February 2021 – michnavs

Fall In Love With The Magic Of Poetry

“No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.” -Alfred North Whitehead.

With a heart full of gratitude, I say thank you to all my loyal readers and followers

My Publication Journey

Fairy tales in childhood are stepping stones throughout life, leading the way through trouble and trial. The value of fairy tales lies not in a brief literary escape from reality but in the gift of hope that goodness truly is more powerful than evil and that even the darkest reality can lead to a Happily Ever After. Do not take that gift of hope lightly. It has the power to conquer despair in the midst of sorrow, to light the darkness in the valleys of life, to whisper “One more time” in the face of failure. Hope is what gives life to dreams, making the fairy tale the reality. —L.R. Knost

Books have been an integral part of my growing up. Synonymous to poetry. My love for books and poetry started with me falling in love with the “word” itself. I grew up playing scrabble, and crossword puzzles with my father. He eventually realized that I have a special “gift of words”, (that’s how he called it). I remembered the ten – year old me telling my father “one day, I’ll have my name in the newspaper, magazine, or books”.

And yes, thirty years after, it happened. My father is no longer around though to witness me do somersaults every time my new poetry book is out.

But, how did I do it?

Let me walk you all through my publication journey.

If you are already in WordPress, then I say, you’ve done the first big, bold writing move. (I started here, WP opened the doors for me)
BUILD an audience. You must have followers, readers, or some calls it “fans”
If you are lucky, a book agent, a publishing house, or at least a book editor will notice. BUT remember, not because you are not noticed yet, means you are not good or that your works suck. Remember, TIMING IS THE KEY.
I am one of the very few lucky ones whose works were noticed, eventually after years (yes, years, say around 7 years) of blogging and writing poetry in WP.
I say, my sincerest gratitude to PERAK WOMEN FOR WOMEN SOCIETY, in IPOH, PERAK MALAYSIA (especially its founder, Ms. Yip) for believing in me, which eventually lead to my first book of prose and poetry “AFTER RAIN SKIES: A MILLION STARS”, a collection of prose and poetry on surviving abuse and violence, along with PWW, SHARPENED WORD, IPOH spearheaded by Pak Peter, was also instrumental in the marketing of my collection.
A year after it was released, a pandemic happened. The lockdown and travel restrictions gave me ample time to concentrate on my poetry.
For the first time then, I finally made my first international submission of my poem, “Again” was published as part of an anthology of WOMAWORDS, June 2020 edition “Imagining Life After Covid – 19”- it gave me the much-needed confidence which eventually leads to more international poetry submissions and publications.
July 2020, I decided to take my writing/submission to the next level.
After thorough research, I realized I can publish an ebook version of “AFTER RAIN SKIES: A MILLION STARS”, I had asked a graphic artist to do my book cover design based on the requirements for ebook publication. (requirements can be found at KOBO.COM)
Ebook publication is very easy and simple, get your book cover design by a professional designer, get an editor who will proofread and edit your work (in my case, I did not need one, my eldest daughter, a brilliant young writer herself is perfect for the job, with some help of my educator friends, and my three other daughters – yes, it became a family project).
Now, as soon as you felt like your book is good enough for publication just go to the ebook publisher of your choice and submit.
Ebook publishers will notify you immediately if your book has made it – meaning your manuscript passed their quality control team. (in case it did not, they will surely provide you with what to do to make it)
Now, this part comes in the importance of your “already existing audience”, you just need to make the announcements in all of your social media accounts, and pray, yes pray that your audience believes in your work that they will be willing to pay and buy your work this time.
In this part, I wanna thank all my WP followers and readers, they were quick to buy my book. And I am very lucky that my first ebook made it to the top 3 trending ebooks in all categories on its first three days of release.
With my years of writing poetry, I realized I could just easily create a new collection – so my second book “What If Snowflakes Don’t Fall In Winter?” was published. It was again well received by the online reading community and was consistently on top of the trending list. A clamor for the paperback edition prompted me to publish paperback copies. For this, you will need to contact a layout artist, book designer, and again editor, and if you intend to include illustrations then you also have to find one – again, I am very lucky that these all came in handy to me. (my children being the editors and the illustrators)
My 3rd poetry book, “Oh, Dear One” was published barely three months after “What If Snowflakes Don’t Fall In Winter?”, This time, it made it to the No. trending spot list on its first day of release and I have made it available in AMAZON, thru a traditional publishing house, PENZONE PUB.
And currently, working on my 4rth poetry book.

When the world was in complete chaos because of a global pandemic, I took that opportunity, to keep my silence, my solitude, and write. I took it as an opportunity to rise above the current crisis. Be like the small misplaced house; thriving, surviving, and even trying to stand tall and proud against the tall and giant building behind. Never lose hope, never stop dreaming. And just like what L.R. Knost said, hope is what gives life to dreams, making the fairy tale the reality.

P.S.

A long overdue post for Kate.

for Sadje’s WDY – https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2021/02/22/what-do-you-see-70-february-22-2021/

Through All The Times

through all the things i’ve done
and in all the many places i’ve gone
for the many times i’ve changed my ways
and for the countless moments and days
you’ve been in my heart, in my thoughts I swear

through the many faces and friends i’ve met
and the enormous challenges i’ve bet
for the hours i’ve consumed, i’ve depleted
and for the battles I tried winning but lost
you’ve been in my heart, in my thoughts I swear

throughall the memories i’ve kept, some lost, some forgotten
and the many times i tried to recreate
them
and the magnitude of experiences i’ve written
you’ve been in my heart, in my thoughts I swear

through all the times i was grateful, i was thankful
’twas because our paths have crossed
forever you will be in my heart, in my thoughts
grateful, thankful, blessed always and forever

For Kate’s Friday Fun
https://aroused.blog/2021/02/20/friday-fun-your-path/

Authors of WP

I never imagined to, one day, see my book alongside these two wonderful authors.

I’ve known them here in WordPress, they were already publishing books years before I did. I became friends with them too. I was a silent fan of their work.

And now, I have my book along with theirs on my bedside table.

Rose the brilliant poet and Chris the great fiction story teller.

Not You, My Love

the gentle tide
may turn into
a raging wave

but not you my love,

dreams
may turn
into nightmares

but not you my love,

wounds may hurt
and become
lasting scars

but not you my love,

love may fade away
but i believe
yours won’t

no, not yours my love,

some may lose
a battle, go home
wounded

but not you my love,
never really you
for you champion
and perfected
the art of winning

For Eugi’s Weekly Prompt

https://amanpan.com/2021/02/18/eugis-weekly-prompt-champion-february-18-2021/

The Barbarian Book Club: Book of the Month (February 2021): What If Snowflakes Don’t Fall In Winter – Michelle A. Navajas

Check out the review of my poetry book by a fellow blogger and book lover

Click on the link below to read

https://barbariangentlemen.wordpress.com/2021/02/21/the-barbarian-book-club-book-of-the-month-february-2021-what-if-snowflakes-dont-fall-in-winter-michelle-a-navajas/

I’m Not Skinny

I’m not skinny, I’m not thin
I’m just fit and lean
I can do rounds of planks and squats
as you watch and admire with loving thoughts
I can have a fully loaded vegetable salad meal
as you enjoy steaks and your cheeseburger meal

I’m not skinny, I’m not thin
I’m just fit and lean
I can fit into anything, skinny jeans and fitted tops
while you struggle to keep track of your blue faded jeans
I can live without carbs, and I don’t even miss it a bit
as you feast over a fries, a pasta and a big chunk of meat

I’m not skinny, I’m not thin
I’m just fit and lean
and the best part of it, is I can wear your oversized shirt
as you tuck me into bed, my face burrowed feeling your heartbeat
that’s not even yet, ‘cos I’d wake up in the middle of my sleep
with you tracing every bit of my curve and shape

I’m not skinny, I’m not thin
I’m just fit and lean

For Kate’s Friday Fun – Diet

https://aroused.blog/2021/02/13/friday-fun-diet/

Will You Go With Me, To Paris?

Will You Go With Me, To Paris?

will you take my hand
as I walk along the streets
where the aroma of light,
fruity to burnt coffee
lightly caramelized
almost nutty is teasing
my senses and the scent
of a handmade bread
is making me salivate
as I tear the croissant into pieces
butter them up before each bite
or we can dunk it in coffee
which would be fun
if you want

will you sit beside me
as I write every word of love
admiration and passion
I have for you
while I struggle
to rhyme every word
and count every syllable
or better yet, I’ll settle for free verse
I am sure though I could not rhyme them
or even count the syllables
as you will be busy tickling
and delightfully bugging me
will you go with me,
to Paris?
let’s have coffee and croissant
and write our first love poem together

https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2021/02/15/what-do-you-see-69-february-15-2021/

Did You Ever Think Of Me On Valentine’s Day?

Did You Ever Think Of Me On Valentine’s Day?

for the many years and many times,

and for all the moments and memories

I pondered for a while

did you ever think of me

on those nights and days

you were not with me?

did you ever think of me on Valentine’s day?

the roses and chocolates you sent to someone else,

an expression of your love undying and true

with poems you wrote on scented paper

with colorful pens, sealed with a kiss

profoundly written, beautifully expressed

did you ever think of me, when you were writing them?

did you ever think of me on Valentine’s day?

for all the love and sweet nothings

the surprise dates and the “your all that I want” moments

the plans you created, the memories you shared

did you ever think of me when you were holding her hands,

caressing her face, finger –combing her hair,

whispering lovely thoughts into her ear?

did you ever think of me on Valentine’s day?

the day you walked down the aisle,

the minute you said “I do”

and the minute you kissed to seal the deal

did you even see a part of me in her?

did you even think it could have been me?

did you even remember me on Valentine’s day?

‘cos, baby I did.

I think about you on Valentine’s day

“it could have been me”

For Eugi’s Weekly Prompt