“From online research there are two basic things your blog needs to be “legal”. A disclosure policy if you are earning anything from your blog and a privacy policy if you collect any of the user’s data (such as email). Simple enough right? Well no!”
Head over to see the full article on how to make your blog legal on JustNaya.com
http://justnaya.com/2018/03/22/making-your-blog-legal-the-lazy-way/
He dragged his scythe
Across war torn lands
Tired of souls to collect
Blisters covering his hands
His pale flesh clung to bones
Head bowed in his cape
Armies for the thrones
The torn up landscape
Blackened smoke
Destruction
Tears of loss
Anger and frustration
Innocent blood spilt
A life cut too short
He slices through the ties
Freed soul from its body
Reaper sheds a tear
An innocent child’s body
Twisted, void and empty
*****
For Day 15, the challenge was to write “a poem in which a villain faces an unfortunate situation, and is revealed to be human (but still evil). Perhaps this could mean the witch from Hansel & Gretel has lost her beloved cat, and is going about the neighborhood sticking up heart-wrenching “Lost Cat” signs, but still finds human children delicious. Maybe Blackbeard the Pirate is lost at sea in an open boat, remembering how much he loved his grandmother (although he will still kill the first person dumb enough to scoop him from the waves).”
I’ve made it half way through, learnt more than I expected and feel motivated that I can make it to the end of 30 days.
In character development, I often spend as much time thinking about what motivates my villain (antagonist) as well as my MC. I think a well written Villain is as crucial as a well written MC.
My spin off novel from Drift, is Glide. It follows Kiara’s story and her heart break getting dumped and her struggle to accept she is enough. In Drift, she’s the rival love interest and the MC views her as being beautiful and perfect – I enjoyed exposing how insecure Kiara is despite how others perceive her.
For this, I feel I need to choose a Villain that is identifiable by most people. However, my favourite villains are well developed characters like Cat Woman or Poison Ivy who is a criminal but also has some good morales. I feel I need to think of one that is well known but only for their dark side… Grim Reaper.
Here is what it means
If you dream of a tea cup
This symbol represents your soul
First identify the state of the cup
*****
If the cup is clean and looks pristine
You are not taking enough risks
If the cup is dirty and stained
You are living life to its fullest
*****
If the cup is full of tea
Your playing safe being traditional
If the cup has another drink
You are a unique kind of special
****
If the cup is empty
Oh dear, this is not good
You need to throw a party
Be the mad hatter of your neighbourhood
*****
If the cup has an abstract pattern
You need to eat some cake
If the cup has pretty flowers
You will soon be late
*****
If none of these descriptions
Is a good fit for you and your tea cup
Then back to bed you must go
Too early you woke up
*****
For Day 14, the challenge was “And now for our prompt (optional, as always). Dream dictionaries have been around as long as people have had dreams. Interestingly, if you consult a few of them, they nearly always tend to have totally different things to say about specific objects or symbols. Dreams, unlike words themselves, don’t seem to be nicely definable! At any rate, today’s prompt is to write entries for an imaginary dream dictionary. Pick one (or more) of the following words, and write about what it means to dream of these things:
Teacup
Hammer
Seagull
Ballet slipper
Shark
Wobbly table
Dentist
Rowboat”
How can you write a definition as a poem? This idea seemed ludicrous and then… I was inspired by the tea cup.
I’ve always wanted an Alice in Wonderland tea party and almost had one as the theme for the baby’s ‘Gender Reveal’ party. I wanted that party to be about Noah getting a brother or sister (not about me). A blog post is coming next week on the party.
You may see as the poem gets more and more crazy a few wonderland themes sneak in.
My husband and I decided that after several years as homeowners, it was time to dare to take on a big improvement project. We’ve always been a little frightened to do something like this and it costs a lot of money so it was really big deal for us. We decided to get a new bathroom.
Our old bathroom has served us well. It has a massive cupboard that has been a really useful storage space and everything works. I don’t like the mirror above the toilet as things fall out the cabinet and into the bowel and I can’t see myself brushing my teeth… and I like to see myself brushing my teeth.
When we remortgaged we borrowed a little extra to do up the bathroom. We then spent months decided who to go with and what to have done. We chose a local firm (Opal Bathrooms) as we knew people that had used them with good results – one of our fears was a cowboy leaving us with an unusable bathroom.
Jimmy (from Opal Bathrooms) talked us through the pros and cons of different options like tiles or panels, heated floors, towel rails, etc. He drew up diagrams of how the bathroom would look and let us take catalogs so we could change items if we wished. We spent many Saturdays in the showroom comparing floor and wall tiles together to decide on colours we liked. Jimmy was never pushy and was always on hand to answer our questions.
The main guy, Andy, who was contracted to carry out the task, always took care to leave our bathroom is a tidy state. He put dust sheets throughout the house so he wouldn’t make a mess of our carpets. He worked around the toilet so there was only one day we were without. Another guy, Chris, came a few times to do the electrics. The job took just over two weeks to complete and they arrived on time everyday even when there was bad snow.
We’ve been enjoying the new bathroom for just over a month.
The new bathroom is everything we could wish for.
On one side we have a walk in shower with panels (no grout to clean). We have a large overhead shower and a little handheld shower on the wall.
In the middle we have a sink with two drawers underneath. Above the sink, we have a cabinet that lights up (I can see myself brushing my teeth – yay). The edge of the sink is wide enough that I can place my make up or face products there whilst I am using them – a feature I didn’t know I needed but love.
Then on the other side we have a large bath with mixer taps and a pull out shower hose. The toilet looks so much better with the pipes hidden. We have a heated towel rail and underfloor heating!
It was stressful having no bathroom for a few days and having to visit friends and family for a shower, etc. The end result is so worth it. The drawers and cabinet hold everything we need in the bathroom. We also bought a new King Size bed with under bed storage to be the new home for bed linen.
I think we will be more confident in future to do another big home improvement project as we are so happy with the end result.
Beat around the bushHer steps were grace
Her movements like fluid
She circled the bush
Like a hypnotic druid
*****
He held her gaze
Causing her heart to race
His stick in hand
As he gave chase
*****
Her laugh a song
As she smacked the bush
Her heart’s true desire
Kept a silent hush
*****
He followed her cues
Pride kept him steady
Protecting his heart
Unsure she was ready
*****
Their hearts called
To one another
Dared not admit
Never to be together
*****
For Day 13, the challenge was to write ” a poem in which the words or meaning of a familiar phrase get up-ended. For example, if you chose the phrase “A stitch in time saves nine,” you might reverse that into something like: “a broken thread; I’m late, so many lost.” Or “It’s raining cats and dogs” might prompt the phrase “Snakes and lizards evaporate into the sky.” Those are both rather haunting, strange images, and exploring them could provide you with an equally haunting, strange poem (or a funny one!)”
Today, you get two poems because I wrote “Bear in mind” on Opus a few years ago and I think it is perfect for this prompt. Opus was an iPhone app but is now a website called Opusia available for all to use. It is very popular with poets, although they welcome all types of writing.
However, I feel it cheating NaPoWriMo to use an already written poem. The challenge is to write a poem every day. So, ‘Beat around the bush’ is the poem for today’s prompt.
These phrases are called idioms. To discover more idioms, please visit www.smart-word.org.
Bear in mind
That’s what she said
And in that moment
He climbed into my head
His fur was brown
The colour dull
With not much space
Pressed against my skull
He was not happy
The grizzly chappie
He could not get comfy
For it was not roomy
How it got in there
I’ll never know
Through my ears
Or up my nose
But once he was in
He could not move
So squashed in
He couldn’t groove
Squished up he was
Against my brain
He began
To complain
He moaned
He groaned
He infected me
Soon I too was grumpy
I had to get him out
Making me scream and shout
As the sound left my mouth
A little bear managed to get out
So bear in mind
When you hear the phrase
A grumpy bear
Might get inside
But now he’s escaped
And he is free
Looking for more brains
To be displeased
From smog filled cities to fresh salty air. A friendly place where everyone knows your name.
Tranquil pockets of landscaped gardens. A harbour of fishing boats bobbing and ringing.
Beach huts align the prom
Metal structures tower at the docks
Outskirts of rolling fields
Despite its impact on England’s trade, many don’t even know its name. The largest container port to feed the needs of the island.
With forests and wildlife and natural habitats. With a fort and seafront with amusements and bright lights.
*****
For Day 12, the challenge was to write “a haibun that takes in the natural landscape of the place you live. It may be the high sierra, dusty plains, lush rainforest, or a suburbia of tiny, identical houses – but wherever you live, here’s your chance to bring it to life through the charming mix-and-match methodology of haibun.”
Well, today’s challenge feels very advance to me. I’ve never attempted a Haiku, let alone a Haibun. After reading the challenge, I realised I needed to do research whilst eating my breakfast – thank you for smartphones!
A Haibun is a style of poetry that combines prose with a Haiku poem. It often has a pattern, i.e. Prose, Haiku, Prose…
This then led me to ask the following two questions:
Well, this style of poetry is outside my comfort zone completely! Firstly, I’ve never written this style and secondly, I like my poems to rhyme – he he.
But, I set myself this goal to do the NaPoWriMo challenge and I am not a quitter (without a fight), so here is my poem about my hometown.
I reached out to the local community for a photo I could use on my blog and Katherine Bozier kindly offered me a selection of pictures she has taken. A testimony to the culture, kindness and support of our town.
Here are some pics from my Instagram:
https://instagram.com/p/BfWhDJ8h1Np/
https://instagram.com/p/Bess-ujh1lp/
https://instagram.com/p/BSrAqVHBpja/
https://instagram.com/p/BIw6a14h96Y/
Growing up here, I thought the town was dull without much to do but I heard an advert for one of the caravan parks and was shocked at the end when I realised where it had described. As a mother, I now see the vastness of what this town has to offer – it’s a hidden gem.
Tropic is a natural, vegan and cruelty free skincare brand. Like Avon, the brand enables people to become reps and sell the products from the comfort of their home enabling them to earn whilst juggling other commitments like raising a young family.
I’ve been a fan of Tropic for a while and this isn’t my first or second purchase. I’ve befriended one of the product representatives on Facebook called Sabrina Ward and follow her on Instagram (@Tropic_Luna). This enables me to keep up with the latest offers.
https://instagram.com/p/BgwfDwZBFmy/
My husband has stolen my Skin Revive moisturizer and had the cheek to ask me to buy him some more! I decided this was a good excuse to spoil myself with the body oil I’ve had my eye on for a while now. I saw a free gift offer was running.
Body oil – Soothe Your Senses RRP £28
Although, Tropic do parties (like Ann Summers), I just don’t have the social circle to have one so buying this oil was a gamble as I had never sampled it. What captured my attention was the ingredient ‘frangipani’ which was my wedding flower.
The oil has not disappointed. It is really beautiful with a flower floating inside the bottle. The oil smells amazing with a tropical floral scent that is very relaxing. It rubs in quickly.
Moisturising Cream – Skin Revive Nourishing Cream Concentrate RRP £22
I originally bought this as part of a skincare set (Travel Essentials) and found it to be really good. I then re-bought but recently I have been trying out some other moisturisers from my subscription boxes and I guess it gave my husband the change to try it.
It is a light day cream and works well under make-up. My husband likes it because it isn’t tacky feeling. You can read my original review of the product and the others in the travel essential kit by clicking here.
Body wash (free gift) – Wild mint, lime and pineapple RRP £10
The deal was that if you spent £50 you would get a free gift – so I had to get my oil ;)
My free gift was this wild, mint and pineapple body wash which has a lovely zesty smell that is great to use to wake you up in the morning. My husband and I have been arguing over who the free gift belongs too (me). It also came free with a pouf puff.
Your future is only as big as you dare to dream
Spending my day
In fictional worlds
Creating fictional challenges
For fictional charters
To raise my children
Full of confidence
To be brave
To succeed all challenges
Growing old
With my first love
To pass away
In our embrace
To be content
Without any needs
To be accomplished
In all my deeds
*****
Empty words
Unread, Unloved
Never published
This I dread
On the wrong path
My children go
Full of disappointment
And lives of woe
Old and frail
My love has gone
Dying in pain
I’m all alone
Always without
Fear and doubt
Failed at my goals
No legacy to talk about
Your fears are only as great at the power you grant them
For Day 11, the challenge was to write “a poem that addresses the future, answering the questions “What does y(our) future provide? What is your future state of mind? If you are a citizen of the “union” that is your body, what is your future “state of the union” address?”
I have interpreted today’s prompt as a poem on how you envision your future.
I’m good at setting myself goals and I’m ready for changes, I never expect anything. I find this challenge a little strange as none of us know our future and as a realist, I am accepting of what will be will be. Perhaps, I could write something exploring my optimistic dream or pessimistic nightmare. I hope you enjoy what I have created.
Where did you go
You mystical beast
I like to believe
You did once exists
In fairy tales
And legends told
The beautiful horse
With a magical horn
If we love
And believe in good
Maybe to earth
Will return your hoofs
For Day 10 the challenge was to “write a poem of simultaneity – in which multiple things are happening at once.”
Well, today I’m not using the optional prompt because today is National Unicorn Day! Yes, this mythical beast has got its very own day because us Brits love unicorns. Maybe, if we all love enough, they’ll come out of hiding and spread their magic throughout the lands… I feel inspired.
Phew – caught up. Just two more thirds of this challenge to go…
It is funny how something so big
Can fear something so small
*****
Look at the elephant and the mouse
Or a spider discovered in a human’s house
The little creature barley makes a squeak
But Elle toots and humans scream
*****
Marvel at the brave plover bird
Would you dare step into a crocodile’s jaw?
Winged creatures birds, butterflies and bats
Striking fear alongside snakes
*****
We push these little creatures out
Taking over their habitats
For Day 9 the challenge was to “we challenge you today to write a poem in which something big and something small come together.”
My day vanished yesterday. I worked late. Then took longer getting my son to bed because he offered to tell me a bedtime story about a mermaid and it peaked my interest that 1. He had tried to think of something I’d like, 2. His tactics to stay up later and keep me with him. So, I humoured him and he told me a story with mermaids, spiders that steal keys and sharks that are friendly. Then I had a bath, watched an episode of Magicians and it was time to sleep – no time to write a poem had presented itself.
I had an idea to do something about a fairy and a dragon but the poem just didn’t happen…
It will be just as busy today but I am determined to catch-up. Here is my belated day 9 poem and I shall try my hardest to write another today for my day 10 poem… wish me luck…
