How To Be Confident With Women By Mark Dice

There is a fine line between being confident and being cocky. Girls like dating confident guys. If you feel like you’re lacking confidence already, go find some. Do push-ups, run a mile, make a list of things you’re good at, have mom tell you all your good qualities (actually, don’t talk to mom, she’s probably napping anyways). Did you gain some confidence? Well good, now we can move on to how to attract women.

Like I said, women rate confidence as one of the most desirable qualities in a man. That means that women like men who are sure of themselves, who aren’t shy and go after what they want. Some guys might make the excuse that they’re not entirely confident going on dates because they don’t have a great job or they don´t really know how to meet girls. Honestly, if you’re going out on first date, she won’t focus on the fact that you work as a deli or if you just finished your Master’s degree. Your job does not need to dictate your confidence level. Honestly, it’s not a big deal if you work at a deli or if you just finished your Master’s degree. The question is, “Do you have a job?” If your answer is yes, no matter what it is, you should be thankful that you’re better off than a lot of other people who don’t have one. Bam. You’re now more confident.

Now that I’ve started to build your confidence up, I need to make sure you’re not over the top. Take note guys, girls can be flattered by confident guys but they can also be repelled. If all you talk about is yourself, how great you are, how amazing the job/house/car (fill in the blank) that you have is…your conversation is bound to get a little old. No girl wants to hear about the time that you scored the winning touchdown more than twice. And that might be pushing it. (Unless she is really into sports and she has an equally great personal triumph to share. Everything is relative, of course).

Show off your smart, curious side and ask the girl a few questions when you’re on a date. It never hurts to throw in a few compliments too. Avoid cheesy pick up lines though – those go hand in hand with being egotistical. Be honest and say what you’re thinking. Women appreciate those qualities in men too.

When the Person You Are Dating On-line Turns Out to Be an Imposter By Miss Know It All

There was a time when people met at social events, parties, through associates, family or friends? Even if someone used a professional matchmaking service, there was always that face-to-face encounter. You could analyze the person’s behavior, observe his or her body language or see how that person interacted with others. Moreover, if you were fortunate enough, you would meet that individual’s friends or family members to get a better picture of the man or woman with whom you had a romantic interest.

Once you established a good rapport with that individual, courting and dating were next. This did not mean that a person did not end up with a jerk, but at least he or she made some sort of physical contact with that individual before becoming romantically involved. But when it comes to on-line dating, distortion can result when online romance comes into play.

Recently, I checked out a talk show, and the topic was “Catfish and On-line Dating.” Since I never associated catfish with dating, I decided to watch the program. Catfish is a common name for freshwater fish, which is a scavenger that has feelers or barbels extending from the upper jaw and in some species from the lower jaw, resembling a cat’s whiskers.

With on-line dating, catfish has a completely different connotation. A catfish is a person who uses someone else’s photo or identity to entice women and men on an on-line dating site; the catfish will browse through profiles on various social networks, hijack photos and personal data and use the information to seduce singles into his or her web of deceit.

Several guests on the talk show explained how a catfish had duped them. One woman developed a two-year on-line dating relationship with a man she never met, and he turned out to be a woman.  The clues were there: The catfish gave roughly ten reasons why he/she could not meet with her; some of the excuses given were, “A close relative of mine died; I suddenly came down with a sudden illness and have to have surgery; I was in a serious accident and will be incapacitated for the next several months.” Because people become so emotionally involved with their on-line partner, sometimes their common sense goes out the window.

The catfish, by nature, is a hunter, so it is understandable why experts referred to charlatans as catfish, because their main objective is to search for vulnerable singles, making certain they never meet them face to face and then play on their sentiments until they have psychologically scarred their prey.

It is always important to be mindful when you meet someone on an on-line dating site. Do not allow your longing to meet someone cloud your judgment. If a person refuses to meet you in person and comes up with too many pretexts, you may be dealing with a catfish.

What Are The Common Misconceptions About Multicultural Dating?

The advent of the Internet has changed the face of dating forever. No longer are men and women restricted to dating within their own cultures and communities. Internet dating allows multicultural, multi-language and even multi-continental relationships to spring up in a setting that is devoid of the many stereotypes and prejudices that can make it difficult for multicultural sparks to fly in the ‘real world’. Men and women can embrace and celebrate terrific diversity in this new era of dating, exchanging old taboos for unity and a chance at love that breaks traditional barriers. 

The Family

Any individual interested in multicultural dating must understand that there are more than just two people involved in a long-term relationship. A new love interest comes attached to a family, which may not be as progressive as others when it comes to crossing cultural boundaries’. 

It is wise to prepare for possible resistance when first meeting a new love interest's family. Two general rules of thumb can help to prepare new for a potentially bumpy ride with the relatives: 

1. Homework Helps - Before arriving at the front door, an individual should study the customs and culture of the family in question. This helps ensure that there will be no embarrassing faux pas and will also provide concrete ways to communicate honour to the relatives. 

2. Give It Time - Families may hold on to certain misconceptions about a new multicultural relationship until they are disproved. They may believe that the relationship is just an experimental fling, an attempt to escape one's own culture and be rebellious or an opportunity to climb the social status ladder and fit into certain social groups. The only real way to combat these misconceptions is to demonstrate real love and commitment for one's partner over time. 

Society

While the number of multicultural couples is growing, they still represent a small percentage of the population. It is a common misconception that interracial couples are discriminated against or made to feel awkward in public. While this does happen at times, the vast majority of mixed couples enjoy a high level of acceptance in most parts of the world. 

If a multicultural couple does happen to encounter prejudice or misunderstanding in some parts of the world, it is wise to approach the situation as a teachable moment. Couples should educate those whose bias is based on ignorance, and attempt to be patient and forgiving with those who simply cannot understand. Above all else, it is smart to not let the odd discriminator steal the joy out a good thing. 

Interrelationship

Many people mistakenly assume the individuals involved in a multicultural relationship have no prejudice or stereotyped expectations concerning other cultures. This assumption is false, as every virtually everyone harbours certain untrue beliefs about people from unfamiliar backgrounds whether this is based on media perceptions, cultural stereotypes or personal experience. Couples should exercise honesty and patience with one another. Love is a learning experience and stereotypes will be broken only with real communication and trust. 

The Internet has made multicultural romance a real option in today's global society and whilst there are no set rules to dating from outside ones’ own culture or race, giving them the same respect and care you would to any new partner may not always be enough to bridge the gaps, so be sure so make an extra effort to understand the other person. This said, every couple will be a unique situation where their families’ acceptance and support is concerned but being respectful, honest and faithful should win over most partners’ families. One thing is certain though, misconceptions are being shattered and unity is accelerating around the world. 

Author Bio:

This is a guest post by Louise Mitchell, a relationship expert and advises couples with relationship troubles as well as helping singles on the ways to find the best partner for them. Louise is currently consulting with Lovestruck on their on-line dating site to help singles use a profiling service to help people find specific traits they are looking for in a partner to help you find your perfect match in the Singapore Singles Dating Scene.

Meet Cassietta Jefferson, Author of Be Still & Know

Cassietta Jefferson, Author

Cassietta Jefferson is a contemporary Christian author, publisher, and blogger. She is the newest Editor in Chief for Journey, the For My Sister Friends newsletter, and the founder of Virtuous Ink Publishing. She has a passion for reading and writing, and seeks to provide her readers with the best in contemporary Christian literature. Cassietta is currently preparing for the release of a collection of short stories as well as the much-anticipated follow up to her first novel.

Thank you for making One World Singles Magazine Blog one of your stops on your Virtual Book Tour and for sharing your insights to writing with our readers.

What type of characters do you enjoy creating? I enjoy creating characters that are quirky and a little off kilter. A lot of the characters I create have a little something about their personality that makes them slightly unlovable or difficult to like. I think it makes them more relatable and may remind the reader of someone they know. 

Which authors have influenced you the most? There are so many authors who have had an influence on my style and voice, but I think I was most influenced by Francis Ray and Brenda Jackson.

Please tell our readers something about yourself. For the last 15 years, I’ve been married to my wonderful husband. We’ve raised three children (they’re all grown now) and have lived in a couple of different cities across the United States. I’m really a simple girl. I love my family; I love the Lord and have a desire to spread the message of Jesus Christ.

Who or what inspired you to become an author. I love to read! I really enjoy a good book, but as I grew older, I was looking for something (a genre) that just wasn’t there. I figured if I wanted to read something different then others may also, so I started writing the stories that I wanted to read.

Have you ever received a negative comment or review about your book, and if so, how did you handle it? I have! I write contemporary Christian fiction but there’s an element of realism that some Christians don’t particularly go for. I write from a different perspective in that I know that even as Christians, we don’t always make right choices. One reviewer couldn’t get past some suggestive material, and I can understand that. I have to let it roll off my back and continue to write what the Lord has given me. I went into this industry, writing this genre, knowing that everyone was not going like it, and that’s okay.

As a writer, what has been your biggest challenge, trials or tribulations that you have overcome? The biggest challenge for me has been confidence. I just come to own the fact that I’m an author in the last few years. I’m terribly shy and so approaching someone to let them know that I’ve written and that I would love for them to read it has been hard but it comes easier for me now. 

Could you please give us a blur about your present or upcoming book? I recently released Shades of Brown, is a collection of short stories about a group of friends who face some pretty incredible obstacles. The issues they face in their life changing and test not only their faith but test their friendship as well.

How can our readers get in touch with you? I love interacting with readers, so I am always on Facebook! :) Readers can follow me there, ask questions, and get to a know a little bit about me. They can also follow me on twitter and via my website.

Facebook

Twitter

Virtuous Ink Publishing

About The Book

Bitterness and deception always manage to find their way to the surface. Be Still & Know is a novel about finding love after devastating heartbreak and the challenges of learning to trust again.

Kai Bennett never believed that she was worthy of love. Too many years of being mistreated left her bitter and uncertain of her own self-worth. Finding validation in men, money, and trinkets, she has little use for a man becoming a permanent fixture in her life. That was until she met Alvin. What starts as a game of cat and mouse quickly develops into something Kai is unsure she is ready to handle.

Alvin Reigns discovered long ago that in love, there were no happy endings. He had fallen in love once, and vowed to never again allow any woman that much control over his heart. Kai Bennett was an unexpected surprise who made him want to believe in the possibility of a happy ending. After many years of self-preservation, Alvin is unsure if he should trust Kai with his heart.  How will Alvin and Kai learn to trust and create their own happy ending?

To learn more, please visit Author's Website 

Links to purchase the book

E-Book

Paperback 

A Write Now Lit Virtual Book Tour Promotion

My Hilarious Resolutions for 2013 by Miss Know It All

In December 2009, I posted my New Year’s Resolution, which by the way I did not keep. This time, I am posting more resolutions, which I probably will not keep either. However, I strongly believe in sharing my pledges. So if you think these promises will help you, by all means, use them. If not, pass them on to someone who really needs them.J

Have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2013.

Resolution No. 1 - I promise to be a needy woman and keep a man who does not give a damn about me.

Resolution No. 2 - I pledge to lend money to a man to buy himself a new car even if he has bad or no credit, is behind on his current bills or child support payments or is unemployed.

Resolution No. 3 - When I meet someone on the Internet, I will invite him to stay in my home so that we can get to know each other. It does not matter if he is America’s Most Wanted.

Resolution No. 4 - No matter what creepy warning sings a man releases, if I am attracted to him, that is all that matters. Who am I to judge?

Resolution No. 5 - If a man refuses to talk or provide information about himself, it means he is a thinker and the strong silent type, and I will accept him no matter what the outcome is.

Resolution No. 6 - If my dinner date forgets his wallet or insist on splitting the bill, I will excuse myself from the table and do a vanishing act.

Resolution No. 7 - If my significant other receives phone calls from strange women, and he tells me they are his cousins, I will accept it as the truth.

Resolution No. 8 - If I catch my significant other kissing another woman in my home, and he tells me I was dreaming the whole incident, I will accept it as the truth.

~~~~~~

Miss Know It All is always here to help. If you have a question about dating, romance or relationships, please send your queries to hmcsromanceinternational@juno.com. We will try to provide you with the answer in a fun way on our One World Singles Magazine Blog. 

When sending in questions or inquiries, please include your name, age, and the country where you reside. To participate, you must be over 18 years of age.

Miss Know It All is an affiliate of HMCS and is for entertainment purposes only. The advice or answer given is not a substitute for professional advice and assumes no liability for any damages from the use of the information published on this Blog or the reply to any questions submitted. You agree to hold Miss Know It All, its affiliate HMCS and staff harmless from all costs, including attorney's fees, liabilities and damages resulting from the information published or any reply to such questions or answers.

All questions and inquiries submitted become the exclusive property of HMCS and can be used in any matter and republished in any media without any compensation.

It is That Time Again

The year is almost ending. Gee, how quickly the time flies by when you are having fun.

One World Singles Magazine Blog would like to take this time to thank you again for your continued support and for leaving great comments regarding our articles. We also want to extend our thanks to the guest bloggers, to the authors making us one of their stops on their virtual book tours and to those men and women from around the world who keep providing us with pertinent and enjoyable information for our readers.

Without your input, our Blog would cease to exist. We look forward to continue bringing you fun and informative pieces and advice on dating, romance, relationships and so much more.

Holiday Greetings to All.

How Realistic Are You When It Comes to Searching For a Romantic Relationship

When you meet someone on an online dating site, be prepared for the unexpected. Many people have unrealistic expectations regarding the type of person they wish to meet and sometimes wind up with someone completely different.

While searching for an ideal mate, there are no guarantees that you will find your prince charming or sleeping beauty. Following are some straightforward tips to help make your search for romance more rewarding.

Try to describe what qualities, attributes or characteristics you are seeking in an individual, and be specific in describing the kind of person you are interested in meeting. Include your specific preferences, values and goals and never settle for less or comprise your integrity.

Mention what type of relationship you are interested in, and be frank. Are you seeking a long or short-term relationship, a marriage-minded person, a lifetime significant other, friend or an activity partner? If you are just looking for a friend with benefits, say so. In other words, do not waste yours or the other person’s time.

Be honest and as brief or detailed as you wish about yourself. Remember the type of responses you receive may depend on the quality of information you provide in your profile.

Highlight more hidden attributes than physical features when you describe yourself. Accentuate such qualities as considerate, sensitive, compassionate, patient, confident, serious, open-minded, reasonable, and caring.

If your last relationship ended on a sour note, do not rush into another liaison. Do not be caught up in the moment and allow desire to surpass common sense. Give yourself time to figure out what went wrong before attempting your hand at romance again.

Take the time to do a thorough background check before committing yourself to anyone. Get to know that person before you become emotionally and physically involved. Forming a relationship is easy. Maintaining one is hard work but getting out of a relationship built on dishonesty can be devastating.

When Romance Does Not End Happily Ever After

You are searching for love, romance or a lifetime partner; you are happy because you have finally met the love of your life. You believe you have found true love and happiness, and you become romantically involved with that person. The relationship is going great; love has gotten a hold on you, and you are now ready to take that liaison to the next step by committing yourself to that individual, but somewhere down the road, you learn that a heartless pretender has played a cruel joke on you.

When you read romance novels, the endings are supposed to end happily ever after or blissfully for now. In the real world, these endings do not always come into fruition and can sometimes lead to a broken heart and an empty bank account.

Some folks will use love and romance as embellishments to destroy lives and leave love-stricken men and women in a state of shock, bewilderment and anger. This is what happens in Shades of Deception, Malicious Acts and Wicked Intent. These fictional short stories center on diverse men and women who in their speedy search for love, romance and bliss become the victims of appalling acts.

There are no heroes or sheroes in these tales. The characters in these anecdotes are left devastated by the people they loved and trusted with their heart and soul. Now they must rebuild their lives. The only people who live happily ever after are the villains who accomplish their sinister objectives.

If you enjoy crime stories mixed with deception, hoaxes, lust, sex, romance, scandal and revenge, then check out these books, because the next time you meet a potential mate, you will want to look at him or her with your eyes wide opened.

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Information and Buy Links:

Amazon

Lulu

Smashwords

Bay Area Publicist Serves Hot, Sexy, Chocolate in New Poetry Book

Triche Christmon, Author

Are you ready to be seduced with some hot sexy chocolate? Triche Christmon former publicist of Carmen Bryan (It’s No Secret: from Nas to Jay Z, The Helen of Troy of Hip-Hop) and the Author of Chocolate Notes, is excited to share Chocolate Notes with you.

Chocolate Notes is a collection of poems that was created to flow like a relationship. In the beginning, there is attraction, which leads to courting, and then the joy of falling in love. From there it is the pleasures of sex, and then, there is the dreadful breakup.

Who is Triche Christmon, you ask? She is an Oakland native. She is witty, creative, spiritual, sensual, loving, and poetic. She is a generous woman with a dynamic personality that loves to love. She is a quintessential bohemian, and a student of truth and knowledge. She is encouraging people through her book to support the "Love Movement."

The Love Movement is helping people get back to that good old fashion love...you know that Al Green "Let's Stay Together Love"...that sitting on a porch 60 years later, I'm still in love with you love! This is her story, and she wants to share with you her experience through the journey of love and the different stages of a relationship that make up the chapters of Chocolate Notes.

Give yourself a treat. Relax into a poem; embrace the love stories, her love, her passion, and her fantasies. Most of all, when you close the book, she wants you to want more…

Book Information:

Chocolate Notes by Triche Christmon

Format: Perfect Bound

ISBN: 978-1479162000

Publication Date: October 2012

Pages: 101

Price: $19.99

Size 6X9

Genre: Poetry/Love/Erotic

Where to Buy the Book:

Amazon

www.trichechristmon.com

Author’s Links:

www.trichechristmon.com

Chocolate Notes Facebook

Follow Chocolate Notes on Twitter

Food For Thought - Legends and Folklore

Image courtesy of Suat Eman 

at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Many foods have been associated with religion, healing, love, sex, mortality, status and beauty. Beliefs about food vary from culture to culture. If you look through any ancient literature, you will see illuminating accounts of various foods and their magical powers on the human mind, soul and body. Therefore, it is no surprise how many of these myths and folklore play an important role in our own food choices.

                   

Some of these claims date back to as far as 2000 B.C. With the holidays approaching, we thought sharing some of these traditions might make for some great discussions at your next social gathering.

African Proverb - “Come into my home; sit at my table; then you will know me.” In most cultures, the sharing of a meal is an important social event, and on the continent of Africa, you will hear an individual say the following about a person: “He is my friend. We have eaten together.”

Avocado - Ancient Aztec, Mayan and Inca cultures believed avocados nourished the body externally and internally.

Mayan folklore tells how the famous Indian, Seriokai, was able to trace his unfaithful wife to the end of the world. The lovers adored avocados and ate them wherever they went. Seriokai followed the young trees, which sprang from the discarded seeds.

In Mexico, the avocado has been considered an aphrodisiac. An old Aztec legend describes how young and beautiful maidens were kept in their rooms for protection during the height of the avocado season.

Yam - Among the Ashanti of Ghana, yams play an important role in the ceremonies that accompany birth, marriage and death.

Onion - “Throwing onions after a bride on her wedding day will assure her of tearless years of marriage.”

Apple and Tomato - The apple was associated with lust, and the tomato was considered an aphrodisiac.

Basil - Millions of devout Hindus started their day by praying around the household plant. In the evening, they would leave a butter lamp burning by the herb and would concentrate on love and devotion surrounding basil.

Source: 

http://www.brownielocks.com/foodfolklore.html   

Gourmet News, Summer 1986

Gourmet News, Spring 1986

Meet Emma Michaels, Author of Owlet

Every author has one novel that he or she think of, as “the book of my heart” at some point in his or her life and Owlet is mine. As a lifelong asthmatic, I grew up always feeling disconnected from the characters I loved so dearly in the YA novels I read. It bothered me that all of the characters I felt close to were so much more capable than I will ever be. They say that when there is a novel you desperately want to read but can't find it must be one you need to write - so I did. The goal of this novel is to reach out to and help as many people as my words can.

Owlet is now here, the novel I needed when I was growing up and hopefully can help someone else who might have felt the same way or is feeling that way now. A YA Urban Fantasy, the book is about a girl who learns that sometimes having something working against you, can make you a stronger, better person, and while it hurts to become that way, it can also give you a fighting chance.

Synopsis: Somewhere between falling and flying...there is a girl.

Iris has a secret. She lost her memory eight years ago and never told a living soul. After an asthma attack, one night she finds out that her dreams of a strange house on a snowy island may be a memory resurfacing, but the more she learns about the past, the more she realizes the life she has been living is a lie. As the façade her father has built starts to crumble around her, she will have to decide which means more to her: the truth or her life.

Thank you for introducing Owlet to our readers. Let us discuss the passage you have taken when it comes to your writings.

What are some of the most valuable lessons you have learned from writing? My career in writing has taught me a great deal about who I am, what I can achieve, and how important my writing is to me. When I first started writing, I wasn’t sure I could make it. When my fiancé suggested I write my first book and submit it, I thought he was crazy. Now I’ve had my fourth book published through Tribute Books and copies of my novels are being sold around the world (darn it, he was right again – don’t tell him I said that though!). I’ve heard my novels have also helped people, for which I feel both humbled and happy. I would not change anything about the experience and I welcome the lessons I continue to learn as I move forward.

Who or what inspired you to become an author. I have had a number of people who have inspired me to write. Tamora Pierce, a fellow author, is someone who helped me during a time when I was very ill. Her books gave me something to focus on and helped me to recover. There is also my grandmother who has served not only to inspire me, but to encourage me to continue reaching and to never settle. My fiancé helped me take that final step in becoming a published author and who has always been by my side through every step I have taken.

Have you ever received a negative comment or review about your book, and if so, how did you handle it? Yes, unfortunately I have. The individual wrote a bad review to get to the top of Google’s search engine rankings using my name for this purpose. It was a sad experience for me, not because of the bad review (although that did hurt), but because of what I saw happen afterwards. I have noticed that when individuals online like or dislike something, they will divide into those groups and strongly oppose each other. I have watched this happen to fellow authors, movies and political candidates. But I feel that both groups don’t realize the fallout of their actions or words. Recently, a well-known blog was once again targeted by someone who apparently wasn’t even familiar with the blog, yet the individual decided to nonetheless spread falsehoods about the blog. The result was in a number of individuals being hurt greatly and the blog itself being closed down due to the hate mail they were receiving; hate mail that wasn’t even justified because it wasn’t even the truth. Fortunately, with my own experience, it was only the one bad review and it was not done with malicious intent, only personal gain in mind. But other situations have ended differently. I decided the best approach was to not defend myself or my first book, but to thank the person for the time spent on the review and I discouraged any kind of taking of sides.

Why? Because I don’t believe, authors should take sides. Yes, our books are very important to us. We spend a great deal of time working on it and many of us feel that our books are our babies. But we write for our readers and for our careers. Our readers don’t want controversy or to read hate – they want to come to the worlds we bring to life for them.

From where do you get your story ideas? The whole world serves as an inspiration to me. I can be walking through a store and suddenly feel inspired, or listening to a song and imagining a journey through an unknown landscape. I can be paying bills and imagining marauders fighting for the rights we have today. When all else fails, I turn to my writing area and enjoy a piece of dark chocolate. 

As a writer, what has been your biggest challenge, trials or tribulations that you have overcome? Getting my work out there has been my greatest challenge. When I was writing, my biggest challenge was in writing a good novel, but when I was accepted by my first publisher and then my second and third, I began to realize that writing and being published was only the first half of the battle. Marketing and reaching out to my readers has been my greatest challenge, one shared by many authors, and I do my best to learn, adapt and move forward. Every time someone brings me one of my books and asks me to sign them, I feel that the journey thus far has been worth it. I would not trade a single moment or challenge!

What advice would you give someone who is thinking about writing a book? Don’t give up. I know that sounds easy to say, but in many ways it is like exercising. First, you start out and it is a long journey to get to where you want, but I promise you that the journey and reaching your final destination is soooooo worth it!!!

How can our readers get in touch with you? Readers can get in touch with me through my website www.EmmaMichaels.com and I love hearing from everyone! Thank you so much for reading my books and I promise to keep writing!

Author’s Links:

Amazon.com

TheWriter's Voice

Homemade Gift Idea for Couples that Travel

http://delightfullyteal.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/do-it-yourself-1st-anniversary-present-paper/

For a lot of couples, finding that perfect gift is one of the hardest parts about holidays, anniversaries, and birthdays. You want to get them something that they will not only love and use, but something that signifies the connection between the two of you. That is why many people think about unique homemade creations to make the gift special.

One great idea I recently came across was created in mind of the first anniversary custom of exchanging paper gifts. The idea is simple and easy to do. Simply print out a map, of your country or the world it is your choice, and decorate the different parts with colorful or brightly designed paper (like animal print). Glue the personalized map to a poster board or canvas and use buttons or other small objects to mark the places that you have been together as a couple.

After the map is complete, accent the design with words or a phrase that means something to you. In the example, they said, “Let’s go on an adventure”, but you could also say something like “Oh the places we will go”, or “Every day is an adventure with you”.

This simple project does not require any special tools or talents, but it is a great gift for couples that love to travel. If you have a holiday, anniversary, or birthday coming up soon, and you have no idea what to give your partner, try to think outside of the box and come up with something they will really appreciate and enjoy.

Author Bio:

Jack Meyer is a freelance writer and regular contributor at www.nannybackgroundcheck.com/. He has a passion for various subjects like education, career and technology, Parenting etc.  If you have any questions email Jack at jackmeyers08@gmail.com.

Introducing Stephanie Acon, First Time Author of Escape From A Nightmare

Stephanie Acon, Author

Stephanie Acon has been writing edgy fiction tales and poetry since the age of ten years old. However, it wasn't until the age of 21, when she found Hip-Hop, (or Hip-Hop found her) that subsequently she became known to the underground Hip-Hop world as NinaRaw. For ten years consistent, she rocked with force, and played a vital part on the side of Systematic Muzick Inc. ('The OESC' and 'The Murc Unit'). In the mist of performing, writing, rhyming, recording, selling and shopping mixtapes...amongst the community, somewhere, NinaRaw became hailed and dubbed as the "queen". And not by way of cliché props, but strictly because those saying the title "queen" meant it when they said it, and said it when they felt it necessary.

Escape FROM A NIGHTMARE is her first urban fiction novel. Her inspirations have been drawn from the many experiences she has endured, observed, and inhabited in the streets of St. Louis.

Ms. Acon, thank for making One World Singles Magazine Blog one your stops on your Virtual Book Tour. We are always delighted to talk with people who have taken that big step in becoming an author and having them share their journey from coming up with a story idea to completing that first novel.

What are some of the most valuable lessons you have learned from writing? To be humble and value not just each sell and opinion from my readers, but most importantly to value the responsibility of planting seeds because as a reader reads the writer is held accountable for every seed planted in the reader(s) mind. That’s big!

What type of characters do you enjoy creating? Real life inspired urban characters representing my generation.

Which authors have influenced you the most? I really haven’t adopted a specific influence so to say. I’m influenced by every author whose book has kept me turning the pages. But I am most-motivated by those who write as realistic as possible…and those who leave a message or a point to it all by the end of their storyline.

Please tell our readers something about yourself. I use to be an underground hiphop artist who was so nice that I could compete with the best male rappers out there. But I have come to learn that just because you can do something does not mean it is your calling. Sometimes your calling is so strong that it spills over into other areas, which is why you seem to be so amazing at it – but still it is not your calling. So with that being said, I have since left behind the dark world of hiphop and the lifestyle surrounding it to take up that which God has gifted me to be since the age of eleven…and that is a WRITER…not a rapper.

Who or what inspired you to become an author. To be honest…no one. As a child, I stood in the mirror and asked God for a talent and he gave me the gift of writing that same hour. He gave me what he wanted to have for a reason and has continually inspired me to press into becoming a great steward of the talent.

Have you ever had writer’s block, and if so, how did you overcome it. Every writer experiences a bit of writer’s block but a friend of mine taught me the key to avoiding it. He taught me to just write and write and write. Don’t stop to read, edit, think…just keep going…keep flowing and then go back and master the draft into the story.

Have you ever received a negative comment or review about your book, and if so, how did you handle it? Yes. I had a woman write a review on me that was negative only because she didn’t like me including God into my storylines. This reviewer was really into pointless drug-dealing inspired tales and apparently, when she crossed my book she felt a certain way. She posted her remarks but other reviewers challenged her so I really didn’t have to. I write based on real life scenarios that I’m familiar with. Most readers do not live the exaggerated lifestyles many urban books mimic. I write according to real life and thoughts that many can relate to. I write so that my readers can see themselves in the story, but there will always be opposing forces who simply don’t want to do that. They’d whether go somewhere else overly nuts…but it’s all good.

What approach do you use when developing your characters? I use situations and develop characters to represent those situations.

From where do you get your story ideas? My generation whom I have dubbed the lost generation. Nuff said.

Are your stories based on true current or past events? Everything is based on the truth…only crafted into fiction.

As a writer, what has been your biggest challenge, trials or tribulations that you have overcome? Never giving up. My beginning was not easy. It was and is solely based and bred by faith. My faith is the only reason my dream exists. And faith is the realest and hardest fight one will ever experience.

Are you planning to write any more books in the near future? Absolutely.

What advice would you give someone who is thinking about writing a book? Have a reason why you’re doing it…and please, understand the level of responsibility that you will be taking on by getting inside of the souls of each reader. You will be held accountable for every seed you implant in those minds so just remember that.

How can our readers get in touch with you? My website is currently under construction but will be up very soon. In the meantime, readers can reach me on Facebook tagged Stephanie Nina Acon – and – Twitter@1queen1nina.

What type of comments or feedback have you received about your book(s)? Many and they are varied. However, it’s shocking to me but the most common one comes in the form of …”Oh my God, this is my life!”

When it comes to writing, how do you manage your time? I don’t. When it comes to writing, I’ll solo myself out in the middle of anywhere and anything and go hard no matter the time or place or events going on around me. I do this until I’m ready to stop for awhile.

What advice would you give an author who receives a negative review on his or her book? Keep your eyes on the prize and the positive. Everyone won’t like or relate to everything and that’s fine. Focus on the ones who do. Get your energy from those people and let the negativity fade into the background. It’s all a part of the game.

Please feel free to add a question that a reader has asked you in the past, and how did you answer that question? Many, many have asked me if this book is based on my life because it seems too real to be fiction. My response is always the same - I tell them yeah…it is…and it’s also based on yours.

Thank you for allowing us to dialogue with you. Do you have any words of wisdom for future authors? If this is not your calling, then why are you doing it? If this is your calling, then don’t ever stop until your purpose is fulfilled.

Escape From A Nightmare Synopsis:

Have you ever experienced a premonition that you just couldn't shake? A foreboding dream or sign that you deeply wanted to ignore but...your spirit just wouldn't release it? Well meet Gabriana Hilson... 

Gabriana is a dreamer in more than one way. She has daydreams of living the good life on her terms, and without compromise. But then, there are the “other” dreams. The very strange and disturbing omens that come while sleeping. They whisper the conflict of everything, and arrange messages that Gabriana doesn't want to hear...or see. Especially the ones about her boyfriend. She wants them to just go away. But they won't. The visions only multiply, and are rapidly distorting her reality, threatening and interrupting the life that she wants so badly to exist. That's a problem.

To Gabriana, Scholar is the king of kings. She is willing to sacrifice it all for him, including family, friends, God, and her sanity. She believes that Scholar is a beautiful dream come-true...but is he really? After signing a record deal as a rapper, Scholar brings Gabriana along for the roller coaster ride of her life. He knows how much she loves him so when the drama begins; he uses his manipulative tactics to hold her in place. He is the ruler of their world, and everything is running the way he has always planned until things go horribly wrong. Suddenly, a well-planned dream quickly turns into the nightmare of all nightmares. Both Scholar and Gabriana learn the hard way to expect the unexpected - for he comes out of the blue. Or does he? He is extremely calculating...and his name is Khali Simone. After meeting him... Gabriana has no idea of the door she opens. Will she discover the truth behind her peculiar premonitions, and make a meditative escape?...Or will Gabriana continue to run until she falls?  

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