In libras libertas
Things are moving along at an exciting pace and I have selected/approved the artwork for my soon-to-be published poetry book. The most exciting part and the reason for this update? I have approved the artwork for the cover and wanted to share it with you! Let me know what you think!!
I used to only read one book at a time, but more recently I usually have 2-4 on the go at a time, almost always different genres, and I find it helps keep things interesting. Of course, there are times when I get hooked on a series or an author and that becomes my only focus.
At this time I am reading the following books and will provide reviews upon completion:
Heart of the Machine by Richard Yonck is one of the many books I have lined up as research for my current Sci-Fi/Fantasy novel (work in progress). The book deals with Artificial Emotional Intelligence and what it means for future human/AI interactions…think Siri or Alexa but they adjust themselves based on emotional cues from you, not just predicted patterns. Obviously that is a major over simplification but I will give more details when I complete my review for this book.
Plato’s The Republic has long been on my TBR (To Be Read) pile. I love philosophy and I love the way it makes me think on a deeper more purposeful level. This read is purely for pleasure. Who knows, maybe there might be some philosophical blog posts in the future…
History Brought Alive is a company that specializes in providing works with concise, factual and easily digested information from history and mythology. Available also as audiobooks, they are great for anyone who wants to dig deeper into ancient history or a particular mythology. I am super pumped to be reading about Ancient Egypt. This is not the first book I have read by this company and I hope it won’t be the last. They even have versions geared specifically for children which is awesome in this age of e-learning and more people finding themselves home-schooling. I received my copy in exchange for an honest review from Book Sirens. This book is also one I am reading purely for my own enjoyment and love of all things historical.
If you are currently reading something you just have to share with the world, feel free to comment and maybe give me some ideas for my TBR pile 😉
This morning I received the exciting news that my poetry book, titled ” Inside My Head,” has completed the editing process!! I am very grateful for this whole experience. While the book is small (only 21 poems), it is still mine and will forever be my very first published written work. I can’t wait to share it with the world!
7 years ago today, my world dimmed a little when my Grandma died. I visited with her nearly every day, drinking tea, chatting about anything and everything. Sometimes I would stay long enough to watch her “programs” with her, like the Bold and the Beautiful or Ellen. There isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t think of her but I am so grateful to have so many wonderful memories. I decided to post one of my poems from my soon to be published poetry book in today’s post, the one I wrote about her.
She would drink coffee
And I would drink tea
We enjoyed spending time
Sometimes hours, her, and me
Whether telling old stories
Or discussing what’s new
My time spent with Grandma
Brought me joy, through and through
She was thoughtful and funny
And her jokes were the best
She could bake like no other,
Oh, how we were blessed
Not a single day passes
When I don’t wish to be
Spending more time with Grandma
Drinking coffee and tea
Inside My Head © 2021
Alicia Doyle
I received a free copy of this title from the author via Voracious Readers Only! I am so grateful that I did…
I was hooked from the first line of this book. I always know I am going to enjoy a book when I can picture everything in my minds eye as I read. When I began on the first page, Hansch’s evocative writing teleported me directly in to the Empire of the Dragon. The first character introduced, Celia, appealed to me immediately and I found her very relatable.
The story takes no time at all to get interesting. The setting and subject matter cover some of my favourite topics including magic, the spirit realm and how people relate to both. In this story, individuals are born with an affinity to one or multiple elements. It reminds me a bit of the story of the Avatar and the four elemental nations. I like this concept as it reminds me of our personalities and how we can be born with certain gifts that others are not. I think the story explores the concept of not living “awakened” to that gift is akin to living with a sickness and you cannot be whole and healthy without embracing what makes you special; who you truly are…even if it could mean that you are trading one evil for another…that of standing all alone and facing a world you thought you knew only to have the brutal truth of reality come crashing in on you.
I can hardly wait to get my hands on the next book from this author. I absolutely recommend to all fantasy lovers out there.
I recently participated in a 21 Day Poetry Writing Challenge. Essentially, the goal was to write one poem per day or if your schedule doesn’t allow for a daily commitment, as long as you write all 21 poems and have them submitted by the deadline, it counts. The company holding the challenge is BookLeaf Publishing and the fee was $50. By completing the challenge, you would get to have your poetry published. Now, there are lots of warnings out there to avoid vanity publishers (companies that charge the author money, sometimes ridiculous amounts, to get published) but so far, my experience with this challenge has been overly positive, and I have definitely wasted $50 on other less permanent adventures. I think its very cool for a small commitment and relatively modest fee, I can have a published written work that I can gift to others or enjoy myself. Completing the competition allows gets your work copyrighted, and an IBSN, and your book becomes available for purchase. All the relevant info is available on their website: Writeathon Canada | BookLeaf Publishing
There are options after you complete the challenge to “upgrade” your package, but they are not required. I decided to go ahead and upgrade which gave me access to a publishing consultant, some editing services and a few other details explained on the website. I received notification TODAY that my book of poems has entered the editing stage and I have seen the initial draft and can say I am quite pleased with the whole process so far. If this sounds like something cool, go check out the website. I get nothing in return for mentioning this whole thing, but I thought it was a neat experience and more people should embrace their creative side. I will continue to update as I move through the process!
“Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming anything. Maybe it’s about unbecoming everything that isn’t really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place.”
-Paulo Coelho
Expressing myself through writing has always been easier than speaking for me. I suppose it was inevitable that I should find an author inside when I looked deep enough. 2021 has been the “official” start of this journey for me although I have always loved writing. Anything. Everything. Some things I have learned so far about myself and writing are:
My hope is to write about this journey of embracing and growing the author within, so if you feel up to it, feel free to tag along.
I’ve always been better at writing than speaking so I guess it makes sense that I would eventually become an author. I am Alicia, voracious reader, and aspiring author. I’m also a mom of 4 boys and a military wife. My hope for this site is to be a place where I can talk about books I’ve read, share my thoughts and my writing, and eventually have it act as an intermediary between me and anyone who wants to know more. Welcome to Word Haven, and make yourself comfortable.
Alicia's Word Haven