A TRIBUTE TO AUTHOR BRENDA MOHAMMED by DR. EMMANUEL TENDE

A ROAD TRAVELLED is the author’s 25th published book and her third book on Poetry featuring a wide range of inspirational poems on Love, Love’s woes, Travel, Happiness, and effects on life during lockdown at the time of CoVid 19.
The Book Cover was designed by Mary L Schmidt and depicts the author’s inclination to write poetry during light-bulb moments.
Besides Poetry to delight by the author, you will find amazing tributes for Author Brenda Mohammed from fellow authors:
Shiju H. Pallithazheth - Tribute to a Banker turned Writer
Mala Naidoo A Woman that Inspires
Debabrata Mohanty A Song from My Heart
Christabel Sylvester My Classic Lady
Dr. Emmanuel Tende A Woman of letters
Mohammad Erfun Amin My Heroine in Poetry.
Shanita Vichare A Review
Vandita Dharni A Review
The brilliant Foreword was written by Florabelle Lutchman who states, “It is the hope that when you read this author’s poems that the messages contained therein will help you as you face the challenges of day to day living.”

The book is available in Paperback on Amazon. CLICK HERE

Amazon Kindle CLICK HERE

Books2Read CLICK HERE

KOBO LINK

However, I want to share the brilliant tribute penned by Dr. Emmanuel Tende Nzengu known as MANUFORGOD, and to thank him.
He is a brilliant Poet and a member of both How to Write for Success and Motivational Strips Literary Forums.
I was pleasantly surprised when he wrote me this tribute which has been published in the book A ROAD TRAVELLED.

A WOMAN OF LETTERS

I would like through my poetry!
To pay homage to a beautiful being!
Pay homage to a woman of letters!
This woman's name is Brenda Mohammed!
Let me honor this woman!
Who by poetry saves lives!
Let me honor this woman!
Who has the words that cure ailments!
Let me honor this woman!
Who is the voice of the voiceless!
Let me honor this woman!
Who by poetry predicts the future!
Let me honor this woman!
Who through poetry tells the past!
Let me honor this woman!
Who by poetry makes us travel!
In time and in space!
Let me honor this woman!
Who inspires poets in the shadows!
Let me honor this woman!
Who deserves a Nobel Prize for Literature!
Because she made poetry
A remedy for some!
And therapy for others!
It has allowed poetry to cross borders!
And to travel the world! Thanks to her collection of poems!
She uses poetry as therapy!
To save human lives!
She uses poetry as a peacemaker!
To reconcile couples!
She uses poetry as a language!
To talk to nature!
She uses poetry as justice!
To condemn evil!
She uses poetry as a gift!
To do good!
She uses poetry as a gospel!
To win souls!
She uses poetry as a weapon!
To warn the infamous! She uses poetry like a flame!
To rekindle souls!
She uses poetry like a song!
To wake up those who sleep!
She uses poetry as fiction!
To give voice to the abstract!
She uses poetry as a link!
To bring together the poets of the world!
She uses poetry as an experience!
To tell us about her!
She uses poetry as a prophecy!
To predict the future!
She uses poetry as a passion!
To teach others the rules!
She uses poetry as a refuge!
To relieve the afflicted!
She uses poetry like a wind!
Who blows where it wants!
She uses poetry like an umbrella!
To protect women from the rain of violence!
Her poetry rhymes with emotion!
And when you read her poems you become a fan!
This is why I find real pleasure!
To read her poems as they inspire me!
Her works will remain forever
Engraved in our memories!
Because poetry has made her immortal.
Congratulations Brenda Mohammed.
ManuforGod
BIO: Dr. Emmanuel Tende Nzengu known as MANUFORGOD is of Congolese nationality (DRC)
He is a medical doctor in training, entrepreneur, slam artist, and poet.
In 2018 he won the big slam scene organized by Lipoposlam in Kinshasa. which gave him the right to represent his country, the DRC, at the first edition of the African Cup of Slam Poetry (CASP) in N'Djamema in November 2018.
He is the author of several poems among which: "Paradise of the eyes" "Living together" and many others.
He is also one of the co-authors in the Amazon No 1 bestselling Anthology against Domestic Violence, Break the Silence produced by the How to Write for Success Literary Forum of which Brenda Mohammed is the Founder.
MANUFORGOD is passionate about beautiful letters that let themselves be guided by the natural music of words in order to offer its listeners and readers irresistible spectacle syllables that undress.

THe World Comes to you in one Video

Alan Johnson has created a stunning video with the work of international poets from Motivational Strips, the world's most active writers forum, How to Write for Success Literary forums, and other affiliated groups.
It is a must-see.
Highlights of the video are as follows:
A video of poets that participated in the ground-breaking Anthology - Break the Silence: An Anthology against domestic Violence.
BREAK THE SILENCE: AN ANTHOLOGY AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE is a compilation of poems by 87 International poets who have at some time or the other suffered or witnessed physical, emotional, financial, or other types of abuses in the home, or at the hands of other perpetrators.
They have spoken up and risen from the darkness into light.
The introduction by Brenda Mohammed, Founder of the Literature Forum How to Write for Success throws some light on how this Anthology was born.
The Foreword by Shiju H Pallithazheth, Founder of Motivational Strips Global Forum gives a broad view of the subject.
The feature article by the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Trinidad and Tobago, Right Reverend Joy Abdul – Mohan gives her Biblical views.
It is our hope that this book will save the lives of many who are undergoing such brutal attacks from so-called loved ones.
Break the Silence is available on Amazon. CLICK HERE
Sarah Northwood, Regional Director for the United Kingdom, Motivational Strips is interviewed by Alan Johnson.
Timothy Payton narrates THE END written by a Moderator of Motivational Strips and it is a profound poem.
Shiju H Pallithazheth, Founder of Motivational Strips entertains us with a realistic story and Brenda Mohammed.Founder of How to Write for Success sings a song at the end of the show to lighten your hearts at this crucial time in our lives.
You will be thrilled to listen to the many poems composed on the events of today, narrated by Alan Johnson, producer of the video, as well as by other poets.
There are also singing poets and much more.
Take a look for yourself and enjoy it.

LEARN TO MAKE VIDEOS IN A UNIQUE WAY

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.

A LONG AWAITED ANTHOLOGY AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

A new Anthology is on the Horizon.
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.

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

TRINIDAD AUTHOR BRENDA MOHAMMED CONFERRED THE PEACOCK oPINION AWARD.

On February 20th 2020, the Founder of Motivational Strips Literature Forum, Shiju H Pallithazheth, announced that he was conferring The Peacock oPinion Award on Trinidad Author Brenda Mohammed.
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.

Two days later, on february 22nd. 2020 she was 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.
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.

OTHER LITERARY HONOURS: Vice-Chancellor of Motivational Strips Academy of Literary Excellence and Wisdom on 5th November 2018.
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.

"THE PEACOCK oPINION" Honour is the first order distinguished honour conferred by Motivational Strips. It falls under LEVEL 1 in terms of all honours summed up. Brenda received this honour on February 20th, 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.

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.