I have never had the need to use PowerPoint, but being a person who loves a challenge I decided to try it.
To my surprise, I learned that you can create videos on Youtube with your PowerPoint presentations.
It is simple.
After completing your PowerPoint presentation, click on Create video.
An MP4 will be generated.
Upload to YouTube and add music.
Here are a few I did.
Author's Blog of Trinidadian Brenda Mohammed, who published 64 books.
Monday, 13 April 2020
Saturday, 7 March 2020
A LONG AWAITED ANTHOLOGY AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
BREAK THE SILENCE: AN ANTHOLOGY AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE was initiated by the Founder of Facebook Literature Forum, ‘How to Write For Success,’ Mrs. Brenda Mohammed from Trinidad.
Brenda is also Regional Director, Operations, of a larger Facebook Literature Forum Motivational Strips, of which the Founder is Shiju H Pallithazheth from Sultanate, Oman.
Motivational Strips has a readership of five million viewers a month and is the World’s most active writers forum.
Brenda is concerned with the rise in the spate of domestic violence taking place in Trinidad and all over the world.
She discussed it with the Founder of Motivational Strips and they agreed to invite poets from the 106 countries in both groups, to participate.
Poems from eighty-seven of the most prolific writers were selected from the submissions. Brenda undertook the role of Chief Editor/Publisher, and Florabelle Lutchman of Trinidad, an Administrator in the How to Write for Success Group, agreed to assist as Editor.
Mary L Schmidt of Colorado, USA, a member, designed the book cover, and Shiju H Pallithazheth did the brilliant Foreword.
It did not stop there.
Both Brenda and Florabelle who are members of the Presbyterian Church in Trinidad approached the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Trinidad, Right Reverend Joy Abdul-Mohan to write a Feature Article for the book.
She readily agreed.
This is the third Anthology Brenda has initiated in the Forums.
The first two are named A SPARK OF HOPE: A TREASURY OF POEMS FOR SAVING LIVES.
The books are aimed at persons who are depressed, downtrodden, and suicidal.
Both books topped the charts on Amazon in a space of a few days and became Bestseller No 1.
Thanks to the 87 writers who participated in BREAK THE SILENCE Anthology:
The book is available on AMAZON in KINDLE AND PAPERBACK and the Ebook is free to download on Amazon, Kobo, and Barnes and Noble.
KINDLE CLICK HERE
PAPERBACK CLICK HERE
PARTICIPATING AUTHORS
1]. Brenda Mohammed. – Introduction
b. Shiju H Pallithazheth – Foreword
c. Rt. Rev. Joy Abdul- Mohan - Feature
2’). Aabha Rosy Vatsa
3.). Aida G. Roque
4). Alicia Minjarez Ramirez
5). Alicja Maria Kuberska
6). Ashok Kumar
7). Asllan Miftari
8). Augustine A. Joseph
9). Bagawath Bhandari
10). Benedixio Moore Khoti
11). Bernadette Reyes
12). Bose Eneduwe Adogah
13). Brenda Marie Flaherty
14). Chandra Stanley
15). Christabel Sylvester
16). Chukwunulu Chinedu Sunday
17). Prof. Debabrata Mohanty
18). Dinesh Upadhyay
19). Edem Okon
20). Eden Soriano Trinidad
20). Eduardo de Bosco
21). Eliza Segiet
22). Emmanuel Douglas Mulomole
23). Emmanuel Tende Nzengu
24). Farhana Sait
25). Florabelle Lutchman
26). Goldrin Kelvins
27). Hasmukh Mehta
28) Indrani Radhakrishna
29). John Hayford
30). Joseph S. Spence
31). Jyotirmaya Thakur
32). K. Radhakrishnan
33). Khesise Lungma
34). Kishan Dahal
35). Kwame Kakraba Hayford
36). Leena Rajan
37). Lilla Latus
38). Lilian Ezegbulem
39). Lillian Woo
40). Luzviminda G. Rivera
41). Lynda Jacinta Ezegbulem
42). Maggie Faure –Vidot Vijay Kumar
43). Marcelo So
44). Marga Manga Jean Marie
45). Mala Naidoo
46). Mary Lynne Luiz
47). Mary L. Schmidt
48. Melvey Koka
49). Michael Brigden
50). Miri Miryam
51). Mohammed Erfun Amin
52). Myriam Ghezail Ben Brahim
53). Narendra Rajkumar
54). Nnane Ntuke
55). Nutan Sarawagi
56). Okorie Harrison
57). Padmaja Iyengar- Paddy
58). Pankajam Kottarath
59). Penny Wobbly
60). Pragya Suman
61). Pramila Khadun
62). Quadri Olawale Soliu
63). Rajan Mehra
64). Renette D’Souza
65). Rini Valentina
66). Sabrina Young
67). Sakina S. Dossaji
68). Samantha Beardon
69). Sarala Balachandran
70). Sarika Harikumar Shyam
71). Sharmila Mehta
72). Sonia Batra
73). Sonali Tiwari
74). Stella L. Luna
75) Turkan Ergor
76). Vandita Dharni
77). Venancio Castle
78). Violeta Marquez
79). Wendy Ronshausen
80). William Warigon
81). Yanita Ismail
82}. Noe Basurto
83). Shanita Vichare
84). Sania Zakir
85) Malakshmi Borthakur
86} Samuella Conteh
87} Sujata Paul
Congratulations to all participating authors.
Tuesday, 25 February 2020
A SPARK OF HOPE VOLUMES I AND II
A SPARK OF HOPE VOLUMES ONE AND TWO are now available in Kindle and Paperback at all Amazon Stores Worldwide.
The Kindle Version is FREE TO DOWNLOAD
A SPARK OF HOPE VOLUME I CLICK HERE
A SPARK OF HOPE VOLUME II CLICK HERE
A SPARK OF HOPE I is the work of 49 poets.
A SPARK OF HOPE VOLUME II is the work of 64 prolific poets who have encountered and survived life’s most enormous difficulties.
These therapeutic poems are meant to ignite a spark of hope in the lives of the depressed and downtrodden.
Life is a precious gift.
Never give up.
Read these poems before you decide to take that drastic step.
A SPARK OF HOPE VOLUME I saved many lives, and PART II is intended to save many more.
FOLLOW AUTHOR BRENDA MOHAMMED ON AMAZON
Saturday, 22 February 2020
TRINIDAD AUTHOR BRENDA MOHAMMED CONFERRED THE PEACOCK oPINION AWARD.
THE PEACOCK oPINION" Honour is the first order and distinguished honour conferred by Motivational Strips. It falls under LEVEL 1 in terms of all honours summed up and is awarded to authors who have shown exceptional support to World Literature.
Mrs. Brenda Mohammed was one of the selected poets from Trinidad for this highly distinguished honour.
Brenda is the author of twenty-four books and made headlines in the Features section of the Newsday on November 7th, 2018.
Since that feature, she has published six more books making a total of twenty-four books to her name, two Anthologies for Saving Lives, received more awards and added more responsibilities to her portfolio in the field of Literature.
Here is Brenda’s updated biography:
Brenda Mohammed is a renowned, multi-genre, award-winning author, and poet from Trinidad in the Caribbean. She has written twenty-four books to date and published two Anthologies.
The former Bank Manager holds a Diploma in Banking from the Institute of Bankers in London.
Brenda also 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.
Brenda's writing career sparked after her near-death experience with Cancer and her recovery.
In 2013, she wrote the book, I AM CANCER FREE which became a best seller.
That gave her the encouragement to continue writing.
Some of her books won multiple awards as follows.
1. I am Cancer Free - Readers Favorite International Awards in category Health and Fitness 2018 and McGrath's first-place winner in Non-fiction 2016.
2. Zeeka Chronicles, 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 the winner of two gold medals in Connections EMagazine Readers' Choice Awards. It won 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 and a silver one for placing second [ after Stories People Love] in all genres.
5. My Life as a Banker - 2nd place Bio/memoirs in SIBA Awards.
Brenda is Founder of three Facebook Groups How to Write for Success, Poems for Suicide Prevention, and How to Write for Success Library.
Her work in Literature for Suicide Prevention is recognised worldwide. She was the driving force in the production of A SPARK OF HOPE: A Treasury of Poems for Saving Lives, Volumes I and II. Both volumes topped the charts on Amazon and made Best Seller No.1 within the space of a few days.
She is also working on an Anthology against Domestic Violence.
Honorary Member of the World Higher Literary Academic Council of WORLD NATIONS WRITERS' UNION of Kazakhstan in October 2018.
World Laureate in Literature from World Nations Writers Union on 29th December 2018.
Global Literature Guardian Award from Motivational Strips and Associates, World Nations Writers' Union, and Union Hispanomundial de Escritores on 30th December 2018, renewed on 11th Feb 2020 for the years 2019-20 for continuing excellence in outstanding Literary Performance.
Certificate of Honour for serving as a juror in an International Poetry Contest sponsored by World Nations Writers Union on 31st December 2018.
Golden Dove Peace Award for her efforts in maintaining and spreading Global Peace awarded by Motivational Strips and its Nominating Authorities on 4th March 2019,
National President of the Union of Writers, Union Hispaniomundial de Escritos for Trinidad and Tobago in June 2019.
Regional Director - Operations - Motivational Strips.
World Poetic Star Award from World Nations Writers Union In August 2019.
Awarded by the Seychelles Government Accredited Literary Society [ LLSF] for her contribution to World Poetry, creativity, and writing expertise on 31st August 2019.
Order of Shakespeare Medal by Motivational Strips for selfless service imparted to keep the ambiance of world writers on a rightful and progressive path on October 16th, 2019.
Inducted into the Indie Author's Wall of Fame in January 2020.
Honoured with a World Award of excellence 2019-2020 by Provincial Municipality of Urubamba, Republic Government of Peru. The certificate of honour was issued by Luis Alberto Valcarcel Villegas, Mayor of Urubamba. The world award of excellence 2019-2020 was conducted by the Government of Peru jointly with their Associates Motivational Strips, Worlds Most active writers’ online forum, World Nations Writers Union, Kazakhstan, and the Union Hispanomundial De Escritores, Peru on 21st February 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.
Friday, 14 February 2020
LET'S SAVE POTENTIAL VICTIMS FROM SUICIDE
A SPARK OF HOPE VOLUME II was published on 11th February 2010.
The book is the work of 64 prolific poets who have encountered and survived life’s most enormous difficulties.
These therapeutic poems are meant to ignite a spark of hope in the lives of the depressed and downtrodden.
Life is a precious gift.
Never give up.
Read these poems before you decide to take that drastic step.
A SPARK OF HOPE VOLUME I saved many lives, and PART II is intended to save many more.
The Ebook is available for FREE at the following stores.
BARNES AND NOBLE
KOBO
AMAZON
The Paperback is available at Cost Price of $5.50 on AMAZON at this link. CLICK HERE
Thursday, 6 February 2020
LUCKY TO BE ALIVE - AN INSIGHTFUL REVIEW
I was amazed to see this wonderful review of my poem appear on my Facebook Page and I thank the Reviewer Malaya Kumar Jati of India.
My Critical Review Of a poem by celebrated poetess Brenda Mohammed
Adorable poetess Brenda Mohammedji,
Your exquisite narrative poem titled
LUCKY TO BE ALIVE spells out the summum bonum of your indomitable spirit to live that crowned you with success in the various fierce battles of life that came in the way of your life's flow in multiple predicaments.All such impediments as if made you trapped in a spider maze of hazards. Yet the poetess came out of all the horrible inconveniences by virtue of a deep longing for living which is incredibly amazing and of a rare sort. Our life is an endless battle with hazardous twists and turns. Each moment we pass through a tunnel seeking light. The ones who grow panic-stricken in the bivouac of life are sure to be defeated groping in the darkness of cowardice. The warriors of such a kind die many times before their death. These hare-hearted beings are easily overcome by fear and surrender to the odds of life before facing them. But the iron-willed ones like the poetess who keep on fighting till there's the last drop of blood in their body. Here in this poem, the poetess is proved lucky in most of her battles even though they were gruesome and life-threatening in all aspects. It's really a fact that fortune favours the brave but not the pigeon-hearted fellows who fly away from the struggles to snuggle without being a part of the war. They are often seen waging war against their spirit and thereby fail to corroborate faith in them to fight the challenges of life ignoring any uncertain and unexpected obstacles coming in the way.
Kudos to you dear honourable poetess for composing such a magnificent poem to enlighten your readers to have firm faith in them in all the circumstances of life whether they are pleasant or unpleasant, mild or major and no matter how herculean the task of life maybe they are to stand with anchoring confidence to win by dint of their matchless prowess, nonpareil determination, and incomparable perseverance.
Copyright @Malaya Kumar Jati
All Rights Reserved 3rd Feb 2020
LUCKY TO BE ALIVE
Each morning I wake up I feel lucky to be alive,
A heart beating inside me and I have two eyes.
My legs can move and I can use my hands.
Most of all my brain is ticking and I feel grand.
Life is beautiful although filled with challenges.
It is everyone’s desire for peace and happiness.
When tested and tried we survive the worst.
Find the courage to go on and pursue our goals.
When I was eight years old I almost drowned,
But my father saw my long hair floating around.
He grabbed me in time and took me ashore.
Saved by my loving father whom I adore.
I was nine and needed emergency surgery.
My parents stayed all night to ensure my safety.
I had acute appendicitis and was at death’s dark door.
A shining light in a tunnel guided me home once more.
Later in my life when a deadly illness struck,
My family’s support was my mighty rock.
I survived and lived to tell my story,
Of God’s love and his wondrous glory.
As if that was not enough a car accident I survived.
The airbag burnt my right hand but I came out alive.
My lips were badly swollen like Miss Piggy.
I’ m healed and here to tell it all in the form of Poetry.
Copyright@BrendaMohammed
More details of these events can be found in my Autobiography MY LIFE AS A BANKER: A LIFE WORTH LIVING available on AMAZON WORLDWIDE. CLICK HERE.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)