Welcome to April! Despite the challenges faced during this uncertain time in our world, the Spring season reminds us that brighter days are on the horizon. With a positive outlook, we will all be able to overcome the challenges we are facing and have a story of hope, and resilience to share with others.
I was honoured to have a couple of my poems published by my Alma-Mater: Founders College Phoenix Newsletter at York University this past month! When the editors reached out seeking positive, encouraging content for their COVID-19 focused edition, I was more than happy to share poems written in my book: ‘Love, Marriage, Divorce and Growth: A poem anthology’. My poems Letting Go and Growing Pains were chosen to be included in this publication. To read the Newsletter, go to The Phoenix Vol 1 Issue 8 (PDF) or click this link. If you would like to view the animated version instead, click here.
0 Comments
March is a month of transition. In my part of the world it signals the beginnings of change: change in season from winter to spring. Families and communities begin planning for warmer weather, stocking up on goods, materials for camping, hunting season and Spring Break. It can often be called a month of mad activity! As the phrase 'March Madness' implies. Yet, it is a time of excitement! We smell the change about to take place in the air, the ground beginning to thaw and the sounds of wildlife awakening in nature. To celebrate this transition, I am having a giveaway! I have been busy exploring my creativity and I started my own online store featuring originally created graphic design images printed on clothing, accessories and more. To check out my merchandise visit: https://teespring.com/stores/sblairwritings My March Madness Giveaway Bundle includes a t-shirt from my store, a signed copy of my book and a $15 Indigo Gift Card! If you would like to get your hands on this bundle:
This quote speaks volumes. After having gone through my own period of transition and discomfort, I can attest to the fact that tragedy will either break you or grow you. I chose to grow. Life is not fair. But life is a journey that happens once, and it is up to you and I to decide what that journey will look like and what legacy will be marked by our lives. I decided to turn my tragedy into a collection of poems which I hope will encourage and inspire others. Writing my truth and sharing that vulnerability in the pages of "Love, Marriage, Divorce & Growth" wasn't always easy but the process has been well worth it and continues to provide healing and hope. So, to whatever comes your way in life, I encourage you to choose better. As I say in my poem, "I let go to allow room for new growth..." Enjoy listening to my live reading of Letting Go! © 2021 Shemique Blair Sunday February 2, 2021 was a joyous day! Thank you to everyone who attended my live virtual Book Signing Event. It was wonderful to share both my story and my poetry with you. I hope that my life lessons have inspired and encouraged you in your own journey. Don't be afraid to explore your creative space! It is with deep gratitude that I thank you for sharing your time with me and supporting this passion of mine. Autographed copies of my book will continue to be available for purchase through my website at sblairwritings.com/store. Get your copy today! Stay tuned for more poetry readings to come! Thank you to Dawell Consulting for doing an awesome job organizing my virtual book signing event. A huge thanks to Sarah and her team! It was a pleasure to work with them and their efforts made the process very easy. I highly recommend them! Check out images of the event, coordinated by Dawell Consulting, below on my YouTube Channel: I’m excited to share with you that I will be having a virtual book signing coming up soon! Register for this FREE event and buy your copy of my book which I will sign & personalize just for you! I can’t wait to meet you all! Date: Sunday, February 7, 2021 Start Time: 2pm EST Online Event Free How to Register: sblair.eventbrite.com STORE LINK: Purchase here Event Produced by @dawellconsulting #authors #authorsofinstagram #writers #author #writersofinstagram #books #writer #bookstagram #writing #writingcommunity #writerscommunity #writerslife #writersofig #amwriting #reading #love #poetry #book #booklover #write #bookworm #readers #readersofinstagram #marriage #divorce #growth #booksigning #smallbusiness #entrepreneur What a year this has been! Writing and publishing my first book has taught me a lot this year and sharing with readers is my honour. I am looking forward to my first virtual book signing event planned for next month, February 2021. Stay tuned for more details to come! To share more about the details behind writing my book, "Love, Marriage, Divorce and Growth: A poem anthology", I recently did an interview with literary ambassador and reviewer Queenie Clem. I was very excited by the opportunity to share a bit about my journey as an indie author and to delve into the significance behind my poetry. Feel free to watch the full interview at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP5RDzLVRAk&t=3s So we are in the year 2021! So many things have changed and yet so many things still remain the same. The historical COVID-19 pandemic continues to boggle the minds of scientists and experts around the world. With the desperate hope of a vaccine on the horizon to try to combat the bewilderment this virus has wrought― Life as we knew it prior to the outbreak is a distant memory. Gone are the crowds and throngs. Gone are the festivals and large frivolous gatherings. The live spectator sporting events, crowded stadiums, concert halls and auditoriums are barren and silent. If anything, the past year has taught us that the monetary things of this world pale in comparison to the health and lives of ourselves and our loved ones. As elders often say, “You can’t take your money with you to the grave.” So as we embark on an uncertain year of 2021, let us savor the time we spend with family and at home. Let us cultivate brighter friendships and more positive connections. Walk into the new year with gratitude and humility. As my sister likes to say, “Cheers to new beginnings and the chance to keep growing and moving one step forward.”
Happy New Year, everyone! © 2021 Shemique Blair So my creative ideas have been flowing and as always, poetry and writing, are at the forefront. I have recently written a new poem entitled " A Goodbye Poem". It is inspired by the idea of saying the final goodbye. I hope the words can do such a task justice. Ending any relationship is a difficult task. Sometimes there is closure and sometimes there isn't. Either way, a final goodbye indicates the end of a thing and the beginning of a new journey. Feel free to share your own thoughts on this subject, and sign up to my YouTube channel to find more of my content. Enjoy! © 2020 Shemique Blair How exciting it is to receive a gift in the mail! Even more exciting is when you can see and hold the product of your hard work in your very own hands. Copies of my newly published poetry book, "Love, Marriage, Divorce & Growth: A poem anthology", have arrived and I am looking forward to hosting live readings and giveaways! The journey to this point has been incredible and so worthwhile. If you have something you want to pursue and you're having doubts, remember: "There is no courage without fear!" A quote taken from, (my fascination with the current Disney film), Mulan. In essence, fear is no excuse for not exploring your creativity. If you're a painter, or a writer, or an actor or an athlete...whatever your passion may be, I beseech you to be fearless in your pursuit. With a bit of hard work and initiative, anything can be achieved! © 2020 Shemique Blair Check out my reaction video on my youtube channel below! |
Youtube ChannelCheck out my channel! BLOGS
All
|