A Year In Reflection

We've had our highs and lows, we've lost friends, family members, gone through trials and tribulations and we are still here. We are still standing. Now is not the time to feel remorse, or sadness about what happened because what is, WILL BE. Life is for living and each breathe of life must be enjoyed for we do not know when it will be our time to go. This year I've made a huge shift in my life by moving out of one career to another new one. A transition that I've been in for the last 6 months of this year. Moving to the east coast wasn't easy but it was the best thing God allowed me to do this year that actually made sense. Don't get me wrong, I do miss being in the class room, planning lessons, working with parents,and in schools in the Chicago Public System, but being in New York has given me more empowerment to do things in a different beat. Working with youth in the foster care system has been rewarding, and very freeing -- i'm seeing things with a new lens. A lens that has given me clarity in a different way to serve as I support the youth of the Bronx and encourage others to do the same.

I sit here all bright eyed and bushy tailed (locks all over the place), feeling that I am right where I need to be. I'm still writing, still singing, and still living well, learning how to budget effectively and be more healthier has been additional gifts bestowed on me and appreciated. My original goal of moving was completed by July (thanks god), and I lost 25 pounds before I left chicago, though my total weight loss is closer to 50, and I feel great. I'm cooking all the time, and learning new ways to support my balanced diet -- don't get me wrong, I love eating! and I don't miss any meals, but I do it in more of a very balanced way that lets me get all that I want in, but i don't miss eating a lot of bread or heavy (greasy meats). Last year at this time, I was an over worked teaching artist who didn't have time to cook or eat right, god fixed that when I moved here.

This year I was able to actually 'pen' a few things -- Psalms of Love -- which will be tweaked and released later in 2010 and my attempt at another novel, "Not Between These Thighs" which will be released in the Fall of 2010.

I find myself at a very peaceful place this year -- working on many shifts in my mindset, to mold myself to be a better virtuous woman, to allow real love to come into my life, to be bold in my doings, but more humble none the less.

I've had a heck of a year -- and enjoyed all of it! Glad god got me through the rough phase of my last teaching days -- and although I miss Chicago, being in New York has given me knew wings to fly higher.

Did I mention, I won two airplane tickets from Jet Blue, which I haven't used yet? I am still praying I used them in wonderful ways... god will tell me what needs to be done.

Although I'm still processing the lost of a few friends and an aunt who passed away recently, I am happy I was able to have positive exchanges with these people. Enjoyed them while they were in my life.

As I sit here on the last day of the year, I have no regrets, for I think everything has been put in place for me to rise higher and I encourage you to do the same. Whether you 'ring' in the new year quietly or with friends, wipe that slate clean and try to start the new year with new thoughts, a new mind frame, and energy to push on and claim more blessings. Don't wonder what it's going to be, just be open for things to happen and CLAIM them into existence. Speak words of kindness, and peace! Let serenity coast your spirit, and rise you higher. Do not look back, look forward to all the brightness before your soul. Wishing you a bountiful new year 2010, filled with many possibilities.

Mocha S.

New Days Ahead

Osbey Books is moving to NYC! It's a time of renewal and change. Too much to process on this end and packing my life into boxes and rearranging myself as I relocate is very involved but I am excited. Hopefully I can update this blog by next week with new work.

Currently I am teaching literary classes at an elementary school (with parents). It is very fun and creative. As a group we are really having a great time. We are covering prose, poetry, creative writing, personal essays, and commentaries. We are working on using metaphors, figurative and descriptive language, similes, and concrete words. So far, it's been good.

Besides that a short appearance at this years Printer's Row Book Fair went fairly well. I am letting my non fiction title rest as I organize myself for living in NYC.

2 other novels are brewing and will be re-edited for release in late fall. Besides that, just enjoying the rest of the summer in Chicago.

I always thank God for seeing me through my new paths in this life. It is fulfilling and makes me feel like I'm walking in my purpose.

Be blessed everyone!

Mocha Sistah

Repeat This

Often in class, I find myself repeating a lot of things. So I snuck and wrote a poem about it, using repetition basically.

Enjoy!

REPEAT THIS!

repeat this...is what i gotta say everyday.
repeating things as i stand at the front of the classroom
being tested by 30 students palming their grimmy pencils
and white paper with scrawled names
repeating abc's
repeating 123's of poetry
repetition is the name of a poetry teacher's game
and please don't be lame
cause kids will laugh in your face
sometimes i cannot think because i am constantly
repeating..
please-stop-doing-that!
repeating in my head (lord don't let me have to utter
that syllable again!)
repeating errands that i must do in my head like
memorizing math multiplications or substracting
the times i've had to stop class because of inappropriate
or distracting behavior...
i just don't want to forget... what i was teaching
what was i teaching?
anyway...
i repeat steps as i walk my walk
i repeat steps as i dial momma in between classes
and laugh about my crazy 3rd grade class at koz
i sometimes laugh inside at the kids...
they are like instant entertainment...
distracting little play performers on crack
jingling this way
wiggling that way
spotlight on the main performers as they keep me
entertained
this repeating days and moments feel like
lyrical mathematican's running a crazy conference
about lack of self control with behaviors that
tintinnbulate the verses of their syllables
that constantly tumble of their mouth sounding
so unephonic...
i rehearse my little spiel and hope they get something
from the lesson, close my bag, slid papers in them and
then return to the first time i entered the learning
tool box as i know... that lessons beyond poetry
are always shared and learned
and those will be repeated in future generations of
writers who experienced a little sharing of words
with me in a class somewhere in between the midwest
and south, so i retire my pen and my soul
even for a little while maybe the hungering for new knowledge
will have been planted by a forty minute session in a class
where language was the fore front, not just slight interruptions
of human behavior

(c) 2009 by Mocha Sistah

The Many Things of Mocha

I know it's been a while, so I'm updating this blog! It's been more than a few months since I've blogged seriously, so here goes.

Although I do have my company, Osbey Books, I am quietly building a client base and revamping certain aspects of what I do. Focusing on providing the same services, I have a new site @ http://osbeybooks.webs.com/ which will be updated as things are progressing.

Current book projects for my author Onika Pascal, Collections of a See Through Soul Portraits, is now on sale at http://www.authorsbookshop.com/ and http://www.amazon.com/.

I am finishing up a few of my schools currently and in transition as I either head for Atlanta, Hawaii or Japan this summer. Yes, I said that! I have planted the seeds of change and going where the universe is sending me. I am leaving open the options and seeing where God wants me to plant new roots. All three locations would be very different and give me the curiosity i seek as well as something exciting to look forward to.

On my contracts I have four weeks of teaching left; and although it's one of those ending periods for me, I am happy that I am ending on good notes at all schools. The turmultous air that has followed us all during the recession has embarked in the murky waters of artists every where. Because of funding issues in the state of Illinois, I have decided this is my last go around in the schools as a teaching artist. However I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I believe God allowed me to spend as much time being an advocate in the schools to prepare me for other educational roles which I am qualified to do. Going back to school and getting my Masters in Reading and Literacy is a goal I hope to achieve in the next 2 years either here in Illinois or abroad elsewhere.

My trip to Atlanta was great (a few weeks ago) and I got a lot of information that will help me make some decisions regarding my summer trekking to Georgia if I do not decide to go to another location.

Japan and Hawaii may have to wait if Cobb County or Gwinnett offers me the opportunity to work with students and parents in Georgia. We'll see. Only time will tell.

I was speaking with a recruiter the other day and he wanted to know why I wanted to relocate or start over during a recession and my response was, "why not?" I'm single, strong candidate in any area that I've focused on, and have no other pressing responsibilities which would keep me in Chicago. So why not try? Why not explore? What is holding me back? ONLY ME! I know a few people are wondering why leave during a recession but my theme of the year is to keep pressing on despite challenges and to challenge myself to not be stagnant. If you want true change you must be willing to be the CHANGE you seek!

I'm off the air for a week and will return with great authors. You may want to check in with me and Juisee Da Queen next Monday on www.blogtalkradio.com/literarypizzazz. Next Wednesday I interview Chamein Canton and then in April I will be hosting some fabulous authors and poets during the National Poetry Month.

Performance wise, I am scheduled at a few venues, so check back for the updates on my locations.

Trying to catch up with me more and wanting to see new work posted weekly, check me out on Facebook. Wanting to know if I am still writing books, yes, I am. I will be releasing something during the summer of 2009, so thanks for that continued support.

I am hoping you have a wonderful day ahead!

Mocha Sistah

Change of Me...

I have crossed a mile stone. I'm 40! I enjoyed a birthday that was special with those who love me. The dinner was awesome. The weekend was great and the weather was perfect. I couldn't ask for more.

For me it means.. a New number, different mind set. I'm happy. Things are okay and flowing the way it should. I'm deciding on some important matters. I'm making some transitions. I'm watching the political race and I"m involved.

I find that 40 (for me) is freeing. I'm more honest about things. I'm not as concerned with other's thoughts of me. I'm working hard on my goals and dreams. I'm focused more on family, and small moments of time...

I've taken more time out in the last 2 weeks to slow down and enjoy the little things. Laying out by the lake, writing in my journal, and breathing slow to enjoy time as it spins very serenely. Going to Millenium park, walking around town, taking care of my health is sooo important to me. That's it.

I find also that this 'age' has helped me to cut the fat in my life. Not fat but people. People who mean me harm, who have never really supported me who need to be out. So I've slowly begun to transition the not so good elements, cutting down to the ones that really are for me, and not against me. I really don't have the time or the attitude to have people around me who are negative spirits who PRETEND to be something they aren't.

My intuition is running things along with the spirit God has instilled in me.

So yes, I'm being very focused on what is working in my life and what isn't.

I'm excited about my background melodies (good things in progress), along with the radio show, new books, and other haps.

I challenge you to be the change you want to see in the world. As Ghandi said, because you'll be waiting forever for someone to change what you want to see. It's like Nike says, just do it!

Mocha Sistah

Over Kill

Yes, I'm to the max. I always am. So when I woke up on Monday morning to no DSL service I was petrified, but it proved to be something of a blessing. See I spend countless hours online promoting, emailing people, updating blogs, contacting clients, etc. Having spent almost 6 days offline proved a few things -- I'm loved -- missed -- and of course, the time off was needed. I work hard. In fact the last month has been my most hectic. I'm lucky that I didn't have any health issues for I did push myself beyond my normal limits.

My cellular phone pretty much blew up when my primary account was inactive. People worried about me kind of surprised me but also was cool because it meant, some really did miss me. In my interim time offline I lost a family member; another reminder that life is important and that I don't have a lot of time myself, as I don't know what my 'number' is. God does though. The family member that passed away was only 57 years old, and I'm nearing 40, so that was startling to me.

On my flip side, this week wasn't all bad. I received an award from a school regarding my years of service as a Literary Educator, and two of my programs went extremely well.

I got rest, had time with my family (more time than I usually have), and that was a blessing in itself. As a great friend reminds me, that my superwoman cape has to come down sometimes (smile) and I'm allowing people to actually take care of me. I surely appreciate those who contacted me during my offline time , especially those who called or emailed me to just check in to say hi. That is very important. I know sometimes I don't seem to be available or that people believe I am too busy to slow down, neither are true.

It's just that I am more like my Grandmother (r.i.p "Ma Davis") who always keeps it moving. But learning to slow down ain't bad either.

With that said, I'm heading over to the Chicago Gospel Fest this weekend to restore my spiritual soul and hang with a few sister friends.

It's another nice day outside and as I smell the flowers in my house today, I'm reminded that quiet and solace is a blessed thing.

Here's to wishing you a bountiful weekend.

Mocha Sistah

Thinking of Many Things

Well, I hope this blog finds you doing very well. It's almost Mother's Day, can you believe it? I've spent the last month hopping around doing this and that. Time spent at the Romance Slam Jam was pretty hectic but very good. It was the first time I ever spent talking to others about my short stories and pitching publishing houses. I got some great feedback and I'm working on sealing up several stories to get to the pub houses for review of possible contracts. I'm just excited that I can get some more short stories either in e-book or paperback format. I will probably have the books published under another pen name though.

I'm in the middle of a lot of planning for culminating events for several programs with Poetry Center of Chicago and Family Focus, Inc. Students are performing at schools on May 15, May 27th and May 30th. In addition, I am on stage during the week of May 21st with John Beer and his "poetry theatre series". I will only have a short amount of time to study and learn my lines before I hit the stage. Then there's Career Fair events on May 10, May 20th and May 21st. Let's not forget the Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry event on June 5th with the Words @ Play program. I hope I still have air in my lungs by the weekend of June 7th to attend the Sox game on June 8th.

And to think I thought I would be relaxing between April and July. Didn't happen.

There is also a book in production with O.B.I, and a few new projects from other authors during the summer of 2008 including, Loving Your Life.

I'm excited to say I will be attending a wedding of a friend in August 2008 in St. Louis, MO so that's going to be very nice. I cannot wait to see my friend and her fiancee seal the deal. It's such a beautiful thing to see black love in motion. It still exists folks.

Well, right now, I need to get ready to go to the Career Fair at Senn High School. I will be working with teen girls, some pregnant or young mothers. The workshop will focus on self love, self care and self worth through reflection and creative expressions. I hope they get a lot out of it, I am just excited to be with 25-30 women to dialogue about life and their world.

Don't forget to hug your mom, your sister, or your daughter's this weekend. This is a wonderful weekend to remember Mother's who are now in God's cloud of love. This is a time to enjoy mother's and what they bring to the world. Never forget to enjoy your Mom's while they are still in your world.

I am wishing you many blessings.

Mocha Sistah

Many Things

It's been a while, so I thought I'd post something....here you go. An update of sorts. I'm working on balance (a constant thing with me...) There's never a shortness of work with me. Things are bursting all over but as far as balancing it out in real life, I have to do a mental check and make sure I am not shorting my self or my family. That's the most important thing for me.

It's been a quiet saturday, and yes, I'm late on my taxes. I normally don't even sweat it cause I know I will owe money because I am self employed and yes, that means my lil stimulus check will be applied to any owed taxes. In fact that works for me big time. Unfortunately us self employed folks have to pay out of pocket fees because of the way we are paid (untaxed dollars) but in general terms I am okay with it. At least I can sleep at night when I know I am able to work my schedule the way I want it and it flows right that I don't have to hit the grind 24/7 or work unlimited hours at a 9 to 5. My grind is my grind. 3 years gone by and I'm still standing (yeah yeah yeah). On to other things.

The next few months are huge for me in terms of exposure and community re-connections. I am performing a few times between April and June, and of course I am teaching community after school programs in parks and schools. I will be at the Romance Slam Jam, Senn & Simpson High Schools, and performing at the Chicago Park Library on two occasions. I also will be traveling to St. Louis to participate as a vendor in a Literacy Book Festival with fellow authors in the St. Louis, Missouri area. I'll try to post something so everyone can be aware of where I'm at. You can also checkout my show listings at www.myspace.com/dapoetess.

Writing grants is my new hobby. I finished up a grant a few weeks ago and I'm working on one for the Neighborhood Arts Grant. I'm hoping to get approved by the ASM folks by Summer 2008. If not, I may go back to the private sector for a few weeks during the summer. I am helping a few folks get their businesses off the ground and doing some consulting with other authors and publishers. Summer 2008 I might be able to get to the Harlem Book Fair for it's 10 year anniversary with my author Onika Pascal.

Yes, I know I said I'm slowing down and it's true. I have a special someone in my life who is my inspiration for such enjoyment of real life off the 'net. That's a good thing too. As I creep up towards my 40th year on this earth I am always reminded everything is not always about words, baby poets, teaching poetry or staying busy as a writer and publisher.

I plan to move into a new phase of my life, to include relationships, having a family, and maybe marriage. But I'll let God work all those details out. You know with me, you never know. I am extremely grateful though. As I think about the last few months of things that I had to deal with, I am happy that I can even breath and still know that God is who he is and that he's allowed me to exist in the space I do without drama and health issues. I am extremely favored and I will say it out loud, "thank you lord."

Many things continue to pull me in many directions, I know that I'm coming soon to a phase of life where things will be more simplicist. I cannot wait for that. It's not always about the "mocha sistah" thing either. Sooner or later I'll have to take a year off and just be 'pam' and I'm okay with that.

Anyway, I bid you adieu for the moment. I hope you have a nice weekend and enjoy whatever it is that makes your soul sing.

Mocha Sistah

Inspire Higher Feature: Author Lily L. Ratiff - 03/15/08 Show

Author Lily L. Ratliff took out some time to share with the Musings Report on her book, The Life of a Lily. Please open your minds and souls to get to know this anionted woman of God through literary verses and more!

1) What compelled you to write your book? I was awakened one late night in 2001, led to write down all that God wanted to share with me. In that time of reflection and self-discovery, one of the things that God shared with me was to write my testimony. It first started as a diary/journal until 2004.

2) What was your inspiration to write the book? In 2005, tragedy struck when my brother was killed by gunfire. It had already occurred to me that I was ready to turn my diary/journal to a full fledge book, but that terrible circumstance opened up a whole new chapter in which to write about.

3) What was the major themes that you explored in your writings? Adoption and the Foster Care System, Domestic Violence, Infidelity, Depression, Tuberculosis

4) How long did you know you were given the gift of writing through verse? Since 2001

5) What should people know about this book and how to apply it to God's words through their own lives? Relevant corresponding scriptures are in the book that people can go to for a reference study and/or to self reflect. Every time I approached different circumstances in the book, that for some people could be deemed as taboo or would otherwise be considered as “airing your dirty laundry,” God’s word is then placed for people to gather a sense of His promise to us as believers who have once fallen short, but can then regain His provision of a better tomorrow.

6) What makes this book stands out as a unique book in your writing genre? This book is very unique. Not too many people can or will tell a story and open up their hearts like an open book. Most non-fiction inspirational books only give stories from the bible and relevant scripture and try to relate it to our everyday “now” lives (not saying those books are neither meaningful nor powerful for what many need). However, my book brings home experiences that many can relate to for today, experiences that many people are afraid to share or admit to others. This book is like a mini-diary that people can look at themselves just like looking at a mirror. So many people will not only be able to relate, but see that no matter what you go through, God has an answer for it.


7) Where can people purchase the book? People can purchase by book via my website, http://www.thelifeofalily.com/ or http://www.cushcity.com/. After April 8th, everyone will be able to purchase the book at any book retailer near them, and online retailers, such as Amazon, Wal-mart, Borders, and Barnes and Nobles.

8) Do you have any upcoming events? Friday, March 21st, I will be at Nubian Bookstore in Atlanta, GA from 4:30-7:30 P.M. signing my books. Saturday, March 22nd, I will be at the All-Alumni Step Show at the Georgia World Congress Center, in Atlanta, 7:00P.M. as a vendor, selling and signing my books as well as introducing my business, “Everything That’s Lily, LLC”: inspirational jewelry with a message of Christ. April 4th-6th, I will be going to Dayton, OH, invited to a gospel play called, Pleading My Case. During the intermission, I will be selling and signing my books. April 8th is the release date of my book. April 19th-book release party (time and place forthcoming.) May 16-18th, I will be in Houston, Texas as a participating author at the National Black Book Festival-hosted by Cushcity.com.

(Check out http://www.nationalblackbookfestival.com/ and http://www.cushcity.com/ for more information about the festival and to purchase a copy of the book!)

9) What do you want people to know about you as a writer?

My passion as a writer extends into ministry for people who have lost hope, or feel that their dreams of ever succeeding in life are far fetched. The devil knows how to put a limit on your goals and desires, but there’s no limit on what God can do. Writing the book, The Life of a Lily: Growing in His Strength, Blooming in His Love displays the prime example of how one woman, who was given the command to tell her testimony, took years to complete it, but not by accident. God’s timing is not like ours. I am a writer that is pragmatic and can take the word of God and apply it on so many different levels for different individuals going through different situations, but all coming to one conclusion: God said, “My brother, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing….Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:2-4, 12). So even though it may have taken a while to publish this book according to society’s norms, according to God, is was right on time! God’s word is for his people right now!

Come join InspireHigher co-host Premonitions and I as we discuss Self-Love, Redemption and God's Grace on Saturday, March 15, 2008 with Author Lily L. Ratliff. Log on to www.blogtalkradio.com/literarypizzazz at 10: 30 AM Central Standard Time/11:3o AM Eastern Standard Time.

We urge readers to purchase her inspirational book which you can apply to any area of your life. God Bless and keep our sister of the verse.

Pam Osbey

Host, Inspire Higher Radio Show

Saluting an Oklahoma Favorite: Author Lucinda Thierry

Oklahoma native Lucinda Thierry will be our featured author on Literary Pizzazz on Monday, February 11, 2008 @ 7PM CST TIME.

Lucinda Marie Thierry is a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism & Broadcasting (Public Relations emphasis) and a minor in Spanish. As a college student, she wrote for the campus newspaper and received a Third Place Award for a Newspaper Series from the Southwest Journalism Congress. She also served on the university's Board of Student Publications. Lucinda works as a civilian courseware developer and trainer for the Air Force, and she serves as an enlisted mass communication specialist for the Navy Reserve. She is also an Air University graduate of Air Command & Staff College. Additionally, she owns Made By Me - parent company to Made By Me Greeting Cards, R.C.'s Art (her son's illustration business) and Beads By D. (her daughter's bead business). Made By Me Greeting Cards specializes in hand-made cards with calligraphic lettering and personalized poetry. Made By Me also offers a travel website where you can search all your travel needs with just one click, eliminating the need to utilize multiple search engines to find the best price. Just go to http://lucindathierry.worldventures.com.

Lucinda has been published in many civilian and military newspapers, magazines and online publications as a respected journalist. Just google Lucinda Thierry, and you can read some of her work.

Salutations, Christian Poems for Various Occasions is a compilation of poems written for clients from Lucinda Marie Thierry's Made By Me Greeting Cards business.

Are you big on holidays? Have you ever wanted to say something special to a friend but couldn’t find the right
words? Maybe birthdays are your forte, or you’ve tried your hand at poetry a time or two. Well, this is the book for you. There is a poem for just about every occasion, and you can even sketch out ideas of your own inside this very book. Whether greeting a friend, saying happy birthday to a relative or co-worker, or sending someone off at a farewell party, you’ll have an array of expressions to choose from.

So, before you put pen to paper or plan your next party, flip through the pages of this book. It just might inspire you.

To order books, email Lucinda Marie Thierry at made_by_me_creativity.yahoo.com. The cost is $10 per book. Add $3.99 postage and handling for the first book and $0.99 for each additional book purchased.

Excerpt

Longevity is a blessing
Allowing for another year to grow
We go from glory to glory
A truth that you’ve come to know
We hope you’ll enjoy this birthday
A blessing from God to you
We pray you’ll celebrate the next one
With the unified book club crew

Black History Month Thoughts - FAMILY

Hello everyone,

It's that time again. I am posting my very first voice blog. Listen and post any comments as necessary.

I hope this month helps to strengthen the black race as a whole and continues throughout the year.

Reply | Copy This

Mocha Sistah

Literary Pizzazz introduces Mark Tomback

Our featured guest on Monday, January 28, 2008 will be Mark Tomback. His book Spiriting Around: A Modern Guide to Finding Yourself. Its theme is life’s too hard but easier when we accept spiritual responsibility. Written with teens in mind it’s really for anyone. It’s a guidebook for growing up and who couldn’t use that—at any age. It describes work and responsible ways to make money.Then love: marriage, sex, friendship, and love for God—all from a spiritual standpoint. Then a unique chapter explains the paradoxes life forces on us as we make the compromises that frame our values. And the last chapter comes full circle describing God—and our future—in practical realistic terms.

Visit the author's site www.spiritingaround.com for more details on his book. Tune to his show on Literary Pizzazz, 01/28/08 by logging on to www.blogtalkradio.com/literarypizzazz.

Literary Pizzazz Introduces Author Brian Lynch

Our second author of the year...is Brian Lynch. He is an author, radio host, and entrepreneur. His company Valson Writings, Inc., connects readers, writers, and other literary entrepreneurs.

Here's a little about him.

Brian O Lynch was born to Valerie Lynch a single mom in 1971. His deep conviction of relationships was deeply rooted by his Christian background. As a young boy he was taught the basic principles of what a relationship should be. Migrating to the United States in his late teens he was soon influenced by the wrong ideas and had soon turned to practices contrary to his Christian belief. Thanks to his mom and the spirit of God working through both of them he was set on the right path again. His deep convictions were once renewed into his way of life. Assuredly no one is perfect so over the years he has learned valuable lessons when he turned away from God. His Passion to find a relationship of love, romance and the quality of life has driven him to get deeper in the subject of relationship. He credits the guidance of the Holy Spirit as the source of his knowledge. His writings are based partially on his own relationship experiences and of numerous researches that were carefully conducted over the years. His passion to see a better life for single mothers was also a strong inspiration for his writings. His greatest hope is as you read his writings you will allow it to point out where you are in seeking your relationship of love, romance and a better quality of life.

Tune in to Brian's show "Quality of Life" on Blog Talk Radio.

Visit his site Valson Writings to connect, network, etc.

His interview on Literary Pizzazz is Tuesday, January 15, 2008.

Literary Pizzazz features author Nikkea Smithers

It's that time again. We have been off the air for 2 weeks! We return with awesome author and poetess Nikkea Smithers who has crafted her novel, Keith's Story.

Keith’s Story is the long awaited prequel and sequel to the underground hit novel Gold Diggin’ Raped, abandoned, homeless and pimped (all before the age of 18) Keith is battling in a war with his mind vs. his heart. In part one, Keith is shown just how strong a young man can be when faced with challenges that are beyond his realm of control. Enduring more than a child should ever have to, Keith runs through life with the robust desire to just survive. What Keith doesn’t understand is, what is done in the dark must come to the light, no matter how long it takes for the day to break. In part two Keith must answer to his past (which may tear his new family apart) and face earth shattering revelations. Questions are answered as new relationships unfold. Taking stage after he has moved to a new town with his new wife and daughter, part two exposes him in a way he never thought was possible. Keith’s Story is raw, uncut and unapologetic. Jump in the passenger seat of this fast paced story as told by the lead character and let it take you away!

Visit the author's website @ http://ausetausarproductions.net/


Tune in to the show next Monday January 14th @ 8 PM CST TIME
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/literarypizzazz

Call into the show -- 646-478-5460 and hear her LIVE!!!! ASK QUESTIONS and FIND OUT HER INSPIRATIONS AS A WRITER and MORE!

End of an Era

Well, it's been a while since I've blogged and much has happened. First, it's a new year! Second, I've been on vacation for a long time and actually rested. Two weeks is a long time not to work, worry about the normal grind. I spent most of my vacation resting, and cleaning house mentally and spiritually. You'll be glad to note, I am healthy - no real issues going on, even managed to have a half-decent relationship with my estranged father. It's not perfect, but I guess it's as good as it will get. As far as everything else, I'm revising my business plan, working on two books, and about to send my teen anthology to an editor to do some comprehensive editing so I can reprint the book this Spring. So far, great comments from the teens on the book. It's been very hard to get myself to do any adminstrative work, but I guess that will happen on Tuesday when I return to the schools. I am also writing a grant for a summer program that hopefully will be picked up by the city.

Besides that I guess it's life as normal. End of an era, beginning a new. I'm about to do a body detox program for a 1 or 2 to get myself refocused on balance in my healthy eating habits, but nothing too extreme. I'm also working on organizing my poetry that I have taught over the years. I envision some sort of poetry gallery where I can highlight all the youth's poetry. Imagine that -- poetry by children from K - 12, from 2001 until the present time. Poetry from youth in my programs litter my home and it's out of control so I'm gonna begin to batch the items annually and try to keep them all together and out of the way. Right now, I hate that I have little or no space to highlight them. The funniest poetry item I have is a little poetry tree made from poems written in my classes at one of the parks. One of the coolest thing I did last year was help the park present a poetry gift to Margaret Burroughs. I hope she enjoyed the poetry the kids wrote and gave to her with the gift.

The best thing I've done over my break was very simple. I stacked up on my THE WIRE , Seasons 2, 3 and 4. I know Season 5 (last one) starts tonight. I'll buy the DVD when it comes out late in 2008 or early 2009. I also like Dexter, a show from Showtime, and that is one of my favorite shows as well as the WIRE. Washing my locks twice a week during the break provided me with a relaxing way to be taking care of myself. Movies were my thing during the break, even though Chicago had some nasty weather. I hate snow, but I hate staying in as well. House music night was off the chain last wednesday and I expect do that again, Martin Luther King's weekend.

Planning for me this year is dealing with getting my pass port. I got invited to the Frank Furt Book Fair, not sure I'm going but it's in Germany. I also am working on a lot of details with my book company, new authors, mentoring them, and getting new projects on the ground running. Well, I only have 1 more day to enjoy before my real life creeps up and slaps me silly.

I hope you had a great holiday season, enjoyed your family, and rung in the new year with love and renewal in your heart.

Until we meet...

Mocha Sistah

Just In Case You Were Wondering

Speaking Me, a Youth Anthology is....

in printing mode! 17 youth authors with amazing work - poetry, short memories of life, love, and other things...will be published shortly.

With funding from CAAP (Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs), we are excited to roll out this book in the next few weeks.

I was promised the books by early next week. I'm hoping to have copies by end of this month to writers and start the promotions by December.

I will keep you posted on this as soon as I get new information. Thanks to everyone for the progression of this project.

Osbey Books, Inc. will begin to seek new material for Speaking Me, Volume II between January 10 - Early April 2008. Good luck to all writers.

Mocha Sistah

Upcoming Features

hey all...

it's been a while. Just dropping in to say hello. i have shows on www.blogtalkradio.com/literarypizzazz every tuesday and thursday. This week's feature is Dex from Michigan (novel, Not An Ordinary Life) and inspirational author of the book, Simply Elevate on 11/13 and 11/15. Atlanta's Hotep stops by on November 20th to school us on the Hustler entrepreneurship concepts and discusses his book. Then I host Philadelphia's "Mika Miller" - And God Created Woman on November 30th.

Come December, we will have a Womanhood show along with a few authors, including Lucinda Thierry who will discuss her book, Salutations. January and February 2008 shows brings a UK author and a few more American ones.

Until then, I guess we'll chat and I'll post some new things shortly here. Thanks for stopping by -- leave a little sunshine for me , why don't you.

Recommended books:

So Much Drama - Kenya Moss
Cimmerian City - Rae Lindley

To get booked on Literary Pizzazz, email osbeybooks@sbcglobal.net with a short bio, book description and jpeg of your book along with your availability and we'll set your FREE show up!

Speaking Me Anthology: Online Showcase June 5th

What is "Speaking Me"? It is an anthology that will feature writers ages 10-18. Their words. Their emotions. Their world. Some of these writers share personal stories through lyricism, rhymes and poetry. Others share their gift of writing through prose and short stories.

The project is supported by a partial grant through the Illinois Arts Council and the Department of Cultural Affairs.

The editor is Pam Osbey, CEO of Osbey Books, Inc., a small press publisher.

The collection will feature over 35 youth writers and will be published in Late 2007. Expect a deluge of activities in Chicago, New York, and other cities where the poets reside beginning in early 2008.

Featured Writers on June 5th's show:

Mary Williams is 16-years-old, attends Ossining High School in New York. She enjoys all kinds of writing from screenplays to stories to poems. She has studied writing with magazine TeenInk in London and conducted an interview with Alicia Keys with TeenInk. She also studies at the Hudson Valley's Writer's Center with acclaimed poet Brenda Conner-Bey.

Sayre Mingan lives in Berkeley, California. He is a student of San Francisco School Of The Art's Creative Writing Program. This the first time his fiction is being published. His poetry had been published in the Cacaphony and The Advocate. He believes that all words are important and should be heard because everyone has a story to tell.

Jeanette Anderson finds herself most inspired by the city she lives in, New York City. She is 18 years old and hopes to major in Creative Writing. She has been published in the british publication, Magma.

Gabriel C. Tyler is a student at Walter Payton College Prep is 16-Years-Old and resides in Chicago, Illinois. His personal life motto in words: "Pro Education, Fighting Injustices, Compliance, and Ignorance, and Promoting Expression." He describes himself as an African American young male who is inspired by the environment around him. He is inspired by the earth, neo soul music, Christianity, Lauryn Hill, and most importantly he believes that the edification of one's mental being is their key to success. Writing is not only his life, but his passion and his peace of mind.

Log on to Blog Talk Radio with host Pam Osbey, author of several titles including Musings of a Mocha Sistah, and the highly acclaimed "Smoke Signals" www.blogtalkradio.com/literarypizzazz

Air time: June 5, 2007 at 4pm, CST time!

Call in to the show at Dial In Number (646) 478-5460

We look forward to any and all callers, but particularly any youth writers or poets with words to share. Thanks again, Literary Pizzazz
www.myspace.com/literarypizzazz

An Author to Know: Kamryn Donavan

Kamryn Donavan and her debut novel is titled GETTING LUCKY--due in stores 9/4/07.


About the Author:

Kamryn Donavan is a native of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Despite her deep southern roots, she will always be a Midwestern Girl at heart. Raised in University Park, a south suburb of Chicago, Kamryn has had a love for writing since her first short story assignment in third grade. She now resides in Los Angeles, California with her two sons, and is employed with the Communications Division of the Los Angeles Police Department. GETTING LUCKY is Kamryn's first novel, which took an impressive two weeks to complete.

BOOK EXCERPT:
Unit 109

His name is Vernon . No, no…it's Victor. Or did he tell me his name was Vincent?
For all Peaches could remember, the strange man sleeping in her bed at least had a name that started with a V.
Peaches had never been good at remembering a guy's name, which is probably because she never stayed with one long enough to learn his name. A guy could introduce himself, but she would never be interested in any of that small talk. All she wanted to know was how much money he had in his pocket. From there, she would make up her own name for him. Like the man in her bed, his name was Mr. 1000. That is how much he had spent on her the entire evening. At least a hundred in tips and private lap dances…the rest is what he paid her to take him home.
Peaches called out to him, hoping the sound of her voice would jostle him from his sleep.
She stood at the foot of her bed, naked and fresh from the shower, ready to get this strip club trick out of her bed so she could go on with her day.
This was not Peaches' normal routine. She had brought plenty of guys home from the club before, and then after sex, she would quickly send them on their way. Mr. 1000 was different, though. He was the first one she had actually allowed to sleep over—mostly because he was the first one to spend so much money on her in one night. The sex had something to do with it, too. Mr. 1000 had worked her over so good that she almost felt obligated to reward him with a few hours of sleep next to her, but now his time was up.
This time Peaches used her foot as a wake up call. "Hey! Wake up, man! I'm not running a damn motel here."
That was enough to rustle him from his slumber. The man rolled over and smiled at Peaches, still rubbing sleep from his eyes. "Hey there, baby girl."
Peaches did not have a smile to return. "This ain't Motel 6. If you wanna sleep, you need to take ya ass home."
"You kicking me out already, baby girl?" the man chuckled as he threw back the covers to show her how he was arousing himself. "You sure you don't wanna take another ride before you send me packing?"
Peaches marveled at how such an ugly man could be blessed with such a large one, but she quickly figured that was God's way of balancing things out. Since his ugly face could not reel in the ladies, his big dick and overflowing wallet sure would. As tempting as it was to take another ride on Mr. 1000, she had to remind herself that he was for business, not pleasure.
"Do you have some more money?" she asked, keeping a straight face to let him know that she was serious.
The man laughed then jumped out of bed to reach for his clothes. "You sure are something else, baby girl," he said with a hint of laughter in his voice.
Knowing that he was watching, Peaches pranced over to the closet to slip into her robe, making sure to put an extra jiggle in her step.
"Damn, baby girl, having that much ass should be against the law!"
Peaches laughed to herself, wishing she had a dime for every time she had heard that line. When it came to her, God had certainly made the scales unbalanced; blessing her with good looks and a body that could make a grown man cry.
"So are you working tonight?" the man asked, attempting to kill the awkward silence between them.
"Of course I am. I'm there every night making that paper."
The man went into his wallet then handed Peaches forty dollars. "This is just a lil' something extra for you," he whispered in her ear as if someone else were in the room listening.
A smile spread across her face as she slipped the money in her pocket. She said thank you, trying her best to sound appreciative, but such a measly gesture is not what brought such a look of pleasure. She just found it hilarious that he was giving her money, not knowing that she had already lifted sixty bucks from his wallet while he had been asleep.

Check out the hot debut novel GETTING LUCKY by Kamryn Donavan,
due in stores 09/04/07.
Copyright © 2007 Urban Soul Books, ISBN-10: 1599830256

Road Trip: St. Louis, MO

I took a short trip to St. Louis, MO this past weekend. Literally....left Chicago on Saturday night and boarded Megabus, took at $1.00 bus ride to St. Louis. That's right. I got a $1.00 bus ticket via the site and had to endure 5 hours on the road, but there was only like 7 passengers, so we all literally froze outside Union Station, but boarded the bus at 12:10 am on Sunday, April 8th and arrived in St. Louis at 5:10 am, at the Union Station in STL. I actually got a little sleep and then was picked up by my family (The Millers), when I got to the house in Florissant, MO, I went straight to sleep for a couple of hours, and then, logged online, but did not check any of my emails, and made some phone calls. I spoke with Fo Feet and confirmed the time that I needed to be at her venue for SHE-ISM's Sunday event at Legacy Books and Cafe, and then, relaxed for most of the day. 5Pm, I arrived at the venue and asked Charlie Brown (one of FoFeet's musicians from her dope house band) if he knew some Anita Baker tunes. I ended up singing, Sweet Love and Been So Long, however, I ended up messing up both of these songs during my 15 minute performance. The poetry was on point. The crowd had a good time, and so did I. I realized, I have not publicly sung since the days of singing in New Hope Missionary Baptist Church Choir (Chicago, IL), and although I sing sometimes with my poetry, it's not a full song. I was told by several people including Starlite that I need to get in 'the studio' to do a full CD. It's not a focus right now, but it's not the first time I've heard that I have a 'pretty voice'. I"m not full of myself, God has given me this as another gift. Anyway, after being at Legacy for a few hours, I went back to Florissant, for a few hours, and hung out with my cousin for a few hours on Monday (my train was leaving at 5pm - Amtrak). I decided to take a different route home, plus I planned to write poetry on the trip home and watch movies on my laptop. I got "Business Class" on Amtrak and it only cost an additional 14 dollars. My train ticket was 36 dollars total. Had I taken the plan, I would have paid double that amount along. Because I have lovely family, I didn't have to drive myself, they took me everywhere I needed. I'm blessed. Anyway, The train ride was longer than 5 hours, but I must say, Business Class is the bomb and I might have to do that again. You have a lot more room, and it's like Leather seats. I was in heaven. I enjoyed watching "Phat Girlz" and "Kill Bill" on my new laptop, and reading, "Riding Rhythm" while waiting to get home. I got home last night around Midnight, and took a cab ride home, which took me about 15 minutes from the loop. Even though I didn't eat breakfast this morning, I had a great Lunch after my class - and then, got to the business of getting my little writer/publisher life back into order. Total cost of trip: $37 dollars. I kid you not!!!!!

Next up: Another writer/poet...stay tuned to the Musings Report.

Hope your Easter was fulfilling.

-- Mocha Sistah