Barbara's Meanderings

 It is August and it's time to visit with another great author. This is a special time for me since my birthday is on the last day of the month. When I was a child I hated that it was in summer because I couldn't have a birthday in class when kids would bring cupcakes for their birthday. And none of my friends were around for it either. Though I was usually at camp where the entire camp sang "Happy Birthday" and there was a cake for my table only. It was funny because kids at other tables who barely knew me always suddenly tried to be friends so they could get cake. 

This is a big birthday and we started celebrating it early. But as the years go by I still love my birthday and have come to terms with the number this year. 

Anyway, on to my guest author for the rest of this month and most of next month: 

Renee Drummond Brown ------- Drum roll please---------

My very accomplished guest author, Renee Drummond Brown, has published over 75 books including hard cover, paperback, ebooks, coloring and activity books. Here is her interview with me:

• Where were you born and where do you live now?

Reneé Drummond-Brown is a renowned author born on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, located in Onslow County, in southeastern North Carolina. Drummond-Brown now resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

• Besides writing do you have any other occupation? Do you have any hobbies?

I’m a retiree. My hobbies include: Deep-diving and delving in the Sacred Scriptures, providing child care for my grandson: Giovanni Dominic Antonelli (my ‘lil “Gio-Gio”) and creating his coloring book line “Gio’s Coloring & Activity Books: #1 - 10,” and attending college full-time - student at Liberty University (LU), pursuing higher and professional education. In addition, traveling across the globe.

• Who or what influenced you to start writing?

I began writing as early as five years of age (and just love it), however, there were several professors at college and a publisher (Judith Hampton-Thompson, Publisher of The Metro Gazette Publishing Co., Albany GA.,) who took a personal interest in my writing prose and convinced me to share my work with the world.

It is as equally important to note* The Civil Rights Activist/Songbird, Ms. Rutha Mae Harris, Original Freedom Singer of The Civil Rights Movement was solely responsible for having my first poem published in The Metro Gazette Publishing Co., that I wrote for her while in college.

The Father who art in Heaven and my beloved mother (who has gone home to glory) inspires/inspired me to write. Next, self-satisfaction and finally, the gratitude and comments that I receive from colleagues from across the globe while blessing their situation(s) with my unique style and form of poetic play on words

.• What made you decide to write your first book? Did you try to publish it with a traditional publisher?

My first book is self-explanatory: Renee’s Poems with Wings are Words in Flight-I’ll Write Our Wrongs! is a collection of poetic accounts designed to have colorblind justice, hear the truth, touch freedom, taste love, and smell the Rose of Sharon. This book is written with such conviction that it is sure to cleanse the soul, mend the broken heart, and ultimately transform one’s mind.

No, thus far, I have never been given the opportunity to work with a traditional publishing house to date but I’m open to that concept.  

• Most of your books are self-published. Please tell our readers how this happened?

Poets often write what others are thinking but are too afraid and dare not speak ‘IT’. Each of my global Anthologies (listed below) address our contemporary stance relating to societal issues (and the ‘IT’).

• How has poetry changed your life?

As a woman of color, I use poetic language: imagery, metaphors, similes, allegories and play on words sealed in parables coupled with the biological human senses relating to sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing to convey the emotions of what ‘we’ the African American people feel in our struggles and plights, by addressing ill-wills, fights, hurts, sorrows, grief, heartaches, misery, woes and anguish bestowed on us on a daily basis. Not to mention our horrific loses and assignations during slavery, throughout the Civil Rights Movement, and unto this present date with so many of our sons being buried 6 ft. deep (a baptism of tears eloquently flow within our issues).

The uses of these senses add dramatic overtones and provides the reader with an ambiance of sensations. This evokes a heartfelt reaction to my literary works causing the reader to not only connect with my storylines but to place themselves in the place or space with me and/or the character.

• Please tell us about a typical day of writing for you.

My best writings are at an extremely fast pace and start at 3:00 AM., (sometimes for two days straight) which makes it extremely hard for me to work with others. I can only focus with complete silence. Talking to me while writing annoys and infuriates me.

You know I feel the same way. When I'm writing I close myself off and don't want any noise either. 

• What made you decide to write coloring books?

I want my only grandson (thus far) to have a legacy long after I’m gone mirroring this Scripture:

                    “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass,

               one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law,

               till all be fulfilled” Matthew 5:18 King James Version (KJV).

• One of the ways we met was you sent me an invitation to be in your anthology many years ago. I also interviewed you on my radio show, Books and Entertainment Tales from the Pages, which has since gone off the air. How many books do you now have since that interview?

75 live titles and presently working on an International Anthology.

• What is your latest book? describe it for our readers.

As previously stated, I have over 75 published book titles (under my belt) via Amazon, AuthorHouse and Westbow Press.

 Read Between the Lines Poetry Book, and Haiku Anyone? Poetry Book are my latest publications.  Read Between the Lines, comes        from the African American’s perspectives on life, while, Haiku Anyone? speaks to the art of Japanese writings, form and artistic craft in which, I absolutely love. 

• You have won a great many awards. Please tell our readers about these and list them for us.

They are just too numerous to mention; my latest are from:

Well Read Magazine: Three Dogs Write Press bestowed International Author Reneé Drummond-Brown the “Well Done” March 2024, Award for her poem “Last Night I Cried!”

LAST NIGHT I CRIED by Reneé Drummond-Brown - Issuu

~ Fraternidad Poetica Mundial, World Poetic Fraternity 120 paises/120 countries - Founder: Juan Antonio V. Delgadillo – bequeathed International Author Reneé Drummond-Brown, MA, BS, AA., the Global Poet 2024 Award representing the United States of America (USA).

~Wordsmith International Editorial Issue #38 - By: Dr. Omatee Ann Marie Hansraj of Trinidad

(Drummond-Brown’s woks also appear in issues #13 and #36, sold via Amazon).

Author/Publisher/Poet Drummond-Brown, graced the July 2024, international magazine cover:

https://www.facebook.com/renee.drummondbrown/videos/480768338027861

~Bizcatalyst 360 – Life Culture Biz Reimagined Humanity Rediscovered – Conferred International Author Reneé Drummond-Brown, MA, BS, AA., the Columnist Award for 2024, publication

https://www.bizcatalyst360.com/kiss-aint-just-a-kiss/?fbclid=IwY2xjawEXqtxleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHe95vlb9vCFAYiB7VgSuIGn7Exhnt1dNIc52rxamzvq_DGiGzaBMsF4wgQ_aem_RA5IRQ_AhAfTIXo22QtY0g

• In each of your anthologies and magazines you have your contributing authors give you a quote. When did you first begin to do that and why?

I have done that in every Anthology and/or magazine. Quotes add an experts’ point of view to their genre of writings and confirms their credibility from different positions.

Thank you for explaining that. Each time I submit I have had to dig to find a quote. But that is an inspirational moment too.

• Please tell us your website and all the places we can find you.

Drummond-Brown’s Hardcover, Softcover, eBooks, Coloring books (adult and children), Anthologies, Magazine and Children’s book are sold via Amazon:

Pittsburgh author Renee Drummond-Brown

(Renee's Poems with Wings are Words in Flight!). 

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07V4GW9SH

AuthorHouse:

https://www.authorhouse.com/en/search?query=Renee+Drummond-Brown&fbclid=IwY2xjawEXuB9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHf26jWyMEit0j5pB0ko81yiw1XOcz5r-qBEl2vbRGpWsSoSU4v1FMfNfQw_aem_I9jhzSJOJecibWXxkEXVRQ

Westbow Press:

https://www.westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/706476-Renee-s-Poems-with-Wings-Are-Words-in-Flight

• My last question for you is one I always ask all my guest authors. Are you a plotter or a pantser? In other words, do you plot out your work or do you just write?

A little bit of both a plotter and pantser (here and there) in the sense that I don’t plan and yet I have a strong intuition of what I feel within my body of literary works as I’m going along.

Moreover, as far as a plotter is concerned my artistic nature knows how to strategize to complete my literary projects on hand.

Renee Drummond Brown Bio:

Reneé Drummond-Brown, is a renowned author, visionary in literature, writer, publisher, and poet residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She earned a Grad certification in Christian Leadership from Liberty University (LU). She holds a Master of Arts degree in creative writing with a concentration in poetry from Chatham University. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Christian Ministry Leadership with a minor in biblical theology studies, graduating summa cum laude from Geneva College of Western Pennsylvania. In addition, she received an Associate of Arts degree in Christian Ministry at The Center for Urban Biblical Ministry (CUBM), where she served as class president and is presently in pursuit of higher education. Drummond-Brown is an accomplished poetess with experience in creative writing and authored several books to her credit. Her poetic prose is recognized across the globe. 

Thank you to the renowned and esteemed Pittsburgh author and poet Renee Drummond Brown for sharing her thoughts with us. I am honored to have her on my blog and I invite people to leave their comments here. She is truly a gift to the world and I look forward to seeing the next anthology in which I will have two poems. 

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I'm hopefully posting this on my birthday or the day after that. It goes into the month of August. I always think of my birthday as halfway through summer. I'm looking forward to the rest of the summer. It is my favorite season though it gets very hot. I practically live in air conditioning so I don't get out much. But when I do it is hot out there. Anyway, August will bring new adventures including one of my favorite things to do: sell books in person. I have my books all ready for the Norwalk Book Festival on August 24th. Anyone who lives near there should come and say hi. You won't miss me. I will have my pink poster and my books out in front of me.

Have a great rest of summer and don't miss checking out Renee Drummond Brown's books. I am in a lot of her anthologies and magazines too. She gives all writers a chance to be seen. Thank you to Renee Drummond Brown for the opportunities she has given to me and all other international poets.,

Unitl the next time, please check out my newly republished book, If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other online bookstores. You might find one in your library or local bookstore. But if you don't, tell them to order it. LOL 

The next guest author on the blog will be: Cheryl Carpinello, who is another YA author and friend.

Happy Summer!!!!

I hope you have all had a very pleasant month and a few days. I love this part of the year when it gets warmer and the flowers bloom. I'm a summer baby so this is when I feel most comfortable. 

 Sadly, we must say goodbye to Wendy Blanton for now and I am sure she will be back with her new book very soon. Let's welcome our new guest Deepika Singh. She is not an author yet, but she has been published in multiple anthologies. I remember the time when I wasn't an author yet. So I extend my hand to anyone who would like to be seen. I think you will find she is very interesting and talented in several areas. 

Welcome Deepika Singh and we are all interested in learning more about her. Here is her interview.

Where were you born and where do you live now?

I am an Indian native born and brought up in Margherita-Assam. Surrounded with lofty hills and vibrant tea gardens.

Besides writing do you have any other occupations? Do you have any hobbies?

Besides writing I am a torch bearer, a teacher. My hobbies include reading, writing and making rangoli. I feel that if a person tends to write then he/she must read enough. Rangoli is the traditional floor art of India. I also made a state and World record in Rangoli (2020).

That is great! Congratulations!!!Who or what influenced you to begin writing?

I did my Bachelor degree in English major and was very much influenced by Rabindranath Tagore, William Wordsworth and John Keats writing style. In my Master degree I started writing for newspapers. In the year 2012 my father went to heaven and I stopped writing. After some years I got married which didn’t go well and ended up in divorce.When the whole world was struggling against the Corona pandemic I was going through my divorce and I realized that pain is inevitable. I tried to transform my pain through writing and thus my pen started flowing again.

How wonderful, though it is sad that this caused you to start writing again. I also began writing again due to sadness. It is greatly healing to write when you are sad. 

Do you speak any other languages besides your native one and English? What are they?

India is a land of cultural diversity. Here in India other than the mother tongue and English language , people can easily speak fluently in other native languages tooI can speak easily in Bengali, Assamese , Hindi and English well.

Why did you become a teacher and what do you teach?

My mother is my strength.She was a teacher and I followed her footsteps. I have been in this profession since 2010 and I teach English and Social Studies. Teaching moulded me. It gave me a new ME. The best thing which I learned from my students is to always be kind.

That is a wonderful lesson and you can learn from your students. They are the greatest teachers.

How did you start to write poetry?

I don’t want to keep myself limited. I always wanted to explore myself and thus my writing journey started. As I already mentioned that pain is inevitable , I thought why not let’s make my pain beautiful by writing. I feel that poetry is like an art and the words are colors. Every verse gives me new birth and rejuvenates me.

What would you say are your main themes for your poem

My poems mainly deal with nature and life. And both are intertwined with each other.I am from a small town, where communication is not easy, books are not easily available butone thing which I am blessed with is bountiful nature. So I have become more inclined to write about natureAlso as we grow we become more entangled with life’s problems. We should use our pain as a shield and wake up like a Tigress and set an example for everyone how to fight back with your pain so that the whole world applauds.

Wow, I totally agree that people respond to painful poems. I have had the most comments on my saddest poems.

I noticed all of your poems are in free verse. Do you ever write in rhyme?

To be very honest this is my limitation. I always love and prefer to write in free verse. I believethat through free verse I am able to express myself more.

Your poem: “Ode to Chipko Women” is dedicated to the Chipko Women in Uttahrakhand,Inda. Are you a member of this group? What inspired you to write this?

Well I am not a member of any such group. The Chipko Movement originated in Himalayanregion Uttarakhand , India in 1973. When this region was facing rampant deforestation due tocommercial activities. What caught my attention is that the women group who started thismovement were simple peasant women not much educated. But still they understood the value ofnatural resources.It was a nonviolent movement. They hugged the trees and encircled them to prevent being hacked.Soon all over the world people came to know about this eco feminist movement and still we are following its legacy.

You mention in your bio your work is translated into many different languages. How did this occur?

When my work gets translated my poems get a new life. Many brilliant luminaries appreciated my work and they showed interest to give a new light to my work through their translations. I am very much grateful to them.

Many of your poems are published in anthologies. Have you thought of publishing your own book?

I know my limitations. As I always write in free verse, I feel that if I need to publish a book I need to explore more in the poetry genre. I need to work harder to catch readers' attention.

Well, you captured my attention and I'm sure our readers will enjoy your poetry too. You have to take the leap. 

Do you believe poets are important for society? Why or why not?

Poets'; words have echoed since ages , from ancient civilisation to modern era. They help us to delve into our imaginations. They dive deep into emotions offering solace through words and sometimes words can also have the impact to change our lives.

That was a great answer. I agree and feel that is why poetry has captured the spirit of society again. Poets translate events of the day and help people understand how to cope with them. Poets are the soul of our world. 

Please share your website and social media links here.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100028332699779&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Finally, my last question and the one I ask all my guests. Are you a plotter or a pantser? Inother words, do you outline before you write or do you just write?

I always jot down the words or beautiful sentences which come to my mind. Then I choose a. theme and start working on it. I dive deep into human emotions and always try to keep my poems simple so that common people can easily understand .My message to budding Wordsmith- no matter how remote region you live, if you love to write just be a voracious reader. Whatever you get, just read it. Make it a daily habit. We all go through mental trauma, don't stop yourself, rather rise like a tiger and roar like a lionby your creativity. God has made us all creative, we just need to explore ourselves.

Thank you Deepika Singh for being my guest here on the blog. This interview will be up here for about a month. Your words are so powerful and now let's see your poems. 

Here are some of the anthologies in which Deepika Singh is published:

Here are photos of Deepika Singh doing Rangoli and one of her Rangoli pieces. Rangoli is floor art. Please check it out here:

Here are some of Deepika Singh's poems:

MY REBIRTH

Time favoured bestowed with happiness,

And I build the kingdom of hope.

But life stabbed and crumbled me again and again,

My voice is choked, tongue tied up.

Went through innumerable dark nights.

The softest heart bruises the deepest.

The walls witnessed my pathos,

But life goes on.

I was like a caged bird,

Poetry gave me wings to fly.

You gave me beacon of hope,

You rewired my entire DNA,

A renewal of the new ME.

You crafted me, you nurtured me.

Poetry sanitized my mind,

And evoked my ink.

I woke up like a Tigress.

And roar like a Lioness

My words are my weapons now.

Which my mates adore 

And my foes abhor.

JUST A FIGURINE

In my yesteryears I played with a lovely doll.

I caressed her everyday.

She was my soul,

And I was her heartbeat.

When I stepped in my budding days,

She smiled and said, “You are a dol”.l

I ignored her,

Never dived deep into the depth of her words.

I smiled and got engrossed in the mortal coil of life.

As days passed by I realised,

That I am just like a rag doll.

In the hands of fragile hearts.

Some souls are just pastime gadgets.

Life is so uncertain.

People step in our life.

Shower with a million dreams.

Toy with our emotions.

To expertise in flamboyance,

To master in oratory.

Their hunger is never fulfilled,

Always in search of new prey.

Leaving us abandoned,

When we need them the most.

And then come the mass parade

To hear our raw story.

Instead of helping hands,

Giving us a hamper of pit hole tips.

Adding more spices and advertising our tales.

too difficult to stitch our tormented heart and trust again.

Painted face carries its glory.

Beautiful soul lies somewhere in the corner of dark room,

Finally, we become the effigy.

© copyright 2024 by Deepika Singh

UNFILTERED STORY 

I was like you, one among you, 

Chirping all the time.

I loved to be enveloped with people. 

Always extended helping hands,

I was an ointment who healed the scars.

Fresh breeze, nutrition of thoughts.

I thought others to be the same, 

Who value honesty and treasure those humble souls.

Acidic remarks hijacked the pleasure centers in my brain. 

Bestowed with hollow promises.

I carry the burden of scars,

Don’t accept me to be normal.

Embarking on a great battle.

I don’t play the tune of my sorrows now,

Drained out hopes, faith in dwarf planets. 

Deep down my soul always cries,

Scars are nowhere to heal.

Bitterness is paralytic.

Storm of tears and mosses of sadness.

In solitude I find comfort now.

A piece of me dies every second.

If you don’t walk in my shoes 

You don’t know the path,

I had walked too.

I am just a laughing stock and topic of discussion,  

For bugging minds.

Everything seems alien now. 

Emotional battles hard to deal with, 

I cry tears of blood.

Arrogance reflects in my face.

I don’t like to see mirror now,

Yes I am harsh too.

In fear of getting pangs,

I too was unstained,

Betrayal contaminated my soul,  

Lost in unethical coil.

 © copyright 2024 by Deepika Singh

PACT with PEACE

Flapping her wings a butterfly whispered in my ears,

Call for peace, sign the treaty of love.

Our power is in our hands and devotion to our work.

Sweat till the flag of tranquility flutters in the sky.

We don’t want ponds of blood.

There is only one earth and we are God’s dazzling creation.

Bitterness is alien to our Almighty.

We are here to do our part,

To preserve the heritage of holy peace.

To fabricate our earth as the safest heaven .

Be alert, don’t fall prey to devil’s exploiting path,

Which only exhibits hatred.

Don’t let the path of peace short,

Quest for peace is not far.

Just shun your ego,

And drown in the stream of love.

We all are tired of strolling in the pavement of barbaric blocks,

Power peddlers don’t you feel guilty?

Civilization is on the brink of ashes.

It’s a hard picture to draw and too hard to be photographed.

Outburst noise of uncivilized nation,

Will be documented in the pages of history.

Restoration of love and peace is the utmost cry now.

Sow the seeds of love and breed humanity.

Spin thread of nonviolence,

Sing the melody of friendship .

Peace can only be gained when we sparkle love.

Let hope not be the luxury word

which we cannot attain.

Peace adds to empowerment; it’s the key to prosperity.

© copyright 2024 by Deepika Singh

Bio for Deepika Singh:

Deepika Singh is an Indian native from Margherita, Assam. She holds an M.A. and a B.Ed. degree,by profession, a teacher. Her writings are a reflection of the everyday experiences she has. She thinks the correct words have the power to transform our culture. Her works were featured in various publications, including Sipay Journal, The Poet Magazine, Womensweb, Journal of Macedonia Scientific Society, Poetry Zine Magazine, Archer Magazine, etc. Additionally, her writings were translated into Hebrew, Chinese, Macedonian, Spanish, Serbian, Tajik, and Turkish. She also recited poetry on Kent’s BBC Radio.

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I hope you enjoyed getting to know Deepika Singh and I wish all of you a great rest of this month of June and July. Happy 4th of July to my US readers. We are celebrating it on July 6th this year with my brother as we usually do. I hope some of you will comment on this and thank you to Deepika Singh for sharing her life with us. I am still adding authors to the blog so if you want to be on here please let me know. My next guest author will be Renee Drummond Brown. With all of the books she has authored I might need two posts for her. LOL Until the next time, keep reading and get out and enjoy life while you can.