Many thanks to Paul White for including my book, “Dalliance; A Collection of Poetry and Prose” on his blog, Take A Sneak Peek, (https://takeasneakpeak.wordpress.com/2015/06/10/dalliance/). For information on getting your book included on Take A Sneak Peek please visit, (https://takeasneakpeak.wordpress.com/about/). Paul is offering a wonderful service to readers and authors and I strongly recommend checking out his site.
Kevin
As an author I do understand the need to promote my books. From time to time this site carries posts doing precisely that. In addition I am very happy to help spread the word regarding my fellow authors. To this end I have published a number of guest posts by other writers on a variety of topics mainly, but not limited to their literary work. If you are interested in guest posting please email me at newauthoronline (at) gmail dot com.
All of the above is part of being an author. However what drives me barmy is constant automated requests to promote other writer’s work. Recently I have received automated posts, every few hours from one person who shall remain nameless asking me (together with their other followers/readers) to retweet the fact they have a new book out. This is annoying as it clogs up my inbox which is already groaning under the weight of WordPress notifications. Where I to retweet every time this blogger sent out their automated post asking me to do so my own readers would, quite naturally become irritated with me and I wouldn’t blame them for doing so.
This is the first time I have come across this practice and I sincerely hope it will be the last. The vast majority of bloggers do not engage in this behaviour and demonstrate respect for their followers. I suspect the person who is driving me potty is not aware of the effect of their actions so I have not followed my inclination to unfollow (what an ugly word that is) them. However if they persist I will do just that – unfollow them.
I did think long and hard regarding whether to post this. However, on reflection I think the above points do require to be made.
Kevin
A blackbird, as dark falls, singing in the park. Each note a dagger thrust into my heart.
His voice carried on the darkening air, still he trills without a care.
Oh tis to profound, cease your song lest I drown.
The below poem was inspired by Ernest Dowson’s “Cynara”, (http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2011/mar/14/non-sum-qualis-cynarae-dowson). I am a huge Dowson admirer. He does, in my view deserve far greater recognition than is generally accorded to him.
Love And Wine By K Morris
The night is fine.
The women divine.
The wine is sweet.
Lovers embrace beneath the sheets.
The morning’s cold.
Good time girls count their gold.
Man contemplates his soul.
Thank you to Kristy Megan for the below post.
(Disclaimer: I have no association with Coursework Writing Service UK or Coursework Buzz. Inclusion of a link does not constitute an endorsement by me).
Get The Most Out Of Your Workday With These 7 Productivity Tips For Writers
You open up your favorite word processor to write a piece that should take you only an hour but ends up taking the whole day;does that sound like you?If so, read on to find out how you can increase your productivity as a writer and do away without any distractions:
Yes, you are highly in demand and your clients and your employers continue to email you regarding something else that needs to be done. But, donot answer your email until you have finished what you are doing. Switching back and forth between tasks will switch your focus and it will take you time to bring yourself back in swing. This can also cause you to lose track of ideas and your writing will suffer eventually.
You may think that you do not have enough time for exercise but you will find that taking out twenty minutes for exercise will actually help you accomplish more. Exercise has the effect of helping you stay focused, keeping you relaxed and improving your stamina, all of which increases your output and productivity.
Take all the time you need to complete your research before you start writing. If you have multiple articles to finish in a single day, try to carry out all your research in one go before you begin writing. That way you will have everything in its place before you start with it. Keeping all the facts in front of you will help guide the flow of your article beforehand, saving the need for edits and rewrites.
It is very easy to open Facebook “for a bit” and end up spending hours browsing the Internet randomly; there is nothing in there that cannot be checked at a later time. If it is possible, disconnect your laptop from the Internet to minimize the distractions caused by social media, chat software and random Internet browsing. Make it as difficult as possible to re-connect – for instance, switch off the router. The easier it is to re-connect to the Internet, the greater will be the chances that you will do so.
Motivate yourself to stay focused with mini-rewards. For example, tell yourself if you can write non-stop for twenty minutes, then you can take a five-minute break or enjoy that favorite chocolate of yours that you have refrigerated. Remember to make sure the five-minute break does not extend to ten minutes though.
They may be touted as productivity-enhancing apps but in reality they have the opposite effect. For people with extreme focus problems, these timers turn you into “clock-watchers”, who can then no longer think about anything else except when their “time is up”.
Work in an environment that is free of distractions. Set up your working gear in a remote corner of the house, away from the television and where the activities of the other members of the household will not disturb you.
Last but not the least, cut down on your dependency on alcohol and caffeineas writing requires you to be in a completely fresh state of mind. Alcohol numbs your mind so that you will not be able to write as much as you should. Caffeine may give you a temporary boost in productivity but it will cause you to crash, ruining your productivity in the long run. Watch yourself become highly productive by following the mentioned tips while writing.
Author Bio:
Kristy Megan is the editor in leader at Coursework Buzz, a platform that’s been offering coursework writing service uk for years. Her passion includes writing creative, fictional materials and someday be able to write like her favourite stimulation, JK Rowling.
Thomas Hardy is not generally known for his humour. However, in his poem “The Ruined Maid” we discern wry amusement. Perhaps there is also the unspoken question as to who is better off
“the ruined maid” or her friend,
“O ‘Melia, my dear, this does everything crown!
Who could have supposed I should meet you in Town?
And whence such fair garments, such prosperi-ty?” —
“O didn’t you know I’d been ruined?” said she.
— “You left us in tatters, without shoes or socks,
Tired of digging potatoes, and spudding up docks;
And now you’ve gay bracelets and bright feathers three!” —
“Yes: that’s how we dress when we’re ruined,” said she.
— “At home in the barton you said thee’ and thou,’
And thik oon,’ and theäs oon,’ and t’other’; but now
Your talking quite fits ‘ee for high compa-ny!” —
“Some polish is gained with one’s ruin,” said she.
— “Your hands were like paws then, your face blue and bleak
But now I’m bewitched by your delicate cheek,
And your little gloves fit as on any la-dy!” —
“We never do work when we’re ruined,” said she.
— “You used to call home-life a hag-ridden dream,
And you’d sigh, and you’d sock; but at present you seem
To know not of megrims or melancho-ly!” —
“True. One’s pretty lively when ruined,” said she.
— “I wish I had feathers, a fine sweeping gown,
And a delicate face, and could strut about Town!” —
“My dear — a raw country girl, such as you be,
Cannot quite expect that. You ain’t ruined,” said she.).
As those of you who follow this blog will know, I am originally from that great sea-faring city Liverpool. I moved to London in 1994 but retain a tremendous affection for the city of my birth. I was therefore delighted to receive a letter from Liverpool Libraries confirming that my book, ‘Dalliance; a collection of poetry and prose’, has been added to the shelves of the Central and Parklands [Speke] libraries. I am pleased that the people of Liverpool will have the opportunity to read my book.
‘Dalliance’ is available in both print and ebook formats. For the ebook please go to: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dalliance-collection-poetry-prose-Morris-ebook/dp/B00QQVJC7E for the UK and http://www.amazon.com/Dalliance-collection-poetry-prose-Morris-ebook/dp/B00QQVJC7E for the US. For inquiries regarding the print edition please contact me at newauthoronline ( at ) gmail . com
Me reading my poem ‘Merry Go Round’.
Me reading my poem ‘Visitor’.
Me reading my poem ‘Enigma’.
K Morris - Poet 