Monthly Archives: September 2023

Excerpt Tour: Mind Expressions

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

I’m happy to welcome poet Alysha Potente. Today, Alysha shares her new release, Mind Expressions.

Blurb

This poetry book has a total of over 130 poems, and most feature alongside: beautiful photography art. All of the poems are different from the next, in meaning and technique.

Analytical in nature, each poem dives into various topics. With this are also syllable counts, where the number of syllables per line are counted and arranged. This brings forward a technical side to poetry writing, where it is precise and balanced.

It is a skill that requires practice, where you hear the word for what it is, using mathematics while rhyming words together. All of the poetry features different rhyming forms.

Excerpt

THIS SHAPE IS THAT OF A TRIANGLE.

This shape is that of a triangle..
Three times a 90 degree angle..
A trio side that makes it acute..
One 90 degree makes it obtuse..
These pyramid’s that are in Egypt..
Are written in a hieratic script..
The tip of the point reaches quite high..
A standout in the desert that’s dry..
Created these centuries ago..
Constructed by the Pharoah Khufu..
The biggest that’s built is in Giza..
Jump on a plane, paid with your Visa..
One of Seven Wonders of the World..
According to statistics it’s earned..
Explore the inside of it with tombs..
There’s many built in separate rooms..
It’s a triangle made of strong stone..
How they were truly built is unknown..
Three sides that form all these pyramids..
These people back then weren’t primitives..
It’s amazing to think how they’re built..
No cranes to help them being instilled..
Go visit them to see their beauty..
Egypt itself is stunning truly..
A desert of dreams upon hot sand..
Spacious with history on the land..

Syllables: 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9= perfect patterns.

Every two lines rhyme together.

Purchase Links

Amazon US | Amazon AU | Amazon CA | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Author Bio and Links

Alysha has been a self- taught creative writer, since the age of 16, in her hometown of Perth, Australia. Her passion for it developed on its own, the need to express herself in a different way other than verbally, was what motivated her to keep up this passion. The use of words was captivating for expression and the love of rhymes was also heard by ear.

Alysha’s first poetry book that she read was actually in Primary School and it was called ‘Revolting rhymes’, which was a retake on nursery rhymes but in a humorous way. This book started this creative side in her at a young age, that, and also her love for art in general.

In 2015 she studied a short course at Berklee, where she was introduced to the notion of syllable counts. In fact, though she had actually been doing syllable counts unconsciously with her poetry in general. By using the same measurement of lines going off of sight, had in turn created similar syllable counts/patterns in her work.

Her book ‘Mind Expressions’ is a technical side of poetry writing that’s come to life. It’s the use of mathematics, along with creative writing. She wanted to give the reader a breakdown of each poem within, in order for them to delve into each poem further and analyse it using a different set of eyes. The poems are analytical in nature, along with syllable counts (some perfect) and perfect rhymes. This really showcases poetry at the highest skill.

Alysha is multi-talented in Art itself and is also a perfectionist. For where her passion lies in different artforms, is where she crafts her skills to a perfection standpoint.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Giveaway

Alysha Potente will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour. Find out more here.

Follow Alysha on the rest of her Goddess Fish tour here.

What is Yours to Do?

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

On Wednesdays, I share posts, fables, songs, poems, quotations, TEDx Talks, cartoons, and books that have inspired and motivated me on my writing journey. I hope these posts will give writers, artists, and other creatives a mid-week boost.

Bestselling author Barbara O’Neal shared the following excellent advice in recent post on the Writer Unboxed blog:

A short time ago, a minister I knew passed away. We had not been in contact for quite a long time, but it was still piercing. He went too young, and it was a surprise, and as we all know, those are the deaths that catch us off guard, and I found myself thinking about him, about legacies, and what I learned from him. His most compelling physical trait was a twinkle in his eye, like he knew something magical he was about to impart.

And he did know magical things. The best thing I learned from him was something that keeps me company all the time:

What is mine to do?

What is MINE to do?

It’s a great phrase to keep in your back pocket. It can help sort out big and small questions alike: a busy holiday meal with too many people: what is mine to do here? Everything to make it the most perfect holiday of all time? Probably not. It’s probably more like feed everyone and make sure they all have a place to sit.

And a big question like, in writing, what is yours to do?

This is a pretty magical longing, this desire to write. Writing is healing, not just for you, but for the people who need your work, and I don’t mean in a self-help, elevated, or even literary way. Books don’t have to be mighty, big things to be powerful. Who among us has not been saved by a book, maybe many times?

I sure have been. So many times.

What is yours to do?

Who do you want to communicate with? Think about that. Maybe it’s your depressed, despairing 15- year-old self. Maybe it’s your professor from junior year in college, or your mom, or your future self, or the woman who is going through a divorce and doesn’t know how to get through it.

Elizabeth Gilbert wrote that book, Eat Pray Love, and the women who responded in such enormous numbers knew exactly what she was saying to them. She was saying, it’s going to be okay. You can do this. You will find magic if you are true to yourself.

Source: Writer Unboxed

Six More Second Acts

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

Since July 2013, I have interviewed over 150 women for the Second Act series on my blog. Originally, I had planned to feature only boomer women and their older sisters, but I have expanded to include women of all ages from across Canada, Australia, United States, and United Kingdom. The only criteria: an inspiring reinvention story.

Continue reading on the Soul Mate Authors blog.

Happy September!

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

September derives its name from the Latin word “septem,” which means “seven.” In the original Roman calendar, September was the seventh month of the year. That changed when the months of January and February were added.

Here are ten interesting facts about September:

1. The aster and the morning glory are September’s birth flowers. A symbol of love and patience, the aster comes in various colors, from purple and pink to white and red. The morning glory is a trumpet-shaped flower that blooms blue, pink, purple, and red. It symbolizes affection and mortality.

2. In the second verse of her poem, “September,” Mary Howitt provides the following vivid description:

There are flowers enough in the summertime,
More flowers than I can remember—
But none with the purple, gold, and red
That dye the flowers of September!

You can read Mary’s poem here.

3. The birthstone for September is sapphire. This gemstone is associated with loyalty and sincerity and is thought to encourage divine wisdom and protection. In the past, some people believed that if a sapphire was placed in a jar with a snake, the snake would die.

4. People born between August 23 and September 23 fall under the sign of Virgo, and those born later in the month fall under Libra. People born under Virgo are wise and highly analytical. Compassionate and empathetic, Libras dislike conflict and avoid confrontation.

5. September is a month of remembrance, a time to honor and remember those who have made sacrifices for their country: Patriot Day on September 11, POW/MIA Recognition Day on September 18, and Gold Star Mother’s Day on the last Sunday of September.

6. Labor Day, the first Monday of the month, is observed in Canada and the United States.

7. This year (2023), the Autumnal Equinox occurs on September 23. On this day, the sun is directly above the equator, and day and night are equal in length. In the Northern Hemisphere, this marks the start of fall.

8. September has been designated Hispanic Heritage Month, Blood Cancer Awareness Month, National Suicide Prevention Month, National Self-Improvement Month, National Chicken Month, and National Happy Cat Month.

9. Famous people born in September include Estee Lauder (September 1, 1908), Keanu Reeves (September 2, 1964), Beyoncé (September 4, 1981), Colin Firth (September 10, 1960), Sophia Loren (September 20, 1934), and Stephen King (September 21, 1947).

10. September has more pop and classic songs with its name in the title than any other month. Some of the more famous songs include “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire, “September Song” by Frank Sinatra, “It Might as Well Rain Until September” by Carole King, “Maybe September” by Tony Bennett, and (my favorite) “See You in September” by The Happenings.