Thursday 13 July 2023
PUBLISH YOUR BOOK NOW WITH THESE TOOLS
Sunday 28 November 2021
HOW TO WRITE FOR SUCCESS IS A QUESTION THAT REMAINS UNANSWERED FOR MANY
HOW TO WRITE FOR SUCCESS is a question that remains unanswered for many.
Wednesday 10 November 2021
A LEAP FROM A SICK BED TO A BEACON TOWER
I cannot thank Alem Hailu enough for publishing my interview, Parts 1 and 2 in the Ethiopian Herald on 7th and 10th November 2021. Part 2 has been published today in the Wednesday Ethiopian Herald. It is also published on Poetry Fest - Exquisite Art Studio, a blog. He even published it on Linked In. This is the full interview at Poetry Fest.
Tuesday 27 October 2020
Two sisters from Trinidad and Tobago created a Poetry vaccine
This article was published in The Ethiopian Herald on October 25, 2020, about CHAOTIC TIMES: POETRY VACCINE FOR COVID-19 written by Brenda Mohammed and Florabelle Lutchman with Foreword by Shiju H. Pallithazheth
THANK YOU, Alem Hailu
https://www.press.et/english/?p=29431#
"Everyone is hoping for a vaccine to prevent them from getting the Coronavirus. However, to date, no vaccine for Covid-19 has been invented. Hundreds of thousands of people are getting sick and dying all over the world.
What can we do? Our lives are simple but in these times we need hope and encouragement and general information concerning this devastating disease that is overpowering the world.
The Lockdown periods have caused much anxiety and stress emotionally, physically, and financially, and many have become suicidal.
Brenda Mohammed and Florabelle Lutchman, two sisters have come together to bring hope, encouragement, and amusement to all in this Anthology, “Chaotic Times: Poetry Vaccine for Covid 19.”
The poems of these authors are the right vaccine for our soul in this austere, even dramatic space and time we are going through.
It will prove to be an unforgettable remembrance of what we all went through in 2020, a year that really never was.
A reviewer of the book had this to say. “The vaccine for Covid 19 has not yet been discovered, but the poems of the great authors Brenda Mohamed and Florabelle Lutchman are the right vaccine for our soul in this austere, even dramatic space and time we are going through. “CHAOTIC TIMES” is a volume of poetry with extremely positive reflections, bright valences, and lyricism of calm reconciliation with the chaotic rhythms of the existence of two charming spirits that offer to the reader a true therapy through poetry. Between the pages of this volume is a multitude of solutions to various human turmoil. I am sure that the grace, the dexterity of the mind, and the sensitivity of the authors’ souls will vibrate for you as they vibrated for me.” Corina Junghiatu
CHAOTIC TIMES: POETRY VACCINE FOR COVID-19 was published on October 13th, 2020, and became an Amazon bestseller in Inspirational and religious Poetry after three days on October 16th, 2020. It is available in Paperback and the Kindle Version on Amazon. It is Free to download.
Readers can take advantage of this opportunity and download the Kindle book at the following links:
Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08L6HGMCL
Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=B08L6HGMCL
Amazon India https://www.amazon.in/dp/B08L6HGMCL
The Ethiopian Herald October 25, 2020
Monday 17 February 2020
A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE ON HOW TO WRITE FOR SUCCESS
I received a beautiful surprise from Alem Hailu, Deputy Editor of the Ethiopian Herald.
HERE IS THE LINK
I have transcribed the review below.
Book Review
How to melt the world into words
Book: HOW TO WRITE FOR SUCCESS
Author: BRENDA MOHAMMED
Number of Pages: 196
Review: By ALEM HAILU GABRE KRISTOS
Publisher: Amazon
Price: US $9.00
BOOK LINK
Aside from relating how the author-poet Brenda Mohammed in an exemplary manner consummated her life journey full of hairpin turns and precipices, and with success navigating the twists and turns of the arduous track of life engaging in different walks of life like insurance and banking, her book entitled HOW TO WRITE FOR SUCCESS renders a handy comprehensive toolkit for writers, critics, and editors.
As a novelist, book reviewer, and editor myself, I wish I had this book by my bedside for reference in my previous literary pursuits, for unlike other books I made recourse to, in a bid to fathom the literary devices authors, as well as book reviewers, are expected to well digest, HOW TO WRITE FOR SUCCESS profits a wide array of writers if they, in good time, upload it in their backpacks.
In demonstrating the devices, presumably at the tip of her fingers, in a vivid and lucid as well as friendly manner, no instructor comes close to Brenda Mohammed, who was in the chalk and talk business earlier in her life, before she branched off into literature.
For instance, tragically as it may sound, most of the books I read recommended “Better show than tell,” while they had the propensity of telling.
In sharp contrast to this trend, in her book “HOW TO WRITE FOR SUCCESS!” Brenda pragmatically displays the merit of show over tell by inspiring writers to go for it, reviewers to sniff it, editors to weed out flaws, and readers to know what is encumbering them to read fast, and thereby tell a good book from one that compels critics to say the game is not worth the candle.
Substantiating theory with palatable examples that remains seared on the mind, Brenda walks readers of her book through the jungle of literary devices promising a safe return.
This way HOW TO WRITE FOR SUCCESS portrays by what means authors unerringly sail to readers’ hearts.
As it is true of the other brainchildren of hers like “I'm CANCER FREE,” this one too inspires people to go for their burning dreams with a spirit of never say die against the teeth of daunting and innumerable challenges.
Using short, simple, and toothsome sentences she is a past master at making true modern style never fail to arouse readers’ appreciation.
They are showcases of the power of the pen for authors who have to emerge tall scouting the footprints of literary giants like herself.
It exemplifies poetic prose that glues to the pages of the eyes of those who happen to pick the book. Literariness is how to make things picturesque without using pictures.
Brenda is gifted in doing that simply leaning on word pictures.
She knows how to use the best word at the best place as she is a poet too, and as she states, “to make readers gravitate to you!”
Make your expressions flowery she says in flowery words.
In short, she melts the world into words inviting writers to follow suit.
It is not only in how to use the writers’ craft the page-turner book stands tall, but it also hones emerging authors’ skill demonstrating how to trim unnecessary words and expressions.
For instance, it practically shows how to avoid weak verbs or verbs modified by adverbs.
She demonstrates to writers, “He sprinted,” is by far better than “He ran quickly”.
She also shows the advantage of avoiding hidden verbs “We will announce the winner next week” to “We will make an announcement of the winner next week.”
This is a good tip for those engaged in editorship as well.
Such useful tips she raises, apply to non-fictional works too if the balance mix is well checked.
Observably, her background with an educator like her father has lent her the necessary skills to drive her point home effortlessly.
Author-poet Brenda recommends the writer has to lean on his/her intuition to effectively portray body language.
This lulu that shot up to the global helm of success advises writers to put themselves in the shoes of the character under description.
By way of exemplifying this, she says the way the writer’s body gives away his/her emotion to flattery could be easily adapted to the characters, whose behaviors and physical features have to be well expressed.
She capitalizes on the need to focus on characters’ internal dialogues, (monologues) as well as the external ones.
To engage the readers in using their feelings, HOW TO WRITE FOR SUCCESS shows the importance of using action than dialogue tags that slows the story’s pace. << Instead of “Yes,” he said>> it is better to use<< “Yes” he nodded.>>
Writers have to come up with a clean sheet as much as possible as spelling and grammatical errors could belittle them in readers’ eyes and strips them of credibility.
In a world full of skeptics, one typographical error, especially on cover pages, could make readers put an axe on the neck of the author.
It is no secret that book stations back off if a reader draws their attention to such mistakes.
I know firsthand that most publishers, even those that claim they publish for free ask for payment to correct such silly mistakes even if they know most authors are financially constrained and live in a country where the transaction of hard currency is virtually impossible.
Books that sell like hot cakes standing out from the crowd are ones that have a good blurb, advertisements and book reviews.
She advises authors to take time to produce works that wow their target readers and attract attention to the sale of their books.
“Use active voice to passive voice,” is also among the writing tips she demonstrates with better examples.
Regarding novels and short stories, the story premise must be clear for readers to keep track, she stresses.
To ram this home “Believable characters are the lifeblood of the story,” she points out.
Life in the story must not reflect a bed of roses, nor must characters be flawless and physically striking, she recommends to authors expected to evade the relegation of their work to the category prosaic.
The protagonist and main character should face physical or other shortcomings they have to overcome
Though show not tell, is recommendable narration and dialogue must be in the right mix, advises Brenda.
When painting, the setting be it historic setting— with political and cultural wrangling— or otherwise, writers have to conduct research to avoid mistakes like an anachronism.
As the story has to be believable double-checking things is a must-do.
She substantiates this with the study she conducted to craft a science fiction.
“Take readers on a literary pilgrimage!” and “Create a believable world!” “Use all of your five senses,” Brenda recommends.
Though it is recommendable to design plots at times, characters could allow the writer a room to go a bit astray in so far as this action does not contradict the main plot.
“A story arch is not set in stone!” she says.
She underlines the need to focus on subplots as well.
She appreciates plot summaries before attempting writing to evade getting sucked in a black hole.
When it comes to the narrative she advises limiting description and avoiding ramblings resorting to intriguing and dramatic situations. The problem and the story must be well-grounded.
The premise has to be clear.
Before publication, it sure is good for readers to get their book perused by friends or relatives who are avid readers.
Beta readers and editing software could render invaluable services in weeding out errors and checking self-contradictory issues.
It sure is good if a seasoned editor sees the final output before publication because a professional has experienced eyes in rendering the masterpiece a finishing touch.
She also shows how novelists could keep on writing to the end in a three months’ time setting, with a program of writing, say 500 words per day.
She also highlights the advantage of quietude such as night time, while writing as a distraction is formidable of creative art.
Her book also throws light on the significance of growing in a close-knitted, well-educated and reading family.
Above all, she capitalizes writers must well know their target audience to tailor works accordingly.
They as well should have a worldview to make their work a hit.
As I found the writer imperfectly perfect I could not find any flaws in the book.
Check this must-read yourself.
GET THE BOOK ON AMAZON.
Tuesday 19 November 2019
SUNDAY EDITION OF THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD
BAGGING INNUMERABLE AWARDS PINNING HOPES ON LIGHT AT THE END OF THE CHANNEL.
By Alem Hailu
The Ethiopian Herald Special Sunday’s Edition is all out to scout for gurus that stamped a gargantuan footprint on the global arena thereby to enthuse others to challenge their limits cognizant that success is at arm’s reach if one tooth and nail fights to circumvent pitfalls stationed all the way on the rocky road of life.
In the Success column of this edition, we have stood the opportunity of interviewing
a prolific author on the other end of the Atlantic Ocean. She goes by the name of Brenda Mohammed. Aside from helping many authors, she uses literature as a vehicle to troubleshoot challenges borrowing lessons drawn the hardest way from dark nights of the soul.
Excerpts:
The Ethiopian Herald: Greetings from Ethiopia. Thank you for accepting our request to be our guest.
Brenda Mohammed: I am happy to be a guest on The Ethiopian Herald Special Sunday Edition and thank you for this opportunity.
Herald: To begin with could you brief us about yourself--where you were born, your upbringing and your educational pursuit and also your country?
Brenda: I was born in Trinidad in the Caribbean and still live there.
Trinidad is an oil-rich nation and is known as the land of the calypso.
I am a former Bank Manager of a large international bank in Trinidad, and hold a Diploma in Banking from the Institute of Bankers in London.
After banking, I moved into the Insurance field. I obtained a Diploma in Life Underwriting from the American College, USA and qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table, the Premier Association for Financial Professionals, six times in a row.
Life Membership in MDRT was conferred on me.
Herald: Do you remember how and when you were drawn to the wonderland of literature?
Brenda: My writing career sparked after my near-death experience with Cancer and my miraculous recovery.
I wrote the book, I AM CANCER FREE to tell people who were in similar positions that cancer does not have to be a death sentence. The book became a best seller and gave me the encouragement to continue writing.
3) How is it like the twists and turns you gone through before you made a prolific author-poet of yourself? How many books do you have?
Brenda: I wrote twenty-four books to date. Some of my books won multiple awards as follows.
1. I am Cancer Free - Readers Favorite award in category Health and Fitness 2018 and McGrath's first-place winner in Non-fiction 2016.
2. Zeeka Chronicles was an award winner in the Category Young Adult Thriller in Readers Favorite International Awards 2018, winner in Science Fiction in SIBA Awards 2017, winner of the gold award in the category science fiction in Connections Emagazine Readers' Choice Awards 2018, and winner in the top ten finalists for science fiction in the Author Academy Global Awards 2018.
3 August 2019 Stories People Love was a winner of two gold medals in Connections EMagazine Readers' Choice Awards. First place in Romance Category, and first place in all genres.
4. In the same contest How to Write for Success won a gold medal in the category Non- Fiction.
5. My Life as a Banker - 2nd place Bio/memoirs in SIBA Awards.
Several of my books and even an Audiobook are bestsellers.
Besides awards for my books I was awarded the following:
1.In October 2018 Appointed as Honorary Member of the World Higher Literary Academic Council of WORLD NATIONS WRITERS' UNION of Kazakhstan.
2. On 29th December 2018, awarded the World Laureate in Literature by World Nations Writers Union.
3. On 30th December 2018, I received a Global Literature Guardian Award from Founder of Motivational Strips and Associates, World Nations Writers' Union, and Union Hispanomundial de Escritores.
4. On 31st December received a Certificate of Honour for serving as a juror in an International Poetry Contest sponsored by World Nations Writers Union.
5. For efforts in maintaining and spreading Global Peace, Motivational Strips and its Nominating Authorities awarded me with a Golden Dove of Peace Award in 2019.
6. Appointed June 2019 National President of the Union of Writers, Union Hispaniomundial de Escritos for Trinidad and Tobago."
7. In August 2019 received a Diploma and World Poetic Star Award from World Nations Writers Union.
8. On 31st August 2019 was honoured by the Seychelles Government Accredited Literary Society [ LLSF]for her contribution to World Poetry, creativity, and writing expertise.
9. On October 16th, 2019 I was awarded the Order of Shakespeare Medal by the Founder of the Facebook group Shiju H Pallithazheth for selfless service imparted to keep the ambiance of world writers on a rightful and progressive path, as well as in helping the forum in maintaining the modus operandi of Motivational Strips secure since its inception a year ago.
Herald: On what areas do the themes of your work revolve around? Do you espouse art for art sake or art for life's sake (edifying works) or do you choose the middle ground?
Brenda:I write in multiple genres. I have written children’s books, memoirs, romance stories, science fiction, mystery and thrillers, self-help, and any genre I feel to write in.
Herald: As we see on Facebook you encourage others, especially young authors to emulate accomplished writers like you. You as well use literature to address societal problems. Could you tell us about the circles like Writing for Success and Prevention of Suicide?
Pertaining to meeting your objectives how do you assess this task of yours?
Brenda: You are right, I founded the group How to Write for Success to give back to the world and to celebrate my miraculous recovery. I named the group after my award-winning book, ‘How to Write for Success.’
In just over one year since I established it, it has gained over 5200 members who all love to post their work and receive a valuable comment from me. Many of them are publishing books now using the information I have uploaded on the group’s website https://howtowriteforsuccess.net and that gives me a great deal of satisfaction. Because of the growing increase in published books I opened another group named How to Write for Success Library.
My work in Literature for Suicide Prevention is recognized worldwide.
I was the driving force in the production of A SPARK OF HOPE: A Treasury of Poems for Saving Lives in February 2019.
Forty-nine poets contributed poems towards this life-saving venture.
The book topped the charts on Amazon and made Best Seller No.1 within the space of two days.
We have had reports from members that the book helped save the lives of many individuals.
I have opened a second Facebook group, Poems for Suicide Prevention to collect poems for Part II of the book which I hope to publish in 2020 and only the most suitable poems will be selected.
I believe that I should also mention that I have affiliated the group How to Write for Success with the Facebook group Motivational Strips, whose dynamic Founder is Shiju H Pallithazheth. That group has over four million visitors monthly and I am on the executive administration team to oversee operations. One year ago he appointed me as Vice-Chancellor of Motivational Strips Academy for Literary Excellence and Wisdom.
Herald: Many writers say "We are writing for the labor of love!" in light of the little or no financial returns they get. Is that why you opened a poetry circle to help such authors?
Brenda: The answer to that question is Yes because you can only become perfect at something if you keep practicing doing it.
The more you write, the better you will become at it, and even make it to bestseller and award-winning status.
Herald: If you have a message to convey to young writers in particular and the global community, in general, you are welcome.
Brenda: My mantra in life is NEVER GIVE UP, and I am sending a message to all young and aspiring writers to never give up.
Sometimes success is waiting behind the next closed door.
If you do not open it, you will never fulfill that dream.
Check out the article at this link. CLICK HERE