I write because it frees me.
Because it heals me.
Because it eases my heart,
… my mind, and my soul.
I write because it’s who I am.
A writer, an author
– a lover of history and its mysteries,
and a lover of people’s uniqueness.
I don’t want to be rich or famous.
I don’t write to one day be a celebrity.
I write to clear the whirlwind in my head.
Some days the breeze is gentle.
Some days it is a hurricane.
Posted in Blogs | Tagged Author, Blog, FreeVerse, Madness, Muse, Poem, Poetry, September, Write, Writer | 1 Comment »
Today is National Tattoo Day, which of course is freaking AWESOME… because I’m an ink freak. I guess it goes hand in hand with the piercings, but we’re not discussing those.
I got my first tattoo when I was like 14 from some idiot – thread and needle style. There isn’t much to discuss, I was a rebellious teenager and my best friend and I got nicknames tatted on our arms. I don’t know how long it was before my parents saw it and freaked out, maybe a year or so. When I was 19, I had it covered up professionally with a small celestial design in pastel colors. At this point, it needs a touch up because the years have not been very good to it, and it has faded quite a bit.
My next tattoo was about a year later. A close friend from high school and I got matching tribals across our lower backs before she moved two states away. They have a heart motif and mine reads ‘Aphrodite’ while hers says ‘Venus’ – and although they now fit into the ‘tramp stamp’ category, they were done before the fad really hit.
I didn’t get another tattoo for several years, but then I had both of my shoulder blades done within a year of each other. I have a woman’s face/rose/butterfly design on my right shoulder blade. The woman is supposed to represent the mother spirit. Butterflies represent change and growth, and there is one for each of my boys. The color of the rose means I am proud of you. The tattoo was very personal and is one of my favorites. On my left shoulder blade I have a tribal angel/bible verse. Never mind that the angel has horns, I think it’s just a personal representation of my inner demons. Besides, every angel has a little devil in her eyes.
On my right forearm, from wrist to elbow, I have a ribbon/feather/bird design with a verse. This is my cancer ribbon blended with a raven feather quill that turns into small black birds in flight. The verse reads ‘Write your own destiny!’ in a typewriter font.
On my left forearm is my most recent tattoo, and another depiction of me as a writer/author (it is also another one of my favorite tats). Done in black and grey, I have an old fashioned typewriter with a tree branch growing out of it. There is a raven perched on that branch, representing me. Signifying my writing, you’ll find the first two lines of my poem ‘Bliss’ written on the paper feeding out of the typewriter.
Currently, I have plans to update my first tattoo (the celestial design), a sleeve for my right arm, a design for my right leg – hip to knee, phrases for around both ankles, the back of my left calf, a small image for the back of my neck, and at least two more with questionable placement. You can check in with me in a year or two and see where things are at, since my artist is incredibly busy and I have to schedule each appointment with him several months in advance. If that wasn’t the case, I’d probably be in sitting in his chair every few weeks.
In addition, my love of body art has trickled down to my offspring. My oldest son, Calvin, has a memorial tattoo for his great-grandfather on his right forearm and a Disney inspired tattoo on his left shoulder for his newborn son. My next oldest, Dustin, has a tree of life pairing that covers both of his forearms – wrist to elbow – and is currently planning something to cover both of his calves. He’s been undecided for a while though, so it might be a bit before his next appointment while the rest of our family sits back collecting new ink. My son, Austin, who turns 18 in October, even has plans to get his first tattoo. I guess you could say the ink is in our blood since our artist is family too.
So, here’s to my inked brothers and sisters. Be unique, be you, and keep making the world a more beautiful place with the art you wear every day.
Much respect.
~ Raven
#tattooedandemployed
Posted in Blogs | Tagged Bliss, Blog, bodyart, Ink, Muse, NationalTattooDay, Tattoo, tattooedandemployed, Write, Writer | 1 Comment »
Well, well, well… we’ve finally come to the first Sunday in June, which of course is National Moonshine Day. So, live a little and drink a little Shine.
I happen to be unable to drink today, even in celebration, because I’m working. Of course, I’m working tomorrow too. However, I have every other weekend off and Moonshine is a regular part of my Friday nights when those weekends roll around (as the top pictures show). My friends and I happen to love ‘Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine. We use the Cherry Moonshine as shooters on a regular basis. Amen for cherries soaked in shine and stored in mason jars.
I recommend checking out their website for some of the best Moonshine Recipes around!
C’mon… Live a little, drink some shine.
Posted in Blogs | Tagged Blog, Drinking, Holiday, Madness, Moonshine, Muse, Write, Writer | Leave a Comment »
On May 28, 1937 the Nazi party (then, under the control of Adolf Hitler) formed a new, state-owned automobile company entitled Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagens (roughly translated to mean The society to create the German car). Later in the year, the company’s name was simplified to Volkswagenwerk which roughly translates to The people’s car company.
Volkswagen’s first headquarters and automobile factory was located in Wolfsburg, Germany. The company’s initial objective was to build military vehicles in preparation for Hitler’s European invasion plans, as well as the mass production of small and inexpensive – yet equally fast – automobiles to be sold to the general public. Additionally, Hitler was building a network of highways, called autobahns, all across the country for the public to drive their new Volkswagens on.
Hitler contracted with Ferdinand Porsche, an Austrian automotive engineer, to provide the designs for the vehicles that Volkswagen would produce, and the very first Volkswagen – the KdF Wagen (Kraft-durch-Freude, translated to mean Strength through Joy) – was displayed at the 1939 Berlin Motor Show. However, when World War II began later that same year, production at the Wolfsburg factory was halted… and by the time the war ended the plant was in ruins. Nevertheless, the Allies rebuilt and revived the Volkswagen Motor Corporation, knowing that the German auto industry would be important to the economy and recovery of the country following the war.
From 1942 – 1944, Volkswagen massed produced the Schwimmwagen for its military personnel. This amphibious military jeep was used by all personnel, and was only 4-wheel drive in first gear. Later, from 1968 – 1983 Volkswagen manufactured just shy of 91,000 of their Type 181 (LHD) and 182 (RHD) jeep/dune buggy hybrids, a modified version of the Schwimmwagen, for the public market… selling them as the Thing in the U.S., the Safari in Mexico, and the Trekker in the U.K.
Initially, U.S. sales were diminutive compared to that of the rest of the world, mainly because of the company’s original connections to Hitler. However, an advertising campaign that ran in 1959 dubbed the KdF Wagen “The Beetle” – using the tagline “Think Small” – and that seemed to trigger some public interest, ultimately making Volkswagen the top selling import over the next few years.
The German government sold sixty percent of the company’s stock to the public in 1960, making the company no longer a nationally owned corporation, and within twelve years there had been more the fifteen million VW Bugs produced. In 1998, Volkswagen redesign the Beetle, dubbing it The New Beetle, while still producing the original KdF Wagen model until 2003. The very last Original Beetle rolled off the production lines In July 2003. In the 1970’s Volkswagen introduced new, spottier models – such as the Rabbit and the Golf.
I have driven Volkswagens, and standards in particular, almost exclusively for nearly twenty years. I currently drive a 5-speed, black, 2004, Jetta GLS (2.slow)… but, the Thing is actually my dream car – as odd as that might sound for someone like me. The VW slogan “I Bleed Blue” runs deep and true in my family. My eldest son, who is 22 and a new father, currently drives a 5-speed, white, 2007 Rabbit (the second Rabbit he’s owned) and my 19-year-old is presently shopping for his first car – his first Volkswagen. Even my new grandson has a Volkswagen, a little red Bug… walker. I guess you can say it’s in our blood, and by nature we start the VDub Love early.
Posted in Article, Blogs, Essays | Tagged Bliss, Blog, Essay, Fahrvergnügen, Germany, Joy, Madness, Muse, Volkswagen, Write, Writer | Leave a Comment »
On this day in 1897, Bram Stoker first released his novel Dracula. While this was not the first written work of its kind, it set into motion the vampire phenomenon of popular culture we know today. Of Stoker’s seventeen novels, it is also his most famous work.
Dracula did well upon its release, but after Stoker’s death in 1912 is when it really took on its legendary status. In the 20’s the novel was adapted into a Broadway play and then into the first feature length film starring Bela Lugosi – which is where the seductive vampire was truly born. From there, vampires became erotic lovers… dark creatures we feared, but also longed for at the same time. Thus, giving birth to the vampires created by Ann Rice, Stephenie Meyer, Charlaine Harris, John Ajvide Lindqvist, and so many others.
By far, my favorite vampire novel will always be Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu – but there is no mistaking the power behind Bram Stokers Dracula.
Posted in Blogs | Tagged Blog, Carmilla, Dracula, Muse, racula, Stoker, Write, Writer | Leave a Comment »
Today is Brother’s Day, so I wanted to send a shout out to my little brother Kyle. At the same time, I also wanted to celebrate my four terrific sons – Calvin, Dustin, Austin, and Holden … four amazing brothers.
There is nothing quite like having a brother. I’m sure the bond between brother and sister is different than it is between brother and brother, and even different when your brother is older or younger than you… but, in the end, having a brother is a wonderful thing. I know that I love my brother very, very much. I’ve enjoyed watching him grow and mature into the amazing young man that he is today. I’ve loved attending his sporting events, and I cannot wait to see him graduate high school in a few weeks. He has his whole life ahead of him, and much like I did (twenty odd years ago when I walked across that very same stage at that very same high school), I’m sure he is filled with excitement and a little trepidation about what the future might hold.
My own sons are close in age, to each other and to my little brother. In fact, my younger two even play football with my brother. They’ve all grown up together – as friends. It’s strange, but nice in a lot of ways to have them all be so close in age… with my brother being 18 and my sons being 22, 19, 17, and 16. My eldest son, now a father himself (and soon to be a husband), is looking at his own brothers and making decisions like who should be his own son’s Godfather and who should be the best man at his wedding. These are difficult decisions for a young man to make when he is so close to his siblings, while at the same time not wanting anyone to feel left out, slighted, or favored.
I wish everyone had the bond my boys share, and hope they always have it – no matter where they go in life, no matter how far apart they are from each other. I hope their own children grow to know the same bond as well.
Posted in Blogs | Tagged Austin, Brothers, Calvin, Dustin, Family, Holden, Kyle, Love | Leave a Comment »
I’ve been MIA for a while. Life gets that way for all of us, doesn’t it?
The truth is, on top of everything else in life that can get in the way and slow us down – like kids, work, and everyday chores – I was in treatment for cancer too. It’s a little overwhelming a times, and it slows everything down. It can take priority over everything else, if you let it, and it definitely takes up a lot of space on your plate.
I don’t want this blog to be a dower. It’s just meant to be an explanation of why I haven’t been posting as frequently for so long.
The truth is, I’m much better now and I’m reprioritizing things in my life. Which means my writing is back in the forefront of things. I appreciate all of you who have hung on and stuck around, supporting me through the low times. It means a lot – even those of you who didn’t know why I wasn’t blogging or putting out as much new material.
All I can say now is, thank you. I appreciate it… every day. I sincerely hope you will like what comes next.
With love and appreciation,
~ Raven
Posted in Blogs | Tagged Beginning, Blog, cancer, Family, life, Madness, Muse, priorities, Write, Writer | Leave a Comment »
For the final assignment of my New Media: Writing/Publishing course I created a PowerPoint presentation to share a message about who I am as a writer. I’m including it here for all of you as well. I hope you enjoy it.
Posted in Blogs | Tagged Beginning, Bliss, Blog, Class, College, Joy, Poem, Poetry, Write, Writer | Leave a Comment »
Last year, I posted a Blog Hop interview (if you didn’t read it then, you can find it here), and toward the end of the interview it asked who I thought was an author to keep an eye on. I actually listed three authors, but today I want to talk about the amazing Glenn Rolfe.
Glenn writes horror like nobody’s business, and if you want creepy, freaky, scary, or just plain gross – then, I absolutely recommend reading his work. The good news is you can because he has several things available. Becoming, his serial novel, is available free online at jukepop.com. You can read along as the story unfolds, and I highly recommend it. A year ago, I mentioned his Haunted Halls series. These books are short enough to read in one sitting, and then read them again frequently. Which I’ve done. In fact, the series hasn’t left my Kindle since I got them. Glenn also has pieces in various magazines and anthologies, but I really wanted to pop on here today to tell you all to be on the lookout for his next novella, Abram’s Bridge, due out next year from Samhain Horror.
You can read about the flurry of activity happening right now with all of Glenn’s works directly on his website. (go – go there right now!) It’s pretty exciting for me as a fan of his writing, so I can only imagine how mind-blowing it is for him. I suggest, if you enjoy horror stories as much as I do, that you follow this man’s career because it won’t be long before he’s a household name.
Posted in Blogs | Tagged Beginning, Blog, Fear, GlennRolfe, Horror, Joy, Samhain, Write, Writer | 2 Comments »
Originally posted on my IntroMuse Page on 08/24/2012
My name is Raven Hawk. I’m 35, and I live in Central Vermont with my four children. I have all boys (18, 15, 13, and 12), and they keep me very busy. I also have two cats (Mystickal and Shinx), but we’ve been discussing purchasing a new kitten because Mystickal is getting on in age. The cats are also boys, in case anyone was wondering about the testosterone levels in the house.
I have worked as many things in my short professional life, from a bartender to a paralegal. However, most recently I have been studying Psychology and Sociology while I work as a Mediator and Personal Advocate for low-income families. I have also taken classes focusing on Grant Writing, Community Organizing, and MNDR (Mediation, Negotiation, and Dispute Resolution). Overall, I generally enjoy working with the public and helping others. I particularly enjoy helping others overcome challenges and barriers in their personal lives, so they can successfully meet their own goals.
In October 2011, I transferred to SNHU (Southern New Hampshire University) to study English, Literature, and Creative Writing (with a specialization in Fiction Writing). I’ve been working on a fiction novel, geared toward 6-9th graders, for about a year now. My mother is actually the one who suggested I try writing as a profession. She says I’m a great storyteller, but I think writing a great fiction novel is a lot more difficult than telling a twenty-minute impromptu bedtime story to my children. I have to admit, I haven’t worked on it as much as I’d like since I started school and it’s sort of collecting dust right now.
I recently finished a class, Intro to Creative Writing, which changed my views on writing. The instructor stressed writing everyday – no matter what it is, just write something. I tried writing poetry again, which I haven’t done since I was in high school. I’ve also been trying to write in poetic styles and formats that I had never tried before, and some I hadn’t even heard of. I like writing poetry, but I think I’m more of a free verse, with unique rhyme schemes, kind of poet. I don’t like having to worry so much about the rules as I’m trying to get the words out. In fact, I find it frustrating to worry about a set number of syllables, and rhyme schemes on certain syllables within the lines, etc. It overwhelms me.
Something else that happened, within the flexible boundaries of that class, is that I began another book. One for adults this time. One of our writing prompts was to write about a marine that goes AWOL. The short story grew into something much larger and I intend to finish it. I already have about 6,000 words written, and when it is complete, I intend to work, very hard, on getting it published.
Anyway, I don’t expect writing to become a fulltime career for me, but I do enjoy it as a hobby and hope that my writing will encourage others to read more (chiefly my youngest son, Holden, who has severe dyslexia).
I would like to add that I have Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) from an auto accident that occurred in 1995. This isn’t something that is obvious from looking at or talking to me, but it is a fact of my daily life. Unfortunately, there are times when I struggle to communicate well, due to my injury. I would like to apologize to you all, in advance, if I frustrate you because I misunderstand something you’ve posted, or if something I’ve posted is difficult to follow. I work hard to be fluent in thought and speech (written language in this case), but sometimes it is still quite elusive for me. I can be a bit of a scatterbrain, but I mean very well.
I hope that my ability to push past my disability to achieve my goals and dreams will inspire others to do the same in their own lives.
Cheers,
Raven
Posted in Blogs | Tagged Beginning, Blog, Muse, Write, Writer | Leave a Comment »
It’s the middle of July now, and I admit I am one of those people that complain about the heat. I like BBQs and swimming, but there is not much else I like about summer – except maybe ice cream and the fact that I don’t have to put shoes on to go outside.
I’m a Northern girl, so I’m comfortable in the cold. That doesn’t mean I don’t complain in February when we have four feet of snow in the front yard and the temperature hasn’t been above zero for a week. However, I do prefer the milder seasons of spring and fall to the heat of summer and the frigid, bone chilling cold of deepest winter.
Therefore, in mid July, when I can’t tell the difference between the temperature outside and inside my house, all I’m longing for is a nice long cold snap. Sorry folks, but it’s true.
So, to get us in the mindset of cooler weather here is a little poem about November.
November
The air is cool,
and the sky is bright – at night.
The frequent rain is ice cold,
and mornings are dark and dreary,
It is hard to start the day
when it looks like it is time for bed.
I toss and turn, not finding sleep
when the sky is so bright at night.
What a topsy-turvy world
daylight savings time creates.
Frosted leaves crunch under our feet
with each and every step we take.
Windows full of steam and fog
turn into frosty paintings.
Occasionally, white flakes float around,
raining down on the earth
It is too soon for the snow to stay,
but not to foreshadow the blizzards of winter.
Posted in Blogs, Poems | Tagged Blog, Fall, Home, Joy, July, Poem, Poetry, Season, Summer | Leave a Comment »
Hello everyone.
I just wanted to take a few minutes to share with you a beautiful drawing that I recently received. I intend to use the image in some of my publicity materials. So, let me know what you think.
by Henrik Moses
The drawing was done by the very talented Henrik Moses
Pease take a few moments to visit his website here: www.artility.nl
Posted in Blogs | Tagged Art, Beginning, Blog, Drawing, HenrikMoses, Joy | Leave a Comment »
The following short story, which I wrote under the name Mandi Lessard, recently appeared on fiftywordstories.com
Writing in a manner utilizing so few words is an incredible challenge for me, so I wanted to share my joy and excitement with all of you – not only that my short story was chosen for the site, but also that it appears to be well received by those who have commented.
Fear
The butler beckoned me to follow. He reeked of evil intentions, but I reluctantly moved forward.
When the lights flickered out, I spun around wildly until a bone chilling scream froze me with fear.
Then, with my heart pounding, I whispered, “Albescu?”
He didn’t respond,
… but death eagerly welcomed me.
Posted in Blogs, Short Story | Tagged Blog, Butler, death, Fear, FlashFiction, Madness, MicroFiction, Mystery, ShortStory, Suspense, Write, Writer | Leave a Comment »
Ink Well My Raven Quill 
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