Countries that thrive often advocate autonomy. Autonomy allows the leaders and their people to live with choices - the choices to make the right decisions, the freedom to live them, and the will to be responsible for their actions. Begin with our children. Begin at home. Teach them the values that impart courage, love, friendship, and knowledge. Then, as the children grow, they become responsible adults. When there are responsible adults in this world, they will care for every human on the planet. Selfishness and greed have created much disrepute in this world. It is about time to change the world for the better. https://shobanasmusings.blogspot.com/2024/10/a-word-on-autonomy.html-shobana- The wonders and joys of Christmas are relived in Christmas Tales & Wishes. There's a story for everyone in this book; Mom, Dad, & Child. A Christmas Publication: Here's an excerpt. The lights on the pine trees surrounding our cottage sparkled as they lined the pathway, right up to the doorway to our house. They glittered and shone in the whitest of apparitions, though none of the decorations could outshine the sheer luminance of a jewelled sky above. The snow, crystallised as the jewels of the sky, fell to the ground in cascades of delicate movements. Every flake I caught in my gloved palms, melting as it disappeared, held me in awe. One by one, they dripped below, freezing upon the ground they touched. If you'd like a copy sent to you, please email me at shobanagomes@gmail.com, and I will get back with the cost and delivery date. Thank you. If you'd like your books reviewed at discounted rates, please check the link here, https://reviewservicebyshobana.blogspot.com and email me. Thank you. -shobana-

It was that time again To buy you flowers Though There's never a need for a special day a moment or an occasion to show you my love with a handful of flowers. I did have a thought though To fill the house with yellow roses A picture of you came to mind and I made it a garden. I know you would love the yellow roses and the scent of the roses sublime No other perfume will stray into the garden of roses. I can imagine the shine in your eyes I can imagine them filled with love I know that words will fail you But your smile will linger long in my mind to make me feel special. (For Jacky) -shobana-

I recount the days of old, When the streets were filled with laughter, When the hours were yours and yours alone, To do as you please, to wander. The lush gardens were filled with roses, The bees buzzed, The butterflies had time to break free from their cocoons, and turn into beauties that filled nature's paradise. The Mountain Dew turned into honey and filled the land with much manna, so the children could be fed, and grow in numbers. The time was yours and yours alone. Then the ways of the world turned away from innocence, And the proud gathered dusts of gold, Forgetting that nothing was as precious, As the peace they let slip unknowing, That golden peace, once inherited by their children, once upon a time, torn away, now beggars rummaging for food, dishevelled and dirtied, The children's cries are louder than the bombings, O, what sadness has befallen the world? Now, there is much heartbreak, the children are besieged in fear, They are fed no more, The mountains are filled with terror, The roars of the wild beasts are heard instead. There is much fighting and the stark rays of doom now fill the gardens, The bees and butterflies have disappeared, The children breathe the dust of war as they grow, to remember their lost right to peace. No more is laughter found, not even in the creaks behind closed doors, no more does the land belong - to you, A stranger walks the streets, as if, it was his and his alone. It is an arduous task I see, To revive your land and make it yours once more. Have you lost what was once yours? It is indeed easy to lose your heritage, to a world that glitters in gold. That Golden Peace that you have forsaken, Will remain in the past, history - a longing for peace in the shadows. -shobana-

It is a beautiful Sunday morning here in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. However, while the sun shines gloriously now, rain is predicted in the early hours of the evening, as has been the case the past few weeks. Sometimes, the thunderstorms are ferocious, lightning flashes across the skies threateningly, and floods low-lying areas. I just published a part-memoir, literary fiction titled, Raised by God, on Amazon. It is one of the books I am proud to have written, and which brought back precious memories of my past. What is the story about? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D6K1F75C The book "Raised by God" recounts the story of a girl born to a beautiful, young mother. Description: Shortly after birth, her Grandfather, a high school headmaster, registered her birth at the registrar's office. However, the parents found that the surname was mis-spelt in the document. They request that the grandfather correct it at the registrar. However, he refuses, stating, "No, leave it as it is spelt in the document. The child is set apart from the rest." As she grows up, she learns that she is special. She goes through many trials, faces dangerous situations, and is saved miraculously. When she was born, Seraphim beamed her radiance, while the host of angels accompanying her proclaimed, “Now you have to live the life of a mortal before God shows himself to you, and then, what remarkable tidings await you.” The story takes a dramatic turn when the family is involved in a car accident. Miraculously, an Angel of God rescues the child, who dies and is brought back to life. On Kindle. A paperback version is available on @Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D6K1F75C The book delves into themes of family, identity, and the transformative power of faith in the face of adversity. Amidst the fear, trials and tribulations, the child grows up with the presence of God lighting every path she treads in life. Have a great weekend everyone, and Happy Reading. Shobana Kitty, School & Me. With my heart pounding, I entered the church and stood before Our Lady's Grotto. There was no one there except for me. I was about to make the sign of the cross when I saw a ray of light, like a halo, radiating the statue of the Virgin Mary. I stared hard at the statue, unable to comprehend the light. I saw how beautiful Our Lady looked at that moment. Her face glowed and shone. I stood there for a few more minutes, staring at her immaculate face. The statue seemed to come alive. I had never seen a face as beautiful as hers. The bright light was a brilliant white and blinded me for a second. The Virgin Mother smiled and looked immaculately pure and serene. Awed by her beauty, I stared hard at her face, before saying, “You are so beautiful.” Raised by God is a must-read. Get your copy. Read on Kindle. Free on Kindle Unlimited.

Vivid imagery and descriptions in a story will remain in your mind long after reading. While dialogues make a statement to ignite your understanding, descriptive language makes a story come alive to leave a lasting impression. A story should feature dialogues complementing great narratives to make it an immersive read. How does a story capture the interest of a reader? The first few lines in a story are important elements to attract a reader to pick up your book. Readers are interested in reading a story until the end when the descriptions are clear, concise, and engaging enough to pull them into the story. While poets often leave the interpretation of a poem to the reader, narratives must be imparted effectively for understanding. When I delve into a book, I am drawn by the vivid imagery and descriptions in the narratives. If an author has painted a captivating, relatable picture of what the book represents, it would interest me to read the whole story. Here's an example: 'Witnessing their love for each other, were the blue corals and pebbles that lined the seabeds, while the rays from the sun glistened like pearls on the shimmering waters.' Dialogues are important structure-building elements of a story. Dialogues add depth, and realism, and are a vital component to effective storytelling. However, stories can be told without them if the imagery and descriptions ignite an interest in a reader's five senses. ‘The Road' by Cormac McCarthy is a fine example of a successful fiction novel without dialogue that won the Pulitzer Prize in 2007. McCarthy concentrates on rich descriptions to attract the reader's senses, adding depth and rhythm to the story. He was so good that his book exemplified the power of descriptive language to pique a reader's interest and win the coveted title. A dialogue-free novel conveys a character's thoughts and reflections through internal monologues that will provide motivating insights into the story. Descriptions expressed profoundly empower a story. To engage your readers use aesthetic language and metaphors. ‘The lush, breathtakingly beautiful green landscape starkly contrasted the blue of the turquoise waters.' When describing an emotion, make sure the reader feels the story as it unfolds. In a reader's mind, he should be able to see, hear, taste and smell. This way you will engage a reader's senses to respond to your descriptions as you want them to. It is in the hands of the author to align a reader's thoughts with his. For instance, if you are talking about the sea, describe how deeply connected you are to the beauty and vast expanse of the ocean. How do the lapping waves affect you? Or the tides as they rush ashore? Use metaphors to describe nature's phenomenal wonder. ‘The translucent waters covered her feet in lyrical movements.' Write different descriptions of the scenes so you make the story intricately variable. They work wonders to create a lasting impression in the reader's mind. ‘The vivid imagery and descriptions in her writing capture the beauty and magic of the sea, likening the eyes to the breathtaking turquoise waters and exploring the wonders of the underwater world, including the delicate anemones.' In the above description, by referring to the anemones as delicate, the sea creatures' strength, vulnerability, beauty, and resilience are explained as they survive a rough underwater habitat. Through creative figures of speech, the readers will imagine and discover the magic of enchantment and intrigue in the words. ‘With eyes as breathtaking as the turquoise waters of the sea, she discovers the true magic of the island.' Textures, colours, sounds and smells are sensory details to focus on to build a rich setting for a story. Create an awesome emotional experience and add authenticity to your stories so readers will never forget how your book made them feel. Some of the stories I have read have impacted me emotionally to a great extent, and the words and imagery still evoke the same feelings as when I first read them. Authentic writing involves properly researched and truthful narratives incorporated into the story to create a deeper connection with the characters and themes. Storytelling is the ability to emotionally engage the reader and leave them feeling contented with your book at the end. Not only do vivid imagery and descriptions emphasise enrichment and broaden perspectives, but they also inspire personal growth. As an author, your goal is to impress a reader so that he will return to read more of your stories. Isn't that the dream of an author? To have his book recognised as a compelling read so that he attains credibility and is renowned as a writer. Storytelling is the art of weaving narratives and dialogues masterfully to enliven a reader's mind with a well-crafted story. Cheers to the great storytellers of all time.