RIP Write On By Kindle

It is with a heavy heart and crushed spirit that I deleted my stories from Write On By Kindle today. I was informed via email last week that the site is to be closed on March 22, 2017.

As expected this news is not going over well with the writers, readers and authors who have come to love this site and call it home. Starting late last year I noticed that the site had become quiet…too quiet, with no updates or interactions from the Community Managers. The energy that usually greeted me was nowhere to be found and I was beginning to lose interest.

It seems I was sensing this impending bad news.

One good thing that the site Administrators offered us was the chance to download our stories with all the comments made by our readers. I appreciated this gesture for I would have hated to lose all that valuable feedback. These are comments I read with pride months ago. Comments that made me stop and think or tweak my story here and there if any flaws were highlighted.

Now feel kind of homeless as I search for a new place to call my home. Wattpad wasn’t much of one to me but I guess I’ll have to make do until I find somewhere else that suits me the way Write On did.

It was good while it lasted. I’m just sorry it couldn’t continue.

If you know any good online writing communities, please let me know. I’ll be happy to check them out.

After-party Snack – Short Story

As I mentioned in my last blog post Wattpad vs Write On?… What Say You? I am now using the Write On by Kindle site to post my stories and get some feedback and critique. It has been going good so far and I’ve really been enjoying exploring stories and connecting with other authors out there.

Every week there are different activities that you can take part in. One of these is Feedback Friday which I participated in yesterday and from June 19-21 or Friday to Sunday its the Weekend Write-In Creative Challenge.

The challenge for this week is: In 500 words, imagine what happens when a vehicle breaks down in a strange place? 

I used 499 words! 🙂 You can let me know what you think!

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“It’s a porty in thu USA!!”

Jason and Gretchen slurred heavily as they rocked along to their favorite jam blaring from the radio. They were both tipsy from chugging down handsome mugs of beer all night at Jimmy’s party. It was a miracle they were both still coherent as they sped along the pitch black stretch of road that was wet from the heavy down pour only a few hours ago.

It was nearly 1am, and they were heading back to Jason’s crib for a little after party. The second hand Honda Civic sputtered and rumbled along, as Jason floored the gas pedal and pushed it way past its limits. The car was fair in giving them warning signs of failure, but loud music coupled with foggy brains is a recipe for disaster.

“Nodding ma head like yeah.” They shouted in off key tones.

Jason nodded, and right at that moment missed their turn off.  The new road was bumpy and laced with pot holes. This was the last straw for the Honda as it swerved violently then came to a complete stop.

“Ow!” Grethen squealed. “I hit my head!” She touched the spot and jerked her hand back as pain radiated from the area.

She looked over at Jason who she only now realized was very quiet. He was slumped over the dashboard like a crash dummy.  His chest was on the steering wheel and the top of his head rested against the cracked windshield. Blood was pouring from the wound on his head in an unnatural way. All intoxication left Gretchen’s body and she was immediately jerked into action.

“Oh my gosh! Jase?”

Tears streamed down her face as she reached over to shake Jason. She stared to panic when she heard nothing. With all her strength she pulled him off the steering wheel and back down into the seat. He groaned and his head flopped heavily to the right like a rag doll.

“Jase? Jase baby please talk to me!” Gretchen cried as she tried to wake him once again.

She quickly located her cellphone and tried to send a call out.

“Damn it!” No signal.” She tried Jason’s phone and it was dead.

She thought about starting the car but the thick white smoke belting from the hood made her decide against it.

Gretchen opened the car door and wobbled out onto the bumpy road. She peered around in the darkness, trying to see where they were. An ear shattering wolf howl pierced the eerie silence of the dark night nearly making her jump out of her skin.

Just up the road Cane, licked the thick, red blood from his lips and paws and tossed the limp body of the policeman aside. He cast his nose toward the night sky and inhaled deeply.

“Food is in abundance tonight,” he thought as he dismounted the squad car in one fluid move.

He shifted back into human form as he took off running in the opposite direction.

Wattpad vs Write On? What Say You?

The Wattpad Story

As an aspiring writer, I’m always on the lookout for free avenues or sites to share my work and get constructive feedback and critique. I stumbled upon Wattpad back when I got my first Blackberry phone in 2011.

I had always been an avid reader since childhood and so I wanted apps that I could access quickly and easily in the palm of my hand. Excited by this thought, I typed the word “books” into Blackberry Application World and out jumped Wattpad at the top of the list.

I wasted no time in downloading and using it. I still remember that the first story I read was called “Immortal” by a very talented writer. The genre was fantasy, which I’m not really fond of, but all in all, it was a great story. I’ve been using the Wattpad platform ever since.

It wasn’t until 2014 – when inspired by a friend who posted a short One-Shot story – that I started writing and posting my first story on the site. Since then I’ve grown a lot in my writing,  as I continuously strive to develop and re-invent myself. Much of this growth however, I cannot attribute to being a part of Wattpad.

Since being on the site I have made some observations. Now these are my personal views and opinions. My aim is not to put down or speak negatively about the site. So here goes:

• It seems to me that Wattpad is mostly used by teenagers and younger people and not more mature readers, which is why I find it’s not a haven for constructive feedback and critique. Let me point out that I’m not saying young readers can’t give good feedback for they can. I just think some of them are so eager to get to the end of the story that they forget about that all important part – letting the writer know what you thought of his/her effort. Yes, readers will ask you to “PLEASE UPDATE!” but that’s not feedback, just a very rude comment. Asking me to update can’t help me in any way, shape, or form. It’s just frustrating when your inbox is overflowing with a lot of these impatient requests and demands.

• Some readers also get ‘overly attached’ to your story and can attack and insult you if the storyline doesn’t go the way they think it should or want it to. Yes, you want readers to love your story and empathize with the characters but not to the point of obsession and attacking you in the process.

• Writers who don’t focus on certain genres such as fantasy, werewolf, paranormal or fan fiction can easily get left by the wayside and not have their stories given the time of day, because they choose not to write on these “hot topics.” I have seen great stories that don’t even have 10 reads or any votes. I mean the main reason for writing should be because you love it, it’s an avenue to express yourself and its quite relaxing…at least that’s why I do it. The main reason should not be to get reads or votes, but they do “sweeten the pot” and encourage you to go on when you have down days. They let you know that what you are doing is reaching someone and is connecting with them on some level. They help to inspire and motivate writers.

The Write On Discovery

Write On by Kindle is a “reading and writing community from Kindle” where according to the site, you can “read new stories, give and get feedback and share your work in progress.”

I’ve been a part of this community since April 2015 and so far I’m loving it. The only thing I think Write On needs is an app like Wattpad. I actually found out about the site through a blog post I found randomly one day.

The author recommended the site and said he was using it, so I thought “what have I got lose?” Signing up was fairly easy; you sign in through your Amazon account and I already had one, so there was no hassle at all. After that, you just add your story title, description, tags etc. similar to Wattpad.

What makes the difference with Write On for me is the feedback that I’ve received since joining just two months ago, compared to being on Wattpad for more than a year.

What I like about Write On is when you’re posting a story you get to select the type of feedback you’re looking for from the readers. I ask for feedback on Characters, Setting, Voice/Tone and Plot.

The first reader that commented on my story took the time to go into intricate details about what she thought was good about my story and what she thought I could improve on.

As a fellow writer herself who has been on the site longer than I have, I found her feedback and critique quite useful and I’ve actually used it to give my story more depth. I was able to view how my story was seen through the eye of a reader and how I could make it better and help them connect with it more. I have received more feedback since then which I’m very thankful for.

I also find that more mature readers and writers seem to be on this site and so far I haven’t seen any comments on stories demanding updates. There is also a Forum as well where you can ask questions and get them answered by staff or other community members.

I will keep using Wattpad, this doesn’t mean that I’ll stop. Over the years I have read some GREAT stories from AWESOME writers that have touched or inspired me in one way or another. What I’ll do is keep exploring both sites and see what needs one site doesn’t fill, that the other can.

I hope this has been helpful and informative for you and please do try out both sites and see which one you can use to satisfy your needs!

Until next time…..

Black History Month & Barriers of Colour

So once again we’re in February which is Black History Month. This is the time when people of color reflect on what happened in our past and hopefully on the lessons we’ve learned from that experience.

It is these lessons that we should use to chart our course for the future. It’s also a time in Jamaica when our two main television stations broadcast movies that depict slavery and the fight for freedom.

I have personally been traumatized from watching too many of these shows at a young age (no offense mom:-)).

I can remember using the sheets or pillow to cover my eyes when the gruesome parts of the movie came on. What I failed to do however was cover my ears and so the sounds and the agonizing cries could still be heard.

Of course, unknown to me back then is the fact that the human mind can paint pictures, so even though I couldn’t see what was happening I used my vivid imagination to recreate the scenes based on what was being said.

Big mistake, for this only led to me having sleepless nights and staying up for hours – not by choice – after the television was turned off, just replaying the movie over and over in my head.

Don’t get me wrong, I love that we use this month – even though it’s the shortest one – to celebrate our achievements and remember our heritage and this is a beautiful thing. I just think that parents should be mindful of what kids watch at too much of a young age.

Even though, looking back I can’t blame my parents entirely. They may or may not have told me two, three, four or five times to go to bed for this movie is not for kids and I may or may not have disobeyed them.

Nevertheless, there are some Black History Month movies that I love and that have had a lasting effect on me.

One of the things that stood out back then and even today to an extent is the issue of interracial relationships. Some people believe this should not be done or isn’t right, but I don’t have an issue with it. For me love doesn’t have a colour or skin tone and if you love someone and you’re happy with them then why not be together?

Interracial relationships have been around for a long time and will not stop anytime soon. I personally don’t have any experience with it, but it’s a topic I want to explore.  To achieve this, I’ve started writing a book on Wattpad called “Barriers of Colour.” It’s the eventual love story of Milana De Luca and Nicholas Hnriques and the obstacles they fight through to be with each other. There’s a touch of Jamaica in there of course….I just couldn’t leave out my homeland…..it just wouldn’t be right….  🙂

Until next time. Cheers!

And remember that:

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

– Martin Luther King, Jr.

Where Did The Years Go?

Have you ever wondered where the time went? Ever woke up one morning and looked at yourself in the mirror? I mean really look at yourself and wonder… what happened?

Well I do….

Sometimes I feel so down, depressed and lifeless. As if there is no reason to get up and go out into the world each morning. As if I have no purpose and no reason to be here.

Waking up with aches and pains all over at my age doesn’t help the matter either…so in need of exercise.  

I sometimes dread the idea of going to work and I know I’m definitely not alone here. It’s not that I don’t like my job…I mean I do…but there are just some other things I would prefer to be doing sometimes…

Like writing and blogging maybe? 🙂

I also find myself making the age old mistake of comparing my achievements to others around me…my peers, my family, my old classmates.  This is definitely a dream killer and an energy drainer and just by writing this post I think I may have uncovered the source of my unhappiness.

Note to self “leave people’s business alone”, as we say here often in Jamaica.  

The truth is I shouldn’t look at other people and compare and belittle myself. After all I have no idea what struggles and pain (or the lack thereof) they had to go through to get where they are today.

I have absolutely no right to judge.

There is a reason why I’m at this stage in life today and it’s because of the choices I made and the path I took. Also, considering where I was in the past and where I am today, I should be proud of myself! I‘ve done well!

I also feel trapped sometimes. I think I live in an extremely boring community.

As a child I would always dream about flying and soaring high in the sky. I would love those dreams… the feeling of floating weightlessly through the air gave me a thrill like no other.

I didn’t know what those dreams really meant (and still don’t) but to me it meant I wanted to be free, to explore, to have fun. Where I live now there aren’t much neighbor’s around and I was always kind of reserved, so that doesn’t help.  

If it wasn’t for my phone and internet access I’m pretty sure I would die of boredom. Thank God for sites like Wattpad that allow me to read and write and connect with other readers and authors.

WordPress is also a godsend, as sites like this allow one to express themselves to an audience and get feedback. Just to know that you can reach so many people is sometimes mind-blowing! There are other social sites that keep me sane, as well as reading a good ole’ paperback book.

My beautiful daughter also helps to keep me grounded and focused. Yes, she can be very difficult sometimes and I do get angry, but usually one face splitting grin from her takes care of that. I think a part of why kids were given to us is to help us through our darkest and hardest hours.

They are so young and innocent and the world to them is exciting and new. They know nothing of wars, violence, disease or suffering…their minds are still pure and uncorrupted.

Looking back on my life, I think my daughter is one of, if not the best thing that has happened to me. She gives me hope and a reason to wake up in the mornings. Even if I never find my purpose in life, I can be content with being her mother and make that my purpose.

Writing – A Love Affair

I love writing full stop.

Be it stories, essays, letters or poetry.

I forgot this love for a really long time, but it never really left me. I never gave up on it fully either, because I love to read and I think they both go hand in hand.

Even in high school, if you wanted me to pass a test, put an essay or some short answer question on there and bam instant A (just kidding). But writing is where I shine the most and express myself the best.

Writing stories or poetry take me into another world, place and time. I love experiencing this, for sometimes life just doesn’t go the way I want it to and some days just seem so dark. Writing and reading are my escape from reality even if it’s for a few minutes or the whole day – as I have been known to do some times.

I’m so happy I started this blog. I’ve wanted to for a while and it was a goal of mine. Yay me! Goal accomplished.

Thank you.