Tag: blogging

  • Sunshine Blogger Award Gratitude and Nomination – 27/08/20

    Sunshine Blogger Award Gratitude and Nomination – 27/08/20

    Thank you so much to the amazing and kind-hearted Shruba for nominating me for the Sunshine Blogger Award! Shruba’s writing is beautiful and takes me on a journey into her world, always, and makes me feel like I want to stay just that little longer to linger in her world. She paints pictures so wonderfully and I encourage you all to check out her blog Lemongrass for an in-depth read.

    According to online sources, the Sunshine Blogger Award is an award given to bloggers by other bloggers who inspire and cause positivity within the blogging community. It also allows newer bloggers to have their work showcased before others. I am humbled that Shruba feels that I inspire and create positivity through my writing, and am so thankful for her nomination.  


    The Rules

    • Thank the blogger who nominated you
    • Remember to list the rules and indicate your award nomination by including the logo
    • Answer the questions that has been given to you
    • Nominate 11 bloggers who inspire you (or as many as you can, no pressure, since it has been brought to my notice that a lot of the emerging bloggers are yet to build their social circle on the platform)
    • Make a new list of 11 questions for your nominees (please keep them interesting and as interactive as you can think of, so everyone involved can enjoy this process)

    Shruba’s Questions along with my Answers

    1. Are you a tea or coffee person?
      Definitely a coffee person. Only rarely will I have tea, and that’s generally when I’ve had too much coffee. The justification is that tea has less caffeine, but is still a comforting beverage to sip on.

    2. Do you have a sibling(s), what are they like?
      I have younger brothers who are twins and they are kind, studious, disciplined and tenacious.

    3. Do you own a pet, include their picture in your post and if you don’t have any, would you like to have one?
      I used to have pets but no longer. I would love to have another pet, probably a dog again. It’s nice to have that unconditional companionship and someone to hug or pat at the end of a tiring or stressful day. A companion to keep me company and be understanding without actually saying a single thing.  

    4. What’s the most interesting TV series that you have watched?
      I don’t generally watch that much television at all, but I enjoyed Australian Ninja Warrior, a spin off of the Japanese show, Sasuke, in which competitors have to navigate extreme obstacle course challenges to then reign supreme as the Australian Ninja Warrior. Watching contestants can be extremely nail-biting at times, and I was constantly drawn to cheering loudly for them as though I was in the stadium itself!

    5. If you had to recommend a book to someone who generally hates reading, which one would it be?
      Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. I enjoyed getting lost in the Harry Potter series as a young girl and for someone new to reading, I think that that person would enjoy the magical world created within those pages and become immersed in the words, wanting to continue on reading the series. To someone who wants to experience vivid, metaphor-rich poetry, I would recommend Sylvia Plath’s collection, ‘Ariel’ because I love this collection so much and want others to experience it, too.

    6. What do you prefer reading more in blogs? Poetry/short story/interviews/reviews/personal rants/historical articles? (You name it, if not on this list)
      Poetry, definitely. I do enjoy rants from time to time, but my main focus is on reading poetry online.  

    7. What’s your favourite music band or album? (Share a link!)
      My musical taste varies so I don’t have one specific album or band that I’d like to share with you, although I am currently listening to a live streaming of trance and progressive music that I am enjoying so I will share this link with you.

    8. Did you ever consider blogging as a source of income? What’s your views on it?
      No, I purely view it as a means of enjoyment for myself, in that I can share my work with others and make ties within the community. I really love finding new blogs and writers whose work I can connect with and feel that sense of closeness when I read their words. I personally find ads on blogs to be somewhat cluttering and feel they distract from a blog, and I wouldn’t want them on my own.

    9. How many drafts do you make before you finally publish something? There’s no set amount of drafts that I make, it completely depends on the content. Sometimes it’s two, sometimes more, but the extra ones really only involve a couple of word changes here and there so I wouldn’t necessarily call them further drafts.  

    10. Would you call yourself cautious or carefree?
      I can identify with being both cautious and carefree, although I would describe myself probably as more cautious and considered, in that I take time to make a decision these days, rather than being impulsive like how I once was.

    11. What’s your favourite flower?
      I don’t have just one, but I would have to say I do love sunflowers, gerberas, and roses.

    my questions

    1. What would you give someone who has everything?
    2. What would you most enjoy doing if you were to stay in on a Saturday night?
    3. Who is your favourite author (and your favourite book of theirs) and why?
    4. How long have you been blogging on WordPress for?
    5. What type of blogs do you gravitate towards reading?
    6. What type of art are you drawn to? Name an artist or two whose work inspires you.
    7. How would you encourage someone who wants to get into writing to express themselves but admits to having trouble creatively putting pen to paper?
    8. What’s your ultimate comfort dish to have when you’re stressed out?
    9. What do you think is one of your strongest posts? Share the link, if you like!
    10. Where would you most like to visit and why?
    11. What is it about the WordPress community that you love the most?

    My Nominees:

    Fauxcroft

    mysocalledpoetry – So-called Poetry of Biba

    Poet of the Light – Whispers of a Poet’s Heart

    Maya – Mayaland

    Dee – Awayfromthemaddingcrowd

    Nawazish – The Lightening Bug

    Annette Kalandros – Hearing the Mermaids Sing

    T.N. – The Amateur’s Quill

    Brooke J. Cutler

    Benyin, as written by Benyin

    House of Heart


    Thanks once again to Shruba for this nomination – it was great fun to answer her questions, pose some of my own, and nominate my fellow bloggers. Please do take the time to explore their blogs — there is amazing work on their pages!

  • Offshore Reader Award!

    Offshore Reader Award!

    RULES FOR ACCEPTING THIS AWARD:

    • Thank the person who nominated you.
    • Include the award image on your post- link to image here.
    • To know more about the award, click here.
    • Add a link to the blog of the person who nominated you.
    • Answer the question given to you.
    • Nominate at least 2 other bloggers.
    • Ask your own question (optional).

    Nomination:

    Thank you to Ara for nominating me for this award. I am greatly inspired by her positive, motivational writings, and want to encourage her to keep posting her words – I’m sure they have a positive effect on many other people, too. I definitely urge others to go visit her blog “Recuperation” at https://backtosquareones.wordpress.com

    I further nominate:

    1. Naomh Briste – Love Songs of the Damned
    2. Mitchel David Ring – The Light is On

    Ara’s question:

    What motivates you to write more?

    What inspires me to keep writing is knowing that I’ll be able to share my words with my readers, to reinforce that connection we have with each other through my words, their understanding of me, and their window that is open between myself and them.  

    My question is:

    What is it about editing a difficult post that keeps you up at night, tossing and turning?

    On a final note, I’d like to say that I appreciate every single reader who has taken the time to read my words and visit my page, and I want you to know I love that you’ve stuck with me throughout my blogging journey and hope that you’ll continue to stay.

    – Lauren

  • The Liebster Award Nomination – Discover More Blogs!

    The Liebster Award Nomination – Discover More Blogs!

    I am forever grateful to https://awayfromthemaddingcrowdblog.wordpress.com/ for nominating me for the Liebster Award. I discovered her blog through another nominee and her style of writing drew me in immediately. I look forward to seeing more of her work as time goes on!

    Liebster is a German word which means different variations of similar sentiments: darling, honey, dearest, friend, sweetheart; and I find this award so endearing because it enables us to show our appreciation for not only the work of, but also our dearest writers, bloggers, poets, artists, as our friends and comrades, and encourage each other to keep working at our craft, and sharing what we have to offer the world.

    I have been blogging for a year now, and I love how WordPress is such a close-knit community of support, creativity, and honesty. I always look forward to posting each day, sometimes multiple times, and I am so appreciative of the interaction I have with my readers and followers.  

     I am glad I am now able to pass on my appreciation for these eleven bloggers who I have nominated.

    The Rules

    1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and add a link to their blog
    2. Answer the 11 questions given to you
    3. Nominate 11 bloggers that you think deserves the award
    4. Ask 11 innovative questions to the ones you have nominated
    5. Remember to notify your nominees once you have uploaded your acknowledgement post

    My Nominations

    The Flippant, Comic, and Serious – https://donmatthewspoetry.com – a fellow Australian writer whose work is witty, short and on point with his delivery.

    Lemongrass – https://shrubaboti.wordpress.com/ – I love Shruba’s style, her voice speaks to me.

    The Waves of Poetry – https://thewavesofpoetry.com/ – beautifully presented visual poetry.

    Laura Saxby Sketchbook – https://laurasaxby.wordpress.com/ – an Australian artist whose intricate artwork I adore.

    I’m The Computer Guy – https://michaelxjohnson.wordpress.com/ – a talented white-hat hacker detailing the journey of honing his craft.

    Mybookworld24 – https://mybookworld24.com/ – I enjoy Alex’s beautiful and often candid poems, and his book posts.

    Danielle Adams – https://danielle-adams.com/ – A blog with great literary tips and links to publishing opportunities.

    LaurenWritesToo – https://laurenwritestoo.com/ – Lauren’s work is lovely, and she draws me into her world.

    Murray Robertson (Photography and Poems) –

    https://mrobertsonphotosandpoems.wordpress.com/ – I am a new follower of Murray’s and am enjoying his work immensely.

    The Sad Owl – https://thesadowl.com – Thoughtful, moving poetry which flows with gentle ease.

    Daydreaming as a Profession – https://drbogdan.home.blog/ – great poems with often unexpected plot twists at the end!

    1. What is the story behind your blog name?

    My blog started off as Alice Well Art, as I was going by both my artist name of Alice Well (a play on “all is well”) as well as my actual name. After I published my book, I began bridging into more serious, personal poetry and decided that the Alice Well side no longer fit. Hence, Lauren M. Hancock Poetry and Prose was created.

    1. Why did you start blogging?

    I love writing and being creative, and when I started my blog, I wanted to share my short stories along with my soft pastel illustrations. I wanted to have an outlet to share my words and art with others, to become part of a community and read other writers’ works, and to view their art, too.

    1. What is your favourite colour and why?

    Pink, most certainly, as a vibrant, lively colour, I used to wear it all the time as I feel it is a complimentary colour to myself because it would brighten my mindset, but these days, I lean more toward wearing black – I know it’s a shade, not a colour. 😊

    1. Who is your favourite superhero and why?

    I don’t have one.

    1. Movies or TV-Series? Why?

    Probably TV-series as I have trouble concentrating for long periods of time lately.

    1. What do you do to de-stress?

    To de-stress, I write. Pouring my feelings out certainly helps. In saying that, when I’ve stressed myself, it could be because I’m writing!

    1. How do you prepare for your writing?

    I don’t prepare, I just sit at the computer, hope for a good starting phrase, and off I go. Although, sometimes I may look up prompts when I’m stuck.

    1. What are your other interests besides writing?

    It depends on my mood. I could indulge myself in making a little art, read some poetry online, play a video game, talk to a friend, vent about something that’s on my mind, or perhaps go for a walk.

    1. If you could travel to a place you have never been to before, where would you go and why?

    I’m bit of a homebody and I don’t like venturing too far away from comfort, so even a nice park that I’ve not been to before for an afternoon picnic will make me happy.

    1. Have you been heartbroken? How were you able to move on?

    I have been heartbroken, by someone who didn’t care that I’d continually handed him my heart. It took time, and time away from being around and thinking of that person, distracting myself with other things. And it took me realising I was worth more than how I was being treated to be able to truly move on.

    1. Do you believe in soulmates? Why or why not?

    I think with soulmates, that is a tricky one. Some could say they’re the makings of Hollywood; others could say they are a cosmic reality, each other’s destiny. I’m not so sure. What I do know is we find others in our world who we connect with, whether on a spiritual, mental, or physical level – sometime all three – and we make the most of our time together.

    My Questions for my Nominees

    1.      What is the main reason you decide to write or create every day?

    2.      If you had the opportunity to be a sought-after ghostwriter your entire working life, or only write your absolute honest and rawest truths for all to see, which would you choose, and why?

    3.      What colour clothing would you select to pick up your mood if you felt angry or depressed by a situation?

    4.      What is your go-to comfort food when you are feeling glum?

    5.      What is one person or thing you cannot live without, and why?

    6.      Who has been your biggest champion in terms of you chasing your dreams?

    7.      How do you measure success?

    8.      You have received a puppy or kitten for your birthday! What breed would it be?

    9.      What is something you do to unwind from a long, stressful day?

    10.   What is or would be your ideal writer’s or artist’s getaway?

    11.   What would you like to best be known for?

  • Poem: Exhale – Spoken Word and Text – 10/07/20

    Poem: Exhale – Spoken Word and Text – 10/07/20

    “Exhale” Audio
    Don’t hold your breath.
    Exhale, allow it to be free.
    Allow the endorphins to flow through
    your very being.
    
    Do not hold your breath,
    there is no need;
    wondering, wishing, waiting,
    for something which may not be.
    
    Live, my love, live,
    please know that I have been,
    in this formerly crowded world
    now a stripped ghost town.
    
    Your heart
    and my heart are full,
    we must breathe the freshest
    air that I can drag from this
    phantasmagorical land,
    
    we may be apart and alone
    and I may be without true air,
    but understand,
    please understand
    that I will return,
    I will reign triumphant,
    soaring upon winged creatures’ spans.
    
    I will exhale as I jump from the edge,
    expiring as I see fit,
    because sometimes, in life,
    we must accept that leaving
    this world is required,
    I will return again,
    
    and again,
    I will be myself
    in another form,
    perhaps you’ll find me,
    and when you do,
    exhale loudly and clasp my hand
    then I’ll know
    we have returned.
    
    © 2020 Lauren M. Hancock. All rights reserved.
    Image by Mystic Art Design from Pixabay

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  • Poem: His Arrival – 12/03/20

    Poem: His Arrival – 12/03/20

    A level of exhaustion beginning to grow,
    then an unexpected expenditure of energy comes alive
    as I reap what I’ve sown.
     
    The quietening down of my mood,
    the lessening of my agility,
    strangely enhances me,
    it does not hinder me.
     
    I am cumbersome, but,
    my mind is crystalline clear,
    open and free,
     
    I rise to the challenge,
    whatever has crossed my path,
    that which is unspoken,
    unexpressed, 
    I know this breath won’t be my last.
     
    And in the still,
    the calm of the air around me which
    heaves and sighs,
    like little droplets of condensation meeting
    glass sheets in the sky,
    I wait and I tremble
    expectant for your arrival.
     
    My cheeky prince,
    now a loving benevolent king,
    you offer me an arm and
    we interlink,
    the kingdom sighs with contentment as they see,
    sensing the rightness of the present karmic breeze.
    
    © 2020 Lauren M. Hancock. All rights reserved.
    Image by klimkin from Pixabay

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  • Poem: The Others – 28/02/20

    Poem: The Others – 28/02/20

    The others watch me lazily,
    yet with intent,
    from their quiet area of silent judgement,
    it is as though I am being assessed for living
    and breathing,
    such a scoundrel I am,
    I must turn the tables,
    to impress!
     
    Yet why bother
    when these individuals are perpetually displeased?
    There seems little point in exacerbating the situation
    with a further moment that would actually come across as amazing,
    divide the divide!
     
    Indifferently though, they blink,
    what is the generational gap between us three?
    nay I bother now for assessment and
    tidings which are built upon comeuppance,
    because I’ll sell you this: --
    the image is quite diseased,
    and its feelings explore me from within,
    it wants to attack with ease.
     
    The virus enters my system,
    wreaking, ravaging,
    I am now one of them,
    how I wish to breathe freely
    without a chest full of bricks,
    and now I understand the truest meaning
    of a vice-like grasp and grip,
    I’ll tell you this:
    my spirit will go on,
    despite the others’ who belligerently sit there,
    stroke their chins,
    and sip special tea with posh leafed airs.  
     
    © 2020 Lauren M. Hancock. All rights reserved.
    Image by Stefan Keller from Pixabay

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