RWISA Revolution Blog Tour
Have you written that book or short story you want the whole world to know about? Are you looking for a great way to promote your creative endeavors? Perhaps you’re seeking to add some prestige to your body of work! If this sounds like you, we invite you to come on over to RAVE WRITERS – INT’L SOCIETY OF AUTHORS, otherwise known as RWISA.
At RWISA, we invite to membership only the very best writers the Indie community has to offer.
If your work is exemplary and speaks for itself, stop by the RWISA website today at RaveWriters.wordpress.com and find out how you can submit your sample of writing for consideration.
We’re an exclusive bunch but we’d love to have you join us!
NOTE: If you’re looking to improve your writing while taking another route to membership into RWISA, while you’re at the site, visit RWISA UNIVERSITY!
Emergence by Yvette M. Calleiro
The cocoon –
Formed because of a virus,
Reinforced by fear and anxiety.
Surrounded
Protected
Sheltered
Imprisoned
The incubation –
Agonizing silence led to loneliness.
My inner voice tormented
Until the tears flowed freely
And the salty river healed the soul.
Meditation led to self-reflection.
Acceptance
Forgiveness
Release
Self-care
Emergence –
The walls slowly crumble.
Timid to step out but
Resolved to join the world again,
To rise up and feel whole.
Resilience
Strength
Courage
Hope
The RWISA Revolution Blog Tour challenged its authors to write with this year’s theme in mind: A New Year – A Fresh Start. Immediately, I thought of a cocoon. A caterpillar’s transformation into a butterfly is not an easy one. This past year has not been easy for any of us. Even though I’m used to being home most of the time, being isolated and fearful of getting COVID (or worse, giving it to someone I love) has crippled me at times. I spent this year working on my inner self. I took meditation courses and worked with my therapist to manage my anxiety better. I’m a constant work in progress, but I feel stronger and healthier today than I was a year ago. For that, I am grateful. RWISA (Rave Writers – International Society of Authors) asked us to ponder a few questions, so here are my thoughts.
What are your plans for the new year?
This year, I plan to continue being careful and cautious when out and about. I will continue to strengthen my physical, emotional, and mental well-being. I will nurture the friendships that held firm despite the distancing. I will continue to create memorable moments with my family. Without them, this year would have been much more difficult.
What are your goals?
I had hoped to write an entire novel during COVID since I was home so much, but my muse locked herself in her own cocoon and refused to cooperate. She, too, has burst through and has begun to share her mojo with me. With the help of my RWISA critique group, I am going through my final edits for a new novel. It’s a young adult novel with no connection to my current series. I will publish it at some point this year.
I am also writing Drake’s story once again. For those who have read my Chronicles of the Diasodz series, you know I’ve been working on this for a few years. He and I have had a bit of a difficult time in telling his story, but we are finding our way through. My goal is to finish writing his story this year. Then, I’ll use next year to revise and edit it before sending it out into the world for everyone to enjoy.
What will you do to contribute to the betterment of our society?
I believe in the energies of the world, and I choose to spread kindness, love, and laughter as often as possible. As a teacher at a middle school, I empower my students to be confident in their abilities and challenge them to be positive and productive members of their communities. I also post inspirational quotes on my Instagram. I have a separate Instagram that focuses on being proud of the beauty within. It’s been dormant for a bit, but I’m hoping to get it restarted. We need more positivity in the world, and that’s my little contribution.
How will you succeed in the midst and in spite of COVID-19?
One needs to define success in order to answer this question. For me, success is a day when I stay present in the moment. It presents itself as a moment where I notice my anxiety and allow it to flow down my mind’s river of worry without me. It’s when I make a student feel accepted and cared for or when my son sits with me at night to watch a show together.
I do not measure success by money earned or by a title. Instead, I measure success by the impact my choices have on those around me and on myself. As we continue to deal with COVID-19, any day where those whom I love are alive and well is a successful day for me. This year, I celebrate the little things because those are what matter most.
Shared this on Twitter, Robbie.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I appreciate you sharing it, Pete. 🙂
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Always happy to help, Yvette. 🙂
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Hi Robbie, Hi Yvette,
Yvette, the poem is deep and expresses an emotion that a person feels who knows that they must step out and begin to move ahead.
Robbie, thank you for hosting Yvette.
Wishing you both success in all that you undertake.
Shalom aleichem
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Hi Pat, lovely to see you, I hope you are well. Yvette has written a beautiful poem. Have a lovely new week.
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I’m happy you enjoyed it, Pat. 🙂
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Thank you for introducing a new author, Robbie! The poem is great, and also meets my feelings. I hope you are in a good mood, creative baking is going on, and the boy and your husband are able staying far away from the virus too. You will not believe how suprising it was hearing about a South-African virus strain, and how fast this one entered the EU. Have a beautiful weekend! Michael
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Oh dear, I am sorry you have the South African strain in the EU, Michael. I knew it was in the UK but not Europe. Our figures are low now and our deaths have never been very high like in Europe and the USA. I don’t know why but it is a relief. Stay well, dear friend. I’m glad you enjoyed Yvette’s poem and post.
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Congratulations on beating this virus, at least a little bit. Here – wherever it immigrated – the Czech Republic has the South-African one. Now the have closed the border to the CZ. The poem is great. Thank you for sharing, Robbie! Enjoy a wonderful Valentines Day. I hope the boys had cooked for you. Michael
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I’m happy you could relate to my poem, Michael. 🙂
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Thank you, Robbie, for sharing lovely Yvette with readers. 💗
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Hi Gwen, Yvette’s poem is very special. Thank you for visiting.
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Thank you for your support, Gwen. 🙂
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It’s lovely to meet Yvette here, Robbie. Such beautiful poetry. Toni x
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It is a beautiful poem, Toni. Thank you for visiting and supporting Yvette.
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Thank you, Toni! I’m so happy you enjoyed it. 🙂
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Thank you for hosting Yvette, Robbie.
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My pleasure, Jill. Thanks for supporting Yvette.
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Thank you for stopping by, Jill. 🙂
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Yvette’s poem expresses what many of us have been experiencing in this pandemic. I was glad to read that she has found a way to thrive in spite of it. Best wishes for a successful launch of her new novel!!
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Hi Liz, yes, it has been a tough time. I am finding the collapse of all common decency and respect for people’s private time in the work situation very trying. Everything is so much more difficult to co-ordinate now and people think its find to book on-line meetings through lunch time, dinner time and even over weekends.
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That’s really a shame. I’m lucky in my work situation that those boundaries are being respected. Leadership knows that if they push people to the point of burnout, they’re shooting the organization in the foot.
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Yes, it is stupid to push people to hard for to long, but hands are short and I am the only person in my company who does the work I do. I’m hoping to leave for good next February. I am now consulting but I think its work than full time work.
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I hope you’re able to make the break.
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Thank you, Liz! I appreciate your comments. 🙂
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You’re welcome, Yvette.
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Interesting interview. Thanks for introducing Yvette. We have a lot in common, chief among them being teacher-authors.
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Hi Jacqui, I think if we took a poll, the majority of writers are also teachers. I can think of at least 8 blogging and writing friends who are or were teachers.
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That’s interesting, Robbie. I hadn’t put that together.
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Thank you, Jacqui. Teacher-authors are the best. 😉
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Ha, that could almost be a Richard Scarry quote [smile]
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It’s lovely to find Yvette here on your blog, Robbie! I love her inspirational post.
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Thanks for visiting Yvette here and supporting her, Miriam.
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You’re welcome, Robbie.
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Thank you, Miriam! I’m so happy you enjoyed it. 🙂
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You’re welcome, Yvette, welcome. 🙂
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After reading about Yvette’s teaching experiences earlier today, I reached out to her on her blog. Her philosophies are very similar to mine.
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Hi Pete, I am glad you have found a new like minded blogger, that is wonderful. What a great community we have.
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I appreciate you reaching out to me, Pete. I love meeting new authors. 🙂
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The poem is a good encapsulation of the last year. It will take time, but it gives hope to see that Yvette is emerging from her cocoon. (K)
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Thank you, Kerfe. It has been a hard time and a lot of people are finding it even harder now as the lockdowns and anxiety continues.
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Yes, we all thought it would be over by last summer. And now it feels like it will go on forever.
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Yes, I have to keep reminding myself that everything ends eventually.
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It will. I need to keep reminding myself to be patient.
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Thank you, Kerfe! I’m happy you liked my poem. 🙂
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It’s nice seeing Yvette here, Robbie. She’s getting some lovely attention today. Thanks for sharing and best of luck to Yvette on her latest project. 🙂
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Thank you for visiting, Diana. Yvette poem is beautiful.
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I appreciate your support, Diana. 🙂
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Thank you so much for sharing my piece, Robbie! I truly appreciate it. 🙂
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My pleasure, Yvette. A lovely post to share.
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