Fida Islaih's Blog, page 9
October 5, 2017
What is Paypal Invoice
Hello Poetteers,
As I get new clients who want me to edit their poetry a few have asked what is a PayPal invoice. I take all my payments through PayPal. An invoice is a bill. Once I create it, it will ask me for your email. Afterwards, it will be sent to your email. In the email, there will be a pay now button. It is that simple. Read more.
Stay inspired,
Fida
As I get new clients who want me to edit their poetry a few have asked what is a PayPal invoice. I take all my payments through PayPal. An invoice is a bill. Once I create it, it will ask me for your email. Afterwards, it will be sent to your email. In the email, there will be a pay now button. It is that simple. Read more.
Stay inspired,
Fida
October 2, 2017
Blossoming Heart Playlist
Hello Poetteers,
There is a list of songs I always listen to when I want to feel uplifted. The other day I thought the feelings behind these songs are similar to those when you read Blossoming Heart. I had to share this with you.
Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield - This was one of the first songs I heard and saw myself in it.
Broken Glass by Rachel Platten- When I first heard this song I felt it is an uplifting dance song about standing up after getting hurt and working hard towards what you love. It is a motivating song I listen to first thing in the morning when I get ready to work.
Brave by Sara Bareilles - An uplifting song that made me cry when I first heard it. It reminds me of my quiet self and how I use my writing to speak up and be comfortable with myself.
The poem, Being Brave, was inspired by this song.
Stand by You by Rachel Platten - The song is about reaching out and being with someone as they are breaking and healing.
In the beginning stanza, it talks about scars and reminds me of my poem, “Scars Are a Rebirth”.
I didn’t cover every song on the list but I hope you enjoy the playlist. Is there a song you’ve heard that reminds you of Blossoming Heart?
If you haven't read Blossoming Heart, buy it here.
Stay inspired,
Fida
There is a list of songs I always listen to when I want to feel uplifted. The other day I thought the feelings behind these songs are similar to those when you read Blossoming Heart. I had to share this with you.
Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield - This was one of the first songs I heard and saw myself in it.
Broken Glass by Rachel Platten- When I first heard this song I felt it is an uplifting dance song about standing up after getting hurt and working hard towards what you love. It is a motivating song I listen to first thing in the morning when I get ready to work.
Brave by Sara Bareilles - An uplifting song that made me cry when I first heard it. It reminds me of my quiet self and how I use my writing to speak up and be comfortable with myself.
The poem, Being Brave, was inspired by this song.
Stand by You by Rachel Platten - The song is about reaching out and being with someone as they are breaking and healing.
In the beginning stanza, it talks about scars and reminds me of my poem, “Scars Are a Rebirth”.
I didn’t cover every song on the list but I hope you enjoy the playlist. Is there a song you’ve heard that reminds you of Blossoming Heart?
If you haven't read Blossoming Heart, buy it here.
Stay inspired,
Fida
September 28, 2017
Prompt Book: Cover Reveal
Hello Poetteers,
The other day I shared with you the title of my poetry prompt book that will be published on Nov 7th. You may have already seen the cover if you already pre-ordered the book. But if you haven't, here's the official cover reveal. I kept it simple.
What do you think? If you would like to have an inside look at the book, join my free newsletter.
Stay inspired,
Fida
The other day I shared with you the title of my poetry prompt book that will be published on Nov 7th. You may have already seen the cover if you already pre-ordered the book. But if you haven't, here's the official cover reveal. I kept it simple.
What do you think? If you would like to have an inside look at the book, join my free newsletter.
Stay inspired,
Fida
September 26, 2017
Prompt Book: Title Reveal
Hello Poetteers,
Back in May, I revealed I was working on a poetry prompt book. With some help of a couple readers, I finally came up with the title for the book! Later on, I will be sharing the process of coming up with the title. It also has a publication date of Nov 7, 2017.
Drumroll, please!
Add it to Goodreads first.
It's also available for preorder.
And the title is...
Love Yourself: A Journey to Healing
Stay inspired,
Fida
Back in May, I revealed I was working on a poetry prompt book. With some help of a couple readers, I finally came up with the title for the book! Later on, I will be sharing the process of coming up with the title. It also has a publication date of Nov 7, 2017.
Drumroll, please!
Add it to Goodreads first.
It's also available for preorder.
And the title is...
Love Yourself: A Journey to Healing
Stay inspired,
Fida
September 15, 2017
My First Spoken Word
Hello Poetteers,
Since we are celebrating A to Z Poetry and my 4th author anniversary I thought I would share with you my first poems. The very first poem I wrote was when I was 5 about a doctor and a cat. While learning about poetry my first poem was about where I'm from. But that was a school assignment. I believe that piece set the tone and foundation for my writing career. That summer I wrote my first unprompted poem about my thoughts on Malaysia. The poems 'Writing Journal' and 'Sisters' were part of the first batch of poems written.
Eventually, I tried spoken word. It was more of a poetry reading. My first one was part of a class assignment. I was nervous and quiet but being able to sit down helped calm me. What also calmed me was looking at a familiar face. After reading the first couple of lines I forgot the nerves and that an audience was watching me. I was feeling the poem. Afterwards, I asked a friend how I did. I was loud and clear. I didn't think anything else of it.
Two years later I went to a youth faith camp. I had just published my first book a few months ago. I decided to go for it and share a poem from it. My friends were encouraging me to share. My nerves were through the roof. I was practicing through the whole day. Before the actual performance, I did a practice one in front a few friends. I was getting excited.
I hinted about it in my blog post about needing spoken word.
I couldn't sit still in my seat. My friends were amazing and understanding. They let me be one of the first acts of the night. Everyone was sitting in a half circle and the room was dimmed. The mic helped me be loud and clear. But my performance was short. I cared but also didn't.
I loved the sound of fingers snapping as I performed my poem. After doing my first spoken word I felt excited by the warm feeling it gave me. I wanted to do it again and have that feeling again. It was empowering and gave me the confidence I needed. With this experience, I'm growing as a poet. It was once a bucket list item. Do you remember your first time and how did it make you feel?
Read more: annual look at bucket list | poetry transitions
Join my free Poetteer newsletter for the poetry bucket list.
Since we are celebrating A to Z Poetry and my 4th author anniversary I thought I would share with you my first poems. The very first poem I wrote was when I was 5 about a doctor and a cat. While learning about poetry my first poem was about where I'm from. But that was a school assignment. I believe that piece set the tone and foundation for my writing career. That summer I wrote my first unprompted poem about my thoughts on Malaysia. The poems 'Writing Journal' and 'Sisters' were part of the first batch of poems written.
Eventually, I tried spoken word. It was more of a poetry reading. My first one was part of a class assignment. I was nervous and quiet but being able to sit down helped calm me. What also calmed me was looking at a familiar face. After reading the first couple of lines I forgot the nerves and that an audience was watching me. I was feeling the poem. Afterwards, I asked a friend how I did. I was loud and clear. I didn't think anything else of it.
Two years later I went to a youth faith camp. I had just published my first book a few months ago. I decided to go for it and share a poem from it. My friends were encouraging me to share. My nerves were through the roof. I was practicing through the whole day. Before the actual performance, I did a practice one in front a few friends. I was getting excited.
I hinted about it in my blog post about needing spoken word.
I couldn't sit still in my seat. My friends were amazing and understanding. They let me be one of the first acts of the night. Everyone was sitting in a half circle and the room was dimmed. The mic helped me be loud and clear. But my performance was short. I cared but also didn't.
I loved the sound of fingers snapping as I performed my poem. After doing my first spoken word I felt excited by the warm feeling it gave me. I wanted to do it again and have that feeling again. It was empowering and gave me the confidence I needed. With this experience, I'm growing as a poet. It was once a bucket list item. Do you remember your first time and how did it make you feel?
Read more: annual look at bucket list | poetry transitions
Join my free Poetteer newsletter for the poetry bucket list.
September 12, 2017
A Poet Lesson: Write Poetry Slowly
Hello Poetteers,
Yesterday was day three of the slay edits challenge. The prompt was a poetry lesson. See my response in the video below.
Stay inspired,
Fida
Yesterday was day three of the slay edits challenge. The prompt was a poetry lesson. See my response in the video below.
Stay inspired,
Fida
September 8, 2017
Inspiration If Needed
Hello Poetteers,
The other day I found a deck of index cards with a post it note that read "inspiration if needed." I made this back in high school in a creative writing class. I think the teacher made us do this in the beginning of the year for when we felt like we had nothing to write. It has been a few years since I looked through it. Some writing things have changed while others didn't.
There are 19 ideas written on these cards. It reads of chocolate, sisterhood, a few quotes, and song lyrics, cities and tourist sites, free spirit, small gestures, volunteer work, struggling Muslim, unbearable heat, spring, blossoms, and birds chirping. One just said, "my favorites." Another tells me about national poetry month and writing one poem a day.
I have participated in NPM a few times. The ones that surprised me are volunteer work and free spirit. I have no idea what I meant by that. I do enjoy my chocolate.
Looking back I used to write a few poems about countries but haven't continued. The same goes with nature, I used to write a lot but then stopped. I'm trying to get back into it. I'm still inspired by song lyrics and small gestures. To this day I write about sisterhood and being a Muslim.
Comment: Has your inspiration changed?
Read more: Raise the Inspiration | Inspiration Behind Hugs & Kisses
Stay inspired,
Fida
The other day I found a deck of index cards with a post it note that read "inspiration if needed." I made this back in high school in a creative writing class. I think the teacher made us do this in the beginning of the year for when we felt like we had nothing to write. It has been a few years since I looked through it. Some writing things have changed while others didn't.
There are 19 ideas written on these cards. It reads of chocolate, sisterhood, a few quotes, and song lyrics, cities and tourist sites, free spirit, small gestures, volunteer work, struggling Muslim, unbearable heat, spring, blossoms, and birds chirping. One just said, "my favorites." Another tells me about national poetry month and writing one poem a day.
I have participated in NPM a few times. The ones that surprised me are volunteer work and free spirit. I have no idea what I meant by that. I do enjoy my chocolate.
Looking back I used to write a few poems about countries but haven't continued. The same goes with nature, I used to write a lot but then stopped. I'm trying to get back into it. I'm still inspired by song lyrics and small gestures. To this day I write about sisterhood and being a Muslim.
Comment: Has your inspiration changed?
Read more: Raise the Inspiration | Inspiration Behind Hugs & Kisses
Stay inspired,
Fida
August 25, 2017
Poetry Affirmations
Hello Poetteers,
Turn your fears into poetry affirmations. I mentioned #PoetteerChat, you can find the summary to the specific chat on Storify.
Stay inspired,
Fida
Turn your fears into poetry affirmations. I mentioned #PoetteerChat, you can find the summary to the specific chat on Storify.
Stay inspired,
Fida
August 15, 2017
Inspiration Behind Hugs & Kisses
Hello Poetteers, Three years ago I published Hugs & Kisses. To celebrate I want to share the inspiration behind the book. I get my inspiration from any and everywhere. My poems Strip Me and Let it Go are inspired by songs of the same titles. When everyone read my poem Let It Go they all thought of the song and teased me. I had shared the poem as a spoken word piece. I couldn’t get the song out of my head and it made the poem feel odd. You couldn’t think of the words let it go without thinking of the song. I feel the poem is different from the song.
If I wrote it with more distance from the song, the comparison wouldn’t feel so heavy. It’s not always like that. The song Strip Me is not as popular as the song Let it Go and is an older song, so the song isn’t compared to the poem. With writing these poems I’ve learned to have patience in sharing them and be careful with your words. Show the difference and make it personal with your own story.
Has a song ever inspired you to write a poem?
Stay inspired,
Fida
Read more: raise the inspiration | response poetry
July 27, 2017
How To Poetry Collaborate
Hello Poetteers,
I write my own poems. At the end of last year, I started collaborating with other poets. In poetry collaborations, it all depends on the person and the topic. Whether your writing style is similar or different, is there compatibility? It's good if they write similar to you. It makes things easier. But there should be enough difference to challenge your writing. It makes you step out of your comfort zone, to write something else.
With the poem collaborations I've done, I've seen you don't need full sentences. Most of the people I worked with wrote longer pieces and it challenged me to write long pieces. I usually keep my poems short. Other people keep their poems short, too, so I'm not alone. I got to see how a longer poem can make a story fuller and more personable.
The typical go to when collaborating on a poem is that I write one part of a poem and the other person will the other half. You don’t always have to write like that. Maybe write the beginning and end and they write the middle. Maybe they can write one line, you write one, they write the next line and keep going back and forth until you wrap up the poem.
Compatibility is important, but so is communication. Find out how you want to keep in touch: email, in person, text. Bounce ideas and come up with a topic and the direction you want to take it. It doesn't end once you finish writing the piece, there is also the editing process. You just wrote two separate parts and you need to see how it will flow together.
There you have it. Stay inspired,
Fida
I write my own poems. At the end of last year, I started collaborating with other poets. In poetry collaborations, it all depends on the person and the topic. Whether your writing style is similar or different, is there compatibility? It's good if they write similar to you. It makes things easier. But there should be enough difference to challenge your writing. It makes you step out of your comfort zone, to write something else.
With the poem collaborations I've done, I've seen you don't need full sentences. Most of the people I worked with wrote longer pieces and it challenged me to write long pieces. I usually keep my poems short. Other people keep their poems short, too, so I'm not alone. I got to see how a longer poem can make a story fuller and more personable.
The typical go to when collaborating on a poem is that I write one part of a poem and the other person will the other half. You don’t always have to write like that. Maybe write the beginning and end and they write the middle. Maybe they can write one line, you write one, they write the next line and keep going back and forth until you wrap up the poem.
Compatibility is important, but so is communication. Find out how you want to keep in touch: email, in person, text. Bounce ideas and come up with a topic and the direction you want to take it. It doesn't end once you finish writing the piece, there is also the editing process. You just wrote two separate parts and you need to see how it will flow together.
There you have it. Stay inspired,
Fida
DOWNLOADABLE EDITION
Purchase a downloadable version of the How To Poetry Collaborate so you can reference it whenever needed. Click Here For More Info.
