tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11649731558760897142024-03-05T14:12:45.834-05:00The PoetteerLet your heart heal.Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.comBlogger637125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164973155876089714.post-61333438544723671672022-06-13T12:24:00.002-04:002022-06-13T12:26:03.020-04:00Short Story: Little Red Hijab<p> Back in 2014 I wrote a short story with a little twist on little red riding hood. Enjoy! </p><div><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzt3pU_DHbSKUL0-gHGBwxGwb5PBH920U0tLksBPIQxtffBwqJnEiPaPBibg9hz1HPuEfPk-rtcUdwzIhkxjVeYCaEi4BDW7ELYRLwjGtlqg0fpKMQmm8dqDMzWeIWGb1AhOknyeyXWpCu5mMceYnMtD-Eccc11ttkdOjash-ryRna2XhsGz_tLLYr/s2240/little%20red%20short%20story%20Blog%20Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2240" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzt3pU_DHbSKUL0-gHGBwxGwb5PBH920U0tLksBPIQxtffBwqJnEiPaPBibg9hz1HPuEfPk-rtcUdwzIhkxjVeYCaEi4BDW7ELYRLwjGtlqg0fpKMQmm8dqDMzWeIWGb1AhOknyeyXWpCu5mMceYnMtD-Eccc11ttkdOjash-ryRna2XhsGz_tLLYr/w640-h360/little%20red%20short%20story%20Blog%20Banner.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Once upon a time lived a little girl named Ruqayyah. She lived in a small town with her parents. She didn't like being in big cities because it was busy and dirty. Grimy people were lurking in the shadows. She had the charm to make them good. There was something about her green eyes. </span></div><div><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Her mother loved the color red and thought it would go well with Ruqayyah's green eyes. Mom bought red fabric and stitched her a headscarf. Ruqayyah loved it. She wore it every day. </span></div><div><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">One day her mother said to her: 'Come, Little Red, here are some homemade cookies, fruit, and dates; take them to your grandmother, she is ill and weak, and they will help her. Go before it gets hot, and walk nicely and quietly and do not run off the path, or you may fall and break the cookies or scrape your knee, then your grandmother won't get anything; and when you go into her room, don't forget to say, "Good morning" and don't peep into every corner. Come home before sunset."</span></div><div><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Halfway there, Little Red started getting tired. She sat on a rock and made a little prayer. Soon after, she heard some rustling. She hugged her basket. An angel of help appeared. "Peace be with you, daughter of Eve. You're doing a good deed; here, drink this water. It'll help you on the rest of your journey." </span></div><div><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">She stood there in shock; yet drank the water. She wondered how does the angel know. As if it can read my mind, he answers, "God knows everything." Then the angel disappeared. She got up and continued. </span><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Once there, she didn't find her grandmother at the front door but a pig. She didn't know what to do. She kept her face down. "Hi, little Red, can I help you with the basket?"</span></div><div><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Before she could say no, he took it inside. She took a wet cloth and cleaned the basket. She asked, "how do you know who I am?"</span></div><div><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">"Your grandmother told me," he smirked.</span></div><div><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">"Where is she?" she asked.</span></div><div><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">"It's for me to know and you to find out."</span></div><div><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">She made eye contact; her eyes caught the natural light. The green in her eyes made something in the pig change. He changed into a cat. </span></div><div><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">She finally could get past him. Yet he followed her as she went to look for her grandmother. She found her in the closet. They both went to wash up and pray to thank God for their victory. She found the cat still in the house, soaking in the sunlight. After that, they enjoyed the goodies Ruqayyah brought. She forgave the "pig" and gave some scraps to the cat.</span></div><div><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Before going home, her grandmother went to get something from her drawer. She gave Ruqayyah a little bag of chocolate and dates, "don't tell your mom I gave you anything; she will get mad at me. Run along now."</span></div><div><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Ruqayyah skipped all the way home while eating her chocolate. The dates were delicious, too. It gave her the energy she needed to continue her walk. She remembered the story her mom told her. Dates are one of the prophet's favorite foods. Back at home, her mom tucked her into bed.</span></div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fida Islaih</div>Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164973155876089714.post-65203606850950753472021-05-03T14:15:00.005-04:002021-05-03T14:17:51.293-04:00Upcoming Poetry Reads of 2021, Part 2<div>Hello Poetteers, </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm sharing more poetry books I discovered and am excited to read!</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>March</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Coming Home to Her By Emily Juniper</div><div><br /></div><i><span style="color: #444444;">It is a celebration of being human. It is a coming out journey, an exploration of sexuality, femininity, loving, and being loved.</span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></i></div><div><div>How to Bloom By Tatyana White Jenkins</div><div><br /></div><i><span style="color: #444444;">A collection of poems about the enthralling, complex, grueling, and beautiful journey of growth.</span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></i></div><div><b>April</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The Gravity Inside Us By Chloe Frayne </div><div><br /></div><i><span style="color: #444444;">An ode to whatever it is we carry that pulls us in and out of place, and speaks so insistently of fate.</span></i><div><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><i><br /></i></span></span><i><span style="color: #444444;"></span></i><div>The Medicine That Burns by Molly S Hillery</div><div><br /></div><i><span style="color: #444444;">It is a raw declaration on what a life of trauma can look like after the dust settles and the poems have happy endings. It is an unflinching narrative on how hurt is cyclical, how recovery must be redefined repeatedly, and how shame can poison us in the worst ways.</span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></i></div><div><div>I See How You've Kept Me by Aisha Adams</div><div><i><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></i></div><i><span style="color: #444444;">A debut poetry book that takes you through a journey of brokenness to reach complete healing.</span></i><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>May</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>The Light Within My Light By Amin Jaswal</div><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(74, 78, 87); color: #4a4e57; font-family: Poppins; font-size: 16px;"><i>A collection of poetry focused on finding one’s self and healing the broken parts within ourselves. Using metaphors, symbolism and gender fluidity in her writing Amin explores the inner relationship and </i></span><i><span style="color: #444444;">conflict between our feminine and masculine energy.</span></i><br /><br /><b>October</b></p><div><div>Flower Crowns and Fearsome Things By Amanda Lovelace</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #444444;"><i>Amanda lovelace explores the complexity of femininity through alternating wildflower & wildfire poems. within these pages, you will find that each of us has the ability to be both soft & fierce at the same time. there is no need to choose one or the other.</i></span><div><br /></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fida Islaih</div>Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164973155876089714.post-6745956838286930902021-04-05T13:14:00.016-04:002021-05-03T13:25:44.430-04:00About Draft 2 Digital PublishingHello Poetteers, <div><br /></div><div>Going wide can be overwhelming. Finding a good distributor can help lessen the stress. I started using Draft2Digital to reach ebook retailers unavailable through Smashwords. Like Smashwords and Amazon, it’s free and easy to use.<br /><br />I enjoy using D2D for its features. The interface is easier to use while Smashwords needs an updated facelift. You can schedule sales ahead of time on D2D while on Smashwords you need to set the sale on the same day. On Amazon, you can’t place your book for sale or free unless you exclusively publish with them. Smashwords sales use coupon codes that buyers will have to remember. A benefit from that is you can have a private or public sale.<br /><br />Smashwords can be nit-picky about your book format. If it fails the review, your book won’t be available on the Premium Catalog.<br /><br />D2D helps with table of contents and adding in end matter. It allows you to add a design style. It’s accessible to download MOBI and EPUB. You can pick which retailers you want your book at or remove your books from specific retailers. Smashwords is limited on their payment methods while D2D has various payment options.<br /><br />On the D2D dashboard it lists all the retailers with a dates of availability and clickable links directly to your book. While on Smashwords that isn’t available and you have to search yourself which retailers your books are on and guess when it’ll be available. Lastly on D2D you can get a universal book link.<br /><br />Which platform would you use?<br /><br />Part 1: <a href="https://fidaislaih.blogspot.com/2020/11/how-to-price-and-distribute-your-book.html" target="_blank">is Amazon publishing worth it?</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Stay inspired,</div><div>Fida</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fida Islaih</div>Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164973155876089714.post-4773448150071003712021-03-18T09:00:00.007-04:002021-03-18T09:00:04.229-04:00Expenses for the Indie AuthorHello Poetteers, <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jiFGhbqBYLwirR1mSrXABdlsqFuM6zCDPQLJQaje-UQjFwBKLU8PvnujbAP1FD66bxs0yGTETPskWS7G9hQReVY2iOhEA0SdM7pYJfFZ7NL8ObDsc3PBSWEvqxeoHjF62G9IVd9zFDY/s2048/Indie+Author+Expenses+-+medium+article.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jiFGhbqBYLwirR1mSrXABdlsqFuM6zCDPQLJQaje-UQjFwBKLU8PvnujbAP1FD66bxs0yGTETPskWS7G9hQReVY2iOhEA0SdM7pYJfFZ7NL8ObDsc3PBSWEvqxeoHjF62G9IVd9zFDY/w640-h360/Indie+Author+Expenses+-+medium+article.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Self publishing can vary from being free to expensive. It depends on your skills, if you're willing to be self taught and hire out for higher quality work. <br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Indie author publishing tools </b><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A cover designer can run between $150-$300 </li><li>An editor costs between $200-$400 </li><li>There are other expenses like formatter and illustrator. </li><li>Or you could do the cover and interior by yourself on programs like InDesign which costs about $240 a year. Vellum is $250, a book formatting software for Mac. </li></ul><b>Distributors</b> <br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>IngramSpark is $50 - to upload a book & then $25 for each revision.</li></ul><b>Other expenses </b><br /><br />Isbns $125 - from the <a href="https://www.myidentifiers.com/identify-protect-your-book/isbn/buy-isbn" target="_blank">Bowker</a> site (for US only). You can purchase an isbn (2 for each: paperback & ebook) to have your name and LLC attached to your book. You can also use a free one through your distributors. Their publishing company will be attached to your book. Also, you’ll have several different isbns for your book through all the distributors you use. <a href="https://blog.reedsy.com/how-to-get-an-isbn/" target="_blank">Reedsy</a> goes in depth about isbns on their site. <br /><br /></div><div><b>Optional marketing expenses </b><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Bookfunnel is $10 per month. It’s a site that allows you to send free ebooks to readers.</li></ul></div><div>What are other expenses do you have to budget for?</div><div><br /></div><div>Stay inspired,</div><div>Fida </div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fida Islaih</div>Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164973155876089714.post-10469480271132095092021-03-11T09:30:00.001-05:002021-03-11T09:30:02.718-05:00Are You Over-Editing Your Work?Hello Poetteers,<br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLSXiVj9cT15X6-aV-bFWDxdQuHmiT_1754bJy1tmLcxTMVWdIliKmGMPkqPqRtiYqOXi_I2HgwIA3SOtpOVRTzk-b8zpo17d9Z6m9EkbQa0yNhGzVlsd_wfvFaW04pDqC7viT1XpLZA/s1600/2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLSXiVj9cT15X6-aV-bFWDxdQuHmiT_1754bJy1tmLcxTMVWdIliKmGMPkqPqRtiYqOXi_I2HgwIA3SOtpOVRTzk-b8zpo17d9Z6m9EkbQa0yNhGzVlsd_wfvFaW04pDqC7viT1XpLZA/w640-h360/2.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><b><br /></b></div>How to know you’re over-editing </b><br /><br />Something we all worry about is over-editing. It’s bound to happen. Over-editing is when your work is no longer moving forward. It happens when you doubt it's not good enough and are attached to what readers think. You will know when the emotion in the poems are lost and you're not excited anymore. The poems sound the same & you feel tired with the poems. There are no questions left to ask. You're focused on the same section and tiny details. You can't finish because it's hard to let go. <div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfDhKkaqtRogFV0an_a2RMo7PKhhtBaunweYLSkmDj4NenwvEGU6OUxmDBVVYcyCXfiU7XRuN5lNHfmmWd2BGkeKxWVPHJKefEIED08nLGokPeVFcltbgNiMbi8vfUjJrqKKFGwvz0yQ/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfDhKkaqtRogFV0an_a2RMo7PKhhtBaunweYLSkmDj4NenwvEGU6OUxmDBVVYcyCXfiU7XRuN5lNHfmmWd2BGkeKxWVPHJKefEIED08nLGokPeVFcltbgNiMbi8vfUjJrqKKFGwvz0yQ/w640-h360/1.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b>How to tackle it when it happens </b><br /><br />Remind yourself that you're writing for yourself. Hopefully you are saving each draft. Don’t be afraid to go back to an older version of the poems. <br /><br /><b>How to prevent it</b><br /><br />Set deadlines. Take breaks in between each round and use a checklist. Send it to beta readers and an editor. Are you looking for a poetry editor? Check out <a href="https://fidaislaih.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_10.html" target="_blank">my services</a> and snag a spot! <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Stay inspired, </div><div>Fida </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fida Islaih</div>Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164973155876089714.post-71855406301440554522021-03-04T09:00:00.003-05:002021-03-04T09:00:03.349-05:00Improve Your Self EditingHello Poetteers, <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqBBy7kobSahka-1lu99cjOaCURb4kFLSSw0X7uPLwO6lhFdozcYkb3naPycOXKBId1eZ01zz-Bxu0ikLd2QCQaPVuZaR16gOPt4NjcQ3bcYasJKBlu-fSj09N1XDstVy5tbPv1GH9mM/s1600/improve+your+self+editing+article.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqBBy7kobSahka-1lu99cjOaCURb4kFLSSw0X7uPLwO6lhFdozcYkb3naPycOXKBId1eZ01zz-Bxu0ikLd2QCQaPVuZaR16gOPt4NjcQ3bcYasJKBlu-fSj09N1XDstVy5tbPv1GH9mM/w640-h360/improve+your+self+editing+article.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br />Editing my own work is harder than editing for my clients. With my clients I see it from an outside perspective. I’m attached to my poems. I may not see the plot holes or may not pay attention to the tone of poem.<br /><br />Editing is a skill you can improve on. Analyze the poems you read and study the songs you listen to. Ask yourself what you like and dislike about the poems? What would you do differently? </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Are you looking for a poetry editor? Check out </span><a href="https://fidaislaih.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_10.html" style="color: #ca654c; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">my services</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;"> and snag a spot! </span></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fida Islaih</div>Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164973155876089714.post-11662770333055594852021-02-18T09:00:00.004-05:002021-02-18T09:00:01.676-05:00Options for EditingHello Poetteers, <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGonoObcmcOLhe3Q5nuq7_W_2dJD-Md1pZQ9GFr5pVY9nyj7kpX9U61yEarDNQtzFuyMRqvPCnSxN_fR5epPTzMIWSZtcDCJkp0ozZF8xfO4rmaobRhI5xaZ2wGt6D0Akm8X9kW-gZ3k/s2048/options+for+editing+-+medium+article.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGonoObcmcOLhe3Q5nuq7_W_2dJD-Md1pZQ9GFr5pVY9nyj7kpX9U61yEarDNQtzFuyMRqvPCnSxN_fR5epPTzMIWSZtcDCJkp0ozZF8xfO4rmaobRhI5xaZ2wGt6D0Akm8X9kW-gZ3k/w640-h360/options+for+editing+-+medium+article.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>There are four options when it comes to editing a body of work. It's best to use all of them. You can't rely on online editing apps unconditionally. It doesn't replace an actual editor. It helps you have a clean manuscript to give to your editor. With that, they can dive deep into your story to give you the copy edits you're looking for. <div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Self editing</b>: find a checklist and familiarize yourself with the track changes feature on your word processor. </li><li><b>Editing software</b>: services like Grammarly, ProWritingAid, and AutoCrit</li><li><b>Beta readers and sensitivity readers</b>: they will give an outside perspective and look for accuracy. </li><li><b>Professional editor</b>: hire one that specializes in your genre and provides the feedback you're looking for. </li></ul></div></div><div>Formatting your work is the next step after editing. Two softwares to consider are Vellum and Indesign. I wish you the best of luck with your work! </div><div><br /></div>Are you looking for a poetry editor? Check out <a href="https://fidaislaih.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_10.html">my services</a> and snag a spot! <br /><br />Stay inspired, <br />Fida </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fida Islaih</div>Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164973155876089714.post-26615938271758762522021-02-11T09:00:00.028-05:002021-02-11T10:20:43.931-05:00My Editing MethodHello Poetteers, <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqr3Fz3c34UhMKtaTag4pRIjZJAyOi9F3y3e3ZvzsA5xrnk1898Xf0ucY0CrTrNhyphenhyphenWbgbgf1CUHRDqBmqgX51NjtYrEDT2UBVGU3ugtCnijbXxpQeXY-eYKRUyc1I_iZO63Ej3D40m18U/s2048/poetry+editing+method+-+medium+article.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqr3Fz3c34UhMKtaTag4pRIjZJAyOi9F3y3e3ZvzsA5xrnk1898Xf0ucY0CrTrNhyphenhyphenWbgbgf1CUHRDqBmqgX51NjtYrEDT2UBVGU3ugtCnijbXxpQeXY-eYKRUyc1I_iZO63Ej3D40m18U/w640-h360/poetry+editing+method+-+medium+article.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>When it comes to editing their poetry chapbooks poets print out every poem and rearrange it until it best tells a story and flows well. It's a good method that helps you physically see how the story can work and moves your headspace so that you don't feel stuck. </div><div><br /></div><div>My body of works are larger and honestly I don't want to waste paper. It could work better for smaller projects. I could possibly focus on the rearrangement by chapter. What works for me is to have a list of the titles, a topic jogger and number it in the order I want them in. Then I go into the document and move the poems.</div><div><br /></div><div>After all that my first step is to read it in full and read it aloud. As I do that I take notes on paper or through track changes. I start with the smaller tasks and move on to the bigger ones. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>For Individual Poems:</b></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Remove unnecessary words and lines</li><li>Look up synonyms and rhymes</li><li>Rearrange lines or stanzas and change POV</li><li>Expand and personalize: research about the topic, look at old journals and photos. Ask your poems what, why, and how questions. </li><li>Figure out what poetic devices could work for the poems. </li></ol>There are several possible ways to write an ending. Use it to emphasize the message, summarize what you shared, bring back the first line. Ask yourself what did you learn from the emotion and experience you explored?<div><br /></div><div>Are you looking for a poetry editor? Check out <a href="https://fidaislaih.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_10.html" target="_blank">my services</a> and snag a spot! </div></div><div><br /></div><div>Stay inspired, </div><div>Fida </div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fida Islaih</div>Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164973155876089714.post-18646086816052473502021-02-04T09:00:00.012-05:002021-02-04T09:00:00.738-05:00Anticipated Poetry Reads of 2021Hello Poetteers, <div><br /></div><div>I'm here again to compile the upcoming poetry book releases of 2021.</div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhli0hDvxqyTEBbFkX-HM0E7CXfWWwFLHjuZQicg5tzX9gZfFaeB5T6bhFLPybVyhBJNTU-bF19o7t6A0LdeRiI_6YpWWKlKRhipQkeD6l4iHn3Tids8ESLNtfKXyJwh3VWBS9G9CLGofo/s1600/anticipated+poetry+reads+of+2021.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhli0hDvxqyTEBbFkX-HM0E7CXfWWwFLHjuZQicg5tzX9gZfFaeB5T6bhFLPybVyhBJNTU-bF19o7t6A0LdeRiI_6YpWWKlKRhipQkeD6l4iHn3Tids8ESLNtfKXyJwh3VWBS9G9CLGofo/w640-h360/anticipated+poetry+reads+of+2021.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><b>January</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I Must Belong Somewhere By Dawn Lanuza </div><div><br /></div><i><span style="color: #444444;">Written during her year of rest and travel, this new collection speaks to the indescribable feelings of displacement and longing for the companionship she left behind. </span></i><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div>If I Tell The Truth by Jasmin Kaur</div><div><br /></div><i><span style="color: #444444;">Told in prose, poetry, and illustration, this heartrending story talks about living undocumented and the constant anxiety over safety.</span></i><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div>Poems for the Dawn by Jen Rogue</div><div><br /></div><i><span style="color: #444444;">In her Letters for the Universe Goodreads Choice Nominated poet J.R. Rogue shares intimate poems written lovingly for her readers. Take a journey through the eyes of author and reader as Rogue shares a glimpse into the private task of writing poetry dedicated to readers worldwide.</span></i><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div>Shine Your Icy Crown by Amanda Lovelace</div><div><br /></div><i><span style="color: #444444;">This is a story about not letting society dictate the limits of your potential. it’s time to take back your power & realize that you don’t need a king in order to be a queen.</span></i><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><b>February</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Where Hope Comes From by Nikita Gill</div><div><br /></div><i><span style="color: #444444;">poet Nikita Gill returns to her roots with her most personal collection yet. sharing a number of poems that she wrote when the world went into lockdown, as well as her poems of strength and hope.</span></i><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div>The Grief We’re Given by William Bortz </div><div><br /></div><i><span style="color: #444444;">How are we to learn to grieve when it feels unrelenting? How are we to adore and memorialize small moments of appreciation? How are we to shape our grief into something worth celebrating, and begin to understand the grief we give?</span></i><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><b>March</b></div><div><br /></div><div>It Was Never Going to Be Okay, by Jaye Simpson</div><div><br /></div><i><span style="color: #444444;">it was never going to be okay is a collection of poetry and prose exploring the intimacies of understanding intergenerational trauma, Indigeneity and queerness.</span></i><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div>I am tired of being a dandelion by Zane Fredrick</div><div><br /></div><i><span style="color: #444444;">Life presents a multitude of moments we hope work in our favor. One moment has us building a fortress of daydreams and anticipation, and the next it may come crumbling down. Yet, no matter how many times our hopes fall, we seem to be able to rebuild them again.</span></i><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div>How Far You Have Come by Morgan Harper Nichols</div><div><br /></div><i><span style="color: #444444;">In the midst of the hurt and the mundane, the questions and the not yets, we can forget just how far we have come. Morgan weaves together personal reflections with her signature poems to share her journey to reclaim moments of brokenness, division, and pain and re-envision them as experiences of reconciliation, unity, and hope.</span></i><div><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><i><br /></i></span></span>All the Places I Wish I Died by Crystal Stone</div><div><br /></div><i><span style="color: #444444;">Between the Midwest & the delta. On the bank of the shore & the ice of the lake. Between love & nostalgia. Beside the toad & the squirrel. Between loss. Next to a stranger. In the scent of grapefruit vodka seltzer. Between the sunrise & high noon. In the shape of the bed in the shape of my former body. By the edge. All the places I wish I died.</span></i><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><div><div><b>April</b></div><div><br />Sometimes I fall asleep thinking about you by Catarine Hancock </div><div><br /></div><i><span style="color: #444444;">a collection of poetry on the feeling of never getting closure, that lingering longing you still get even when you know you shouldn’t, and how it feels to finally be able to say, “I have finally let you go,” after years of struggling to find the words.</span></i><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>The Wild Fox of Yemen, by Threa Almontaser<br /></div><div><br /></div><i><span style="color: #444444;">A love letter to the country and people of Yemen, a portrait of young Muslim womanhood in New York after 9/11, and an extraordinarily composed examination of what it means to carry in the body the echoes of what came before.</span></i></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fida Islaih</div>Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164973155876089714.post-43644428859473210572020-11-12T13:39:00.001-05:002020-11-12T13:39:17.501-05:00Release Day: Jamal-e-Fatima<p> Hello Poetteers,</p><p>I had the honor of editing this poetry collection. </p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55882223-it-s-past-midnigth-somewhere" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="it's past midnigth somewhere" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1605150341l/55882223._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55882223-it-s-past-midnigth-somewhere">it's past midnigth somewhere</a> by Jamal-e-Fatima<br />
My rating: 5 of 5 stars<br /><br />
I love the imagery of nature and love. There is a beautiful awareness of cultural identity and faith. It resonated with me. I can feel the pain and pride behind the poems. There are pieces included that empower the reader. <br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://bookshop.org/books/it-s-past-midnight-somewhere-a-debut-collection-of-poetry-and-illustrations-reliving-pain-reclaiming-heritage-and-rediscovering-bliss-in-solitude/9798698787846" target="_blank">Purchase the book</a>!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fida Islaih</div>Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164973155876089714.post-13909629841644315952020-11-05T13:19:00.001-05:002021-05-03T13:22:10.864-04:00How to Price and Distribute Your BookHello Poetteers, <div><br /></div><div>Is Amazon publishing worth it? Amazon KDP is the most well know book distributor among indie authors. It’s easy and free. The pro is that it’s a site with lots of traffic. It has a rating system to get your book on their own bestselling lists.<br /><br />Amazon’s sole focus isn’t book distribution. They sell everything. You want to find a company who prioritizes their authors. Places like BookBaby, IngramSpark and Smashwords. It’s important to diversify your marketing.<br /><br />Your book should still be sold on Amazon and also use other distributors to reach retailers like Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, etc. All your eggs shouldn’t be in one basket. You want to expand your reach. When getting ready to publish and promote your book, one important thing is cost. What are the expenses on your book? What is your income goal?<br /><br />As a self published poet I’m competing with traditionally published authors. Traditionally published poetry books (paperbacks) are priced at $8 to $16. Ebooks are priced $4 to $8. Is your book priced too low or too high?<br /><br />Part of the publishing process is picking a price that works for your book. Research is an important part of it. Find books that are in the same genre with a similar length and have similar topics. Take the average price and use that sweet spot. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your book’s price. Change it if it’s not working with you and not comparable to your market.<br /><br />Analyze the royalty rate and pay time of different book distributors. Pick your choice based on those results. Also, have the royalty rate in mind when pricing your book.<br /><br />Royalties have to play a part in it. For paperbacks Amazon charges you a printing cost (based on book size, etc) and their royalty rate is 40% to 60%. For ebooks the royalty rate is 30% to 70%. They pay you approximately 60 days following the end of the calendar month.<br /><br />On <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/Fislaih">Smashwords</a> (ebook distribution site) the royalty rate is 60% to 80%. Smashwords pays monthly, 30–40 days after the conclusion of each month.<br /><br />The best thing to do is to add <a href="https://payhip.com/Poetteer">signed paperbacks</a> to your book marketing plan. It’s cost effective because readers buy directly from you. (Yes you will have to pay to print bulk but you can make up to 5x more than you spend). It’s the quickest and best way to make up what you spent on making the book.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fida Islaih</div>Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164973155876089714.post-48082778909252052512020-10-01T12:21:00.002-04:002020-10-01T12:21:33.790-04:00Book Release - Katie WismerHello Poetteers,<br /><br />I recently read <i>The Sweetest Kind of Poison</i> by Katie Wismer and enjoyed it. <span style="text-align: center;">She released a new poetry book today!</span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="167" data-original-width="320" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4_sBr5bgS1b7UrdeyVb0yZLY-lPS8MSzxTl-sYE9U1QGcwcZ_pHoYHH07HBgmqtvMtXu5G6xNlwM4Ga9iSbwdsJSj3PiiUQCK32gH0P-F2lh8E774K4t3sPZpNSghlTG58jBCT8Pvfs/w400-h209/image.png" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><b style="text-align: start;"><br /></b></div><b>Blurb: </b><br /><br /><i>If you are underwhelmed by me, <br />please just let me go... </i><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">Poems for the End of the World</a> is a coming of age collection and exploration of the confusing and disillusioning trek through young adulthood in a broken world. Divided into four chapters—waking up, growing pains, crushing realities, and disappointing beginnings—this collection covers everything from self-discovery and heartbreak to chronic illness and fresh starts. <div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><b>Author Bio: </b><br /><br />Katie Wismer is a die-hard pig lover, semi-obsessive gym rat, and longtime sucker for a well-written book. She studied creative writing and sociology at Roanoke College and now works as a freelance editor in Colorado with her cats Max and Dean. Her first poetry collection The Sweetest Kind of Poison and her debut novel The Anti-Virginity Pact are available anywhere books are sold. When she's not writing, reading, or wrangling the cats, you can find her on her <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">YouTube channel</a>. You can also find her on Twitter, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">Goodreads</a> or at <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">katiewismer.com</a>.<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Stay inspired,</div><div style="text-align: left;">Fida</div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fida Islaih</div>Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164973155876089714.post-19941387112261763772020-09-25T16:43:00.003-04:002020-09-25T16:43:40.022-04:00Behind the Poem: Hold SpaceHello Poetteers,<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Original Poem</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Always when I talk with you,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm afraid to say everything</div><div style="text-align: center;">because I think you might not</div><div style="text-align: center;">understand it all</div><div style="text-align: center;">because of the somewhat</div><div style="text-align: center;">different beliefs we have.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yet you ask questions to help me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And I'm glad you do.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We are, together breaking down</div><div style="text-align: center;">another wall of isolation.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Response Poem</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I hold back</div><div style="text-align: center;">afraid to say anything</div><div style="text-align: center;">worried you might not understand</div><div style="text-align: center;">because of the different beliefs we have; </div><div style="text-align: center;">you say something</div><div style="text-align: center;">that contradicts my beliefs</div><div style="text-align: center;">and I shrink back</div><div style="text-align: center;">wishing someone else was in place</div><div style="text-align: center;">where I didn’t have to explain the cultural expectations</div><div style="text-align: center;">before expressing how I feel</div><div style="text-align: center;">You are willing to ask questions and learn</div><div style="text-align: center;">it feels tiring</div><div style="text-align: center;">like there’s no space for me.</div> <br /><b>Behind the Poem</b><br /> <br />I enjoy sharing my beliefs and values. Sometimes I get tired of having to explain my religious beliefs and cultural values, especially before pouring out my emotions. I wish people were more aware and understanding of different cultures and religions. That right there is why I write poetry: to express my emotions and experiences while spreading cultural awareness. Why do you write?<br /><br />A to Z Poetry is available for purchase on <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/359139">Smashwords</a>.<br /><br />stay inspired,<br />Fida<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fida Islaih</div>Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164973155876089714.post-53024591957886988652020-09-15T07:00:00.001-04:002020-09-15T07:00:02.683-04:00On Writing PerspectivesHello Poetteers,<br /><br /> In part one I talked about <a href="https://fidaislaih.blogspot.com/2020/08/controlling-narrative.html" target="_blank">controlling the narrative</a>. Writing from a human’s perspective you didn’t experience can be problematic. There are other ways you can write from other perspectives that aren’t your own. Explore and personify emotions, colors, nature, and other inanimate objects like furniture, etc. <br /><br /><div>Writing is exploratory. Within ourselves we have different perspectives on our own experiences. Write what happened but also explore what you wish happened. After you write about a negative moment explore the positives. Write to the child in you then write to the adult in you. After pointing out your weaknesses look for your strengths. <br /><br />Analyze your old poetry and look for a new angle you can use. You may just surprise yourself.<br /><br />stay inspired,<br />Fida </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fida Islaih</div>Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164973155876089714.post-46154927216421071762020-09-11T13:49:00.001-04:002020-09-11T13:49:07.735-04:00Response to 'A to Z Poetry'Hello Poetteers,<div><br /></div><div>Like any other writer my work has evolved through the years. A to Z Poetry is my first book. Reading from it makes me cringe. There are still some gems in it. I don’t want to unpublish it. I want myself and my readers to see the evolution. For its 7th anniversary I decided to write a few response poems to the book. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Original Poem </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Everyone has their own guardian angel</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>guiding us always</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>they are here to protect us from everything</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>guardian angels are always there every step of the way.</i></div></i><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Response Poem</b></div></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>My heart should have been hurt</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>but I walked away without a scratch</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>I feel a sense of peace wash over me</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>as I know an angel was watching over me</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>protecting my heart.</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">A to Z Poetry is available for purchase on <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/359139" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">stay inspired,</div><div style="text-align: left;">Fida</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fida Islaih</div>Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164973155876089714.post-17866965733469531202020-08-19T12:12:00.001-04:002020-08-19T12:12:53.672-04:00Behind the Poem - The Garden<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The Garden</i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Through the window</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I see the morning dew </i></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I feel your sunlight </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>the wind chimes and birds chirp </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>buds fill the branches </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The morning spring light </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>nourishes the blossoming - </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>flowers and my soul </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The breeze brings </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>the first fragrance </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>of freshly bloomed flowers </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>bringing vibrant colors to the earth </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>watching clouds float and shape-shift </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>perfect for bare feet and day dreams </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I sit in silence, unmoved </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>two little birds were chirping loudly </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>playing in our garden </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>chirping to their friends </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I hear their wings flutter</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>and dance in the bird bath </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>the flowers you water pray for you </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>the birds you feed pray for you.</i></span></div></div><div><br /></div><b>Behind the Poem</b> <br /><br />The poem wasn’t written in one sitting. It started as three haikus in response to some <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-URm4UjTh0/" target="_blank">April prompts</a>. In June I wrote a garden poem. I noticed one stanza had the same line as one of the haikus:<div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">"<span style="color: #cc0000;">Enjoy the little joys </span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;">the breeze brings wind chimes and birdsong </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">watching clouds float and shapeshift</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">perfect for bare feet and day dreams."</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></div><div>I edited out the above lines to remove redundancy. All the pieces had similar themes of spring and the garden that I combined it together for one longer piece. <div><br /></div><div>stay inspired,</div><div>Fida </div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fida Islaih</div>Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164973155876089714.post-53629870123466011192020-08-18T15:30:00.001-04:002020-08-18T15:30:07.629-04:00Controlling the Narrative<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgjgQbtYAOnQuGHx4v5G6GjpMs8AL59TivtQzu3gM-D4hr7ix58kghoGhRKVi3thF5aSL1Qs4hwBcn7MuE7dTYjRhCKkHhvQsweODAB7LlZHuBhsZ_hMLCGwJgwVAcREcY0K2oauToYw/s1200/control+narrative+-+blog+post+Graphic-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgjgQbtYAOnQuGHx4v5G6GjpMs8AL59TivtQzu3gM-D4hr7ix58kghoGhRKVi3thF5aSL1Qs4hwBcn7MuE7dTYjRhCKkHhvQsweODAB7LlZHuBhsZ_hMLCGwJgwVAcREcY0K2oauToYw/w219-h328/control+narrative+-+blog+post+Graphic-2.png" width="219" /></a></div>Hello poets,<div><br /></div><div>I've noticed people reading poems from male 'she' poets. It’s frustrating. Its tiring. Men plagiarizing women’s work. Men mistranslating other poets' work. Men writing about women’s trauma. They should not be writing about women's experiences. Men should not be writing about female trauma or beautifying mental illness. They can’t tell women how they should feel and deal with their mental illnesses and trauma. You can write dark pieces and about mental illnesses without "romanticizing" it and being harmful. Leave females to write about their own traumas and their own stories.</div><div><br /></div>Have you ever read a poem about their personal human experience? Do you notice who they refer to in their poems? If they never talk about their own experiences and always share someone’s else narrative it can be problematic. We shouldn’t be writing about a human perspective we haven’t experienced. We should control our own narrative and pass the mic to the other necessary voices. I don’t want a white person to be writing about a person of color’s experiences. Men shouldn’t write from a woman’s perspective.<br /><br />You’re welcome to write about your experiences with them but don’t write their narrative. Pass the mic and make space for us. We should be creating a space for us to share our own stories instead of letting others control our narrative. Share your experiences. Show that you exist. There is one universal way they may see you as. There is more to us than what others know. What are you doing about it?<div><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 32, 32);"><br /></span></span><b>Other Reads:</b></div><div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://fidaislaih.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-current-state-of-poetry-world.html" target="_blank">Current State of Poetry World</a></li><li><a href="https://fidaislaih.blogspot.com/2020/02/islamic-poetry-history.html" target="_blank">Reading Rumi</a></li><li><a href="https://thoughtcatalog.com/bianca-sparacino/2017/10/where-have-all-the-good-male-poets-gone/" target="_blank">Where Have All The Good Male Poets Gone?</a></li></ul><div>stay inspired,</div></div></div><div>Fida</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fida Islaih</div>Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164973155876089714.post-21024545511453530232020-08-10T13:55:00.011-04:002020-08-17T13:47:36.632-04:00Hiring An Editor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8szc_sGzLDdDps_K0ZbtZ_zhWrhHFylMHHJM10zJFgYznmDoVCxf0ymRPuPLPo5m_FPYhfMxG8s558eM0Rjpl_GatH-Vj_q7jbbQdBh1Rcoya8HM9YLpsBML00uS8Rsl8HNemn1gtKQM/s1200/hire+an+editor+-+blog+graphic.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8szc_sGzLDdDps_K0ZbtZ_zhWrhHFylMHHJM10zJFgYznmDoVCxf0ymRPuPLPo5m_FPYhfMxG8s558eM0Rjpl_GatH-Vj_q7jbbQdBh1Rcoya8HM9YLpsBML00uS8Rsl8HNemn1gtKQM/w175-h263/hire+an+editor+-+blog+graphic.png" width="175" /></a></div>Hello Poetteers,<div><br /></div><div>Communication is vital. When hiring an editor here are a few things to keep in mind: </div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>read their service page</li><li>request a sample edit to see if we are a good fit</li><li>discuss the kind of feedback you need and ask how they edit</li><li>figure out and be clear about the payment plan. It varies between editors how they calculate the cost.</li><li>ask how long will the editing take? (and their timeline. De clear if you have your own deadline.)</li><li>be aware that there may be an up-charge for extra tasks. </li></ul>Lastly, editors want to know the genre of your work and the length of your manuscript. <div><br /><div>Stay inspired,</div><div>Fida</div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://fidaislaih.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_10.html" target="_blank">Message me</a> when your poetry is ready to be edited and you're interested in working with me. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fida Islaih</div>Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164973155876089714.post-49905974308810141252020-08-04T12:50:00.016-04:002020-08-04T12:50:00.141-04:00Favorites from 'Folklore'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vxvwmYRnb-yLtt3scj77v1wp2xqNU7NK4ejml8vC_zOouKUFAEFWJaSM4eUvv_LCGWLXaUonm7TLO05O1lYz2JohL6cG5mNv51LYGWdoFs9fXlev6jlb8NyIHoIEEY6N9GPqsShVDRw/s1200/Favorites+from+Folklore+-+Pinterest+Graphic.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vxvwmYRnb-yLtt3scj77v1wp2xqNU7NK4ejml8vC_zOouKUFAEFWJaSM4eUvv_LCGWLXaUonm7TLO05O1lYz2JohL6cG5mNv51LYGWdoFs9fXlev6jlb8NyIHoIEEY6N9GPqsShVDRw/w175-h262/Favorites+from+Folklore+-+Pinterest+Graphic.png" width="175" /></a></div>Hello Poetteers,<div><br /></div><div>I decided to do a different and fun post for this week. I'm sure a majority of us including me have been listening to 'Folklore'. I love a really good lyric. It's relatable and up to the reader/listener's interpretation. I want to breakdown why some of the lyrics have become my favorite.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>cardigan: </b><i>"I knew you'd haunt all of my what-ifs" </i>Listening to this line I think of anxiety. </div><div><br /></div><b>the last great american dynasty:</b> <i>"She had a marvelous time ruining everything."</i> I love the change in POV. This particular line makes me think of loud woman breaking cultural and societal expectations.<div><br /></div><div><b>exile</b>: <i>"you're not my homeland anymore."</i> I love the two voices in this song. There is another lyric that I love the alliteration in but this particular line pulls at my heart because it reminds me of those in diaspora. </div><div><br /></div><b>my tears ricochet</b>: <i>"I didn't have it in myself to go with grace."</i> I think of my self doubts, overthinking, uncomfortable with emotions and being hard on myself.<div><br /></div><b>seven</b>: <i>"Are there still beautiful things?"</i> This song is sweet and this particular line reminds me to appreciate nature.<div><br /></div><b>august:</b> <i>"live for the hope of it all"</i> I love this line because it reminds me to stay positive and live in the present. <div><font color="#222222" face="" size="4"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><br /></span></font></div><b>invisible string:</b> <i>"time cutting me open and healing me fine."</i> This is one of my favorite songs. I picked this particular line because it's fitting for me has I'm in the middle of my own healing journey.<div><br /></div><div><b>this is me trying: </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><i>"I've been having a hard time adjusting...<br />I have a lot of regrets about that...<br />Could've followed my fears all the way down...<br />I just wanted you to know that this is me trying<br />At least I'm trying."</i><div><br /></div><div>This is my top favorite song from the album. I'm currently working through some past trauma and there was a specific transition that was hard on me. </div><div><br /><b>epiphany</b>: <i>"And some things you just can't speak about."</i> This line reminds me of myself as a reserved person, keeping my pain to myself and using poetry to express myself.</div><div><br /></div><b>peace</b>: <i>"Give you the silence that only comes when two people understand each other."</i> This line is sweet as I appreciate the presence of loved ones.<div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face=""><span style="background-color: #ddddee;"><br /></span></font></div><div>What is your favorite song and lyric?</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fida Islaih</div>Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164973155876089714.post-7015781362934107662020-07-28T13:00:00.004-04:002020-07-28T13:02:56.047-04:00How to Write A Balanced Poem <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8qhlKxVnxDxxLXGVQNlqJg-SKebgt0PNa-1q4m2lN-3DctzGpnUPm6cwpbcvyd57tRsJAIt5JXYvYCdqI1_uWyejf-0j3Echa_gWnr4c5gvyp-GqMZ7VYXQZCeg1Z9Xzj2zAvk0CY9U/s1200/balanced+poem+-+blog+post+Graphic.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8qhlKxVnxDxxLXGVQNlqJg-SKebgt0PNa-1q4m2lN-3DctzGpnUPm6cwpbcvyd57tRsJAIt5JXYvYCdqI1_uWyejf-0j3Echa_gWnr4c5gvyp-GqMZ7VYXQZCeg1Z9Xzj2zAvk0CY9U/w133-h200/balanced+poem+-+blog+post+Graphic.png" width="133" /></a></div>Hello Poetteers,<div><br /></div><div>Before you even write balance life and poetry. I leave writing for when it doesn’t take me away from an experience. I know I feel ready to write when I’ve accepted the situation that I’m writing about, the lesson is learned and there is positivity.</div><div><br /></div><div>I love a poem that shows the whole story. I want to see a piece have a balance of both sides. For example:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>if you share something dark, add something light.</li><li>if it's negative, add positivity.</li><li>if you're searching for something, share it being found. </li></ul></div><div>The format matters too. Break up run on sentences to fit the format and remain consistent with the rest of the poem. It can look too heavy or too small compared to the rest of the piece. Also, remain consistent with the poetic devices you used. </div><div><br /></div><div>Don't be afraid to question your poetry to pull out what's necessary for it. How do you know you've written a well balanced poem?</div><div><br /> stay inspired, <br /> Fida
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fida Islaih</div>Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164973155876089714.post-69946559317427489052020-07-21T09:30:00.000-04:002020-07-21T09:58:42.503-04:00Gold Gift, A Poem<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Gold Gift</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Every time I look down</div><div style="text-align: center;">at my wrists</div><div style="text-align: center;">and see the bracelets</div><div style="text-align: center;">I see their hands,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am reminded of both women who wore it before me</div><div style="text-align: center;">I hope to embody their strength.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Behind the Poem</b></div><div><br /></div><div>This poem is from Her Durian. I wrote it after my mom gave me her bracelet that she had gotten from her mother. In the moment it felt casual. She slipped on my wrist to give me some arm candy before our trip to Malaysia. My own grandmother didn't recognize it yet thought it was beautiful. This memory will always be attached to the bracelet and poem. <a href="https://payhip.com/b/UkXY" target="_blank">Signed paperbacks</a> are now available for purchase. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fida Islaih</div>Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164973155876089714.post-87715870280352177262020-07-14T11:00:00.010-04:002020-07-14T11:00:01.578-04:00Affirmations for Editing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudEb2gWi9UJF6gqvfyegVcF7n_308Hmn4arPVnFlQV0V11-KDDYqisuoyCQKg1Pn9wGxFGQElIWZhe5Vi4ygF2hLi_9YT6twgPVxjcecdOZbrUuvEmlHLCO1klgxrJcGFbYb71wmu03I/s1200/editing+affirmations+-+blog+post+Graphic.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudEb2gWi9UJF6gqvfyegVcF7n_308Hmn4arPVnFlQV0V11-KDDYqisuoyCQKg1Pn9wGxFGQElIWZhe5Vi4ygF2hLi_9YT6twgPVxjcecdOZbrUuvEmlHLCO1klgxrJcGFbYb71wmu03I/w170-h256/editing+affirmations+-+blog+post+Graphic.png" width="170" /></a></div>Hello Poetteers, <br /><br />Positive affirmations help you believe in your goals and propels you towards action. <div><br /><b>Affirmations for Editing</b><br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>My writing is strengthened by editing notes from others.</li><li>I can visualize the improvement editing makes on my poetry. </li><li>I trust in the editing process.</li><li><span class="JsGRdQ">I will take my time with my poetry.</span></li><li>It's good to write slowly.</li><li>I will carefully look over my poetry.</li></ol><b>Action Items</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Reach out to beta readers and sensitivity readers</li><li>Hire an editor. Both can offer an outside perspective. </li><li>Notice if critiques highlight similar issues. Keep it in mind for future editing.</li><li>Take breaks between writing and editing. Also have breaks between each editing round. Doing so will help you look at your work from a clear headspace. </li><li><span class="JsGRdQ">Read it aloud, read it backwards. Ask your poetry questions. Don’t rush/force writing specific stanzas.</span></li></ol>You don't want to over edit. Be vocal about the voice you want to portray in your work. <br /><div><br /></div><div>Stay inspired,</div></div><div>Fida </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm a poetry editor. Interested? <a href="https://fidaislaih.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_10.html" target="_blank">Message me</a> when your poetry (book) is ready to be edited. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fida Islaih</div>Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164973155876089714.post-89600113290067337612020-07-07T10:49:00.003-04:002020-07-07T10:49:08.926-04:00Create A Table of ContentsHello Poetteers,<br /><br />A table of contents helps your readers navigate a book and find the poem that calls out to them. There are two styles I like to use. Option 1 is to add all the chapter titles. Option 2 is to add all the poetry titles. It depends on the length of the book and how the poems are organized. <br /><br /><b>How to Make It</b><br />On Google Docs and Pages go under the insert tab and the option will be there. When it pops up there will be instructions on how to create it. Whatever text you want to go on the table of contents should be in the paragraph style called 'Heading'. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0b5rV8ReLOnOqFFNZntWeAxAWoKOClZ6eGSZIy3C89XDtrSjSXxvBtCKoGDO_ngobX5oXqI-GDofkKMjHwEuhUEyjw4lGWhBNVbAMMNx-2M0dY67-5gh6sMOmePPegIiixnjW5jq9kfY/s1327/Screen+Shot+2020-07-01+at+10.59.33+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="1327" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0b5rV8ReLOnOqFFNZntWeAxAWoKOClZ6eGSZIy3C89XDtrSjSXxvBtCKoGDO_ngobX5oXqI-GDofkKMjHwEuhUEyjw4lGWhBNVbAMMNx-2M0dY67-5gh6sMOmePPegIiixnjW5jq9kfY/w320-h142/Screen+Shot+2020-07-01+at+10.59.33+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBkUqacf2a8rw_3Owgdu73IE1XFrbrkMcyKbcbJlffJq7xUCO5u2-Rufgv3al05Uvcrrf00SCzRBcf5JGbnpoUXkjazEeUK7DtWjJIqT2TF9HA_xm39Xxt81XpQR_amRQiBTSyXYPNGU/s1191/Screen+Shot+2020-07-01+at+11.01.22+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="1191" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBkUqacf2a8rw_3Owgdu73IE1XFrbrkMcyKbcbJlffJq7xUCO5u2-Rufgv3al05Uvcrrf00SCzRBcf5JGbnpoUXkjazEeUK7DtWjJIqT2TF9HA_xm39Xxt81XpQR_amRQiBTSyXYPNGU/w320-h174/Screen+Shot+2020-07-01+at+11.01.22+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Message me when your poetry book is ready to be edited.</div><div><br /></div><div>Stay inspired,</div><div>Fida </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fida Islaih</div>Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164973155876089714.post-61418848703515931342020-06-30T10:58:00.020-04:002020-06-30T11:28:46.704-04:00Poetry Book Cover TrendsHello Poetteers,<div><blockquote cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@poetfida/video/6825694114625981701" class="tiktok-embed" data-video-id="6825694114625981701" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;"> </blockquote> <script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>
I've noticed some repetitive elements on the covers of some of our favorite poetry books. This is one trend to look for when publishing your own poetry book. <br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Black </li><li>White </li><li>Minimal </li><li>Floral (or nature)</li></ul><div>It's a combination of those elements. My shelf is filled with poetry books with a black or white cover. The focus is on the text and a minimal photo of some sort, for example: flower, animal, fruit or geometric shape. Sometimes a majority of the cover is covered in floral or a natural landscape. Most recently, I noticed several white covers with a pop of color (pinks or blues) in the middle.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>What have you noticed about your favorite poetry book covers? </div><div><br /></div><div>Stay inspired, </div><div>Fida </div><div><br /></div><div>P.S. An underrated cover design is using a solid bright color with a minimal silhouette. </div>
<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@poetfida/video/6825694114625981701" data-video-id="6825694114625981701" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;" > <section> <a target="_blank" title="@poetfida" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@poetfida">@poetfida</a> <p>Top 4 poetry book cover trends. <a title="poetry" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/poetry">##poetry</a> <a title="bookmarketing" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/bookmarketing">##bookmarketing</a> <a title="selfpublishing" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/selfpublishing">##selfpublishing</a> <a title="editing101" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/editing101">##editing101</a> <a title="indieauthor" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/indieauthor">##indieauthor</a> <a title="smallbusiness" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/smallbusiness">##smallbusiness</a></p> <a target="_blank" title="♬ Love - Cody Simpson,Ziggy Marley" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Love-6468162858793306893">♬ Love - Cody Simpson,Ziggy Marley</a> </section> </blockquote> <script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fida Islaih</div>Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164973155876089714.post-32207001581797817432020-06-23T12:59:00.000-04:002020-06-23T12:59:04.776-04:00Finding Courage in Sharing Poetry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyocACEmrrtJ8CfA6AFO3cQZ4-MmvEtxGJ5IjHd4NAFtF9rexE46aH-jL_PnuirTDyfpu8F66p6MzRx3b_jKR5h5zkme3qeNM3KmNb3nG1pO3fuMWgDbSgAj79alDRzGqR24NzLpJYFRY/s1200/Find+Courage+Graphic.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyocACEmrrtJ8CfA6AFO3cQZ4-MmvEtxGJ5IjHd4NAFtF9rexE46aH-jL_PnuirTDyfpu8F66p6MzRx3b_jKR5h5zkme3qeNM3KmNb3nG1pO3fuMWgDbSgAj79alDRzGqR24NzLpJYFRY/s320/Find+Courage+Graphic.png" /></a></div>Hello Poetteers, <br /><br />I started writing poetry on spring 2008 and a few months later I started sharing them on a blog. I found my courage early on. Sometimes it staggers but it continues to grow. <br /><br /><b>Define your why</b>: what’s your purpose for sharing your poetry? Remind yourself of it when you question yourself. Know that it can evolve esp with your life experiences. <br /><br />Mine started as a way to express my love for nature and faith. Afterwards it changed to express my emotions and now my purpose is to spread mental health and cultural awareness.<br /><br /><b>Practice</b>: Find your voice. Know that it’ll start of decent and continue to improve. Done is better than perfect. Read a lot of poetry to get a feel of the genre. When writing your own pause on the reading to not let it subconsciously affect your voice. <br /><br /><b>Trust readers</b>: get your trustworthy and honest friends to read and give you feedback. As you get compliments from friends and strangers keep a positivity file. Read them when you start doubting yourself. <br /><br /><b>Push your comfort zone</b>: as you get comfortable with your poetry experiment with new poetic formats and literary devices. Write more vulnerably. <br /><br />Push yourself into new spaces to share it. Go from sharing it on a blog to submitting it to literary journals. Later, move on to publishing a book. If you’ve been writing poetry, try performance poetry.<br /><br />How did you find your courage?<br /><br />Stay inspired,<br />Fida<br /><br />Check out my <a href="https://payhip.com/Poetteer" target="_blank">poetry books</a>. <div class="blogger-post-footer">Fida Islaih</div>Fida Islaihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092246146139978450noreply@blogger.com0