Breathing on My Own!!!!!!!!!

Long before I could breathe on my own was my breakthrough poem. It was written at a time in my life where nothing made sense and my writing suffered since I was attempting to avoid "real" expression. I didn't want to share my pain or vulnerability. It was inevitable; I wrote the poem, performed it and recorded it! Family, it was a wonderful release. Below is an excerpt from a blog I had written some time ago. The poem, Long Before I could breathe on my own, is also posted. Be blessed. Be encouraged.

[03-16-2008]Speaking on my relationship with my mother and my confusing past wasn't an easy thing to do, especially not for critical ears. I did it anyway, I did it for me; I needed to heal! My poetry is my therapy and I had to get those feelings out and I needed other people to know what those feelings were. After I wrote the poem, recorded it and spit it at a venue or two, I felt free of the pain that caused me to write it in the first place... Yesterday, I had an impromptu photo shoot with my daughter and I watched her in amazement as she took risk to get good shots and hammed it up for the camera. My relationship with her got me to thinking about my relationship with my own mother. I thought about all the wonderful things she missed in my life as I grew up. I wondered if she has ever looked at me as lovingly as the way I look at my own daughter... Forgiven but not forgotten; you know? Anyway, my daughter is the love of my life and I fall in love with her all over again, everyday! She amazes me and I cherish the moments we have together. I love feeling her small hand in mine when we take walks together and I adore looking in her brown eyes and seeing them smile... Indeed, she knows that she is loved and will never have to write a poem such as "Long before I could breathe on my own."There is so much more to be said about our mother-daughter relationship but right now I rather just feel it. Silently, I thank God for her because she saved my life… In the beginning, she was the reason for my hustle, now, I do it for US!

[HE]ART always,

TavyDay

I WISH

10/20/2008 Diary of "JP Star"

This morning I dropped my daughter off to school; as usual we kiss, say "I love you" and she's off to a world where she learns and grows from underneath my watchful eye. As India heads up the many stairs to her (junior high resembling) elementary school, my attention is taken away from her ascend into the building. Loud music is coming from somewhere, disturbing the peace on this inner city, yet very suburban street. Actually, I mean treble because the music was lost in distortion. I see that the driver is male and there are four children in the back seat, three boys and one girl who is obviously the eldest. As the car door opens and the kids spill out onto the side walk, my ears are met with the lyrics " I wish a motha&uka would!" This hook played at least three two four times before going into a verse. Shocked and amazed, seriously… I couldn't even give this man props for doing his daddy thing because of the manner in which he was doing it. This was the message he was sending his impressionable young children to school with. The foul language and aggression of "I wish a m-f-er would." Those children were probably singing that song in their heads and their attitudes and defense to their peers may be just that, wishing someone would test them. Yes, and when they are suspended for fighting or lashing out at a teacher, it will be the parents who will blame the child. The messages the parents have allowed to manifest into them will have had nothing to do with it. Sadly, the parents will be completely oblivious to the part they played. In that moment I felt sad for those children. I felt even worse for myself, "wishing" I could afford private schooling for my daughter . I asked myself "what am I doing" by allowing her to attend a school where most of the children there probably wished a "m-f-er would."

All I know is, I have to sell these books, take these photo's, get on these mic's and finish school… I have to do better so that my daughter KNOWS better!

[He]ART always,TavyDay

CONTEST

WE NEED MORE TIPS! ADD THE MOST TIPS FOR WRITERS AND WIN! READ THE CHECK LIST FOR WRITERS BELOW AND ADD YOUR OWN STEPS.CONTEST Rules: Add your tips to comment section of this blog. *WINNER WILL RECEIVE FREE BOOK AND VIP GIFT CERTIFICATE. CONTEST ENDS 10/25/08 GOO LUCK!

Writer’s Check list

1.Topic:Select what you would like to write about. The ideas for your topic should be clear and well defined. Brainstorming is always a great place to start.

2.Research:Gather facts to support your statements or opinions.

3.Format:The requirements for writing a letter, an essay, a speech, or a journal are different. Choose your format and follow its requirements.

4.Purpose:Your purpose will focus your writing. Are you writing to inform, to entertain, to instruct, or to persuade your audience?

5.Audience:Your choice of words and writing style will be shaped by your audience. Are you writing for students, younger children, or adults?

6.Outline:Write your thesis (topic) statement clearly. Then write your sub-topics in a logical order that leads to a conclusion.

7.Point of View:Determine the point of view (ex. I, he/she, etc.) From which you will write. Your understanding of a topic may increase when you consider different points of view.

8.Rough Draft:Write a rough that follows your outline, keeping your audience and point of view in mind. Each paragraph should deal with only one main idea. Your composition should follow a logical order to a conclusion.

9.Edit and Revise:Check your work for spelling and formatting. Revise the content if necessary. Proofread carefully.

10.Sources:DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Give source for all quotes, facts, and ideas that are not your own. Use footnotes and/or a bibliography or "works cited" page.

11.The Final Draft:Prepare a neat, final copy for submission. Be proud of your work!Tip: When you take notes, immediately jot down the title of the work, the author, the publisher, and the date published. This saves time later!

Diary of a JP Star

10/11/2008

Dear diary...

It doesn't seem like it was that long ago that Love x's 2 was released. It has been a while though, almost two years to be exact… I am truly in love with this story and I whole heartedly believe in it as a product and self-help tool. My affection for Love x's 2 derives from a few different arenas in my life. First, as a writer; I was able to put a sensitive piece of life into words that aren't easily articulated in most households. Secondly, as a mother; Love x's 2 is loosely based on my daughter's experiences of living with both myself and her father; therefore, I had to humble myself in not making the accounts one-sided.

The hardest part of creating this book was being realistic in the day to day emotions that my own child was experiencing and acknowledging her pain & confusion. We all want to be great parents so to realize that we may be doing more harm than good is heartbreaking! I know personally that I've shed tears over the trails of parenthood whenever my money didn't stretch far enough to take care of my daughter's basic needs or when her father disappointed her. Sometimes it's when we're "trying" to do our best, that we neglect the "in your face" issues for the "in our mind" issues.

Creating love x's 2 helped me to realize that children shed tears over the trials of childhood too. Not [JUST] because they're spoiled, hard-headed or whatever else we come up with to continue ignoring the source of the problems. Most times as parents, we think of how much he dislike the other parent, the drama they cause and how we wish we would have jumped in another gene pool. We think these thoughts without thought as to how our little ones feel about their world at large… WE ARE THEIR WORLD! Despite how we feel about the other parent, our child/children adore both parents equally. Sure one may be more fun than the other or one may be a better care giver, but it's not up to us parents to taint the innate feelings of a child. As your child/children grow up, they will learn what parent takes care of what needs. They will also learn and acknowledge negative things about that other parent (without you having to say so.) The reality of it is, your child/children will also learn and acknowledge some not so nice things about you too… amazingly they will still love your crazy self, just as you will love them, flaws and all! With great pleasure, Love x's 2 was written to enlighten parents and relieve children!

Take heed, take care, and ALWAYS promote freedom of expression (without disrespect) amongst your family.

[HE]ART always,

TavyDay

JP Publishing news NEWS Francesca Block

New Release by: Francesca Lia Block

A series of poems that examines ways we can free ourselves through self-knowledge, creative expression and friendship.

In her poetry collection How to (Un)cage a Girl, Francesca Lia Block includes a poem about how, as an anorexic UC Berkeley undergrad, she yearned to run away and live in People's Park, wanting "to join them/leave the plates of greasy food/that congealed their fats.../leave the cruelly beautiful blond boys and girls/in their polo shirts and top-siders/...it would be better to sleep in mud/eat roots and flowers/discarded crusts." Yeah, but she went back to LA and became one of the world's most-worshipped young-adult novelists instead.

JP Publishing news NEWS "War on Terror Revealed"

New Book Pulls Back Curtain On U.S. War on Terror Thursday, 9 October 2008, 2:13 pmPress Release: Ascot Media
Explosive New Book Pulls Back Curtain on U.S. War on Terror
Houston, TX, USA, October 8, 2008 -- International best-selling author Steve Alten has written thrillers about 70-foot prehistoric Great White Sharks (MEG), the Loch Ness Monster (The LOCH) and the 2012 Mayan Doomsday Prophecy (DOMAIN), but his latest book is the most frightening of all.


Alten says "The Shell Game reveals the truth about the attacks of September 11th, 2001, a neoconservative agenda to secure oil reserves in Iraq and Iran, and an impending 9/11 false flag event that (to quote President George W. Bush) will make the last 9/11 pale in comparison." Alten told us that The Shell Game is written in the guise of a cautionary thriller, and that he heavily researched and tapped into sources in the military, the oil industry, and foreign intelligence.

The book provides frightening details about Peak Oil and shows how ill-prepared the industrial world is for the potential catastrophe that lies ahead. The author pulls no punches, naming names while keeping the reader turning pages. Says Alten, "The Bush Administration knew well in advance that the attacks were coming, there were at least a dozen warnings from foreign intelligence agencies. Five FBI investigations targeting the hijackers taking flight lessons would have prevented 9/11...only Dave Frasca, head of the FBI's Radical Fundamentalist Unit, purposely shut down the investigations...and was later promoted. On the morning of September 11th, the U.S. Government was running FIVE separate wargame exercises, all under the direction of Vice President Dick Cheney, that purposely diverted our jet fighters out of the Northeast Air Defense Sector where the hijackings occurred, preventing the possibility of interception."


Alten warns, "The attacks of September 11th were all about oil. While alternative energy has become a theme of the 2008 Presidential campaign, neither candidate has been forthcoming of what really awaits us if we do not make radical energy infrastructure changes now. World oil levels peaked in 2005. Within the next decade our dependence on fossil fuels will lead to a crisis that will make the current problems on Wall Street seem like good times. Simply put, when the oil stops flowing, a lot of people will be going hungry, the economy will collapse, and there will be martial law. The Shell Game is a warning from experts, intended to open the public's eyes as to what is really happening, written as a real-life thriller to make the truth easier to comprehend."
NOTE: The stress associated with writing The Shell Game was so great on Steve Alten that he was diagnosed with Parkinson Disease three months after completing the book. (He is only 49.) Foreign publishing rights for The Shell Game will be offered at the Frankfurt Book Fair, October 15th -19th by Alten's literary agent, Danny Baror of Baror International.

JP Publishing NEWS

By: Hamiton Nolan

Paul Newman's Final Donation Goes To People
People is coming out with a 96-page "tribute" "book" "honoring" the recently dead Paul Newman. It will sell for $12, and none of the proceeds will go to charity, despite the fact that Newman dedicated the latter part of his life to working for charitable causes. But, to use the line that Jossip unfortunately beat us to this morning, it's "sort of okay, because this year, the print industry basically is a charity." Yep. [Folio]

Perhaps it’s because his death hit closer to home than other celebrities (I live in Westport, Connecticut, just a few short apple tosses from his farmhouse, and worked at the local playhouse the summer he starred in “Our Town”). Perhaps it’s because his philanthropic food company has raised more than $250 million for charities. Perhaps it's because he was simply a good guy.
But People’s announcement that they are putting together a 96-page book about Paul Newman, slapping it with a $12 cover price and rushing 450,000 copies to newsstands leaves a sour taste in my mouth (not unlike, you might say, Newman’s Own Virgin Lemonade, which is lip-puckeringly sweet—just how Newman liked it).
A spokesperson for People confirmed that the book is for-profit and pointed out that the magazine has a long history of publishing tribute books—Johnny Carson and Princess Diana, to name two. ( Response by Dylan Stableford)FOLIO

JP STARS

"JP STARS"








STRONG











TENACIOUS








AMBITIOUS








RADIANT








SCRIBES

"Diary of a JP Star"
10/06/2008

Hey all,
I am sooooo excited about connecting with my readers and the Mommy’s and Daddy’s of my little readers. This has been a journey whew! I love writing among other things and I just wanted to share an interview about my debut children’s book, LOVE X’s 2 with you… Being a JP author, mother, plus size model and woman can get kind of crazy but with the help of God I manage to pull it off (in 3 inch stilettos…lol). Read for yourself how personal my writing is to me. Feel free to write in and ask me questions; I will be happy to share… Smile and remember to make everyday, A TavyDay!!!!!! ENJOY!

INTERVIEW BY: Joey Pinkney
"Your Favorite Book Reviewer's Favorite Book Reviewer...Period!"

Question 1: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Love x's 2?
Love x's 2 is loosely based on my personal experiences of raising a child who is fortunately, Loved X's 2, by having both myself and her father as (or appearing as) active parents.

Question 2: What sets Love x's 2 apart from other novels in its genre?
In this story, the main character, 6 year old India, speaks with much intelligence and insight to her present situation. She is outspoken, without being disrespectful. She is African American, and so are her friends; their names reflect that. This story is very realistic, age appropriate, topic concise and URBAN! There is nothing like Love X's 2 on the market and no matter what the culture, Co-Parenting relationships exist - this is the "in your face" proof.

Question 3: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Love x's 2 getting out to the public?
Re-released:
I have the backing of Lati’a D. Johnson, Publishing CEO and mentor! She is very creative and full of "idea bulbs" that spontaneously switches on…
My Publicist Sharmina Ellis and I, are both the master keys to unlocking the success of Love x’s 2. With her dedication to the project and business sense, I have no doubt in her ability to enhance the buzz behind an already awesome product. Me, I’m passionate about this topic and want to see it addressed in the best light possible and that’s through India’s storyline. Horn tooting & all, I am TavyDay and my public a waits!

Question 4: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Love x's 2?
I’m not sure if I so much have a process or just an impulse. Love X’s two was written in one (several hours) sitting. The editing of course was much more in depth with creating a solid voice to the story. As a poet, I will tell supporters that I am an "I" poet. Most of my poems are about me, the people close to me, and the personal experiences of both. If it’s not real (in some sense), I can’t write about it. I believe this was the same mindset behind Love X’s 2.

Question 5: What's next for Tavy Day?
God willing; Oprah! I love that woman, and I bet she’ll love me too!

_END

Love X’s 2 +1: Coming Soon!
Myspace link : http://www.myspace.com/poeticfingaz
[HE]ART always,
TavyDay

CONTEST REPOST

WE NEED MORE TIPS! ADD THE MOST TIPS FOR WRITERS AND WIN! READ THE CHECK LIST FOR WRITERS BELOW AND ADD YOUR OWN STEPS.

CONTEST Rules: Add your tips to comment section of this blog. *WINNER WILL RECEIVE FREE BOOK AND VIP GIFT CERTIFICATE. CONTEST ENDS 7/25/08
GOO LUCK!


Writer’s Check list

1.Topic:Select what you would like to write about. The ideas for your topic should be clear and well defined. Brainstorming is always a great place to start.

2.Research:Gather facts to support your statements or opinions.

3.Format:The requirements for writing a letter, an essay, a speech, or a journal are different. Choose your format and follow its requirements.

4.Purpose:Your purpose will focus your writing. Are you writing to inform, to entertain, to instruct, or to persuade your audience?

5.Audience:Your choice of words and writing style will be shaped by your audience. Are you writing for students, younger children, or adults?

6.Outline:Write your thesis (topic) statement clearly. Then write your sub-topics in a logical order that leads to a conclusion.

7.Point of View:Determine the point of view (ex. I, he/she, etc.) From which you will write. Your understanding of a topic may increase when you consider different points of view.

8.Rough Draft:Write a rough that follows your outline, keeping your audience and point of view in mind. Each paragraph should deal with only one main idea. Your composition should follow a logical order to a conclusion.

9.Edit and Revise:Check your work for spelling and formatting. Revise the content if necessary. Proofread carefully.

10.Sources:DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Give source for all quotes, facts, and ideas that are not your own. Use footnotes and/or a bibliography or "works cited" page.

11.The Final Draft:Prepare a neat, final copy for submission. Be proud of your work!Tip: When you take notes, immediately jot down the title of the work, the author, the publisher, and the date published. This saves time later!

HUB CITY... EXCERPT

HUB CITY… MIMI RENEE (excerpt)
The beginning of the bullshit!

Keisha could not believe what her eyes were seeing. Is that my mother and uncle outside, messing around right under my father’s nose? After controlling her breathing, she proceeded to listen to the conversation between her adulterous mom and backstabbing Uncle Ivan from her upstairs bedroom window. ....
"Wait, wait, wait. Don’t leave yet, babe. I want you, and I want you now," Shanna moaned. ....
"Come on, Shanna, not right here. My brother is right inside the house. What, you tryna get us busted or something?" he asked, while moving from behind the bushes and attempting to button up his pants. ....
"Who gives a fuck?" Shanna replied seriously. "Maybe then we could be together. Ivan, the only reason I’m still around in the first place is because of you. That sorry, drunk-ass brother of yours can’t do anything for me but keep me popping out these bad-ass kids of mine." Getting back to the action, Shanna kissed his lips. "Come on, baby. Give me some, Ivan. I took care of you. Now it's time for you to come take care of this pussy, baby. I want it," she demanded, getting louder as she grinded her body seductively on his.....
"What about Jas?" he asked, hoping she would back down at the mention of his name. ....
"And your point?" she replied, holding her ground.....
"He's in the damn house, Shanna. That's the point. And although you may not give a fuck, I do. I love the nigga, and he's my brother." He sighed in frustration. ....
"Oh, I see how it is," Shanna laughed. "I blow your dick off, and now you don't wanna return the favor. What a selfish lover you are," she teased. "But, if it makes you feel any better, Jasper's drunk ass is passed out on the fucking living room floor. And just like you and I both know, that man ain’t about to wake up no time soon."....
Knowing his brother would not awaken from his drunken coma, Ivan gave in. ....
"Okay, come on, baby, but let’s make it quick," he said, as he pushed her into the backseat of his clean, brand-new Caddie. ....
Soon, the car was rocking to their rhythm and the windows fogged up. With it being two days before Christmas, it should have been a joyous time for Keisha, but as she looked out the window at the car bouncing like it had hydraulics, she cried. ....
How could she do this to my daddy? And, out of all people, she was fooling around with Uncle Ivan. How could Daddy not know? Keisha wondered. Maybe I should go wake him up and let him see what his brother and wife are outside doing in his very own backyard. This is my daddy’s house. He pays all the bills, and momma has never worked a day in her life. ....
Hatred consumed her as she thought about what they were doing to her father, and at that moment, she wished her father would go out back and blow their fucking brains straight out of their heads. Then, those two lying bastards could die and go to hell together, Keisha thought. ....
Deciding to tell her father, she quickly made her way down the stairs and tapped her father on his shoulder. Just like always, it was hard to wake him.....
"Daddy!" she yelled over his loud snoring. "Wake up, Daddy! Wake up!" she yelled, as she continued tapping on his shoulder. When that didn’t work, she started to shake him.....
"What, baby, what?" he answered, still half asleep.....
"Somebody's out in our backyard, Daddy, and I’m scared," she lied. ....
Immediately, he jumped up and grabbed his gun out of the hallway safe. ....
"Go in the room with your mother, Keisha," he instructed her, as he proceeded to run down the stairs. "I’ll be right back," he assured her. ....
Nodding her head, she ran back upstairs to her bed and covered her head with the sheet, anticipating the loud gunshots she would hear when her father shot her mother and uncle after catching them in the act. ....
In the backyard, Jasper swiftly crept around like he did when he was in the Vietnam War. Upon seeing his brother's rocking Cadillac...

MIMI' s Journey #1

Journey Of a "JP Star"

10- 5-08
Dear Lounge reader’s….
It’s count down time ladies and gentlemen." Mimi Renee will soon fly out to Tampa Florida and officially make her acquaintance with Mrs. Lati’a Johnson, CEO of Johnson Publications and Her Office Manger Karen Jerman. I am very excited about meeting both Lati’a and Karen, and even more excited about us finally getting together and putting our thoughts together and collaborating on my first business/marketing meeting with the company. Johnson Publications is about to bring my hard worked manuscript, titled; "Hub City" to life and in book form, to be sold everywhere books are sold. I’m so trilled!

Hub City is a gangsta love story/triangle that takes place straight out of Compton known as ya Hub City! This fast paced, juicy, drama filled, page turner is about a female gang-banging, dope slanging, beast," named Keisha Cones. This book is off the chain family! So continue to ride with and check in on me from time to time. I’ll give you all the latest updates on my new up and coming novel and my journey becoming one of JP’s newest stars. On my next entry I’ll hook y’all up with a juicy except of the novel, called the beginning of the bullshit. Stay in touch!

Say Hello to JP Stars!

Welcome to our new Publications Lounge. I am Lati`a Johnson President of JP. I will be sharing with you insider info about the publishing world. I will give advice and tips for authors and aspiring authors. In addition to that I will share excerpts from INSIDE OUT and my newest novel "BLUE MIRAGE".

*Contest and give- aways will be posted weekly hang out with us and enjoy the atmosphere.

Hello my name is TAVYDAY I am one of "JP Stars" I will be writing you about my experience as a JP author, and sharing my latest project Love X's 2 with you. So stay tuned for pics and many diary entries. talk to ya soon...

Greetings all!!!! I am MIMI Renee... I am one of the newest members of "JP Stars" I will be sharing with you my journey to become a JP author. I will share pics and stories and some valuble advise to those seeking a publisher. Stay tuned for exerpts of my up coming book "HUB CITY". I hope you enjoy my input and many journal entries on my JOURNEY TO BECOME A JP AUTHOR... Talk to ya soon...

Hello all I am Evangelist Sarah E. Jamison I am the author of up coming christian poetry book ECHOES FROM HEAVEN... I will be giving my view about the struggles of inspirational authors and loging my journey up to the release of my debut project "Echoes from heaven." I also will share excerpts of my work for you viewing pleasure ...talk to you soon

Hello all! I am Karen Office Manager or eyes and ears of JP...you could say I run the joint! I will be giving you all the latest publishing news and up coming events here at JP. Feel free to contact us for author appearances or info via web at http://www.johnsonpublications.biz/ or email kj.johnsonpublications@yahoo.com

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