he didn't want that child. Shame on the black woman! This is a two-blame game. Unless there was a sexual assault, both parties are to blame when an unplanned and unwanted pregnancy occurs. Now, he is being forced to take care of a baby that he never wanted, and we trapped him, right? Well of course we did! It is because we are ghetto, loud, obese gold diggers who are teaching our daughters that they too, don't need a man. But should they get one, make sure he has had several stints in prison, has a bunch of kids from different women, no job, only listens to music where black women are perpetually called h**es and b****ches and sluts. Yes, make sure he fits <i>that</i> description or we simply couldn't be happy. (((eye roll)))<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7If1yrlcgi07Gi4IADIJqBSPzfTzbs6tRrDANwDDG_cWwnIzXCmGjauMPHSSYldhA18Chyphenhyphen5oltx8IQV0Iyk71Kq4Tm1vaDTVWAXK6-PsRkSiUEmDtI1KApEkDq0NNi8eC9dHuMFsx_Y/s1600/BFsfSq4CUAAbAhf.jpg_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7If1yrlcgi07Gi4IADIJqBSPzfTzbs6tRrDANwDDG_cWwnIzXCmGjauMPHSSYldhA18Chyphenhyphen5oltx8IQV0Iyk71Kq4Tm1vaDTVWAXK6-PsRkSiUEmDtI1KApEkDq0NNi8eC9dHuMFsx_Y/s320/BFsfSq4CUAAbAhf.jpg_large.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In conclusion, people see what they want to see, especially when they have an agenda. Anything that doesn't match their agenda, is the exception or not acknowledged at all. Whenever someone is in mental/psychological pain, and they can attribute that blame to one person or people who fit a certain criteria, you will see a diseased mentality. The problem with diseased mentalities, is that they often become obsessed with one or two topics, and their vision is narrow because they are so INVOLVED in one topic, that they don't EVOLVE into providing a bigger solution. When someone vilifies another, one must look at the motive. Never trust a person who is obsessed with only or two negative topics and whatever those topics of choice are, 9 times out of 10, they ramble on and on about it in an unsavory fashion. I personally don't talk over and over about mess I hate. <br />
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What is the point? If I'm talking about it day in and day out, it means I'm thinking about it, day in and day out and that means a part of me is obsessed with that topic, day in and day out. That could very well mean that I am confused about my TRUE obsession with that topic, thus, I focus on everyone and everything else, instead of asking myself, "If I find a certain person hopeless, stupid, unattractive and reprehensible, then why are they on my mind from sun up to sun down?"Hmmmm!<br />
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I'd rather focus on things I love and things that can help people. These same people have already stated I've given up on. So why continue on making broadcasts about it? If I hate broccoli, you won't see me making 100 videos about that vegetable. If I do, that shows I have a compulsion that needs to be evaluated. I'll tell you why this is happening. It is because it is all smoke and mirrors. People who do this, well, it shows that they are either: garnering for attention while they build a larger audience based on controversial ramblings for fame, money, a sense of self, etc. or two, they truly are mentally ill and need an outlet. Yes, and a crazy mofo who is also an attention whore can be your worse nightmare.<br />
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Black women, you are being put down, beat down and placed in the ground. We have to take our power back and live another day. We need to be honest with ourselves and understand that we are all we have, thus, more of us will have to brain storm to address these matters. When the black man disrespects us, it tells other races that they can do the same, because we have no protection from our male counterpart. Rather we like it or not, we live in a patriarchy. I tell you this, and hear me loud and clear. We can not wait for anyone to treat us how we deserve to be treated, we have to take the initiative ourselves. We have to love ourselves and build what we need. No one will respect you, unless you respect yourself.<br />
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Black woman, it is time to pick up your crown, look in the mirror, and tell yourself the truth. After which, we must address our deficits. Stop chasing people who don't want you and trying to convince them that you are not how they think, that you are different than what they claim you are when they don't even know you, and don't give a crap about you. Stop trying to be something you are not. There is someone out there who will love you JUST the way you are and even if there wasn't, you still must love yourself, just the way you are because you are beautifully made, and from you, and entire world was born.<br />
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WOMB OF THE WORLD, DO YOU HEAR ME?<br />
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<i>Tiana Laveen</i><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07688474849589537472noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918993663865454847.post-48414162664784978492013-09-17T14:27:00.005-07:002013-09-17T14:27:39.063-07:00NEEDFUL THINGS...
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>NEEDFUL THINGS...</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVrCLHsia8HVcwkBKtfHW0yHLNL1q-lbARP2Kqhzv3OB3LeufhX7ec9tt41YSHvlj5fbSl83eJGGVpSHwMWV64NPRB0wQi9VxefQd-4iNLJB_jA4zonquQ_xcLCc9rQrw6epwfy_P0cI/s1600/threethingsblogheaderfinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVrCLHsia8HVcwkBKtfHW0yHLNL1q-lbARP2Kqhzv3OB3LeufhX7ec9tt41YSHvlj5fbSl83eJGGVpSHwMWV64NPRB0wQi9VxefQd-4iNLJB_jA4zonquQ_xcLCc9rQrw6epwfy_P0cI/s400/threethingsblogheaderfinal.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Come here for a moment, please…</div>
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Now, I have a question for you, but first, let’s lay out
some ground rules. Your boo (spouse, mate, bed bunny), children and God are a given – no need to use
‘your wishes’ to include them in your acceptance speech. I gotcha covered. Now...</div>
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The question is, “What
are three things that you can’t live without?” </div>
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Need more help? Okay, if you
can’t think of an answer imagine this scenario:…</div>
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If right at this second, I told
you that the world was going to implode in five minutes and you had that time
to grab whatever it was you wanted, then zoom away with me in a rocket ship before the Apocalypse,
what three items would you get and dash away with into space?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dg9GAoTOqvOBcGsEdPdqbIPJiKrewyjhCj-amR8roOs3NzW9HeBTWxq5RxB1-yjboBMafSu3g03BypBsGdB_21_3eWCCMDFuSgxPnqy8UaWHxxzJ9jxIBkX5kFmUFw_AiH9hcxDPxCA/s1600/blast-off.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dg9GAoTOqvOBcGsEdPdqbIPJiKrewyjhCj-amR8roOs3NzW9HeBTWxq5RxB1-yjboBMafSu3g03BypBsGdB_21_3eWCCMDFuSgxPnqy8UaWHxxzJ9jxIBkX5kFmUFw_AiH9hcxDPxCA/s320/blast-off.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now for me, the answers seem to change from year to year,
hell, I’ll be honest – mood to mood, but one thing stays consistent – I always
want some sort of writing instrument, rather it is paper and pen, or a laptop,
I must have an endless supply at my disposal. My need to write and draw must be satisfied, therefore, this is a personal need that requires the proper tools.</div>
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So, tell me, what three things can you not live without? The great thing about this question, is that it gives a pretty cool forecast as to where you are in your life. It is a sneak peek at your preoccupations, your passions and dreams. So remember, dream BIG.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRY-lx3W6jX39cXwkK0ISPmJF86vTp0fLrRck_X9ht7radagoJGi6zDGoyMkP4BPdxDwFlwHWxQq8AW_pBP00Kv1Ud_xpvJ5h6qoVobP3L_2VGPg1lJ0_4vy8nDy5WDgcEF43PC6Dd4o/s1600/Dream-Big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRY-lx3W6jX39cXwkK0ISPmJF86vTp0fLrRck_X9ht7radagoJGi6zDGoyMkP4BPdxDwFlwHWxQq8AW_pBP00Kv1Ud_xpvJ5h6qoVobP3L_2VGPg1lJ0_4vy8nDy5WDgcEF43PC6Dd4o/s320/Dream-Big.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>- Tiana Laveen</i> (human being, author, wife, mother, friend, personal pocket comedian and cheerleader for the downtrodden and misunderstood)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07688474849589537472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918993663865454847.post-70526487290590347622013-07-23T03:12:00.001-07:002013-07-23T03:32:43.753-07:00Book Property Value & Steath Back Biting <br />
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<br />
Last night I did a blogtalk radio interview with author and radio host, Red Snapper. There were four of us speaking about a myriad of topics, authors: <span class="userContent">K'wan, Thomas Long, D.K. Walker and myself.</span><br />
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<span class="userContent">I spent the majority of the time listening more than speaking and that gave me the opportunity to take in other perspectives and learn a thing or two. Now that everything is quiet, I would like to add a few more pennies to the wishing fountain, and delve a bit deeper with my own perspective regarding a couple of the topics that were broached during the discussion. One was over-saturation of the market due to self-publishing and some individuals putting out work that is not quality/their best simply to make an easy buck, this 'I'm a Superstar' mentality and the other was in regards to reviews.</span><br />
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<span class="userContent">Now, I want to preface this by saying that these are my views, and my views alone and like all opinions of the open-minded, they are subject to change. However, right now, at 4:51 am on July 23rd, 2013, this is how I feel.</span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><br /><br />Alright. Now, in regards to over-saturation, some say this is a myth or an excuse which is bull. It is NOT a myth. Wherever someone can get 'their hustle' on, they will. In this day of self-publishing, there are pros and cons. Talented individuals no longer have to beg, plead and gravel at the heels of publishing houses to take their large royalties and pimp them out. This is not to say that all publishing houses are madams or pimps and use their authors like toilet paper but it is to say that there was a day in age that one was so eager to get published, that they accepted unfair terms, royalty cuts, etc. simply to get their work out there. Now, that is no longer necessary. People that would have never had their amazing work see the light of day, now have built fan bases and have eager readers to get ahold of their latest releases. This is a beautiful thing but as in all doors that are open, not only do people enter, but so do uninvited vermin. You can't leave a front door of a home open and not expect flies, mosquitoes, ants and the like to enter as well, and that is what has essentially happened. People who don't give one iota about writing quality work, are throwing together some mess, slapping a 99 cent sticker on it and calling themselves 'The Greatest' and Bestsellers. </span><br />
<span class="userContent"></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><br />This has a domino effect that is unfair to those of us who are serious about our craft, didn't wake up one morning and say out of the blue, "I'm going to write something and sell it." There are those of us, self published and with publishing houses, who have worked hard at this. We spend literally hours a day, researching, writing and thinking out angles regarding our work. We've been at this for years, way before anyone had ever heard of us. A true writer is ALWAYS on the clock. Even our dreams, at least for me, bring us ideas so I work in my sleep, too! Due to this over-saturation, readers are buying work that is just a ploy to take their money. I want to clarify one thing here. You can hate, detest, abhor a book/novella/novelette to pieces, but if it is well written, it is still considered quality in my mind so I'm not speaking of content all by it's lonesome, here. I am speaking of something that features no consideration of plot, no consideration of development of characters, no consideration of flow and no consideration of research/subject matter. <br /><br />Not liking something, is still different than it being 'garbage.' At the end of the day, our name is our brand and not everything we write, if you are true to writing from your heart, will be a 'banger' to everyone who gets their hands on it. However for me, I don't have difficulty seeing rather a writer can actually handle their craft properly, or if they are just someone who saw an easy way to make some money and jumped in. And by the way, it's not easy...it is hard as hell but for some of those on the outside looking in, they believe they can whip something together and become the next Stephen King. </span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><br /><br />This has brought the book property value down and some readers as well as some authors now, have caused others of us 'living in this neighborhood' to bow down to the pressure. Over here, you've got someone selling their novel for 99 cents. Now, that is their prerogative. They could be running a special, it could be marketing, which is totally understandable or trying to get their name out there, which is also a tactical move, and I totally get that. What happens however when so many people do that for everything they put out, is that readers and buyers in general, then wonder, "Well why isn't so and so 99 cents? or $1.99, or free?" You will have some people saying they won't spend more than 3 bucks on books for a kindle/nook book, but they'll spend $5-$7 for some disgusting fast food meal that has been sitting around all day, and not complain about it. They'll spend double that and more, for all sorts of nonsense. They'll wolf it down, never see it again, but want to complain about a book costing the same and it happens to be something they can re-read and enjoy over and over again and actually may be quite entertaining and educational. We as authors have to raise the bar and stop selling ourselves short. The bulk of my day has some element of writing involved and considering that for me personally, on average, it takes me between 3-6 months to write a book, and most of my work are full-length novels, I think I have earned what is charged because I don't put out inferior work. I owe myself and my readers only things I can be proud of and I grow and learn with each release. Someone may hate my book(s), and that is fine, but they won't be able to say that it was sloppy or some mess I just threw together overnight, because the time I put in, regardless of their opinion on the work, will show.<br /><br />Those of us that have a trained eye, as readers and authors, more times than not, know quality when we read it, and we can tell when someone just sat down and piece-mealed something together over the course of a day or two. The work reads completely differently. If I live in a neighborhood and my neighbors have decided to sell their homes for $500.00, they stop caring for their lawns, allow trash to accumulate and sell meth and cocaine out of their dwellings, what is that going to do to the property value of my own home? It will plummet. What one person is doing in this market, has a domino effect, as I said earlier. This is unacceptable, but this is what happens. I've touched on pricing on Facebook as well as here, but wanted to give more perspective because I hear the complaints, but I don't think the people complaining truly understand what it entails to write a book and all the steps thereafter, to get it out into the mainstream. If they truly did, they'd understand that their assumptions are in error.</span><br />
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<span class="userContent">Alrighty then...moving along. Let's look at this 'Superstar' mentality. Acclaimed author K'wan (King of Urban Fiction/Street Lit) mentioned this ideology of some writers talking about they are superstars, etc. and I could not agree more. Writers, as a profession, used to be humble. We created, released, and went on our way. Now you've got people that are out here basically 'Georgiaing' readers (hustling/pimping/pulling a fast one) into this notion of they are the 'greatest'. They are on some Muhammad Ali ish, and it is embarrassing and ridiculous. "Get on my team", "My pen is deadly", "My books are AK-47s - deadly", "I spit mad fire on pages." Okay, it is great to be confidant in your work. You need to be, actually, or you won't make it because for every one person that is uplifting you, five more are trying to pull you down but this is outrageous. </span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><br /><br />I've seen it myself in others and it is a real turn off and more importantly, and ironically, however you wish to view it, some of the people doing this aren't worth their weight in Quill feathers. The writers who truly are 'the greatest' are often the ones you don't hear a peep out of. They are too busy honing their craft, to be online patting their own back 24-7. Now yes, occasionally you do meet someone with a big mouth and loud persona, who really can rock the laptop. That's fine, but more times than not, that is not the case. Not everyone is Ali in this! You turn off seasoned readers, potential new readers, fellow authors and networking opportunities when you do this so for anyone trying to get into this business, please, whatever you do, have faith in yourself, but don't go overboard and start smelling yourself. It's not a good look.</span><br />
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<span class="userContent">Now, let's quickly look at stealth back biting which was also brought up during the radio show. Stealth back biting is actually what I have coined/termed when another writer and/or writer friends, purposefully seek to harm another author online rather it is low reviews, untrue commentary or bullying. As stated a million times, I don't read my reviews and the rare time I see one or two, it is due to me having to go online for another matter and amazon will suggest my own book to me occasionally, as I shop for something else, lol. Again, this is just me, and we as writers have to find what works best for us individually, but reviews are not something I'm interested in reading. If a reader wants me to know/see their review, they know how to contact me. If something is wrong with a kindle upload etc., please notify me, other than that. I steer clear. The reviews are for other readers and due to the silly, immature games played and the politics behind them, I stay away from it. I am no longer interested in trying to correct someone who has given false information, or interact with anyone in that arena. People are going to say what they are going to say, and that's that. Now as far as me as an author leaving reviews for other authors, you better believe that if I don't have a positive review to leave, I don't leave one at all because I personally consider that a conflict of interest. </span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><br /><br />If a book is having major problems, readers will make sure others know and I don't need to join the boxing match. You don't see teachers, lawyers, doctors, etc. 'going in' on each other online and public often and do you know why? Because it's unprofessional. I rarely read anything in my own genre now because I don't have a lot of time and I don't want anyone elses' 'style' running through my head but I do read a lot, and if I'm taking a break and do read in my genre or another and I enjoyed the book, I mayleave a review. I seldom leave reviews however. It's just not my thing. I only leave honest reviews when I do, however, so if I didn't like something, I'm not saying anything unless the author messages me and asks me how I liked it and even then, I will be truthful but communicate with them in a respectful manner. I don't believe in slamming people nor BSing people. I know how hard it is to write a book, get it ready and out there for public consumption and since I understand this process, the last thing I want to do, is tear another human being a part who is just trying to do what they love. That's not me, I don't want the karmic repercussions, I'm not in any of these little author 'mean chic' cliques, and I don't get down like that. It's not cute. It's not classy. From my observations, it appears to happen (the attacks) more so in the romance genre than any other but in fairness, romance is the 'biggest' genre, so that makes sense. I am hoping for the day when we get back to how writers used to be, before 'internet thugging' made people brazen. When you do things like that, you are actually showing others that you aren't confident enough in your own work, because you have to bring someone else down to your level of self-defeat. Nothing positive comes from that.</span><br />
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<span class="userContent">In closing, please remember that when you price yourself, you are telling people how much not only your book is worth, but your brand, your talent and the industry. You set up an expectation. If you busted your behind, then don't keep your book at a dollar for an eternity if you know darn well it is worth more than that. Most of us have lost sleep, been up late writing, taking time away from things we may have really needed to do, all in an effort to bring our readers and ourselves, something we can disappear inside and possibly learn from. Besides my family and God, my writing is one of the most important things in my life. I have to write. It's not an option, it's a necessity. <br /><br />Be blessed and carry on.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07688474849589537472noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918993663865454847.post-46400108534508431892013-02-02T23:07:00.001-08:002013-02-02T23:07:38.522-08:00Editorial Review of, 'Saved and SAINTified'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="userContent">Editorial Review of new release: "Saved and SAINTified"<br /> <br />
In this third installment of the Saint series, the hero faces some
formidable new challenges—but while in the other two books these
challenges were mainly external, in Saint and SAINTified, he confronts
both internal and external trials. As he and his beloved family wait for
his third child, a daughter, to arrive, Saint comes face-to-face wi<span class="text_exposed_show">th both his inner demons and the most terrifying nemesis of all that could threaten the destruction of all that he loves.<br /> <br />
Saint is a very particular hero—he’s in-your-face, confident,
responsible, loving, and yes, even arrogant to the point that we want to
slap him at times. Yet, hasn’t he earned the right to be a little
infuriating? He’s passionate, he’s all in—and he doesn’t do
half-measures. Yet, when push comes to shove, he always steps up to the
plate, and he admits his failures, if oftentimes only to himself. This
makes him human, fallible, and a man you cannot help but love. In no
other book in this series does Saint’s fallibility jump out so
eloquently, so loudly, as it does in this one. And in no other book does
our heart break for Saint and Xenia and those endearing children of
theirs as it happens with this story.<br /> <br /> The cast of supporting
characters is extremely well fleshed out. We meet Saint’s father, Bomb,
Beset, Jagger, Lawrence, Hassani and Dakarai, and all these characters
made me laugh and cry and feel all sorts of emotions as though they were
sitting right next to me. I became friends with them, loved them,
wanted to help them and comfort them and laugh with them—which is the
sign of a great book and worthy writing. Because that’s what makes a
beautiful book—the characters that populate it. Saint and Xenia are
perfectly drawn out as the parents who would go to bat for their
children. Their love for each other shines stronger than ever, more so
now that things have the potential of ending tragically for them.<br /> <br />
I recommend this book to anyone who can take bold, unapologetic writing
such as Tiana Laveen’s. The author doesn’t shy away from offensive
language or from “keeping it real”. Her love scenes are highly erotic.
In short, she says it like it is and doesn’t hide behind a veil of
political correctness. She is loyal and true to the characters, no
matter the cost—and this, I think, is the thing I feel most gratitude to
her for. Saint is ultimately a product of the South Bronx, and when the
veneer of learned sophistication is peeled away, he is who and what he
is. This is what makes him fascinating, at times irritating in his
“man’s man” attitude, but yeah, utterly irresistible. He is the ultimate
hero—the man you would love to be stranded with in a dangerous
situation because he’s the one who will sure as hell get you out of that
pickle. He has fears, but for this reason he has learned to overcome
them. He is Achilles with a protected heel, a gutsy Ulysses who would
travel to the bowels of Hell to save his family, and he is the male
equivalent of Joan of Arc, and will burn to the bone to uphold that
which he believes in. His family, his life. We all want to love a man
like this, and will forgive him a tad of overconfidence if need be,
because Saint will be there for you until the end. All the more, because
in Saved and SAINTified, you see the man stripped down to his bare
essence, and you can fairly touch his vulnerability.<br /> <br /> My
ultimate recommendation is to read this series because it is different,
because it is unique, and because it delivers to the last word.<br /> <br /> Natalie G. Owens – author of “An Eternity of Roses (The Valthreans: Book 1)”.</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07688474849589537472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918993663865454847.post-90106520051437599742013-01-27T12:47:00.002-08:002013-01-27T12:49:03.384-08:00Beat Cha Like Ya Stole Somethin'!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hi everyone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You've heard me speak out on this before, but I need to just remind people. Authors, most of us I believe, work very hard on our books. We have other obligations, families, jobs etc. and if we are indie, we have to spend money out of our own pocket many times to make sure our finished 'product' is ready to go. Please do not ask for illegal shares and/or downloads of our work. It hurts us - not just because of the money, because of our blood, sweat and tears. It is a slap in the face. If you really like our work, and you want us to keep writing, PLEASE PURCHASE your OWN copy. We know when our work is being pirated, more times than not. We also know that some of the people on our 'friends list' and followers on twitter, are the ones requesting our books on illegal share sites and bootleg download sites. It may seem innocent, and you may think, "Oh, what is one or two shares...no biggie." But that isn't the point and it is NEVER one or two shares. Imagine twenty people have downloaded the book illegally, then they give it to forty other people, and so it goes, like falling dominoes.<br /><br />So many readers, and rightfully so, complain about poor editing. Well, we have to hire people to assist with that. Many of us are writers - we are not English professors. Good editing costs money. It comes with a cost that WE AS AUTHORS, have to pay for. We do that for YOU. I can live with my grammatical errors just fine, lol, but YOU deserve better. Many readers complain about 'jacked up' covers, or covers that don't match the characters in the story, or the same ol' models on all the covers - well, we have to pay for that if you want to see something new and original. Not to mention, there is no price you can put on our time.<br /><br />Do you all realize that for us, that are truly dedicated to this, the time away from our families that takes place? Do you know how many times I am told by friends and family - that it appears I've disappeared off the face of the Earth because I am closed up in my office, on my laptop, researching, writing and trying to get my ideas poured out in a clear manner? I LOVE doing this, and without the reader - the ideas would only be on my computer, and never go farther - but we need you to understand, that there is a price that goes with this, people.<br /><br />I try to get better with each book I write - because you deserve it, and that is what someone who loves what they do, should strive for. I know money is tight. You don't think it is tight for authors as well? No one gets rich off of writing, for MANY years in the game and even then, it is a select few. I'm not trying to get rich - I am trying to cover my expenses and have a little left over for a vacation now and again. Period, point blank. So I beg of you...don't ask for illegal copies of our work, don't download illegal copies and just give us the same respect for our craft, that you'd want, if you were in our shoes. Thank you so much. ♥</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Tiana Laveen</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07688474849589537472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918993663865454847.post-29495009806365549292013-01-02T14:08:00.000-08:002013-01-02T14:17:08.797-08:00The Great Build-Up<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u> HOW LONG IS TOO LONG?!</u></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I could become philosophical and talk about all the twists and turns throughout a writing journey but there is no need for that for in this blog entry. I have a question, but first let me explain what is going.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> I am working on something very important to me. Matter of fact, the book is already written (the bare bones of it) but now is that stage where I go in and fix any 'untied shoes', sharpen scenes and toil over if I really want the character to tell me what to do before this goes off to the editor to be ripped to shreds. Okay, I exaggerated about that last part...</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>She doesn't rip it to shreds, but there is a black eye or two...<br /><br />Okay so here we are and I am debating with something...wrestling, fighting like two hookers over a high-paying rich john and I truly would appreciate my reader and fans input.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>How fast do you need for the couple in the story to 'get together' before you become done and done?</u> </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> Now typically, this isn't a struggle for me. I allow a reasonable lead-up, except for a couple of my stories that warranted otherwise because the characters NEEDED to fit the scene and the scene fit them so delaying the inevitable for them would have been unnecessary to the story. However, that is not the case here. There is a lot background info. needed because this is a psychological suspense thriller that just happens to be EROTIC ROMANCE. Yeah...one of those 'all inclusive' bits...</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>It is a very challenging piece, and it would be unrealistic for the two to simply jump in the sack, let alone kiss right away, however, this is taking quite some time...more than I thought it would. I have to be true to my characters, my image of the story, and my art. That is what comes first because if I change that - then it is not my story anymore, it is someone else's who isn't writing it, but simply wants to orchestrate from the sidelines.<i> (I will get into that pet peeve later in a different blog entry...)</i></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i> </i><br /><br />So...I am inviting you in...how long is TOO long even though (in my opinion) the story is moving along rather rapidly and important pieces are being laid out beforehand. It is a lengthy book, so when we DO GET THERE, it isn't rushed along and it is RIGHT - It is sensual, electric and authentic. (Yeah, you'll be the judge of that, right? lol) </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Anyway, I felt compelled to take my time with this - there are sensitive issues going on as well, in the story, so that is another reason why I have a full 'background' check of the two main characters - I am allowing you as the reader to see what they are doing IN THE MOMENT (These are 'live' shots) not a bunch of past reminiscing, etc. <br /><br />So...please let me know your thoughts. I want to open the flood gates and ask you,<br /><br />"Can you hang on for awhile or is this something that irritates you, OR is this the type of thing you relish, because you really want to know the characters and want them to develop before jumping in the sack."<br /><br />As Monica said, "I don't get down on the first night..." LOL</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /><br />Let a me know...<br /><br />Sincerely,</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Tiana Laveen</i></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07688474849589537472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918993663865454847.post-80002321194751948612012-12-07T14:22:00.001-08:002012-12-07T14:22:50.055-08:00Strange things that go bump in the night.<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><b>It <span style="color: #274e13;">is</span> the <span style="color: #274e13;">holidays</span>...</b></span></span><br />
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It is the time of year when you're supposed to have your credit card out, a smile across your face (at least you pretend to be filled with glee) and an open heart yet my mind has been delving into the deep recesses of sinister thoughts as I work on my current WIP. Honestly, I'm most comfortable toiling away with the slightly macabre, unusual, prickly things that are curious. I've always been drawn to the 'Ripley's Believe it or Not' books, displays and programs and it should have come to no surprise to myself, that even during times of 'forced merriment', I would slink away into the darkness where I'm most comfortable. The tormented human condition woos me, we date, court and marry time and time again. I'm in love with abnormal psychology, because the mind of each and every person on the planet is unique, and does all sorts of abstractly wonderful things. <br />
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During this holiday time, I ask the readers and fans, what is your guilty pleasure? What do you gravitate towards, regardless of the status quo?<br />
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Happy holidays to you all - whatever you believe and celebrate, may it bring a smile to your face and those close around you.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07688474849589537472noreply@blogger.com0