The Poetteer

Hello readers, My book cover is going to be revealed almost a month from now. On January 14, 2014! But here's the awesome thing. YOU CAN SIGN UP TO HELP WITH THE REVEAL, if you want to. Loading...

Hello readers, Day 15 Going through the year paying attention to the little things children talking and reading loving their friends and teachers campers enjoying learning and playing in good weather watching how the disabled work Going through the year noticing how certain news affect us yet with hearing the crying we hear the laughter the quiet and loud presences  Going through the year enjoying the smell of old and new books enjoying the fruit and chocolate and other treats seeing how plain and great things can be with lots of hugs and kisses.  Day 16 This year was like me driving a car postponing it for a long time finally getting behind the wheel and going slowly finally making lots of turns going in circles  finally getting somewhere even though no one listens. Thank you, 

Hello readers, The poem is back! I loved today's prompt! Mud and dirt in my life being lousy and mean cleaning myself off I have potential to be better instead of starting next year I'm going to start now controlling my emotions and communication is key for all I want to fix. Thank you and love, 

Hello readers, My challenge for next year is to keep up with my resolutions. To publish another poetry collection. To do better with it. With all my writing and editing.  Nurture my friendships and new love for camping. Thank you and love,  

Hello readers, If you read yesterday's poem you know it has been a year of pjs and online college. I've been on autopilot for a while. Grade school for 12 years. Nothing different. My body just thinks it's on vacation and will go back to routine. But that's not how it's going to be. I need to get out of that autopilot zone.  I need to care more about my faith, college, writing and a job I enjoy. Not one I do just for money, especially when it's a somewhat long drives away.  I apologize if you wanted a poem. All those poem or not comes naturally. I never have to force myself to put a certain thing up for my blog.  Even after reverb13 I'll keep you updates on any changes from being in autopilot. Thank you and love,

Hello readers,  The year of the selfie the year of pjs  and what makes me  who I am all the gifts women and family in my life whether a glance or more Reconnecting with  my faith, my soul trying to remove routine as this is the year of realizing. Thank you and love,

Hello readers,  Little memories, treasures and discoveries  stored in our hearts not fading away only getting bigger helping you. Learning from love and loss taking risks and conquering your fears knowing what keeps you best are the things that come from those memories being treasures.  Thank you and love, 

Hello readers, Risks are big  but different to everyone  Risks is w alking on rocks high and low tight places to finish a hike see beauty along the way.  Risk is w alking bank to bank in smooth, fast water first with breaks in the middle then without them discovering beauty along the way.  Thank you and love, 

Hello readers,  What have you lost what are you grieving? The loss of family  and friends when you have to leave them cuz an event ends  when one dies With each day passing  that you still haven't seen  that one side of your family that new cousin Just sad that everything is totally different but it's a beautiful sadness when those people  and you are proud of who you are. Thank you and love,

Hello readers, I ask my heart what do you need  love in so many ways finding old friends reconnecting with them or having a proper closure  having some as soulmates to live with until I die to camp with strangers to sisters ringing in the New Year to reconnect with my faith just keep improving  a just one simple desire to move on, be out of boring and into a better place in many ways Thank you and love, 

Hello readers, I hope this page is clean I've been feeling ill and of course I dislike it wanting to be healthy again Yet I'm blessed to have this  to me, it's God cleaning my body, my soul for new moments And it's at the right time as we start a new month the last month before the new year.  Thank you and love,  

Hello readers,  WHAT I'M READING I haven't read much or anything recently.  WHAT I'M WRITING  I have been writing, though, since it's NaNoWriMo. I'm at a grand total of 26k! I'm not close to 50k, but this is my personal best as I look back at my other attempts.  WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW working on new projects, an upcoming camp and that the holidays are coming. Soon it'll be the new year!  WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO This is exciting!!! My upcoming publication is my second one and the first that's going to be in paperback, woohoo!! I  just need to edit and format it and wait for the cover designer to finish the cover.  As you wait for the cover reveal and other fun stuff you can add to Goodreads - (link in book page) You can get a peak of what it's going to be like here on my blog and in my first published book, A TO Z POETRY (link in book page) Enjoy and thank you, 

Hello readers, I'm blessed today with... 1. Delicious chocolate, but it's now almost finished.  2. The ability to control a situation  3. Out-of-the-blue tea, dessert and friends gathering 4. Learning how to trust, believe and be optimistic about a situation  5. The knowledge that I can show not tell in my writing  Thank you and love, Fida

Hello readers,  I have a somewhat a new segment for you as you can tell by the title. Let's get to it! Day 13:  "I love walking around campus at night. You get to see the moon and stars. Only the street lamps light the path. It's beautiful. I may trying writing sometime in this place. For now the poem will have to do." "We are not sheep here. No one herds us and we don't follow anyone. Yet I must say we have a few black sheep among us. It's awkward." "An eye of a tiger is something I try to capture in words like I once tried in drawing." "Sometimes you got to love yourself a little more to get the energy you need to keep going." Day 15:   "It just really pisses me off that my existence is not that important to be listened to and peacefully said hello to." "I think her heart got the rest of her body sick because of missing me." Day 21:   "The moon shimmered on the clouds, on the water at the beach along wit...

Hello readers, It's been around a month since my last blessings post.  In a few days from now I'm about to get almost a suitcase full of chocolate. I'm not lying! I'll take a picture. In a little over month I get to go to camp and see my awesome sisters!  I have to put in a bit of selfish promo: it's been two months since I self published my first poetry collection!! You can get it on Smashwords for less than $2!  Also in three months I'm self publishing another poetry collection. I made the official announcement last week! Other blessings... let's see... a job, two cats, family. Finally got two new baju kurung after eight years (my last trip to Malaysia); these two new ones were sent thru two mutual friends to get to me.  More love, less money. I'm blessed to rekindle my love for baking before I add it into my New Years resolution. Last but not least I'm glad to be participating in NaNoWriMo after a month off. I ...

Hello readers, I'm sure most of you follow me on twitter and saw my announcement, but if you didn't here it is! This one will be having a theme: Palestine. It also has a title that's a work in process. For now it's JASMINE & OLIVES.  The expected publication date is February 2014. Thank you. Btw, I have to give some support to my twitter friend Maria Ann Green. She self published a short story!! Check it out:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GNPD4YU Love, 

Hello readers, This morning I saw a picture and got inspired to blog.  Here's the post/poem I wrote, enjoy! A house made home with beds to sleep and stay warm  good food and more to come Loving family including cats A religion to follow Sun shining and beautiful views  Look at the small things and give thanks they one day  will be the big things Loving friends being sisters the ability to rant the bad stuff and feel good afterwards  God's giving a miracle  find a thousand everyday Like the air you breathe the trees to help keep it clean meditation to keep you calm motivation to keep you going Just count and love.

Hello readers,  Today is the start of the MOONLESS blog tour! I'm glad to be the first stop and kick it off with a review. Looking back at my review I know I really love the story. I love the feel of what we call the olden days.  For now: 4.5 stars I was immediately curious on what's going on, I was even more curious when she made a connection with a nightmare. Curious to why she wants to hide. Just as curious as her wanting to know answers. You would love the descriptions in this story. I feel like I'm in the journey with her. I felt all her emotions. I can't wait to see what's next.  Thank you and love, 

Hello readers, Yesterday was the last day and as usual I start strong and end unfinished. Here's the one poem I wrote this week, enjoy! Day 27: Daring Be daring or not do what you love Be daring or not it doesn't have to be big  or always big it may be something small giving back, paying it forward.  Thanks and love,

Hello readers,  UNBREATHABLE by Hafsah Laziaf might be out a little early!! Following is a random poem I wrote, but I don't know if it goes with the story: Just beginning  staring, smiling  waiting for the sun but the clouds and rain come in you upset me I'm unwritten, unbreathable  I'll let my skin feel the rain I'll still be unwritten, but now breathable.  Review Right as I finished reading it I wanted to reread it. From the beginning of the story you are already captivated by the big and little things that are happening. I love the voice! It's poetic.  I came to this realization early in the story, so you probably know how I feel through out the rest of it.  Of course there are some surprises. I like the complexity of a love triangle, I may not understand everything, but that's what I love about it. It's beautiful nonetheless. I cried a couple times. Awesome writing does that!  Thanks & Love, 

Hello readers,  This week I managed to write two poems. I hope you enjoy!  Day 14 Silence is prayer focusing on talking and listening to God not thinking of what to do later Silence is yoga focusing on moving and deep breathing letting thoughts only move out to oblivion or your notebook Silence is other things like driving, laying in nature, being happy. Day 16 Moving away, traveling  living new going home, coming home bringing back the past remembering the guy I liked and all the dreams I had wondering what could be knowing now I should go after everything I think I want  knowing to not just pray but showing I care to try.  Thanks & Love, 

Hello readers, I haven't done a blessings post in awhile and it's the day before Eid, the day of Arafat so I thought today is a good time to start again. I'm blessed... -for DIY projects -to revamp my room -to refresh my thoughts on making dua -to find out new places & activities in my community -to finally listen to my favorite speaker live and get a signed book -for my family in Malaysia  -to reunite with high school friends and teachers  -to have published my first book , a poetry collection. Thank you and love, Fida

Hello readers,  Writing poetry specifically to the prompts was a fail this week. But I still have something for you to enjoy! Day 8 Love is like... t he ocean washing away layers and layers of sand finding out who you are. 

Hello readers,  I'll be sharing with you snippets of my poetry I wrote this week, enjoy!  Day 1  A cold bench, a cool  breeze  sweeps my headscarf the leaves around me, too. Day 2 Where does poetry hide? In the depths of my mind in my heart running through my veins. Day 3 It was a jumble of random words wanting to get out of me it was cuz of the sight of my first gifted poetry book both put aside until short stories came until poetry assignments came. Day 4 Being, feeling gentle  like a small breeze  like the love of God. 

Hello readers,  Today is a good day because it's the cover reveal of MOONLESS! Here's the mini blurb:  Alexia’s nightmares become reality: a dead baron, red -eyed wraiths, and  forbidden love with a man hunted by these creatures. After an attack close to home, Alexia realizes she cannot keep one foot in her old life and one in this new world. To protect her family she must either be sold into a loveless marriage, or escape with her beloved and risk becoming one of the Soulless.  MOONLESS is Jane Eyre meets Supernatural. About the author:  Crystal, author of MOONLESS, is a former composer/writer for Black Diamond Productions. She can be found practicing her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, three littles, and “friend” (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination a...

Hello readers, I read this book when I got the ARC for a review (I apologize for no poem). Before I get to that here's the purple-mazing cover and blurb!  Ultraviolet Catastrophe  book  blurb:   Quantum Electrodynamics.  String Theory.   Schrödinger's cat.  For sixteen-year-old  Lexie   Kepler , they’re just confusing terms in her science textbooks, until she finds out that her parents have been drugging her to suppress her outrageous IQ. Now  Branston Academy, a school run by the world’s most powerful scientists, has tracked her down and is dying for her to attend - as a research subject.  She takes refuge at Quantum Technologies, a secret scientific community where her father works as a top-notch scientist, and begins her new life as “girl genius” at Quantum High.  But the assignments at her new school make the Manhattan Project look like preschool - and  Lexie  barely survived freshman algebra. Her first big a...

Hello readers, I just found out about Cassie Mae and the book coming out this week sounds awesome! I decided to participate in her blog hop . In Fida style, it's in a poem. Enjoy! You could say  a love of reading books could be nerdy that writing books could be nerdier  But what about loving to do math loving a challenge  Now that is nerdy all that is a part of me loving faith!  

Hello readers,  It's the last day of the A TO Z POETRY blog tour :( But we have two great stops to end the week. I have a guest post on Medeia's blog and a feature on Mindworks Publishing .  Also today is the write...edit...publish  blog hop. The theme for this month is... Moving On.  I'm moving on I've been stuck in writing poems and doing nothing about it but this year proved wrong as I learned about self publication prepared a poetry collection prepared it for publication yesterday it was published I'm moving on already making plans for another poetry  collection  publication I'm moving on finally put an MS away to work on a new idea and I'll let it, make it last longer  than any other idea cuz I'm moving on.  Thank you and love,  

Hello readers!! I'm crying, I'm laughing. I want a whole tub of ice cream. I published my book today. Yup it's released! You can see a sample and buy it on Smashwords ! Thank you so much to those who supported me, pushed me and taught me!!  I love you all, 

Hello readers,  It's day two and I'm over at not one, but two blogs! I'm on Jen's blog for her weekly segment, Writers on Wednesday . I was also interviewed for StoryDam !  Go on over and check them out!  But then come back because it's What's up Wednesday! What I'm Reading  I started reading Fangirl this past weekend and this coming weekend I hope to finish it.  What I'm Writing I'm working on two new projects. WIP3 and a secret project. I also have a short story for a contest up on Wattpad.  What Else I've Been Up To I'm revising DECIDING HIJAB and WHICHEVER TUNES. A TO Z POETRY is going to be releasing tomorrow! And if you were on Nicole's blog you may have seen my announcement of another poetry collection. I'm compiling the poems for it. Samples of most of my projects will be on Wattpad soon.  What Inspires Me Right Now That I have lots of projects, writing related which I shared and non-writing related which isn't, that I...

Hello readers! It's day two and I'm over at Saba's blog for the second stop! She did a review of my poetry collection ! Go on over and check it out! Thank you and love,  P.S. Besides my own book coming out on Thursday and UVC by Jamie Grey coming out next week you should check out the awesome books that are releasing today !

Hello readers,  Today is the first day of the blog tour! I'm staying here on my blog to share the cover process. I thought since it's about my poetry I should compile a collage as the cover, but blur it for the text. I liked it and thought I would use it, but after awhile it didn't feel right.  Someone told me they wanted me to use a picture of myself since the poems were about me. I chose a good picture from camping and turned it black and white.  I thought to keep it simple and keep the text to the left.  It didn't look right. I changed it to the right.  It still didn't look right. There was too much space. I adjusted the words and the colors. I made my cover! And there you have it! I hope it was good! Love, 

Hello readers,  It's day five aka the last day. Your challenge is simple today. Look out your window and write a poem about the view. Enjoy! Bright blue sky sun finished it's colorful sunrise  view blocked by houses some with big trees  and beautiful gardens some blooming getting ready for Autumn.  Later today after making sure everyone does the challenge I will be picking four poems I loved to put in the special feature section of my soon to be published poetry collection!! You can join the chat here: #azpoetrybooktour And be sure to link up if you haven't already!

Hello readers,  It's the fourth day of the poetry blogfest!! Today's challenge is to  look at an art piece and really think about it, write a poem.  Enjoy! Also, four of my favorite poems will be picked at the end of the blogfest/this week and given a special feature in my poetry collection. Join me here :  #azpoetrybooktour

Hello readers! What I'm Reading: I finished the LOVE, TINK series. I finished reading CNV and Speak and attempted at reading Wintergirls. You can find my reviews on Goodreads.  What I'm Writing: My WIP, WHICHEVER TUNES and a short story.  What Else I've Been Up To: Today is day three of the poetry blogfest!! Your challenge is to open the dictionary, pick a word and write an acrostic poem. Good luck and have fun! (These challenges are what's inspiring me right now!) Also, four of my favorite poems will be picked at the end of the blogfest/this week and given a special feature in my poetry collection (with your permission of publication, of course)! Enjoy! Btw, here is the hashtag to use for this week's blogfest and next week's tour:  #azpoetrybooktour

Hello readers and welcome to day two of the blogfest! Today's challenge is... Found Poetry: pick a random page from the book you're about to read/are reading/or just finished and find some words in it to make poetry.  Since it's Tuesday I think we should have some more fun and have a two for Tuesday day. The other challenge is... Magazine poem: get a magazine and find words to create a poem. Come over ruin the party take me prisoner  I don't care  (cuz my laugh  is loud enough  for those who love  to hear) Also, four of my favorite poems will be picked at the end of the blogfest/this week and given a special feature in my poetry collection (with your permission of publication, of course)! Enjoy! Btw, here is the hashtag to use for this week's blogfest and next week's tour:  #azpoetrybooktour

Hello readers and welcome to day one of my poetry blogfest in support of my first book, a poetry collection! It's titled A TO Z POETRY and comes out Sept 19, 2013! Today's challenge is  Spine Poetry: use the spines of your stack of books to make poetry. Here is an example (: Every soul a star cuz girls in pants are my sister's keeper keeping faith in more than nineteen minutes.  And another (: Missing since Monday The sisterhood of the traveling pants  my Habibi  so farewell to Manzanar  in full tilt. Also, four of my favorite poems will be picked at the end of the blogfest/this week and given a special feature in my poetry collection (with your permission of publication, of course)! Enjoy! P.S. If you haven't already add your blog to the linky list. Thanks! 

Hello readers!! It is IWSG day and I may or may not have something, yet I planned today to be a special day. Onto What's up Wednesday! What I've been reading? I finished UVC! I'm in the middle of reading the LOVE, TINK series. What I've been writing? My new WIP! This goes with both questions, I'm reading the Smashwords style guide for the upcoming publication of my poetry collection!! What Else I've Been Up To? It's the day you've been waiting for (more than the date reveal)!! The cover reveal... P.S. Be sure to check out Saba's blog today because she's helping with the reveal and so is Sania Heba (: Love,

Hello readers! Let's kick it off! What I'm Reading So much more than last week! 1. I read the third book in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. 2. I read the ARC of UNBREATHABLE by Hafsah! 3. I'm about to read the ARC of ULTRAVIOLET CATASTROPHE by Jamie Grey! What I'm Writing Even though there is still bits and pieces left for DECIDING HIJAB I'm putting it aside finally! I've worked on it for so long. And I finally got a new idea and so I'm working on a new WIP! What Inspires Me Right Now My new WIP. All the August Moon prompts. What Else I've Been Up To The release date has been revealed. A cover reveal is in place. So is a poetry blogfest and blog tour! You can check out the details in my previous post . Thank you and love, P.S. Do you know Casey Ho has a blogilates app?! I just got it! Also, I have a website!  http://fidaislaih.wix.com/fislaih

Hello readers, After so many years of being told I need to publish my poetry. Even after publishing bits in magazines I keep hearing it. They want a collection. I try to research some publishers, but it didn't seem right. Soon self publishing sees the light. I do some research, go to my first online conference and gain the confidence I needed. But I didn't have the money. I hear about crowdfunding and tried it, but it failed. I've created my own cover or two, it's minimal unlike other people's but I'm in love with it. I found people to help me with editing. A to Z Poetry will be published September 19, 2013 - add it on Goodreads ! Also, I am wondering who is willing to help out with the cover reveal on the 4th? And the blog tour on the week of the 16th? Let me know by filling the sign up form . Also sign up for the poetry blogfest on the week of the 9th! The fest will have challenges and I'll be picking my four favorites at the end of the week to h...

Hello readers, I'm finally doing another WUW!! And I have a surprise at the end (: What I'm Reading Unfortunately, nothing. But I may have an ARC of 'Ultraviolet Catastrophe' by Jamie Grey in my hands later today! What I'm Writing I'm revising a WIP. And getting back to my journal. What Inspires Me Right Now All these contests that are about to start and all the books that are being released. What Else I've Been Up To Remember how I tried a hand at crowdfunding and it failed? Well I have a back up plan, even though it's minimal. Next week I will be revealing the release date for my poetry collection. I hope you are all excited because I am!! Also I will have an official call for those who want to help. Get ready and thank you!! Love,

Hello readers, I made myself a somewhat strict schedule to not going on social media that much. For once in a long while I started my day without going on social media but by writing. It felt very good! After doing my morning routine is when I went on social media, which is two hours after I wake up. It feels great to feel the breezy weather! Instead of tweeting it feels good to actually be journaling again (: I did yoga and really did feel calm and into the movements like the past few other ones this month. I'm a bit ahead of the schedule and it feels good to be at more I want to do this than I have to do this. Read some blogposts for about fifteen mins, now I'm off to social media for fifteen mins, but stayed for ten mins extra. But during social media I shared my pitch to be critiqued and critiqued others. So ten mins late and I'm getting myself to write in my WIP. After lunch I spent time on social media. And attempting to do some edits. Then some more writ...

Hello readers,  Jamie over at  The Perpetual Page- Turner came  up with this survey so go check out her post and participate too if you want! A uthor you've read the most books from: Ann M. Martin B est Sequel Ever: I don't know. C urrently Reading: Nothing. Unless my MS, DECIDING HIJAB counts. D rink of Choice While Reading: Water. I'm outside Iced Coffee or Double Chocolate Frappe. E -reader or Physical Book? Physical but occasional kindle. F ictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School: I don't date. G lad You Gave This Book A Chance: Three Cups of Tea.  H idden Gem Book: Habibi by Naomi Shihab Nye. I mportant Moment in your Reading Life: When I could stay in the bookstore long enough to finish one book. J ust Finished: Last book I read was Love, Tink by Elle Strauss.  K inds of Books You Won’t Read: Anything too fantasy or romance-y. L ongest Book You've Read: Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult M ajor book ha...

Hello Poetteers, This is what it comes down to for the basics of poetry. 1. It can be long or short. 2. Some may have a rhyme while others don't.  3. It may follow a poetic form or free verse. 4. It can be about romantic love or any feeling you have. 5. Can be about an experience in your life or something about nature. Stay inspired, Fida