THE LIFE-CHALLENGE SERIES: DREAMS DO COME TRUE

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THE LIFE-CHALLENGE SERIES: PRIORITY #1

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THIS WAY TO TRANSFORMATION

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THE SOUND OF MY VOICE

Not many people know this, but I've wanted to do voice-overs for a long time, probably since my early 20s. I always had this fantasy of doing the voice on a cartoon or in an animated film. Later, the urge escalated to wanting to do voice-overs for all viable media elements. I never really talked about this particular dream; I just kind of said it to myself and knew I meant it, and then went on about my writing business. It wasn't until I started performing my poetry that the urge grew, and I found myself thinking about it on a fairly regular basis. I've always been adept at disguising my voice, though not a whole lot of people know that, either.

Amid my various writing, publishing, and performing activities, I've searched here and there for ways to break into the voice-over biz, and I've even applied for quite a few VO opportunities. The problem I always came across was that I didn't have a VO reel ... and I wasn't sure how to get one started with my limited resources. The other night, after I sent off another reply for a VO opportunity (this time, they actually wanted more of a poet), I realized it was time for me to make a concrete move toward accomplishing my closet dream of being a VO artist. So, with my writing, performing, and voice-disguising talents in place, I decided to make some samples that showcased my abilities. I made up faux products, wrote out the faux scripts for them, and then recorded them using my laptop's app. Hey, you do what you can with what you have. This project is a work in progress, as my plan is to build a decent sized portfolio, but here's what I have so far. I'll continue to add to the pot in this post. If anyone out there reading this knows of a way for me to use what I have to obtain agency representation, or if you know of any freelance opportunities, then please let me know. Thanks in advance. By the way, those who know me or have heard my voice know that my reading in "Mystic Chef" is 90 percent my real voice. Of course, it's got some "tweak" to it for effect.



MYSTIC CHEF SLOW COOKER VO SAMPLE

ZAPIT COLD & FLU FOR KIDS VO SAMPLE

GREATER AGE VITAMIN BOOST FOR SENIORS VO SAMPLE

SWEET TOOTH: FOR MIKE BROWN ... AND ALL THE OTHERS

This ain't no free-for-all
A candy store
You've been turned loose in
To feast on our flesh
This chocolate
Ain't for sale
Or the taking
For your
Spiritual consumption

Always been mad
Envy so green
You look at us
And see
Money
Profit
Skill
Value
You need us
You hate that
Hate us
For being
Such rich chocolate
Robust commodity
So good for you
The darker the better
Supreme
Heart-healthy
Produce free radicals

Free
Radicals
Be game-changers
More virtue
Than you want us
To have

Your game
Doused with salt
With us in the mix
Mix up your emotions
Make you feel
Unstable
Erratic
Damn
We so potent
We savory
and
Sweet

We come in variety
Make us more prized
Coveted
Enrage you further
Leave you stupefied
Like 
How they do that?
Be so
Efficacious?
Indispensable?
Milk
Dark
Semi-sweet
Bittersweet
Make you bitter
'Bout our
Sweet
Worth

That spite
In your shirt pockets
Causin' inferno
In your heart
Make you weak
Weak turns to arrogance
Turns to fury
Turns to contemplation
'Bout how to shut
Candy store
Down
And
Rebuild
Without us

Problem is

White chocolate
Ain't equipped
To heal
Restore
Revolutionize
So
Without us
Nothing's left
But a world
With a raging sweet tooth
That will
Never
Be
Appeased

©2014 Charlene E. Green

MY APOLOGIES TO THE WAR HEROINES

*Inspired by the last line of Mahogany Browne's poem "Working Title": I'm so afraid to have a son.

Dear [Black] Mothers,


I will now
refer to you as
Warrior
since you're at war
with your faith
in peaceful days
cuz you birthed black boys

I'm sorry
every time your black sons
walk out the door
you picture mine-filled streets
ensnaring them
bombs donned in blue
with loose triggers
suspect intentions
precise aim

you dread their steps
knowing it doesn't matter
how lightly they tread:
their existence
is the only weight needed
to split the thin ice
they're skating on

I'm sorry your hearts
are too fragile
for simple good-byes
see you laters
be right backs

I'm sorry they're no longer simple

they sound like lies
your sons have no clue
they're telling

fear pillages your heartbeats
dines on your breaths
siphons the hope from your soul
when you hear them

I'm sorry
that in your world
sending them to the store
is synonymous with sending them
to their grave

you weep
pray
second guess
before saddling them
with that lethal task
cuz these days
they're more likely to survive
a freeway pileup
than the trip there and back

I'm sorry you wake up every day
choking on the stench of fatality
the knowledge that your sons
no longer have to be incarcerated
to incur a death sentence
that their melanin
is the revised definition
of "dead man walking"

I'm sorry your love
will never be
big enough
strong enough
mother enough
to protect your sons
from blue-clad bombs
explosive-teemed clips
excuses
tales
jurors
and the rigged system

I'm sorry
there's a war on your sons
you haven't been prepped
to defeat

©2014
Charlene E. Green

Hear Mahogany's poem here: http://youtu.be/ygWnVzFbrN0?list=UU5DH3eN81b0RGJ7Xj3fsjVg

WHERE'S WESTON, PART 1

If you haven't read my first novel, One Man's Treasure, then I invite you to treat yourself to this great story today. I dislike calling it a "romance novel," because that label doesn't really fit this story. Yes, it's about a relationship and love, but it's more about what happens when you have the kind of relationship that's strong enough to withstand any storm. It's unique. It's edgy. It's filled with authentic emotion and sticky life situations. This is not a hearts-and-flowers story; it's one that probably everyone out there can relate to in some way. Most of all, it will make you question your own morals and threshold for forgiveness and understanding.

Below is the link to a sample of a pivotal scene in which Katrice is dealing with the loss of her man, Weston. It has been slightly altered to keep key info about his absence confidential. You'll have to read the book to get those juicy deets! For those of you who have already read this book and know why he's gone, please don't give that info away in your comments. This is for the people who may be ready to get into Weston and Katrice's full story. Let them take the ride without spoilers, okay? Thanks!

                                                                    
Click here:

WHERE'S WESTON, PART 1



Oh, but there's more! Click --------> WHERE'S WESTON, PART 2

Ready to order? I thought so! ONE MAN'S TREASURE
Want it on Kindle? Fine! ANOTHER MAN'S TREASURE 

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

DAMAGED BUT WORTH SALVAGING

Sometimes, you're too far gone emotionally to see your worth, your beauty, your value in the world, to see a way out of your suffering. Sometimes, it takes someone else to be compassionate enough to not only see past your flawed layers but also to help you see past them so you can move forward with uplifting yourself. Nobody gets through this life without others' encouragement. You're lying if you say you've made it through every tough situation all by yourself, with no mental or physical assistance. Too much standing around judging and watching people suffer and not enough helping leads to lost souls ... and lost lives.

Is this your story or the story of someone you know? Check out the video below. Join the Anti-Suffering Movement. Challenge your focal point. No judgment where suffering is concerned.

IF YOU WRITE, THEN YOU NEED THIS BOOK

My informational guide, You and Your Editor, is really important to have if you're considering publishing. It has crucial information about the editing process, formatting, what you need to know and do before submitting your project, what to look for when searching for an editor, and it even has tips on what kinds of books and items it would behoove you to have on hand as a writer. It will save you so much time and stress. It's also a short book, so you can quickly get your knowledge and carry on with your endeavors properly. 

If you write on a regular basis and have projects that you plan to present to the public, then this is the book to utilize before you get into your publishing process. Order yours today!
YOU AND YOUR EDITOR

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

YOU Again?

If entrepreneurs of any kind are not the McDonald's or Starbucks of their industry (not a household name and/or folks aren't tripping over themselves to support their biz), and they actually care about growing and exposing their brand so they can reach that status, then it's their job, literally, to promote themselves regularly, daily, if possible. Biz promotion comes with the territory, and unless their biz is more of a hobby than something they plan on making a living at, then they would be wise to promote often, regardless of what people think of their "constant posting about their stuff."
 
If you're not a biz owner, artist, etc., and you work for other people, you may not understand the importance of our mass emails, daily social-media posting, inboxing for support, crowdfunding campaigns, hourly Tweets, on and on. You may find us annoying. In your eyes, we may be seen as "always asking for something." Um, yeah, we are asking, cuz it's our job, since this is our life's work, not some silly pastime or a phase that'll soon play itself out. When you go to work for someone else, you're generally out of touch with the reality of what it takes for your boss to keep his/her biz running so you can get paid. We, on the other hand, are our own bosses, and we know all too well what goes into rounding up clientele and sales. It's not always easy or fun, but it has to be done if we wanna thrive in our careers.
 
Social media is "the way" these days to get the word out about a biz or product, so for all of you who don't have one or both of those, I invite you to remember that when you see our flurry of posts about our nine products and services, we're doing [a major part of] what we're supposed to do to succeed. It takes time, thought, and innovation to come up with fresh ways to catch the public's attention every day. Posting the same spiel can be a turnoff, so some kind of creativity with our advertising is necessary. That's a job in itself, people, a challenging one sometimes. Closed mouths don't get fed, and we gotta eat, just like you.

©2014 Charlene E. Green

READY OR NOT

Staying ready for the opportunities you desire, even when it looks like nothing is happening, sends a message of anticipation and seriousness to the universe, which is the prerequisite for the opening of doors. You don't get ready when folks come knocking; you prep daily so when they do knock, you can calmly answer with all your ducks in a row. Don't be fooled by the silence ... it's only a test. Are you  prepping among the quiet of your dreams' unfolding? If you're not, and you're sitting around whining, waiting idly, and being mad about others getting theirs, then you're not serious. Can the silence be frustrating? Sure. But will it keep you from moving forward? You decide ...

Ever since my book deal with Kensington Publishing, for my novel One Man's Treasure, snuck up on me back in 2008, and I was ready, cuz I anticipated it, I got to see first hand how fly it is to keep pushing through the silence, even when you have no clue when your dream(s) will be realized. When my agent called me in December 2007 with the news of possibly being picked up, she asked me if I could get my manuscript to her in two days. I had that mug in her inbox that same day, thankyouverymuch. I was so grateful that I had enough faith in my dream to stay ready, and it was then that I vowed to continue along that path, in whatever new endeavors I took on. 

No matter what the situation looks like or how challenging it is to muddle through the unknown, I prep every day for my dreams in some way, even if it's just making a small change to my web site or spending time thinking about what to write next. There's not a day that goes by that my brain and body aren't in mission mode. I know how this works. And I refuse to get caught with the deer-in-headlights look on my face when opportunities show up. If I've got my eye on it, I'm working on it.

And by the way, they offered me a 2-book deal, and I was ready for the second book cuz I was only 4 chapters away from finishing the sequel to One Man's Treasure, And They'll Come Home. HA!

Good day, Dreamers!

©2014 Charlene E. Green

CURFEW: FOR OUR NIGERIAN GIRLS

I wish this could be as simple

as broken rules

about

the street lights are on

and you’re late

about

git’cho butt inside

it’s dinnertime

come clean up this room

finish that homework

as easy-peasy as fed-up mamas

snatchin’ back curtains

throwin’ windows open

hands on hips

peerin’ down the block

to growl your name and shout:

“I’m not gon’ tell you again!”

while you whiz by on your bike

plead for just five more minutes

and she smiles

chuckles

shakes her head

remembers her youth

her pleads

her eyes soften

and she lets you ride

would do anything

for it to be as “uh-oh”

as fire-breathin’ daddies

sportin’ shiny brass knuckles

waitin’ impatiently at front doors

for never-be-good-enough boys

to bring you home from first dates

that their mouths blessed

cuz you begged

but their hearts didn’t

would much rather this be about

200+ mischievous girls

quietly convergin’

and sneakin’ off

on a secret forbidden journey

fingers strung together

like paper-doll chain

squelchin’ the high-pitched giggles

ticklin’ their ribs

runnin’ free

wind coolin’ their backs

sun meltin’ the cares in their hearts

trekkin’ with no fears

gon’ be right back

gon’ be all right

cuz they got each other

but these wishes are in vain

the street lights have been on for months

and still

none of you are where you’re supposed to be

cuz you were force-fed this broken curfew

into the Sambisa

into marital slavery

and you’ve been gagging

on the bane the forest’s bowels

on coerced $12.00 vows

trying to unbind the silence in your throats

to find enough voice to scream for help

for directions to lead you home

from the detour of Haram

the government’s search has ebbed

and we will not rely on them

to continue to care enough to find you

their time may have been cut

but these clocks in our hearts

will remain ticking

  

we

are your spiritual search party

at night

in our uneasy sleep

our snores

are surveillance helicopters

fueled by the inferno in our blood

that keeps our tanks from running dry

our rapid-eye movements are searchlights

in the murk of our dreams

powered by determination

to illuminate your path

show you the way to freedom

and they will never burn out

no matter how long the nights

how hard the days

piece by piece

we will link the jigsaw of you

back together

rip you from the filthy grips

of the insurgents that body-snatched you

from your rights

from your school

from your learning

from your homes

and we will annul you from your captors

interlock your fingers

to remind you of oneness

of sisterhood

of love

of safety

of strength in cultural numbers

and lead you to your dwellings

where the street lights will beam

and mamas and daddies will be waitin’

impatiently at front doors

to envelop you

inhale your scent

stroke trust into your faces

nurse your spirits back to certainty

revel in your touch

tribal dance in your smiles

to exhale

to live again

©2014 Charlene E. Green
To listen to audio of "Curfew: For Our Nigerian Girls," click here

HERITAGE SONNETS: FOR THE LOVE OF BLACK YOUTH

Heritage Sonnets are specifically for the purpose of encouraging healthy esteem in black youth. They are cards that double as bookmarks, for boys and girls, with a short poem on the front (a sonnet) that sends a message of empowerment and lets them know they are valued in this world, and a space on the back to write a special note. What started out as one set of inspirational sonnets ("Fly" and "Pride") has turned into a growing series that I hadn't planned on, but that I'm very excited about. This is a project that I'm now totally focused on building and improving. I invite you to support this worthy cause.
 Here are 5 ways the product benefits black youth:                   

1. Encourages viewing themselves in a new light and prompts affirmative [re]examination of their worth;
2. encourages them to explore poetry, possibly be curious enough to study it;
3. gives something positive to read about themselves every day but short enough to keep their attention;
4. gently warns about “reality potholes” where they’re concerned and presents proactive, healthy solutions that prompt early self-care;
5. encourages deeper cultural awareness, interest, and discussion.

 To view product and to order, click link: http://www.hustledivaspeaks.com/Pages/HERITAGESONNETS.aspx.
Thank you in advance for your caring and support.