#31WriteNow Day 31

It's over.  Hallelujah!

This is me - Teine 'Afakasi.

rising voices

I went to my first poetry slam Poetry Idol as part of the Auckland Writers & Readers Festival in May this year leaving me in awe of the inspiring talent that hit the stage.

In a little under 3 weeks New Zealand's biggest youth poetry slam will be taking place to see who will be the 3rd ever Rising Voices Poetry Slam winner!  Book your tickets and go!

For the skeptics and those who are new to spoken word, here is a taste of poetry slam with from Poetry Idol judge Selina Tusitala Marsh (as well as other poets by default of the video clip) and Zane Scarborough of the South Auckland Poets Collective and current Poetry Idol winner for the second consecutive year.

This is me - Teine 'Afakasi.

the bone bearer book launch

It was with great pleasure that I attended the book launch for Lani Wendt Young's much anticipated book The Bone Bearer - part 3 of the Telesā trilogy.  If you did not make it to the book launch then you certainly missed out!  The vibe was chilled, the smell of delicious Island treats alluring, the performances incredibly enjoyable,Yolande the MC hilarious, the crafts, clothing and jewellery beautiful and there was Lani doing fabulously with meeting all the people who lined up to say hello, have their books signed and photos taken.

I must confess, I did one of those school girl jumping squealy things in the privacy of my own home as I took my copy of The Bone Bearer out of my handbag for several reasons, but most of all, it was a celebration of Lani's journey and literary accomplishments thus far.  It has been amazing to see what I like to call the Telesā heat spreading, evolving, from what started as a single flame.  And I am ecstatic to finally read the story of Daniel and me according to Lani.

This is me - Leila 'Afakasi.

#31WriteNow day 16

Today marks the halfway point in my #31WriteNow blogging challenge and a challenge it has been!

I have had many moments stressing about what to write each day, but even with the stress I feel better mentally for blogging.  Taking time out of my day to write has helped to put things of my every day life into a healthier perspective.

One of my strategies for blogging achievement has been to prepare by picking a daily theme or topic which gives me the focus I need.  This planning has worked so well that I have a theme or topic planned for each day of the rest of the month.  In saying that, there is plenty of room for flexibility.

Since day 1 of this blogging challenge the nerves have decreased and the excitement has increased so here is hoping for that to continue.

This is me - Teine 'Afakasi.

#31WriteNow day 7

Today is day 7 of the #31WriteNow blogging challenge and I am struggling to keep up so I have decided on three themes to help me on my way to a blogging achievement.  For Tuesday Tunes please refer to previous post, Throwback Thursday will be some sort of tale from my past and Steamy Sunday will be all about hot bods with tattoos.  As for the rest of the days in the month, I just pray to the writing Gods that I can churn something out!

This is me - Teine 'Afakasi.

#31WriteNow day 1 .. an hour late!

It's after midnight and surprise surprise, I'm wide awake perusing blogs when I come across the #31WriteNow blog challenge via PIMPI KNOWS and Awesomely Luvvie to post something to my blog each day for the month of August.  Within minutes I decide to go for it .. considering my last post I think what better way to force myself out of my comfort zone and get writing than to rise to a challenge, even if it is self imposed.  I am calling myself crazy right now, however this is going to be a fulfilling adventure that I am both nervous and excited for.

This is me - Teine 'Afakasi.

i'm back?

Well, I have been a bit absent .. ok, very much absent from the blog world.  The words above seem to capture best what has happened in the last few years - I keep letting others hold my pens, or worse I lose them all together which inevitably leads to one very neglected blog!  I started this blog anonymously and to my amazement, I have met some very good people along the way while managing to still stay as anonymous as possible considering how small my world seems to be.  I definitely want to keep it that way, yet still tell my little tales.  So, time to start paying this blog some attention, find some pens and start writing.

This is me - Teine 'Afakasi.