Category: Once, Briefly

Short stories—small moments, complete worlds.

Which is Witch

by Ninagracia, posted in Once, Briefly, Writing

What’s your point of view? I write in a specific way and favour the First-Person Point of View. In literature, it refers to the writer or narrator’s perspective from which the story is told, and the “I” narrator’s viewpoint filters and frames the story. It feels more natural and allows me to explore my character’s complex emotions. Some parts of writing are more enjoyable, and playing with words while writing can be liberating. 

Following the “Writing Exercises” section of Chapter 8, Burroway, J., Stuckey-French, E., and Stuckey-French, N. (2015) suggest that, based on the idea of writing a false statement about yourself and allowing the “I” character to develop, you can create a character unlike yourself, giving you the freedom to practise voice, reliability, and audience awareness.

Here’s what I came up with.

This post is an assignment I submitted on August 10, 2021, for CWG210 Writing Short Fiction at Curtin University. I have adapted it into a blog post to share it with a broader audience.

Which is Witch?

I’m a witch, and that’s the truth. My friends at school don’t believe me, and even my bestie laughs at me. I’m talking in front of this camera to prove to everyone that I truly am a witch. So, watch me.

First, I like everything black. Why? Because I am a witch. I wear black skirts, shorts, jeans, dresses, T-shirts, and hoodies. Believe me, my undies are black, too. Uh-uh! I can’t show it. It’s against the witch’s protocol. 

My nail polish is black. Have a look, it looks great on my long, pointy fingernails. Black eyeshadows bring out the best of my big, dark brown eyes. My lips look luscious with black lipstick. Mwah! Of course, my long hair looks fantastic in black. That’s why I dye it black. I hate my blond hair. My mum is blond, you know. Shh!

A few months ago, I went to an Asian store and bought this broomstick. It’s not cheap, you know. I am still trying to figure out how to make this thing fly. But don’t worry, I’ll have a wild ride with this broomstick someday. I’ll fly towards and on the other side of the moon. Oh well, before that happens, I need to lose 10 kilos first. Can’t take chances of crashing. 

Whenever I want to do something, I check my horoscope. We can’t be too careful these days. The moon behaves very unpredictably. Sometimes, I use my tarot cards for guidance. 

And whoever says that witches are middle-aged or older women is lying. Hey, look at me. I am a sweet sixteen-year-old witch. I possess endless powers within me that I have not discovered yet. Don’t worry, I’m working on it. All I must do is unleash all my hidden power for the world to see. 

Witches use magical tools. I don’t have one, so I took our old wooden spoon. I am just hoping my mum will not notice that it is gone. Also, I can perform spells using herbs. I tried to use it on my sister to make her sick. She never believed me. She yelled at me and said that it was not my power that made her sick. She said I was stupid to mix too much sage and chamomile herbs in her pasta. Gosh, I hate her!

Just a word of warning to all. Don’t make me angry… because I can turn someone into something. I have a spell that can do that. Perhaps I can start with my sister. I hate cockroaches, so I could turn her into a cockroach and spray her with Bygone insect killer. Yay, she would be gone forever.

Ouch! What was that about? 

“You can’t do that to her. You’re not good at spelling.” 

That was my older brother. He smacked the back of my head. See that? He didn’t know he would be on TikTok. He thinks he is good at spelling because he can spell brioche and croissant. Why wouldn’t he? He’d been working at the bakery section at Woollies.

I don’t understand why no one believes me. Even my name—Ophelia Addams—says it all. Isn’t that enough proof?

“Ouch! Not again.”

“That was a coincidence.” My dad smacked the back of my head. He will be on TikTok, too. Shh!

“My surname is Addams, and you were named after my mother.” 

Dad repeatedly told me a long time ago that the Addams Family was not related to us or real. Why not? I could feel some connections with them. 

“I must go out for a while. I need worms for bait.”

“Dad, I have a spell for that. I can give you a bucket of worms if you want.” 

“You’d better stop all this nonsense, will you! I would turn you into a giant worm if you don’t.”

I don’t believe it. My very, very own dad? How could he do that to his daughter without showing it to me first? Gosh people!

Till next, Cheers!

References

Burroway, J., Stuckey-French, E., & Stuckey-French, N. (2015). Writing Fiction: A guide to narrative craft (9th ed.). Pearson. 

Burroway, J., Stuckey-French, E., & Stuckey-French, N. (2015). Call me Ishmael: Point of view. In Writing fiction: A guide to narrative craft (9th ed., p. 315). Pearson. 

First, second and third person explained. (2022, September 26). Merriam-Webster Dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/point-of-view-first-second-third-person-difference

May, N. (2021). A2 Writers’ journal [unpublished paper]. Curtin University.

Some Women are…

by Ninagracia, posted in Once, Briefly, Writing

Some people say women are difficult to understand. But I say women are strong and confident. There are women who are complex and mysterious, but sophisticated and independent. Some women are strong-willed and compassionate, and some are sweet and quite brilliant. Some are mothers, daughters, or sisters, but some are leaders or protectors. But women, most of all, are fascinating and inspirational.

The world celebrates International Women’s Day every year on March 8. It is a global movement for women and girls celebrating women’s lives and achievements. The day reflects on the courage and determination of ordinary women to raise international awareness and encourage other members of society to advocate gender equality.

To mark the celebration of International Women’s Day, I have collected quotes from famous and inspirational women in our world today and women in the past who made a difference. There are some funny quotes from some prominent women and men that will make us smile. 


Famous and Inspirational Women Who Made a Difference

  • Generally speaking, men are held in great esteem in all parts of the world, so why shouldn’t women have their share? Soldiers and war heroes are honored and commemorated, explorers are granted immortal fame, martyrs are revered, but how many people look upon women too as soldiers?
  • Human greatness does not lie in wealth or power, but in character and goodness. People are just people, and all people have faults and shortcomings, but all of us are born with a basic goodness.
  • I see the world being slowly transformed into a wilderness; I hear the approaching thunder that, one day, will destroy us too. I feel the suffering of millions. And yet, when I look up at the sky, I somehow feel that everything will change for the better, that this cruelty too shall end, that peace and tranquillity will return once more.
  • Whoever doesn’t know it must learn and find by experience that ‘a quiet conscience makes one strong!’
  • Writing in a diary is a really strange experience for someone like me. Not only because I’ve never written anything before, but also because it seems to me that later on neither I nor anyone else will be interested in the musings of a thirteen-year-old schoolgirl.

­––Anne Frank (1929-45)
(The Diary of Anne Frank)
A young Jewish girl who
kept a diary of her experiences
of the Holocaust.

  • A woman is like a tea bag – you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.
  • It is not fair to ask of others what you are not willing to do yourself.
  • No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
  • Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual, you have an obligation to be one.
  • You can never really live anyone else’s life, not even your child’s. The influence you exert is through your own life, and what you’ve become yourself.

––Eleonor Roosevelt (1884–1962)
First Lady of the United States (1933-1945)
Delegate to the UN General Assembly
and advocate for human and civil rights

  • If we do not lift up women and families, everyone will fall short.
  • I do not believe that government should be in the business of telling women what they should do with their bodies.
  • We don’t want to promote any system that treats the fact that an individual is LGBT as a personality disorder. And anything that perpetuates that perception is harmful – not only to that member of the community but the entire community.
  • What’s important for my daughter to know is that… if you are fortunate to have opportunity, it is your duty to make sure other people have those opportunities as well.
  • You have to see and smell and feel the circumstances of people to really understand them.

––Kamala Harris
49th Vice President of the United States
First female Vice-President and first African-American
and first Asian-American Vice-President of the United States

  • I don’t cover my face because I want to show my identity.
  • Once I had asked God for one or two extra inches in height, but instead, he made me as tall as the sky, so high that I could not measure myself… By giving me this height to reach people, he has also given me great responsibilities.
  • There are so many figures in our history that did not believe they could make a change, and they did.
  • We women are going to bring change. We are speaking up for girls’ rights, but we must not behave like men, like they have done in the past.
  • When God created man and woman, he was thinking, ‘Who shall I give the power to, to give birth to the next human being?’ And God chose woman. And this is the big evidence that women are powerful.

––Malala Yousafzai (1997- )
Advocate for women’s rights
especially the right to education.

  • Any woman who understands the problems of running a home will be nearer to understanding the problems of running a country.
  • Disciplining yourself to do what you know is right and important, although difficult, is the highroad to pride, self-esteem, and personal satisfaction.
  • If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.
  • Standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous; you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides.
  • To wear your heart on your sleeve isn’t a very good plan; you should wear it inside, where it functions best.

––Margaret Thatcher (1925–2013)
First Female Prime Minister of Great Britain

  • If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.
  • It’s good to remember that in crises, natural crises, human beings forget for a while their ignorances, their biases, their prejudices. For a little while, neighbors help neighbors and strangers help strangers.
  • Love is like a virus. It can happen to anybody at any time.
  • Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.
  • We write for the same reason that we walk, talk, climb mountains or swim the oceans – because we can. We have some impulse within us that makes us want to explain ourselves to other human beings. That’s why we paint, that’s why we dare to love someone – because we have the impulse to explain who we are.

––Maya Angelou (1928 – 2014)
An African-American woman
Poet, singer, memoirist, and civil rights activist

  • I am an example of what is possible when girls from the very beginning of their lives are loved and nurtured by people around them. I was surrounded by extraordinary women in my life who taught me about quiet strength and dignity.
  • Success is only meaningful and enjoyable if it feels like your own.
  • You don’t have to be somebody different to be important. You’re important in your own right.
  • You see, at the end of the day, my most important title is still ‘mom-in-chief.’ My daughters are still the heart of my heart and the center of my world.
  • You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Instead, it’s important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages.

––Michelle Obama
American First Lady (2009–17)
First African American First Lady.

Funny Quotes for Women

  • People are more violently opposed to fur than leather because it’s safer to harass rich women than motorcycle gangs.

––Alexei Sayle
British Comedian

  • If women didn’t exist, all the money in the world would have no meaning.

––Aristotle Onassis (1906-1975)
Greek Shipping Magnate

  • You can tell the strength of a nation by the women behind its men.

––Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881)
Prime Minister of United Kingdom (1874-1880)

  • Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes.

––Jim Carrey
Canadian Comedian

  • I think women have a unique talent for being able to see the forest and the trees at the same time.

––Bozoma Saint John
American Businesswoman
Marketing Executive at Netflix

  • There are only three things women need in life: food, water, and compliments.

––Chris Rock
American Comedian

  • In politics women type the letters, lick the stamps, distribute the pamphlets and get out the vote. Men get elected.

––Clare Boothe Luce (1903-1987)
American author, politician, U.S. Ambassador

  • When women are depressed, they eat or go shopping. Men invade another country. It’s a whole different way of thinking.

––Elayne Boosler
American Comedian

  • There are two kinds of women, those who want power in the world and those who want power in bed.

––Jackie Kennedy (1929-1994)
First Lady of the United States (1961-1963)

  • Always be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.

––Judy Garland (1922-1969
American Actress

  • The reason women don’t play football is because 11 of them would never wear the same outfit in public.

––Phyllis Diller (1917-2012)
American Comedian

  • There’s something so special about a woman who dominates in a man’s world. It takes a certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness and the nerve to never take no for an answer.

––Rihanna
American Musician

  • You can be whatever size you are, and you can be beautiful both inside and out. We’re always told what’s beautiful and what’s not, and that’s not right.

––Serena Williams
American Professional Tennis Player

  • Women don’t like advice. They don’t want you to fix their problems, they just want you to listen.

––Shawn Wayans
American Actor

  • Women lie about their age; men lie about their income.

William Feather (1889-1981)
American Publisher and Author

Ninagracia


References:

Barrientos, S., & Avendano, K. (2022, February 15). 28 Incredible and empowering International Women’s Day quotes. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/. Retrieved March 1, 2022, from https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/g26326977/international-womens-day-quotes/

Biography Online. (n.d.). 70 famous women who changed the world. https://www.biographyonline.net/. Retrieved March 1, 2022, from https://www.biographyonline.net/people/women-who-changed-world.html

Brainy Quote. (n.d.). Women Quotes. https://www.brainyquote.com/. https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/women-quotes

Haddrick, M. (2021, March 23). 12 of the most famous women in history. https://www.marieclaire.com.au/. Retrieved March 1, 2022, from https://www.marieclaire.com.au/famous-women-in-history

Tiwari, A. (2021, December 8). Meet the world’s 10 most powerful women 2021, Roshni Nadar & Falguni Nayar also feature on this list. https://www.indiatimes.com/. Retrieved March 1, 2022, from https://www.indiatimes.com/trending/social-relevance/forbes-100-most-powerful-women-list-2021-556249.html

Images by:

https://www.nicepng.com/ourpic/u2t4t4r5o0o0e6a9_celebration-of-womens-day/

Merry Christmas

by Ninagracia, posted in Once, Briefly, Writing

The year 2020 has been tough. People around the world will celebrate Christmas filled with new hopes and dreams, and for the first time in a while, it will give us new strength to build our goals and calm us down from all the fears that have taken over our lives.

If we could only smile, just think of all the happiness it will bring into our lives.

Let us not forget too, the people who were with us on this journey.

It has been a long and challenging one year.

To all my followers, I genuinely thank you for your support.

Ninagracia.com made it through its first year.

Let’s get into the spirit of Christmas and celebrate.

Created By: https://nathanmayartist.wixsite.com/nathanmayfine-arts

A special acknowledgment to Nathan May for creating this video clip.

From all of us, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.


Images by http://www.nicepng.com


Take care and enjoy the pleasures of life.


Ninagracia

Music by: https://www.youtube.com/
Song: Michael Bublé – White Christmas 

The Power of Words: Shall We Sing?

by Ninagracia, posted in Once, Briefly, Writing

Let’s admit it. When we hear dance music, it is hard to ignore the beat. So, we tap our feet, snap our fingers, tilt our heads to the left and to the right, and we sing along with it. That rush of excitement made us dance (when there’s no one watching) or if you are brave enough, grab someone to dance along with you.

Image by: https://www.nicepng.com/

Okay, that is how I imagined we would typically do it. But what about if we read song lyrics? What would you do aside from singing it to yourself?

This is your writing prompt number 5.

You can sing the song, or you can do something with it.

When we listen to music, it grabs our attention, and we momentarily get lost in the tune, beat and melody of the song. Sometimes we don’t even realise that every word or phrase on those songs convey some thoughts and emotions.

Because every song has a story behind it.

Reading song lyrics can make our minds wander around. The words in the song can inhibit new ideas, images, unlock memories and emotions.

We can create something new or write a new story, poem, or even a new song based on the song lyrics. The possibilities are endless.

Okay, let’s begin. Let’s do it one bite-size at a time.

For those who love the “Blues”, here are a few lines that would be great to start with.

GIVE ME ONE REASON (By Tracy Chapman)

Give me one reason to stay here
And I’ll turn right back around
Give me one reason to stay here
And I’ll turn right back around

Said I don’t wanna leave you lonely
You got to make me change my mind

MISTY BLUE (By Dorothy Moore)

Oh, it’s been such a long, long time
Look like I’d get you off of my mind
But I can’t
Just the thought of you (just the thought of you)
Turns my whole world misty blue (misty blue)

Oh honey, just the mention of your name (just your name)
Turns the flicker to a flame
Listen to me good, baby
I think of the things we used to do
And my whole world turns (misty blue) misty blue

For the lovers of “Country Music”, I got these for you…

HELP ME MAKE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT
(By Kris Kristofferson, Lorrie Morgan)

Take the ribbon from your hair
Shake it loose and let it fall
Laying’ soft upon my skin
Like the shadows on the wall
Come and lay down by my side
Till the early morning’ light
All I’m takin’ is your time
Help me make it through the night

SUSPICIOUS MINDS (By Elvis Presley)

We’re caught in a trap
I can’t walk out
Because I love you too much baby
Why can’t you see
What you’re doing to me
When you don’t believe a word I say?
We can’t go on together
With suspicious minds (suspicious minds)
And we can’t build our dreams
On suspicious minds

Feel like “Dancing”? I got that covered too…

HAPPY (By Pharrell Williams)

It might seem crazy what I’m ’bout to say
Sunshine she’s here, you can take a break
I’m a hot air balloon that could go to space
With the air, like I don’t care baby by the way
Huh, because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do

MAN IN THE MIRROR (By Michael Jackson)

I’m gonna make a change,
For once I’m my life
It’s gonna feel real good,
Gonna make a difference
Gonna make it right
As I, turn up the collar on
My favorite winter coat
This wind is blowing my mind
I see the kids in the streets,
With not enough to eat
Who am I to be blind?
Pretending not to see their needs
A summer disregard, a broken bottle top
And a one man soul
They follow each other on the wind ya’ know
‘Cause they got nowhere to go
That’s why I want you to know
I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
(If you want to make the world a better place)
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
(Take a look at yourself, and then make a change)
(Na na na, na na na, na na, na nah

You don’t have to be old to like “Jazz”. Raise your hand if you are…

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD (By Louis Armstrong)

I see trees of green
Red roses too
I see them bloom
For me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

I see skies of blue
And clouds of white
The bright blessed day
The dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow
So pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces
Of people going by
I see friends shaking hands
Saying, “How do you do?”
They’re really saying
“I love you”

DON’T KNOW WHY (By Nora Jones)

I waited ’til I saw the sun
I don’t know why I didn’t come
I left you by the house of fun
I don’t know why I didn’t come
I don’t know why I didn’t come
When I saw the break of day
I wished that I could fly away
Instead of kneeling in the sand
Catching teardrops in my hand
My heart is drenched in wine
But you’ll be on my mind
Forever

When we hear the name Michael Jackson, what comes to mind is “Rhythm and Blues“.

ONE DAY IN YOUR LIFE (By Michael Jackson)

One day in your life
You’ll remember a place
Someone touching your face
You’ll come back and you’ll look around, you’ll

One day in your life
You’ll remember the love you found here
You’ll remember me somehow
Though you don’t need me now
I will stay in your heart
And when things fall apart
You’ll remember one day

END OF THE ROAD (By Boyz II Men)

Girl you know we belong together
I don’t have no time for you to be playing with my heart like this
You’ll be mine forever baby
You just wait

We belong together
And you know that I am right
Why do you play with my heart?
Why do you play with my mind?
Said we’d be forever
Said it’d never die

How could you love me and leave me and never
Say goodbye?

If you want fantastic music that “Rock”, I got you covered too…

MEMORIES (Elvis Presley)

Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind
Memories, sweetened through the ages just like wine
Quiet thought come floating down
And settle softly to the ground
Like golden autumn leaves around my feet
I touched them and they burst apart with sweet memories
Sweet memories

BLOWING IN THE WIND (By Bob Dylan)

How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
How many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, ‘n’ how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they’re forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind

Some people say music is good for the “Soul” …

LEAN ON ME (By Bill Withers)

Sometimes in our lives we all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there’s always tomorrow
Lean on me, when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on
For it won’t be long
‘Til I’m gonna need
Somebody to lean on

HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART (By Al Green)

I can think of younger days when living for my life
Was everything a man could want to do
I could never see tomorrow, but I was never told about the sorrow
And how can you mend a broken heart?
How can you stop the rain from falling down?
How can you stop the sun from shining?
What makes the world go round?How can you mend this broken man?
How can a loser ever win?
Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again

Had enough?

Music can lift our spirit and mood. It encourages us to seek inspiration to create something new.

Pen a story, a poem, a new song, or new characters for your story.

Use the power of words. Use those lyrics to inspire your creativity.

Till next time, remember – “Music eases the mind and puts all worries behind”.

And oh – as long as you don’t ask me to sing, we’ll be best friends forever.


See ya!



Ninagracia

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
Lyrics: https://www.music.youtube.com/











A Love Affair with the Moon

by Ninagracia, posted in Once, Briefly, Writing

“Someone out there is also looking at the same stars and moon I am looking at now.”

Have you heard this before? Write something about your affair with the moon.

This is your writing prompt number 4.

Just like some other people, I love to stare at the moon when it comes in the late evening.

It is calming, gentle, and breathtaking. I feel deeply connected with it because it offers me a complete relaxation and a source of tranquility and ethereal stillness.

And it’s a love affair. It comes every night, wherever I am, to give me light where there is ultimate darkness.

Image by: NicePng.com/moonlight

Now, let me share with you mine.

Here’s an excerpt from my work-in-progress romance novel, “Thinner than Water“.

This is what Russell said to Viven …

“I once had a love affair with the moon.  A star fell on my hand, and it glittered like a big diamond.  Then the moon told me, ‘I give it to you to light up your paths.’  She kissed me and whispered, ‘If you wanted to see me, just lookup.  I will always be on the other side looking at you too.’  When I opened my eyes, she was gone.”

Till next time.

Dream big and make it happen.

Ninagracia


The Power of Pictures: “The Not So Camera-Shy Pup”

by Ninagracia, posted in Once, Briefly, Writing

We are surrounded every day with countless photos of events surrounding our lives. Having easy access to cameras nowadays, taking photographs is a thing of the past.

We take photos of everything we see, our families, our friends, our children, the food we eat, the people on the streets, places, and even animals.

To snap a photograph of your pet with your mobile phone is hard enough, let alone make him sit still and pose for a picture.

But here is Waffle. See what he does in front of the camera.

Get set … Ready …

Say CHEESE!

Oh, Yummy!


Write something about the photos.

This is your writing prompt number 3


A visual writing prompt helps you to think about and develop a topic to write.

Visual images such as this, can stimulate your imaginations and sometimes capture your emotions.

Looking at the photographs help you to dig deeper to come up with a new story.

This is more helpful if you are writing a children’s book.

When you respond to picture prompts, it encourages you to think and interpret the photographs creatively.

Think about applying humour in your writing. It will be fun.

Feel free to share what you came up with using these photos. Send them in. It will be fun to read them all.

Till next time, say Woof, Woof!!



Cheers!


Ninagracia

Prompts and Cues: First Kiss

by Ninagracia, posted in Once, Briefly, Writing

Do you remember your first kiss? How did your first kiss go?

Our life is filled with so many “first” – first job, a first pay cheque, first boyfriend, and the first kiss, which is only one part of our journey.

The first time you kissed someone, or someone kissed you, it becomes one of the most memorable moments of your life.

Kissing is a romantic gesture and an expression of affection. You could probably still remember who you were with, where you were, and who initiated the kiss.

Whether the kiss lasted a second or two, it would stay in your memory as the best and most passionate kiss you ever had.

Perhaps, even up to this time you still remember every detail of that kiss you had, whether it was adorable, an okay one, or awkwardly hilarious.

So, let’s find out.

My first kiss went a little like this . . .

Finish this story.

This is your Writing Prompt Number 2.

Writing practice helps us get better in writing.

Using writing prompts will help us improve our creative writing process.

You’ll never know, once you filled up your treasure chest of all the things you wrote in response to these writing prompts, you may end up with a brand-new story, or it could give you some fresh ideas for another project you are already working on.

Now, let me share with you mine.

Here’s an excerpt from the romance novel I am currently working on.

Well, I used a few imaginations I picked from here and there and from…you know what.


A gentle wind blew her hair and face, sending a chilling sensation to her whole body. The cold breeze that was creeping through her skin gave her a sudden rush of desire for his touch-those warm and strong hands touching her and loving her. She waited with anticipation to kiss him and feel the warmth of his breath on her lips, but she could only dream about it.

He touched her cheek with the back of his fingers, and her pulse throbbed rapidly. She closed her eyes, but the warmth of his eyes was overflowing with desire and passion. She looked into his eyes, and she fell into a trap. She could not breathe, but she could not let go of him. Like a captive prisoner, she pushed him away, but he pulled her back even closer. He lifted her chin and bent down to kiss her forehead. His kisses were like rose petals softly brushing her eyes, her nose, and her cheek. She could no longer take it. Her body became limp surrendering to his powerful arms, but only his strong hands on her waist were keeping her aground while she held onto him, and the warmth of his breath on her face captured her lips in a long deep kiss that lasted for an eternity.

There you go. Now it’s your turn. I couldn’t imagine what your story is like. Feel free to share it here.

Till next time. Enjoy all your “first”.

Cheers!

Ninagracia

Social I-soul-ation

by Ninagracia, posted in Once, Briefly, Writing

Social distancing is daunting, disheartening, and sometimes horrifying. The thought of being alone is unsettling, and loneliness could strike anytime. Being confined in your home for an uncertain time could result in depressive emotion as a result of being alone.

There will be days when we can’t fake our feelings and say we are perfectly okay, and we are coping. That horrible feeling must come out one way or another.

I don’t know but, to many, this is what they exactly feel…

Hiding from coronavirus


Hmm, I haven’t seen the postie lately. Who am I going to chase now?



Oh great! I have already watched everything on Netflix. What am I going to do now?


Diet? No one is going to see me anyway!


Quarantine will never keep us apart

Till next time. Take care of each other. CHEERS!

Get Creative With Me: Simple Thanks

by Ninagracia, posted in Once, Briefly, Writing

The Christmas carols we hear, the colourful decorations on the shops, the gifts, foods, and Christmas trees, mean only one thing: Christmas has arrived once again.

Christmas is the best time of the year to reach out to families and friends and let them know that we always think of them. No matter how far or near we are, a simple “thank you” could bring happiness into each other’s lives.

“Get Creative With Me”. This is an invitation from my Facebook Page to join me in celebrating Christmas by posting your original poetry or letter to friends and families, or to someone you love.

Here’s one from Nathan: A thank you message…

To Angela

  • Thank you for making me special-the things you do, the words you say, and the love you gave me.
  • Thank you for making allowances when I did not show my better side.
  • Thank you for showing me you care.
  • Thank you for your patience and the comfort of knowing you will always be there for me.
  • Thank you for putting everything down to be with me.
  • Thank you for letting me be ME.
  • Thank you for taking the time to prepare a lovely dinner for me.
  • Thank you for believing in my dreams.
  • I appreciate you so much for being truthful.
  • Your laughter is so contagious. Thank you for showing  me that life can be fun too.
  • Thank you for going to the dance with me and tried not to laugh at me when I struggle with my steps.

But most of all . . .

  • Thank you for loving me.  I’m so grateful I have you in my life.

Love, Nathan

MERRY CHRISTMAS