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National Hispanic Heritage Month

Maria Cox — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 12:02:58 +0000

National Hispanic Heritage Month Maria Cox Sat, 09/16/2023 - 08:02

Photograph: www.pexels.com

In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, I present to you five world renowned Hispanic authors you should get to know. Please see below in alphabetical order:

Isabel Allende is a Chilean writer who also pens in the “magic realist” tradition. In 2004, Allende was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and she received Chile’s National Literature Prize in 2010.

Jorge Luis Borges was an Argentine short-story writer, essayist, poet, and translator. But he was much more than that. Borges contributed to the so-called philosophical literature movement, and he became a literary icon beyond frontiers, though never recognized with a Nobel Prize.

Carlos Fuentes was a Mexican novelist and essayist. This great author was honored with the Miguel de Cervantes Prize as well as Mexico’s highest award, the Belisario Dominguez Medal of Honor. Fuentes, like Borges, never won the Nobel Prize.

Gabriel Garcia Marquez also known as ‘Gabo’, was a Colombian novelist, short-story writer and journalist. He was one of the most significant Latino writers of the 20th century known for popularizing a literary style labeled as ‘magic realism’. Garcia Marquez was awarded with the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982.

Mario Vargas Llosa is a Peruvian-Spanish writer, a politician, a journalist, and essayist. He won the 2010 Nobel Prize in Literature and is one of Latin America’s most significant writers.

Hispanics have had a profound positive influence on our country through a strong commitment to family, faith, and hard work. To lean more, visit http://hispanicheritagemonth.gov/

Source: Wikipedia

Ever onwards friends,

Blog tags

National Hispanic Heritage Month, Hispanic, Hispanic heritage, author, writer, academy, arts, short-story, essayist, literature, icon, Nobel Prize, Mexican, Chilean, Argentinian, Colombian , Peruvian , Latin America

Flash Fiction

Maria Cox — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 12:04:16 +0000

Flash Fiction Maria Cox Tue, 06/27/2023 - 08:04

Photo: Writer's Digest Magazine - May/June Edition

Hello Friends,

I want to talk briefly about a form of writing I discovered nearly a decade ago: Flash Fiction.

Flash fiction is a short form of storytelling defined by the number of words and/or sentences. All in all, flash fiction is any writing material more than 75 words up to 1,000 words, some flash fiction writers stretch the limit as far as 2,000 words.

Though by definition the context of flash fiction is to remain extremely short, it is not a venue that tolerates fragmented writing. Writers of flash fiction need to master the art of expressive vocabulary and the art of word constraints, a world in which every word is essential. Writing short is all about making an impact with the fewest words.

The Appeal

We live in a society that feeds us information at lightning speed, it stands to reason that with flash fiction providing instant gratification that this form of writing has gained popularity.

Resources

There are several publications that can help explain in depth the flash fiction phenomenon, see links below.

https://www.flashfictiononline.com/

https://flashfictionmagazine.com/

Happy writing!

Blog tags

Flash fiction, storytelling, writing, writers, instant gratification, vocabulary, publications

A Tribute to The Women in My Life

Maria Cox — Sun, 05 Mar 2023 19:54:16 +0000

A Tribute to The Women in My Life Maria Cox Sun, 03/05/2023 - 14:54

Photo: Getty Images

Hello friends,

On International Women’s Day we celebrate women who have made notable contributions to the betterment of society, locally and globally.

On a personal note, I want to pay tribute to the women in my life. Take my mother, a strong-willed, proud woman, she instilled good work ethics: be present, work hard, and do the best job you can, whatever your trade, R.I.P. Mama. My daughter - who's blossomed into an ambitious young woman - thank you for being in my life. And to my younger sisters, who have always kept things real, thank you for your love, counsel and support.

Don't forget to thank the women in your life!

#EmbraceEquity, #IWD2023, #8M2023

Source: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Blog tags

Celebrate, contributions, daughter, ethics, fortunate, globally, international women's day, locally, manager, notable, role models, sister, tribute, woman, women, female

A Day of Service

Maria Cox — Mon, 16 Jan 2023 02:28:10 +0000

A Day of Service Maria Cox Sun, 01/15/2023 - 21:28

Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels

In the United States (U.S.), Civil Rights Day, or Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day, is an annual observance marked on the third Monday in January. This holiday celebrates the movement started by Dr. King to end racism and inequality in the U.S. In 1994, Congress passed a bill to dedicate the holiday as a National Day of Service.

On MLK day, we take time to honor Dr. King’s legacy. Below are three service ideas to do in your community.

Donate to food banks/pantries

Deliver meals and/or groceries to vulnerable seniors

Perform a random act of kindness

Best.

Sources:

https://nationaltoday.com/

https://www.doi.gov/pmb/eeo/mlk-day-service

Blog tags

Civil Rights Day, Martin Luther King, MLK, holiday, racism inequality, congress, National Day of Service, honor, service ideas, community, donate, food bank vulnerable seniors

New Year | New Plans

Blog Admin — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 03:44:55 +0000

New Year | New Plans Blog Admin Thu, 12/29/2022 - 22:44

Making New Year's resolutions is an age-old tradition.

In a recent study, researchers found that about 60 percent of us make New Year's resolutions but only about 8 percent are successful in achieving them. Are you curious to see how your resolutions stack up? Read on.

Below is a list of the top 10 New Year's resolutions (according to a survey of 2,000 people)

1. Diet or eat healthier

2. Exercise more

3. Lose weight

4. Save more and spend less

5. Learn a new skill or hobby

6. Quit smoking

7. Read more

8. Find another job

9. Drink less alcohol

10. Spend more time with family and friends

Do you have any of these resolutions on your list?

Blog tags

DIET, EXERCISE, HAPPINESS, HEALTHIER, HOBBY, NEW YEAR, NEW YEAR'S, NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION, RESOLUTIONS, SKILL, SMOKING, SUCCESS

Christmas Around the World

Blog Admin — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 18:45:04 +0000

Christmas Around the World Blog Admin Fri, 12/23/2022 - 13:45

Christmas in Australia

In Australia, it is tradition in the weeks leading up to Christmas to join in Christmas picnics organized by churches and sing Christmas carols on the beach, particularly on Bondi Beach near Sydney.

Christmas in Brazil

In Brazil, you will often find a ‘presepio’, a crib or nativity scene, in front of a church. ‘Papai Noel’, or Father Christmas, travels from Greenland to Brazil to give presents to kids. The floating Christmas tree in Rio de Janeiro is said to be the largest Christmas tree in the world. In Brazil, you say ‘Bom Natal’ or ‘Boas Festes’ if you wish somebody Merry Christmas.

Christmas in Italy

In Italy, a nativity scene, a ‘presepe’, is usually set up in churches, town squares and people’s homes. This is for many the most important part of the Christmas decorations.

In Italy, the people wish each other ‘Buon Natale’, which means Merry Christmas.

Christmas in Singapore

Only about 19% of the population of Singapore are Christians, but Christmas is still a widely celebrated holiday. The shopping street on Orchard Road where there's a very big light display.

There's even a Christmas Theme Park in Singapore called Christmas Wonderland. It's a popular place to visit for locals and tourists, alike. Outside St. Andrew's Cathedral there is a life size Nativity Scene. Popular Christmas foods include 'western' things like Roast Turkey, although they might be floured with ginger and chili to make them especially Singaporean.

Christmas in South Africa

In South Africa, on Christmas Day the family gathers at a ‘braai’, which is the South African version of a barbecue (BBQ).

Some people will leave stockings for Father Christmas (“Kersvader” is what we call Santa). Some will open presents on Christmas Eve at 12 midnight, others will do it first thing Christmas morning. The shops and malls are decorated festively and carols are played as early as October.

Source: https://www.kids-world-travel-guide.com/christmas-around-the-world.html

Happy Holidays!

Are You Really a Writer?

Maria Cox — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 21:25:40 +0000

Are You Really a Writer? Maria Cox Thu, 12/01/2022 - 16:25

Some people believe that unless you’re consumed by the desire to write that you’re likely not a ‘committed’ writer. After all, if you really really wanted to be a writer more than anything else in the world, you’d simply write more and be farther along with your novel, right? Hmm, maybe not.

In my opinion, single-minded writers (who eat, live, and breathe writing) are the exception and not the rule. The truth is that we all lead extremely busy lives, we are moms, dads (mom/dad in many cases), husbands and wives, not to mention ‘committed’ employees, so the task of writing even 100 words in a day may seem like a gargantuan task.

Let me say this, you’re no less a writer than the person who pours over countless pages of written material. What makes someone a committed writer – more than anything – is being consistent, writing and/or editing every day. Moreover, on days when writing is slow to come, grab a book! And for those who don’t realize this: reading is an extension of writing.

In closing, I hope you already have writing goals for 2023, and if not, no time like the present.

Happy planning!

Maria

Blog tags

write, writer, writing, novel, read, reading, editing, book, goals, planning, new year

Why Writers Write

Blog Admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 20:40:37 +0000

Why Writers Write Blog Admin Thu, 09/01/2022 - 16:40

Recently, while doing research I found several excellent articles about women and writing. I also found a set of Ted Talk podcasts from two well-known women writers, Isabel Allende and Amy Tan.

It was Ms. Tan’s account of childhood experiences and Ms. Allende’s Tales of Passion that got me thinking about how our experiences shape us and how they bleed into our own unique creative realm. As such, each story we weave has the potential to invoke a wide range of emotions in our readers.

As one would imagine writers from all walks of life have very different reasons for writing. Below is a common thread among modern day writers:

Leave a legacy

If you write a book well and publish it, you may actually leave something behind that can last forever.

Incite

Writers write what the world is like as they see it. Writers ask the difficult questions. And, this boundless curiosity is the foundation that opens the doors to discussing difficult topics.

To stay sane

To write the endings we wish to see in the world. To make peace with the things we cannot control.

Why do you write?

Blog tags

LABELS: FOUNDATION, INCITE, LEGACY, PASSION, RESEARCH, TALES, TALK, WOMEN WRITERS, WRITERS, WRITING

Writing Takes Center Stage

Blog Admin — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 21:03:24 +0000

Writing Takes Center Stage Blog Admin Tue, 08/30/2022 - 17:03

Making writing a priority!

I started the road back to writing every day since January 2022, I'm also committed to: journaling, blogging, writing articles and book reviews; all this is sure to keep the creative juices flowing.

As an author I've set daily and weekly writing goals.

Pulled out the Idea Board
Developed a writer's schedule
Enlisted an Accountability Partner (AP)

Whatever your goals, set a plan in motion today. Write your plan down then tell your family, your friends, even co-workers. "Why?" you ask. A month from now when life settles back into a routine and the well-intentioned resolutions fall by the wayside, you'll need the accountability factor. So when your neighbor asks "How's the writing coming along?" you'll proudly say, "It's going great!"

Happy Writing!

Maria

Blog tags

LABELS: AUTHOR, BLOGGING, BOOK, REVIEWS,BOOKS, CHALLENGE, CREATIVE, GOODREADS, PARTNER, PLAN, RESOLUTIONS, WRITER, WRITING, YEAR

The Big Apple Contest

Maria Cox — Sun, 31 Jul 2022 14:36:16 +0000

The Big Apple Contest Maria Cox Sun, 07/31/2022 - 10:36

Hello Friends!

I'm excited to announce RWA/NYC yearly contest, see below:

Eligibility:

This contest is opened to all published and unpublished authors.
First chapter of a romance that has not been published in any form. There is a limit of 25 pages. *Please note if your first chapter is less than 25 pages, you should not submit another chapter. Only the first chapter of the manuscript will be read.*

Timeline:

Contest Opens: July 1, 2022
Contest Closes: August 31, 2022
Finalists Announced: October 21, 2022
Winners Announced: December 3, 2022

Judging:

First Round: Romance Authors
Final Round: Meghan Farrell, Managing Editor, Tule Publishing

For details, visit RWA/NYC site.

Good luck!

Blog tags

romance, contest, authors, romance author, tule publishing, publishing