Blaize
It’s good to have you here!
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My name is Cheryl and like many of us at one time or another, I was in a not so great place. I used writing as a form of self help and ended up with a whole book!, Its called FANTASCOO! and I’m excited to share it with you, including all the juicy bits... editorial blips, forgetting to press save, snapped pencil leads, spilled coffee and everything else lol.
But as they say "YOLO" you live once ! and I refuse to go to my grave full. I want to have gifted the earth with my goodies in the hope it will inspire, heal and deliver a message. We're all full of different contributions to this world and this book happens to be one of mine.
Come along and join me, there's nothing to lose and everything good vibes to gain.
All About Me
Having spent long periods of time in Dominica embracing my heritage, I learnt a lot about my people, from healthy cuisine to natural medicines, age old practices and traditions, all of which have helped me develop this book. Most of the book is set in the mountain forest, a bit like rain forests which for me growing up always felt like an adventure to explore and naturally soothes my mind. Being at one with nature felt magical and restoring and would often make me feel calm. Coming from one of the most financially deprived boroughs in London UK, it was holidays like these as a little girl which inspired me to be creative and believe in life’s possibilities. I have a background in integrative psycho dynamic counselling and cant tell you how valuable its been to me.
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Having a background in psychotherapy has always kept me abreast with self care and good mental well being and with life’s twists and turns writing has been a way of expressing for me. Even though I didn’t cover writing therapy in my studies, the truth of the matter is I can now confidently say, when done properly the results of this type of therapy can be life changing, in the sense of achievement, accomplishment, release, ownership, satisfaction and closure.
From the pen pressure of my scanty scribbled handwriting when I am enraged to the loops and curves when I’m on a blissful high, all help with the expression and release of what I’m feeling. Writing became a portal of self care and allowed to explore different ways in which to take care of myself. I don't profess to be a guru, I’m merely someone who has a love for learning and sharing what I have learned.
I had no idea writing a fictional book would have allowed me to express such a plethora of tones and moods. It allowed for me to be whatever I wanted to be without any fines, warrants or jail time lol. So if your reading this and thinking “I’d love to start writing” I’d say “do it", it improved my mental health in ways I never new existed!
Wanna Know More?
Of course you do... "FANTASCOO" a mash up of the word fantastic and Coo felt fitting for the book. It fictionally balances both endangered revered magical animals and purpose, almost like a calling. The heroines plight runs into cultural differences, extraordinarily beautiful landscapes and intermixed animal genius! Did you know? hunting of animals for their skins and ornament is taking place all over the world. For instance, animals like the snow tiger, giraffe, polar bear, zebra, dolphin, elephant, turtle, ostrich, and rear frogs are all being hunted as we've speak making this an uprising global problem. Research has shown animals suffer greatly when captured for these purposes and under farmed circumstances even worse. Now this may sound like doom and gloom but not completely... if we encourage children, teens and adults to nurture and care for animals by planting seeds of knowledge, we have a greater chance of creating a lifelong consciousness for the respect of animals.... Makes sense, right?
One of the most significant and powerful ways in which we can prevent harm and violence in young teens up to adulthood, is by creating an awareness and presence. Giving them a subtle understanding through story, helps to develop a character of kindness, empathy, compassion and nurture on a different level to that which is found through human communication and interaction. Thus, they begin to learn respect for animals and even go as far to take responsibility for them i.e. caring for a family pet or babysitting the school hamster. Either way taking steps to educate by any means, produces awareness and respect for all living things, minimising the uprising.
So my aim through this book is to responsibly build a healthy ideal about the animal kingdom developing a sense consciousness and I’d love you to join me.x
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Where I'm At
I’m feeling like a ten! and super content... Now I may not speak the queens English or have a arm of accolades, but writing this book has definitely proved I didn't need all of that. The fact that I had
written from a true and giving place was the real gift which surpassed all these things.
Most of the real challenges have been accomplished i.e. the body of the book, splitting chapters, editing, proof reading etc.
At present I'm thinking about doing an audible version i.e. You tube, as when I read it, I really enjoy hearing my make shift voices for the characters. So if any one has any ideas on how best to do this, apps tools, editing voice overs etc let me know via my contact page.
Also I'm thinking about illustration and animation as i'd love to see this come alive, and its not that I haven't tried I've just had such a rough time with it all... so much so I'd have to do a story time on it... but again if you know... holla at your girl :)
Now that I've finally finished talking your ears off, this is where I'd like to thank you for taking the time out to read this and for all your support, love and encouragement.
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Because of the overwhelming feed back from this work ie writing for self help/ discovery, If you have any ideas or want to suggest something, Please don't be shy, contact me.
