Blog Archives
Late In the Day
We all sit and think about the future and what’s to come. What should we expect when a tragedy befalls us? Such as losing a loved one. We shake at the mere thought of it. Brett Shapiro’s thought-provoking book, Late in The Day, explores this emotional strife in a thoughtful and candid way that makes the idea approachable.
This enlightening book follows three individuals in three different settings; all wandering in a very similar path in life however. Honey, Hank, and Seth find themselves feeling this sense of detachment in life due to troubled personal circumstances with their spouses, or late spouses. Hank’s wife, Marilyn, died five years ago. His children live afar, leaving him on his own for most of the time except for on special occasions. Seth is left with Winston, his dog, following his divorce with his husband, Yoni. Honey lives with her husband, but not really. Having minimum interactions as they see each other in passing, to sleeping in different rooms to his sudden death. All three are fighting their own battles, but on similar grounds; isolation on Florida’s coastline.
Readers follow the three as they encounter each other due to their similar ritual of a solitary walk on the beach at five in the morning. Their friendship develops further with every step and every walk. Through this friendship the three find the companionship they’ve subconsciously been longing for and find solace in each other.
Late in the Day explores the harsh realities of life and conveys interesting ideas through a unique and uncensored perspective. This heartfelt story also gives a sense of hope to readers and teaches a valuable lesson. Companionship doesn’t just come from a romantic relationship; it could also come from friendship. And no matter what stage in life you are, it’s never too late to make friends!
One of my favorite sayings from the book is an exchange between Hank and Honey, where Hank says, “Nothing belongs to us. We don’t possess anything.” To which Honey responds, “but there are certain things that we cling to anyway, as if our life depended on it. For me, it’s this place. If this place has to change, I want to have a say.” This is a profound exchange that reflects the contemplative feel of the whole book.
Pages: 358 | ASIN: 1639885331
Pearl, Our Butterfly
Pearl, Our Butterfly by Tuula Pere navigates the very difficult subject of loss of life with a beautifully written book that handles a tragic yet memorable journey that is the life of Pearl. Pearl is Jacob’s younger sister, and since her birth, she has encountered many challenges and requires ongoing care due to a disability and many medical issues. Pearl’s big brother, who has experienced several milestones, including recently starting school, has just adjusted to becoming a sibling and must now learn how to grieve the loss of his sister.
From the moment Jacob and Pearl meet, he becomes her biggest fan and supporter. Jacob worries that she will never come home when his small sister is moved into a hospice facility. It is during this process that Jacob and his parents must face the tragedy of loss, which is a traumatic event for anyone. I admire how the author handles a complicated but important topic with such grace and support, which helps children articulate their feelings and understand how grieving is a natural part of the loss.
Pere highlights the importance of communication and support, a crucial part of healing after losing someone. The author cleverly shows how a whirlwind of emotions and pain is to be expected and how it is possible to achieve a sense of peace and acceptance in time. Jacob’s character showcases many real emotions which mirror what many people experience after the death of a loved one. The author brilliantly illustrates death through the transformation of a butterfly coming out of a chrysalis. Like Pearl, the butterfly is no longer confined to a cocoon and is finally released to be free. Pearl, Our Butterfly is a helpful book for children dealing with loss and shows them that it is possible to see the light through the darkness.
Pages: 32 | ASIN: B07NKSLM6N
Lacie’s Moon
Lacie has recently lost two people in her family that she loved dearly. One night, while struggling to cope with the loss, her mother tells her a story about the girl who rides the moon. As Lacie drifts off to sleep she embarks on a fantastic adventure where she meets the moon and learns about love and loss. But is it just a dream? Or did it all really happen?
Author Natcole Staskiewicz has created a heartfelt children’s book that will help children understand love, grief and deal with loss. This exquisite kids book is like a fairy tale. The reader and Lacie are not sure if it actually happened until the wonderful twist at the end. This is an imaginative picture book that explores loss and love in a unique way that will be easy for young kids to understand.
Every other page is illustrated with sharp kawaii pop art. These vivid images bring a vibrant quality to the whole book and ensures that, even though the subject matter may be a little sad, the book feels lively. The art was my favorite part of the book. This could easily be a comic series. I would love to see Lacie go on many more adventures.
Lacie’s Moon is a beautiful children’s book that will be perfect for elementary school kids that are starting to read on their own. It would also be great for parents to read to smaller children at bedtime as the brilliant illustrations will surely keep their attention while adults read the story to them. This is an educational story about a tough subject but author Natcole Staskiewicz handles it with grace.
Pages: 59 | ASIN: B0B3NB4P15
Create a Grand Exit
What was the idea, or spark, that first set off the need to write Making Your Mark | Leaving a Legacy | And then… A Grand Exit That’ll Have Their Tongues Waggin’?
Several years ago, a friend, who was a “parrothead” – a big Jimmy Buffett fan – passed away. His Celebration of Life was held at an open air bar along the lake, and the minister started the service by saying, “I never thought I’d say this at a funeral, but let’s all go to Margaritaville!” Then, someone pushed the button on a sound system and Jimmy Buffett’s song, ‘Margaritaville,’ blasted over the sound system. On cue, someone drove a small tractor from behind a building pulling the deceased guy’s boat. The place went wild and the “Celebration” was on. We sang, we told stories, we ate, drank, and danced. What a party!
At that moment I thought to myself, “This is the way to make your exit from this world so no one will forget you for a long, long time. From there, I set out to write a book about making a mark on family, friends, and society throughout one’s life and leaving a legacy for future generations. A big part of the book would be how to create a Grand Exit from this world with class, style, and pizzazz, just like my friend’s Celebration of Life by the lake. The result is this book, MAKING YOUR MARK, LEAVING A LEGACY, AND THEN . . . A GRAND EXIT THAT’LL HAVE THEIR TONGUES WAGGIN’.
Did you find anything in your research of this book that surprised you?
One thing that surprised me in writing this book was that most of the information in the book was from my own personal experiences or from observations of other people. However, in researching unique ways to donate a deceased person’s body for medical purposes, I was amazed at some of the possibilities, such as donating a body to use as a crash test “dummy.” And, there are other uses that are just as unique.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were younger?
When I was younger, I just assumed that everyone I knew and loved would always be in my life forever but, of course, that is not true. Impressing on me that life is uncertain and that treasuring every moment spent with a friend or loved one is precious would have been good advice.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
I hope that his book inspires people to live in a way that makes a positive mark on their family, friends, and society and that leaves a legacy for future generations. Then, when it is time to leave this world, I hope that they are inspired to make a Grand Exit that will awe, amuse, and entertain their family and friends so no one forgets them for a long long time.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon
When the time comes for you to leave this world, you can go out with class, style, and pizzazz, just like you lived your life, There are many options, possibilities, and decisions involved in planning a final farewell as we will see as we watch the Grand Exit of Timothy A.B. Smythe. Timothy’s Grand Exit will have people’s tongues waggin’ for a long time and it can serve as an inspiration for your final farewell, when the time comes.
Much of the information in the book is presented in true stories, scenarios, and examples that are upbeat, often humorous, and fun to read.
Grief Is Unique
Sixteen Days is an emotional memoir and enlightening handbook on grief. Why was this an important book for you to write?
It was important to write the book as so many people said to me, and to my family “I don’t know what to say” when my niece, Mary-Lou died. And I’d been in a similar position too, when attempting to support friends and colleagues who’d experienced bereavements. Whilst grief is unique, there are some things which, in my view, are probably helpful to many people. I wanted to share these to help other people feel more confident to know what to say, when someone dies.
What is one thing many people struggle with while grieving and what advice would you give them?
One thing is the weight of other people’s expectations. This is something I think many find hard. There can be expectations that the grieving person might behave in a certain way, and their journey of recovery, in the sense of feeling better, will be linear and will get better over time. I’d advise grieving people to be aware that despite what other people might think, say or do, it’s OK to feel the way you do. Go at your own pace, listen to yourself, work out what helps you to feel a bit better than you do right now – and do more of that.
What is one thing someone can do to support someone else that is grieving. And what is one thing they should not do?
If you’re trying to support grieving people, the best advice I can offer is to be there. You don’t have to fix the grieving person – despite how much you’d like to – be there to listen, to empathise, to agree that it’s utterly awful that their loved one has died and listen and watch for their cues on how you can help them. There’s no universal truth on the right or wrong things to do – but one I’d say is quite surely something to avoid is making assumptions about how the person is thinking or feeling. Whilst tempting, it’s thought to be unhelpful to suggest you “know how they feel” – even if you’ve experienced the same bereavement, all relationships are unique so the grief will be, too.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your book?
I hope readers take away some really practical things that anyone can do in the very early days following a death and, as such, they will feel more comfortable speaking to grievers. Many readers have said they’ll refer back to the book and that’s great to think I’ve created a resource that people might want to return to.
Author Interview: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
She’s 22.
Everyone wants to help. Few know what to say and do.
Sad, funny, honest accounts. All true.
How we were supported, what worked for us, and what experts say.
Read Sixteen Days by Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, Victoria Wilson-Crane, Ph.D. Be confident supporting others in shock and grief.
Best Friends Forever: A Puppy’s Tale
Getting a new pet is an exciting time for a family, especially children. When four-year-old Scoopie wants a puppy for her birthday, her parents agree it is time to get a pet for the family. When the day comes to pick up their new family member Scoopie is filled with anticipation and excitement to meet her new puppy sister. It is love at first sight, and Sandy and Scoopie instantly become best friends.
One day it comes time for Scoopie’s family to move. Sandy has to ride in the cargo area of a plane. After this trip, Sandy is not the same. It turns out Sandy has Epilepsy, and the family must learn how to care for her when she has seizures. Scoopie still loves her best friend and enjoys all the good times they have together because she never would know when the next seizure would be too much for Sandy.
Author Portia Yvette Clare has written an emotional children’s book about love, loss, and friendship. Best Friends Forever: A Puppy’s Tale shares a realistic story about how sometimes life is not fair and does not go the way we want. Lossing a beloved pet is hard, and trying to explain things to young children can be a challenge. But, they need to know they are not alone, and this heartfelt book gives kids the reassurance that their feelings are valid and normal.
Illustrator Lisa Alderson brings this story to life with her vibrant and beautiful images. Scoopie’s emotions are realistic and capture the story’s pivotal moments helping younger readers follow even if they don’t understand all the words.
Scoopie’s character is strong, accepting that her best friend is sick and defending her against her cousin’s insensitive behavior. She shows maturity when Sandy dies and acceptance, and rather than running right out and getting a new pet, she takes time to grieve. Teaching children how to accept death
Best Friends Forever: A Puppy’s Tale is a beautifully written children’s book dealing with the emotions surrounding friendship, love, and loss. Through the story of a girl and her puppy, children will see that feelings of grief are a normal part of life.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B09M6KD3XY
I Infuse Raw Emotion and Honesty Into My Work
Guiding Spirits: (Veritas) is a collection of poetry from your mid-twenties. What made you decide to publish these poems now?
Frankly, I decided to publish now because the conditions were finally right. In regards to poetry, there are only two ways to get published – a publishing company or self-publishing. Most publishing houses don’t really want to deal with poetry unless it comes from a well-known person because then they have a chance for their endeavor to be cost-effective. Self-publishing, until at least fifteen years ago, was always done at great cost to the poet/author. You had to publish so many books, and if they didn’t sell, then you ate that cost and were stuck with a lot of books.
Self-publishing today is completely different. The only cost to the poet is their time and effort to complete their work, and then get it published on platforms like Amazon Kindle Publishing. Only a book that gets ordered gets published and the poet gets a percentage of the royalties that would have gone to the publisher or their agent otherwise. An author can take their destiny into their own hands. They don’t have to face dozens of rejections from publishers who often let writers like J.K. Rowling slide through their fingers because their opinions are subjective. Independent, self-publishing allows that book to get out into the universe to be bought by readers based on their preferences – not what the publisher thinks readers may or may not like.
I’ll take my chances on the readers. My books will either sell or not sell depending on their own merits . . . and authors and poets like me can now get their work out into the universe when they would never have been given that opportunity before with the technology that hadn’t existed until about fifteen years ago.
What was it like going back and reading these poems at this point in your life? Do they still resonate with where you are currently in life?
One of my greatest concerns was that I had been self-delusional in my youth and maybe my poetry wasn’t as good as I remembered it to be. My poetry style today is much more complicated and definitely less repetitious. I was really surprised at how well the poetry had held up over time. I think it was because of the raw emotion and honesty I was able to infuse into my work. It definitely was like a diary entry for me. My stepfather had died around this time period, so it made me question everything, including my place in the universe. I could still relate to the poetry because of that emotion.
What poem from this collection has held the most meaning for you and why?
My favorite poem in the book is “Sweet Music.” I just love the rhythmic movement of it and the imagery. It’s about the ultimate expression of a woman and a man’s love. Lovemaking is more than about the physicality of the act – when done right, it is the blending of two souls into the closest thing human beings can attain towards bringing Heaven to Earth.
Do you plan to publish additional collections of poetry written from this stage of your life?
Yes, there will be many more poetry books to come. By the end of the year, I’ll have two more poetry books published. They still have a simplicity and emotional honesty to them, but they cover stages in my life throughout the years. Guiding Spirits was about opening myself to the universe. The next book is about the anger of realizing I gave away my power to others and taking it back. The third poetry book is how my journey of self-discovery transforms my life.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
The beauty of poetry is that we try to express with the fewest words possible the entirety of life and our natures and what it is like for us to live upon this planet. Words become a song that we sing out into the universe, trying to reach out to like-minded souls. It is our nature to express ourselves and share who we are with the cosmos. There’s a certain fearlessness attached to a poem when it’s presented to the world. There’s always that one iota of fear where the poet feels that they are alone in their views and someone else will not get them at their most basic level of humanity. Poetry is saying, “Here I am universe. Take me as I am. I hope you love me, but, if that cannot happen, I will be satisfied if you just don’t ignore me.” To be heard is to matter, and that is all any of us want – to fulfill the wish that our lives matter. That what we think and feel and hope matters to someone other than ourselves.
This book is an exploration and experiencing of the world around us through the poet’s eyes when she was much younger than she is now. Through any age, we all experience the same emotions, desires, wants, dreams, and just a heart-felt wish that we matter to someone in this universe – even if it’s ourselves.
You Can Have a Fulfilling Next Chapter
Learning to Dance in the Rain II shares your personal story of loss and grief and provides insightful advice on recovery and dating. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I felt like it was my mission to share my story so others could learn from my advice and experiences and avoid my mistakes.
What is one piece of advice you received that has helped you the most throughout your life?
To not waste time thinking about what you should have done differently that might have prolonged your partner’s life.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I had several objectives for writing this book. 1) to share vital information so others can recognize when they are being “tricked” by criminals who paint a beautiful romantic future, only to steal their victims’ money. 2) to help widows and widowers have a “healthy” grieving journey, that it is okay to cry and to feel bad about their loss, and that it is also okay at some point to move forward and to build a happy, new life with a new partner if that is what they want to do. 3) to give some relationship tips to help others communicate better.
What do you hope is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?
That they can now make better decisions in their relationships so they can have a fulfilling next chapter.
Author Links: Twitter
Should they decide to date again, Wagner offers the pros and cons of senior dating and internet dating while exposing the techniques of deceitful romance scammers. Wagner knows! She has learned the hard way and shares her knowledge to help raise awareness and educate others so they can protect themselves physically, emotionally and financially. Learn from a master! The life (or inheritance) you save may be your own!
LITERARY TITAN 