Roundtable Wednesday
Before we get started, I have an announcement to make. This is the last edition of Roundtable Wednesday. Due to issues, I am having with Prose currently that I won’t go into since two posts prior to this I covered my reasons, suffice it to say this has been a rewarding experience for me, but the time has come for me to move onto other pastures so to speak. I will be able to be found on Instagram and also, allpoetry.com.
With that said, here we are, December. Christmas right around the corner or down the street from you. This, like Thanksgiving, is a time of giving, of caring, of sharing.
With that said, I now share my good friend SharondaBriggs, whom I have tagged as Momma Smurfie (she tagged me as Poppa Smurf, and I have a T-shirt from her that attests to that).
Sharonda has perhaps, the biggest heart, deepest soul of any one person I know. She deals with hardships and setbacks a day at a time, but she doesn’t let that slow her down.
If you aren’t familiar with her work, then please, do so.
With a new year approaching and quickly at that, may the year be better for you than the one we left behind. May all your days feel like a holiday.
… and so we begin.
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Can you shed some light about yourself that other people here can get a feel for who you are?
I am the kind of person that has a fear of falling within myself. I challenge myself to overcome tasks that I wouldn't ordinarily do. Unfortunately, within my mind, it has to make sense.
Writer’s write, it’s what we do, but what do you see as your strong point, or motivation to write?
I love to write because it releases words that I couldn't say, but I would store it in my memory diary. Everything motivates me to write. Sometimes, I feel that people that passed away use me to speak through in my poetry, because it always comes on time. I would write about something that hasn't happened yet, and a day or two later it happens. Weird but true.
The very first thing you ever wrote, if you remember it, how did it come about?
I wrote a poem in English class and my mission was to make it as deep as I could with how I felt.
I wore glasses. I had something called Osgood-Schlatter Disease (Bone growth with gaps), and I figured I would be that way for the rest of my life.
Here it is: Through my eyes, I see darkness.
For feel in my feet, I'm walking pain.
In my grave, I sleep partless.
And looking down is my remains.
Who are your favorite authors and please; give us a few names?
Alexus Satchell, Sandra Brown, V.C. Andrews, and Judy Blume.
Any favorite songs/artists you listen to that set a tone for you when writing?
Marvin Gaye, Smoky Robinson, Dolly Parton, Diana Ross, and many more.
I have a song playlist of different songs that soothe the soul as I write.
Do you have any literary work on tap for publication, or have you been published?
I have been published eleven times. I have nine children's books and two teen/adult books.
Children's Books:
Vance, Your Neighborhood Tree (A tree that sees it all and tells all)
Nannie Fan Fan (Neighborhood Mother that loves kids)
Mac Machine and Cousin Dryer (How washers and dryers work for kids)
Millie Mii (A young girl with cancer, discovers the use of wigs she calls wiggle’s)
SzhoohS pronounced Shoes), helps children with bullying, children walking alone.
SzhoohS 2 (Alerts children with Corona, Social distancing, and Mask)
Funions (Onion head people that has their own city and looks out for one another)
My Christmas Letter (Helps children with handling the passing of a loved one)
Not Children's:
I Reason Why I Write: A book of poems and short stories. (Poems and stories and pictures I wrote and made to soothe the soul)
Why Not? (LGBTQ movement to make it aware of the life I live)
I'm Blind, But I Can See (Inspired by my baby sister, 98% blinded by M.S.)
And recently, published "“A Gift of Life”. about a kidney transplant.
Is there anyone particular book you have read you would recommend others to read?
I received a lot of inspiration from "Are You There, God, It's Me Margaret?" By Judy Blume
What is one thing you do you give your all to?
I started a thing called Fistchallenge4kids. It's made to reward children for reading and give shirts and books to the homeless. I love rewarding children for reading a book and listening to them. I give even more to the homeless as well. I have been making shirts all week to send to the shelters.
Why did you join Prose and how long have you been a Proser?
I joined about five years ago. I have been a Proser ever since. I love the family we all have become.
When you hear the term “less is more” … what is the first thing that comes to mind?
The less I give, the more it needs. Be it children in need, or people in need. People just need to hear something to brighten their day or mood.
Are there places as far as social media accounts, perhaps your own website you would like Proser’s to be aware of where you can be found?
Until Corona, I had my own website. But I fell as well. So now they can reach me at my email address:
Fistchallenge4kids@gmail.com or SharondaBriggs24@gmail.comand Tik Toc Fistchallenge4kids.
Favorite hobbies?
Drawing, Creating, Coin Collecting, Mechanics, Assembling things.
What is the single most thing you like?
I love talking to my Grandchildren and other children.
What one thing do you really dislike?
When a parent puts their relationship before their children.
With Covid surrounding us, what advice would you want to share with people?
Covid is man-made.
Don't underestimate it. It was meant to serve a purpose, and we have lost a lot of loved ones because of someone's selfish purpose. Be careful and safe. We Are One.
If you could offer up one piece of advice for other writers, what would it be?
Write what you feel. No one has words that are wrong when they are writing from the heart. It comes out the way you feel. It does not have to make sense or be spelled correctly or punctuated correctly, it just has to come from the heart.
Lastly, your favorite quote?
My own quote "Don't Be A Quitta, Be A Go Getta!"
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Thank ye so much for taking part in Roundtable, Sharonda. I feel it fitting to end the year out with your wit, charm, and gentle grace. You are a credit to this community, and I do appreciate all that you do both here, and where you live for so many.
Now, I had to dig a little deep for a piece written by Sharonda. A little something from over two years ago. Since then to now, her writing has gained more strength and vitality … and no, she had no idea which one I would choose. Then again, neither do I until something grabs at me.
Enjoy the read.
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Glitz and Glimmer A Dance In A Song
Glitz and glimmer a dance in a song.
Butterfly floating in an angular twist.
Express yourself, make it strong.
Your heart is certain to go along.
Heart skips a beat, I’m sure you will not miss.
Glitz and glimmer a dance in a song.
The position is everything, a stretch of the arm.
A swing of the head, sending a soft air kiss.
Express yourself, make it strong.
Make others join in, while you adjust the thong.
Do a silhouette, half bend and make a wish.
Glitz and glimmer a dance in a song.
Never make a move that seems to be wrong.
Remake it, re-arrange it and put it on the list.
Express yourself, make it strong.
If all things fail, you did your best, no matter how long.
You never gave up or suffered any anguish.
Glitz and glimmer a dance in a song.
Express yourself, make it strong.