One of the greatest parts of being a member of this community of writers is the connecting, supporting and encouraging of each other. There are virtual and in-person groups across the world, numerous conferences and retreats, all giving us the ability to share, learn and succeed in our writing journey.
A couple of days ago, I connected with someone, who is launching a new online magazine, The North Ink, this May, which will highlight Canadian authors. After discussing the opportunity of myself being included, I asked if I could share the details with some writer friends. This was welcomed with open arms and I sent a compiled joint message to numerous contacts. I have no problem sharing such opportunities with people, who have the same passion and are generous in their support of others.
When we support each other, it goes beyond the ‘shop local’ because the writing community is global. We are connected by the power of words. You never know how a connection will affect you, them, or your writing – be brave reach out.
As readers any excuse to read is a good excuse – right? Well today is not only World Book Day, but also World Book Night, so we can read to our hearts content with official permission. Happy reading.
As an avid reader myself, the magic of stories, for me, is being transported to a fictional world by an author’s narrative. The locale might be modern, ancient, or make believe, but it is the artistry of a combination of words, sentences and paragraphs which draw us in to the character’s world. Some linger with us after the story ends, they become part of our memory banks.
What book are you currently reading?
Which book(s) has/have stayed with you in your memory and why?
Of course, the other major celebration today is Shakespeare Day, the whole world knows this author. His impact on literature then and now is nothing short of spectacular. His extensive list of plays cover comedy, history, tragedy and added to those are his poetry, all of which are still performed, adapted and read today. This is the legacy many writers aspire to.
Do you have a favourite Shakespeare Play? Which One?
Poetry has been an integral part of my life since an early age. It has been a constant friend and has helped me to sort out and express my feelings, whether it be love and compassion or fear and anxiety.
Growing up, I was a shy kid and often prone to quiet reflection. I can remember writing my first poem when I was around eleven years of age. I was blessed to have grown up in a beautiful and loving home, with a wonderful mom and dad, but like all families, parents sometimes do argue. I was profoundly affected by one of the few arguments my parents ever had, and at that age, I didn’t really know what to do. I remember climbing up the stairs to my bedroom, sitting at my desk, taking the pen in my hand, and starting to write. I was sure if I wrote a beautiful poem everything would be okay, and everyone would feel better.
The title of that first poem was Dawn Can Not Be Long Now. There were only a few stanzas to this first effort at poetry, but I laboured over those words so that they would be perfect. I trudged back down the stairs and saw my parents holding hands, regret showing deep in their eyes. When I showed them my poem, my mother’s eyes moistened and my father enfolded my mom, my younger sister and myself into his strong arms. ‘Dawn’ really had arrived for me, as I had awakened to the power of words.
Is nature a fundamental source of creativity for you?
I am thrilled you have asked this question! Without a doubt, nature has been a huge inspiration for me. I am blessed to live on an eight-acre parcel in the country and I am surrounded by forest. I frequently walk along the pathways through the woods and find the words for poetry and music resonate within me easily.
I keep my phone handy so I can record any bits of words, poetry or melodies that come to me. Since it flows and ebbs so easily, like the Humber River which meanders through our forest, I need to capture it right away, for fear of losing that precious inspiration before I return home.
Nature provides solace and comfort, peace and wisdom, and it is the source of the creativity it so generously shares with me. I am simply a conduit for what nature wishes to impart. This source, call it God, a universal intelligence, or Mother Gaia is available to all of us, if we care to listen.
What themes in Celtic music resonate with you?
Although both my mom and dad are from the Netherlands, I have always had an affinity for Celtic music. A good friend recently asked, “Why, Celtic and not Dutch music?” I didn’t really have a proper answer other than that I love this music and whenever I hear it, my heart lifts as if in recognition.
I continued to contemplate this question as to why I chose Celtic inspired music for my album and reflected on my younger years. My mother’s middle brother married a Scotswoman and during family gatherings we were often exposed to Celtic dancing and music. Beautiful, timeless songs like Loch Lomond, Ae Fond Kiss, Wild Mountain Thyme and Danny Boy were frequently played at home, and became part of my soul.
How did your In The Breeze project come about?
This project was a lifelong dream for me. Due to an unfortunate incident when I was only six years old, I never sang in front of others. I had been convinced by a school choir director that my voice was not suitable for the choir. My little self translated that to mean that I sounded dreadful.
Even so, I still loved to sing, but became a closet singer, and only sang in the forest, where I was sure no one would hear! Except for the wildlife, of course, and they were not judgemental. It wasn’t until university that I gained a bit more courage singing for fun with friends. When I graduated with a degree in Management Economics from the University of Guelph, and returned home, I was in my early twenties. One day my parents heard me singing and were pleasantly surprised. They wanted to enroll me in singing lessons, but sadly, our father died just a few weeks later. Since money was now tight with the loss of income my dad had provided, I got on with the business of living life. This meant making a decent living and helping my mother as much as I could. Singing lessons were just not in the cards.
Fast forwarding a little bit, okay a lot, after having run a successful dental supply business with my husband, Peter Thomas Pontsa, in 2013 we decided to sell the company and retire early. The first thing I did was sign up for singing lessons. Over the last ten years, I have worked with several wonderful vocal coaches.
When I expressed my desire to cut an album, my current vocal coach, Cynthia Fox Fucile, a fantastic mezzo-soprano, introduced me to Mars Giammarco of Red Egg Studio. Mars is an accomplished musician who is a winner of multiple music awards and an Emmy winner. When Mars learned that my album was to be Celtic in nature, he suggested we bring on Jason Wilson, who has been nominated for the JUNOS twice. Working together with these three amazing artists is something I will never forget.
Although I love every single one of the eleven songs on my album, In The Breeze, there are three very special songs I would like to mention as they are based on my poetry. The first piece is called Do You Hear the Drums? It was cowritten with Casey Cole, a good family friend of ours who came over one day and said I just had to listen to his new instrument, the handpan drum. As Casey played, words and music came to me, and I started singing along. Tho the Seas Were Rough is the second piece. We had just watched the movie, the Fisherman’s Friends and I was so inspired, that I just had to write a sea shanty! My third original song, I Will Be in the Breeze is contemporary and based on a poem I wrote in remembrance of my mother. Rina Valcourt, a dear friend, wrote the music for this song.
When did your interest in reincarnation begin?
I grew up with the concept. During childhood, my parents often invited friends who were mediums over to visit. Lively discussions around the dinner table about past lives were commonplace. The belief in reincarnation came to me naturally, as my intuition told me that a proclivity toward certain skills must come from other lives lived before. I think the geniuses throughout history and today honed their skills over many lifetimes to the degree that when they reincarnated, those skills were so apparent, that they were born as child prodigies.
What made you center Past Life’s revenge on this theme?
My heart has always felt heavy for murder victims whose cases never get solved. But what if someone who was murdered was so intent on justice that they reincarnated right away with the sole purpose to exact revenge on their still living murderer?
In my story, David Harris, has suffered from debilitating night visions for as long as he can remember. Desperate for help, and not receiving any relief from traditional health practitioners, his new girlfriend and psychic, Emma Jackson convinces him to undergo a past life regression. When David realizes he was murdered in his most recent reincarnation only thirty years earlier, and that his killer is still alive, David can’t rest until he finds justice.
Have you ever had a dream that was so real, you were sure it was from a past life?
Since childhood, David Harris has suffered from debilitating nightmares. He has sought the advice of psychiatrists and other health professionals without obtaining any relief. When he meets an attractive young psychic, Emma Jackson, she encourages him to seek the help of her friend Anna Tungsten, a hypnotherapist. During an emotionally charged past life regression, David learns he was murdered in his most recent reincarnation, thirty years earlier. When David realizes his murderer is still alive, he cannot move on and a build a new life with Emma until he has exacted revenge and stopped the murderer from killing again. https://www.amazon.com/Past-Lifes-Revenge-Jackson-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0CW1FNT3L?ref_=ast_author_mpb
Revenge, a crime thriller with a twist of spiritualism. She is an avid writer of poetry, belongs to the Wordsmiths Writers’ Group based out of New Tecumseth, Ontario and is a member of the Crime Writers of Canada and the South Simcoe Arts Council. Angela is a Soprano Soloist.
What do you want readers and listeners to gain from your work?
I’d like them to enjoy themselves. My heart and soul went into both works, and although, there was great satisfaction in unleashing my artistic nature after so many years having been a businesswoman, I can’t imagine a greater reward if people will enjoy reading Past Life’s Revenge and listening to In The Breeze.
And since my poetry spans so many decades, I will be compiling my work into a book of poetry. I also have some children’s stories featuring the animals of Costa Rica which will be projects for the future.
When did you begin writing?
I have been writing poetry since the age of eleven, dabbled a bit in short stories, but always considered myself a poet, first. I am an avid reader, but there is something magical about writing and making up your own plot and characters! Past Life’s Revenge is my first book but it won’t be my last!
How and where can people find you and your writing and music?
Past Life’s Revenge will be available on July 9th but can be preordered through amazon, apple, kobo and other major online bookstores. Books can also be ordered direct through my website: https://angelavanbreemen.ca/
Angela is a Soprano Soloist. A firm believer in giving back to the community, she often sings for different charitable organizations. Music and poetry have been an integral part of her life, and she is excited to announce her first CD, In The Breeze, will be released to the public on April 16th, 2024. The album is inspired by Celtic music and, includes three original pieces of music, based on her poetry.
Angela van Breemen is delighted to have completed her first novel, Past Life’s Revenge, a crime thriller with a twist of spiritualism. She is an avid writer of poetry, belongs to the Wordsmiths Writers’ Group based out of New Tecumseth, Ontario and is a member of the Crime Writers of Canada and the South Simcoe Arts Council. Angela is a Soprano Soloist.
A firm believer in giving back to the community, she often sings for different charitable organizations. Music and poetry have been an integral part of her life, and in early 2024 she launched her debut album, In The Breeze. Celtic in nature, it includes three original pieces of music, based on her poetry.
To request additional review copies or an interview with Angela van Breemen, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com / 403.464.6925.
I love to hold suspense in my stories with unexpected endings. I hope you enjoy this one.
A Perfect Plan
The old theatre seats looked grey under their cloak of dust and debris. George walked down the center aisle, motes of dust billowed and swirled over his shoes and neatly pressed pants. There were no echoes of laughter, music or projected voices of actors, just a silence of lost times.
George’s hand gripped the briefcase’s handle, his knuckles white and sweat making his hands, neck and back sticky. He understood it was a good meeting place for the recipient but for him it increased his fear. He’d tried to bluff his way out, threaten police action and even pleaded but the blackmailer was insistent on the amount of money for his silence. The facts relayed were undisputable and George knew he needed to comply with the demand. If his secret was revealed he would lose his position as a high court judge and also the respect of his peers and community. He did not consider his immediate family, after all their presence gave him the respectability he required.
George tried to think how anyone could know about his particular weaknesses – he was always so careful, so precise in its execution. A footstep behind him, George froze to the spot. A sharp authoritative voice directed.
“Do not turn around, place the briefcase on the floor and continue walking.”
George bent at the knees slowly and laid the case on the floor. He felt his skin tighten, and took a deep breath. Now, or never.
Turning as quickly as possible, he twisted around and aimed the gun at the dark clothed figure behind him. Without hesitation he pulled the trigger – ozone, a flash of light and a familiar face illuminated for a brief moment.
“What the hell, Simon?”
The figure fell to the ground. George fell to his knees beside his son. Blood oozed from his young man’s mouth, his eyes glazed.
“Oh, my God, what have I done?”
George frantically searched his pocket for his cell phone. Thundering footsteps filled the theatre.
“Drop the weapon, raise your hands and stand right where you are.”
Handcuffed George was led away. Simon smiled; the bullet proof vest and fake theatrical blood had done their job. Now, he and his mother were free of the ogre they had feared for so long.
Read Furiously: A shining light of innovation in the book publishing industry. Publishers, Samantha Atzeni and Adam Wilson are making waves in the industry with new innovations in publishing and marketing.
In 2012, Read Furiously published its first title, the graphic novel series The MOTHER Principle. Today we dedicate our time and energies to publishing titles that offer a new perspective on the world through a roster of fascinating voices.
Our goal at Read Furiously is to create a new generation of readers (lovingly referred to as “Furious Readers”) who view reading as a necessity for this busy world. We believe that reading is more than performative – reading is an activity that brings people together to help us make sense of where we come from and where we are going. Every Read Furiously title is curated carefully to reflect these values.
With every title we publish, Read Furiously donates 5% of our net proceeds to various literacy programs and book-related charities, and we also invite our talented creators to do the same. We also work with Little Free Libraries and book donation programs throughout NJ. We understand that reading can be a form of activism and we take this responsibility very seriously.
Through our published titles and community efforts, Read Furiously recognizes that reading is a personal and social act. If we are successful in combining the two, being a Furious Reader will be another way we can change the world – one book at a time. We strive to celebrate diverse voices and encourage a sustainable reading journey.
S. Atzeni (she/they) is a writer of prose, comics, and academic scholarship. They are the co-author of The MOTHER Principle graphic novel series and have an upcoming volume in the One ‘n Done series. S. Atzeni is the co-founder and editorial director of Read Furiously Publishing and currently teaches post-modernism, Holocaust studies, superheroes, and pop culture at The College of New Jersey.
A former comic editor, Adam Wilson is one of the co-publishers of Read Furiously and an award-winning comic writer, His works includes Brian & Bobbi, In the Fallout, Helium, the novella What About Tuesday, and the upcoming graphic novel Last of the Pops. He co-writes the graphic novel series The MOTHER Principle and edits the anthology series Life in the Garden State with his partner S. Atzeni.
To request an interview with Samantha and/or Adam, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com / 403.464.6925.
Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers 