WHERE'S WESTON, PART 2

Well, here we are in my novel And They'll Come Home, the sequel to One Man's Treasure, and Weston's gone again. What's the deal with this dude? (wink, smile) Where is he this time? Will he return anytime soon? Get your copy of And They'll Come Home (paperback) or They'll Come Home (Kindle), and find out what all this hoopla is about! In the meantime, click the link below for a little sample of the household goings-on while he's absent.


Again, for those who have read the novel and know where Weston is, please keep that info to yourselves. Don't ruin the surprise for those who may be about to partake in the whole story! Thank you kindly!

 

                                                                     
Click here:
WHERE'S WESTON, PART 2

                                

   

Didn't read WHERE'S WESTON, PART 1? Click here!

Ready to order? I thought so! AND THEY'LL COME HOME

Want it on Kindle? Fine! THEY'LL COME HOME

SHIFTING GEARS

Because I work with words in different ways in my career, what I notice is that sometimes, when it's time for me to help people in a certain way, I'm led to a focus shift. Sometimes I'm in poetry-writing mode, sometimes I'm in self-help-writing mode, sometimes I'm in poetry-performance mode, sometimes I'm in novel-writing mode, and sometimes I'm in editing and consulting mode. I don't plan the shift; it just happens. When it does, it's always very comfortable. I don't feel like I should be working on a different part of my literary career or feel a longing for or separation from the other elements when I'm immersed in a shift.

Right now, I'm in editing and consulting mode. In the past few weeks, I've had several projects come to me pretty much on top of each other, and it's been really enjoyable. Clearly, right now, my services in this realm are needed, and I'm grateful that people are choosing me. That said, if you're working on a book, thinking about starting one, or if you've just finished one, or if you have another type of project, now is a great time to get with me for whatever services you need for your work: novels, short stories, resumes, letters and general documents, and more. 

I invite you to let me help you in your literary endeavors. If you're interested in learning more about what I do, please click the link below.

www.cegliteraryservices.yolasite.com

Sonnet #19 for February

POTENTIAL

You have a bad habit of coming in

And ripping apart lives of those in sight

Dealing with you it seems no one can win

They run opposite direction in fright

Maybe it’s due to your abusive past

Traits picked up from those in charge of rearing

Foster system where so many amassed

Lack of care left you in state of fearing

Now only side you can show is the worst

Cuz no one capitalized on your best

Undivided attention is main thirst

Hoping it will cure your soul’s deep unrest

Somewhere within lies a trapped heart of gold

To invite love into life you must mold

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #18 for February

MISSION

She sings like butterfly, solely self-taught

Bring you to tears, captivate with rare voice

Since baby, belting out tunes she was caught

All who listen overcome with rejoice

Even with all due praise she did receive

Parents failed to encourage singing dream

Industry will corrupt her, they believe

Pushed hard to come up with new career scheme

Aiming to please those who gave her this life

She strayed from chosen route burning in heart

Only to find spirit teeming with strife

Since forcing self to divorce from her art

Unable to keep up painful charade

Remarried true path for which she was made

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #17 for February

GRATITUDE WALK

Feeling so fortunate that I’m bestowed

With the senses I sometimes fail to praise

Race through life, time for gratefulness reload

Focus on wonderment, wipe out malaise

Strolling down street get whiff of rosemary

Jasmine creeps in and my nose is enthralled

Poppies in bloom such glamor they carry

My eyes so bedazzled, journey is stalled

Hear birds tweeting such a passionate song

Dogs bark in yards protecting owners’ wealth

Feel comfy shoes support feet through walk long

Sense perception great boost for mental health

So many simple pleasures we ignore

Keep faculties primed for gifts to adore

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #15 for February

PRIDE

Precious black girls, let’s talk about your hair

How society’s got you steeped in shame

About its texture, length, coil, please beware

Your lack of self-love’s the name of their game

Let’s discuss color of your superb skin

Personalized hue, no clone, it’s unique

Never look upon your shade with chagrin

Pigment you're blessed with is full of mystique

Almost no way to embrace history

With so many countering its allure

Drowned out by schools that keep truth mystery

Beauty's always been your name; this is sure

Seek those who'll help you affirm culture's gift

Walk with head high, rocking perception shift

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green 

Sonnet #14 for February

FLY

Precious black boys, teach yourselves how to sew

Learn how to tailor your minds at young age

More crucial for the world's needs than you know

Life without your talents would cause outrage

Though your divine wings are by birthright strong

Rivals' hatred cuts deep; damage is sure

If clipped by their wrath, it won’t be too long

Before your ease of soar is made obscure

Prioritize mission to guard your flight

Master mending skills, keep spirit well placed

Longer you stay wounded makes their days bright

Stitch up quick, hit sky, show splendor with haste

Best recipe for revenge is surprise

On faces when no matter what you rise

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #13 for February

SINGLE SERVING

There’s not enough of me to go around

I was not created to spread self thin

When you get hold of me you’ll see you found

All-in-one package, true treasure within

I’m the missing piece of puzzle you need

To close gap in the space where your heart broke

Nutrient-filled caring is what I’ll feed

Spiritual high it’s sure to evoke

My type of loving is not to be shared

You’ll want to hoard these rare morsels of me

Your needs and my contents perfectly paired

Make you feel so fancy, act bourgeoisie

No need to rush, savor flavor at will

Hunger pangs of soul I completely kill

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #12 for February

LEMON LAW

I love the lemonade you make of life’s

Lemons, turning bitter-tasting trials sweet

You acknowledge that you’ll encounter strife

Mentally prepared to endure the heat

Honest with self when frustrations are high

But refuse to drown in pity and woes

Instead push shoulders back, lift head to sky

Pray for some sugar to balance tart blows

Firm faith always on hand to pull you through

Blocking out haters’ negativity

Anticipating peace, victories new

Keep eyes on prize is your proclivity

You’re expert on laws of how to create

Perfect drink to ensure praiseworthy fate

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #11 for February

WALK ON BY

You think you know how to walk in my shoes

Better than I do; your judgment is large

Let me crack your face; hear this shocking news

With your weak foundation you can’t take charge

Barely striding smoothly on your own path

But got the nerve to be directing me

I’m attempting not to serve you my wrath

Got me about to shriek like a banshee

I did not ask for your wack conclusions

Approaching like psychic with crystal ball

You need to clear up those grand delusions

Tend to your own unlaced shoes ’fore you fall

Quit making my life your freaking campaign

Or my foot in your ass you will obtain

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #10 for February

JEKYLL AND HYDE

Social media’s the mask of your choice

Thankful you found the perfect hiding place

For brandishing of your inflated voice

Posting pics of fake cheesy grin on face

Non-supportive household shunned you in youth

Treated you like your existence was trite

No surprise you began to act uncouth

Lack of decorum worsening sad plight

Thought you could fool all those who knew you well

Game of Charades an embarrassing joke

You should have known it would be hell to sell

Such a farce of self to discerning folk

Nobody’s buying; deactivate spiel

Take hiatus till you learn to be real 

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green   

Sonnet #9 for February

POWER COUPLE

They formed alliance when they converged hearts

Life’s pokes and jabs would never damage them

Both born into dysfunction off the charts

A pathway these two determined to stem

Odd couple, no doubt; some thought they would fail

Confidence always reigned in their merging

Strong friendship between them, neither would bail

Regardless of people’s frequent urging

Anytime outsiders tried to encroach

And wreck their concrete foundation of love

They had the chutzpah to quickly reproach

Firmly united just like hand in glove

Guarding a relationship takes teamwork

Stay ready for the bond breakers that lurk

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #8 for February

DO YOU

Sometimes all that’s needed is sunny day

To let soothing rays burn clouds from cold heart

Life’s filled with so much confusion and gray

Steal away moments to garner fresh start

Have you ever dared play hooky on life

Packed mental bags and checked out for a while

Purposely left behind all of your strife

So that fresh perspective you can compile?

Can’t wait for your boss, lover, fam, or friends

To give permission to tend to your needs

Have your back first or control of life ends

Pencil-in putting self first with good deeds

You are in charge of loving yourself best

When you do, for peace you’ll no longer quest

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #7 for February

CARDIOLOGY

Normally I’d say don’t play with my heart

But I’m convinced that you deserve a pass

You came with special tactics from the start

Your type of game is amusement in mass

When you gaze at me in that sexy way

My heart dances to a jovial beat

Comedy you bring tickles it all day

Making my cares finally take back seat

Your hands envelop me and my heart skips

Like a buoyant child on schoolyard playground

Each time you smile it does cartwheels and flips

This frolicsome love is mighty profound

You in my life is like lifelong recess

My ticker’s free of drama and distress

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

AGAINST ALL ODDS

Next month will mark 11 years since I moved to L.A. from the Bay Area. When I arrived, I had a movie script, a half-written novel (One Man's Treasure), and the dream to be a successful writer. Yesterday, I published for the 13th time (books). When I look back at this journey, I'm amazed at all I've done and been through to get to this point. I didn't even start publishing until 2007 because I spent the first 4 years here stuck at my 9-5, dying a horrifically slow, painful spiritual death. I chose to resign at the end of 2006 to save my mental and physical health (NO joke), and so I could properly nurture my life's mission as a writer. But between the day I set foot here, and now, I've encountered more challenges than in my entire life. I had two major surgeries 3 years apart, one of them saving me from paralysis; I've lost all my major possessions; been homeless; endured the Universal System of Income (which means getting up every day not knowing when or from where income will appear); and stood up confidently in the face of being ignored and rejected in my career, and people's "encouragement" to get off my path and do something else because [clearly, to them] it wasn't working out. But through all of that, I have always done what I came to L.A. (and into this world) to do: write, create, and make a difference in people's lives while doing so. I can honestly, and proudly, say I've accomplished that feat, with much more to come.

A lot of what I've written over the years has derived from the lessons I've learned in the past decade. My sincere intention is for my words to teach and inspire (even my fictional novels are set up to do that). I invite you all to view and partake in what I've created. Yes, I write because I love it, but I publish for the public. My standards are very high for myself, so when I do, I take great pains to ensure that it's always my best at the time. Not all of my content makes it into the books. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me along the way. You've confirmed that I'm doing my job properly, and well. My appreciation for you runs deep.

What I've learned the most is how serious I am about my craft. Nothing has kept me from it. Nothing. This is what doing a life mission is about. You find ways to keep it pushing, no matter what. I'm thankful for everything I've gone through and learned, because it's only solidified me in my work, not deterred me from it. I couldn't be prouder of myself.

You'll find the links to my work below.

Poetry/Motivational Speaking

Editing/Consulting

Novels

Sonnet #4 for February

WAR-TORN

The only thing that gets him through the day

Is pondering being with them again

The void in his soul tends to always stay

Attached to questions that begin with ‘when’?

Like when will he be able to call home

To hear the details of wife and kids' lives

He makes sure to pack them into his dome

To ward off crazy thoughts till he arrives

And when will wife’s letters finally come

The wait has been so long he wants to scream

As months fly by his heart begins to numb

Her silence is crushing his self-esteem

Trying to stay strong is killing the fight

He’d planned to use to serve his country right

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Haiku #1 for February

I TRIED TO TELL YOU

Sleep on me if you
want, but when you wake up, don't
ask me where I've been

Copyright 2014
Charlene E. Green

Be sure to check out my new poetry book, available for purchase now! 

A Review Worth Sharing

Please check out this in-depth review of my book, Building Faith and Character Through Life Challenges (companion to my Life Challenge Consultation service). I really appreciate people who take the time to not only read my work, but also put such detailed effort into their thoughts about it afterward.


"Within the genre of "self-help" books (I've read a few!), Charlene E. Green's newly published Building Faith and Character Through Life Challenges is the most profound and practical literary resource I have encountered. It is a great read--clear, logical, and full of personal experiences to support the guidelines Ms. Green has discovered/uncovered---applicable to everyone. Whether the reader be agnostic, atheist, Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist etc. etc.---something will resonate with that seeking person and make his/her journey more enlightened.

Ms. Green touches the core of everyday human experiences-- interpersonal conflicts, physical and mental illness, financial distress. Yes, this book offers a do-able guideline, a way to change one's thought processes and behavior habits so seemingly unsolvable situations become untangled.

Using problems, sufferings, desires as stepping stones toward enlightenment (as in living with joy, wisdom, compassion and courage), Ms. Green provides a method--using personal, honest proof, filled with humor scenes from her nitty-gritty life experiences.

This book is for the strivers--the seekers of effective and healthy ways to overcome life's challenges.

The concept of expanding one's consciousness to include others is an essential factor in Ms. Green's prescription to happiness.

From Charlene Green's book:
'Life-challenge triumphs are not just for us to benefit from; they're for us to use to help others overcome their obstacles.'"

Dianne Bye, MA in Performing Arts, Syracuse University
Los Angeles Unified School District Theatre Arts Teacher (grades pre-k-12)

To order your copy, please visit www.hustledivaspeaks.com/pages/purchase.aspx
Need a little more info before you order? Click here.