Welcome

Interested in books? We are. Heffa Studios produces books from authors around the world. Interesting articles, poems and beautiful artwork and photos make our books a rich experience for the discerning reader.

Monday, April 25, 2011

I've Done My Job

Very often when I've written a poem and posted it to my portfolio (you can view my portfolio by clicking the link in the upper right hand section on this site), I will hear, "your poem made me cry,"  or, "you know you really got me angry with this poem",
If I have made tears well up or anger surface I have done my job.
Writers seek constantly to affect their readers.  That is why we write.  Some prefer shock value, some comedy and others, like myself emotional responses.
Words, after all are our primary form of self expression.  All of us tell tales and stories, relate experiences and observations.  Some of us raise emotions with our words ie:  Salmon Rushdie who angered a whole nation with his book, Satanic Verses.
To cause someone to feel what you feel as you write makes the reader more apt to return to you for another book or story.  Whether it is happiness, sadness, fear or longing, a reader wants to experience what the writer is trying to get across.  Even though the emotion in the story may not be earth shaking, the feelings that the characters are experiencing gives way to involvement in the story and that is what every author wants.
Think about trying to tell someone of a wedding you attended.  Think of how happy the couple was, or how the parents cried with pride.  Consider the wedding reception where everyone was joyous and partied to congratulate the bride and groom.  How would you tell about it?  Would you highlight the overpowering joy?  Or, the way they looked at one another?  Both of these things would heighten the emotional content of your story and add that little bit that makes a good story a great one.
That brings up the color of words.
Yes, words have color.  Let's use the word misty. When you think of mist, you may see white, grey or even a pale blue in your mind's eye.  Or, bright.  We see white, blaring yellow, pale, pearl grey; these words while not specifically blue or red, are conducive to color.  They set a mood; one that can be used to great advantage.
Our English language is rich in description.  It is a value to any genre of writing.  Take a few moments while writing to consider what your words portray and how you want to use them.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Word Power

"It's only words, and words are all I have, to take your heart away."  Bee Gees

What is the power of words? 
Have you ever read a scene in  novel and cried?  Have you ever read a poem and felt chills ascend your spine as the picture unfolded?   Then, you have been exposed to Word Power.
Words are wonderful vehicles of emotions and actions.  They reveal the internal viewpoint of characters in a tale informing the reader of their goals or wishes.
Through words we soothe, express disdain, display our love or destroy another persons hopes.  Yes, words have power.

In some cultures there are strict taboos against certain words.  The same taboo exists in connection with names.  Certain names are never spoken out of respect or fear because the very utterance of the name has power.   This is the secret behind magic words like, Abracadbra, or Presto.  These words are purported to contain the magical vibrations that can set a magic spell in action.

Before you claim that this is all silly, think.  When was the last time that words uplifted you and made you smile and feel accomplished and happy.  Words can do that, whether they are written or spoken.
Think about the last time someone hurt you with words.  It can be done very easily . . . words have power.

The BeeGees relied on words to win a love.  We can all rely on words to at least convey our deepest meanings.  Pay attention to words, Word Power is everywhere.

Words To Paint With

Promissory - Despicable - Unrelenting

Promissory -  noun - A written promise to pay an outstanding debt.  A document of contract.
The borrower signed a promissory note to pay his loan in six months.

Despicable - adjective -to be despised, disliked extremely.
His actions were so harsh he was labeled despicable by his contemporaries.

Unrelenting - adjective - not stopping or giving up.
He hunted the vampire with unrelenting energy and courage.

New Words To Paint With:

Catatonic - Assimilate - Tanneries

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Our Poet Of The Month

Tim Weaver is our Highlighted Poet Of The Month
Here is a short biography and a sample of his poetry.  His book Pitch Ponderings of Poetry is being sold on this blog on your left hand side.  Enjoy.

The Summer Meadow
Tim Weaver

I miss morning dew drops,
upon emerald blades.
In whimsical meadows,
where the blue birds sing in sync
and warm, summer breezes
caress my lonely skin.
My heart flutters
in the awe of nature’s mystery.
Even though I favor the summer sun,
all seasons serve their fickle purposes.
Though in the warmth of a meadow,
my soul pauses in peace
and I breath in her beauty
where she bestows sweet bliss unto me.
For it’s not every day
I see the calm within the storm
and I feel reborn;
in the summer meadow.



Tim Weaver
My poetry mostly flows smooth, and my heart flutters on the wings of love. I tend to write pieces inspired from life’s puzzles and the end result is usually heartfelt in someway or another. Hopefully, the picture is more uplifting than not, but I do have a dark side that sinks into the depths of pitch ponderings.


I’ve featured in quite a few books, but the two I have inscribed myself, I treasure as a journey through time. The first book I wrote is called “Lucid Skies Of Love.” There’s a few unique layers inside this art work of mine. Within it I find myself searching for perfection in a world where it just does not exist. On a spiritual level, I find that inner peace comes from sharing a soft whisper of encouragement to a fellow soul in need, and planting good seeds where so many can taste the fruits of compassion.

I long for peace, and to see another soul smile makes my own heart rejoice. I just despise evil acts that harm the just, and I have lost faith at times doe to such monstrous mountains in my life I’ve had to climb. I’m grateful I still and long for good to prevail and to show love to those I feel need it most.

All rights resevered specifically to the Author copyright 2011    No parts may be reproduced without express permission of the author.

The Words Of Spring

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold:  when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade."  ~Charles Dickens

The above quote is almost poetry.  It has the free verse of prose, with the briefness and clarity of poetry.  We read this and we know just what type of day Mr. Dickens is speaking about.  Perhaps it is the day you go to see the cherry blossoms on the Washington Mall, or the day you go to the St. Patrick's Day Parade, but especially if you live in the great northeastern states of the US, you will appreciate this description and shake your head in recognition.  Many a spring time in NYC gave me the same thrill of warmth and bitter cool wind.
Here's another:

"April hath put a spirit of youth in everything."  ~William Shakespeare

There is a certain satisfaction in looking at a young, pink blossomed tree in spring.  It is the time of lambs and calves, chicks and bunnies.  Youth abounds and as Shakespear says, it shines forth in everything. 
In these few words, both of these authors have delivered a world of sensory information to our brains.  It is warm, it is hot.  It is sunny, it is shady.  We are enraptured in a world of youth; the mental images are luscious, raising more than word recognition, they produce mental images; pictures in our minds that associate with experiences we have had.  I think of many spring days I spent in Central Park when I lived in NYC. 

A good writer tells us stories and we are glad to have them, for stories enrich our lives with imagination.   A great writer tells us stories and shows us a movie in our heads.  They captivate us from the first reel, all the way through to the last scene.

Always remember your word pictures and paint with them.  The end product will be much more pleasant to your readers.

WORDS TO PAINT WITH:
Prestidigitation - noun - Nimble, quick, sleight of hand
As a magician, Harry Potter is accomplished at prestidigitation.
Eccumenical  - adj. - Worldwide of or having to do with a whole body of churches.
The Eccumenical council provided the guidelines our church would follow.

Timpani - noun - A set of two or more drums played by a drummer in a concert.
The timpani kept a wondrous beat at the concert.

NEW WORDS TO PAINT WITH:

Promissory - Despicable - Unrelenting

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

The Aspirational Trail

Dreams.  So many writers dream of the big novel that will bring them fame and fortune.  Sometimes I think about that; what it would be like to be a best seller.  I know the odds.  For many, really talented writers, it is an impossible dream. 
We all try hard to achieve the pinnacles in our chosen fields, even when that height may be lofty, but not very lucratively rewarding.  And while the altruistic value of writing just for it's own sake has it's satisfaction and it's own type of reward, the fact that many can only dream of living off of writing is true for many of us.  I know of true talent barely recognized in many fields of artistice endeavor.  Painters, illustrators, writers, poets and designers who work for the love of the art and not for the dollar behind it.
And, they produce. Novels and  paintings and wonderful models of homes to be built all of them working from home for the shear love of their craft.  That is dedication to a dream.
It would be wonderful to be paid for what you live to do.  Throughout time money has been spent on artistic "favorites" while talented artists waisted away for mere pittance of the cost.  Think of Vincent VanGogh or even his friend Gaugin.  Consider Mary Wollenstocroft Shelly who was paid next to nothing for her novel "Frankenstein".  Each of these artists today are worth millions from their work.
So, to dream of being a writer, or any type of artist, one must be able to work for the love of the work.
I used to laugh at the idea of the starving artist when I was a student at Art and Design High School.  Full of that idealism I tried for many years to make a living off of my fine art.  I couldn't.
I am glad to my soul for those who have been able to be paid for that which they love to do.  It is a blessing.  The thing is, I would ask the consumer to open their minds to a broader base of artistic acceptance.
Seek out first time authors and give them a chance.  Most sites offer first time and developing authors a special slot to introduce them. 
Look online for artists studios that are beginning their careers and give them a shot.  No one can make it on their own and every little bit helps.
As for dreams, well, that's just what life is made of after all, right?

Words To Paint With
Last entries:  simony, belligerant, salacious
Usage: simony: noun The buying or selling of church offices or favors
Alexander Borgia was accused of simony in attaining the office of Pope.

belligerant: noun - to assert combativeness, to live under a state of war, warlike
The belligerant general waged many battles against the western people.

salacious: adj - to arouse as in sexual desire, sensuous
Salome's salacious dance caused the loss of John's head.


New Words:  prestidigitation  eccumenical  timpani

Thursday, April 7, 2011

In Praise of Mr. Fritsch

Mr. Fritsch was a high school teacher of mine.  He was teaching me and a classroom filled with other kids from the worst parts of the South Bronx.  He was a really, really good English teacher who had a good mind about what would make us learn willingly and what would not.
Mr. Fritsch wanted us to learn Shakespear, when all some of us could think of was, "hope there's something to eat when I go home."  Ours was the underside of society and we were, most of us fed up by the time 13 and 14 years of our lives had passed.
Shakespear?  We couldn't even understand it for heaven's sake!  Archaic language talking about who knows what to who knows who way back in the who knows when.  Of course, we received annotated versions, all the little circles had you search the bottoms of the pages for the meanings, we were not totally bereft of benefit, but all this fancy language frustrated the majority of my classmates including myself.  We saw no value in it. 
When we began to "forget" our Shakesperian volumes at home, Mr Fritsch bethought himself a better plan and took every one of us to the Children's Theater to see Macbeth.
I remember entering the theater and sitting down by my friends, my cocky attitude plainly displayed for the fact that this was just another dull attempt at reaching through the clouds of indifference.
Boy!  Was I wrong.
I remember as the play progressed and I could see that the play was a living thing;  when my friends saw  Lady Macbeth bemoan the bloody hands, when we watched, enrapt to the very last breath of the last word, I knew Mr. Fritsch had won the battle.  He had brought us to see that Shakespear is alive.  That the words he wrote were not just for the age in which he lived, but for today and tomorrow. 
We read through Julius Ceasar and Romeo and Juliet that term and not one of us "forgot" our books again for the whole term.
Between my college education and my High School, I was in a remedial program for a year.  I recall that I was sitting in the little park ourside of the building were the classes were held and I was reading Hamlet.  One of the remedial teachers passed by and asked what I was reading.
"Hamlet," I said.
"Can you understand that?"
"Of course," I answered, "I wouldn't be reading it if I didn't."
"Then, what are you doing here?"
The point of this is that Mr. Fritsch gave me a boost that changed my life.  I was in the remedial program for math and not anything to do with English.  Mr. Fritsch had opened my eyes in such a way that affected me for the rest of my life.
So, this is praise for him, and for other teachers like him who go above and beyond to reach and teach.

Mr. Fritsch's first name I believe was Irving.  He taught at Art and Design High School on 57th street 2nd Avenue in New York City.  This was circa 1965-67.  He was a wonderful teacher and I appreciate what he did for me with all my heart.

Here are our words to paint with today:
simony - belligerant - salacious

These are the last words to paint with, their meanings and usage:
Tumultuous - adj, marked by violent or overturning turbulence.
The American Revolution caused a tumultuous event for England

Facsimile - noun - To make similar,
The artist made a facsimile representation of the painting.

Degredation - noun - To slip to a low or degraded state
The poor people of his country slipped deeper into degredation.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Reader vs. Books

This Christmas, my husband bought me a Sony reader.  When I first saw readers years ago, I was one hundred percent against them.  Not understanding the convenience of the gadget, I thought they would rob the experience of curling up with a great book and a hot cup of something and reading for hours on end.  No, I did not perceive the convenience and thus was totally against something that indeed was not only a breakthrough in communicative skills, but also in the way we look at books.
My reader can hold more thatn 400 books,  400 books!  Amazing!
I will say that since my reader weighs in at less than one pound the article pays for itself in weight distribution in my handbag alone.  I currently have three books in my reader's library;  a volume of Sherlock Holmes'  collective works, the entire collection of Edgar Allen Poe's works and a very technical book on the planet Mars. 
Now, if I were to carry around those three large volumes, especially the Holmesian adventures, my arms would give out and so would my back and the books would remain at home.  However, this light as a feather Sony reader accompanies me everywhere, on every journey and weighs next to nothing.
So, I have become a fan of readers.  Books are great to own, but they take up a lot of space.  My reader does not, less than a quarter of an inch wide.  Books are heavy, the more knowledge the greater the girth.  My reader, as I have mentioned, barely weighs a thing.  Older books that may have been in your library for any great length of time, or that have seen better days, lose pages or fall apart entirely.  My reader just goes from page to page with arrow up or down, never rips, breaks it's binding, or loses it's shape. 
A reader is not the true version of Farenheit 451 as I so greatly feard  it is a step forward in technology that has really made a difference not only in how we read and perceive the written word, but also in industry.  More persons are going toward the convenience of readers and e-books to download into them than are purchasing books.
I can't help but speculate how much an improvement a reader would be for students.  Imagine all of their heavy, cumbersome books compacted into a reader.  No more back breaking cartage of immense technical books every day, no more damage on rainy school days to bedraggled book pages.  There may come a time when the only books to be seen will be in museums, or, in pictures displayed on our readers.

Today's Words To Build On -   All words described from Websters Unabridged College Dictionary
tumultuous - facsimile - degredation


Yesterdays words:  erascble   destitute   egalitarian
Did you look up the meanings?  Did you know and understand them already?  Here's the meanings

irascible - adjective - to become angry or to be angry.

The irascible old codger's face became redder with every word.

destitute - adjective - to abandon or deprive, lacking something necessary

He was destitute; without any means to house himself or his family.

egalitarian - adjective - promoting or believing in human equality

Thomas Jefferson professed to be an egalitarian.

Hope you enjoyed our word excercise, come back tomorrow for more Words To Build On

Friday, April 1, 2011

The Color Of Words

By the title of this post, I do not mean red, yellow, blue, etc.  I am speaking about "word painting".  Word painting is important for most, if not all writers.  There are some genres where extra description is not valued; technical works such as scientific data or instruction manuals; medical articles also fall into this category as do some journalistic articles. 
However, on the whole we need our writing to paint the picture that we are compiling in our minds into a vivid and vibrant piece.  Thus we become empathetic with the words and appreciate the value of the author's attempts more fully. 
The prase, "the face looked into the window," is made more defined with just a few details:  "the haggard, pale face looked into the window."  Now, there is detail and intrigue.  Not only do we want to know why the face looked into the window, but what has made it a haggard and pale one?  Words with descriptive value interest us and bring us as readers into the story that the author is trying to portray.  Clearly there is a difference between "hot" and "volcanic hot".  These degrees of description set mood, and color and bring to life the scene being displayed.
English is richly descriptive.  There are so many words to chose from, synonyms, antonyms, alliteration, all add their distinct value to any written work.  Clearly, it is valuable to learn to use the descriptive; it is an aspect of any language that should never be neglected.  Those of us who wish to write for a living must learn to use this gift that language lays at our fingertips.  A field of yellow, waving flowers comes to life much more quickly than a field that merely lies before us in a story.  It is well worth the writer's while to invesitgate words  and fill their word pallete with the colors of the descriptive.

I am introducing a new item today.  Each day I will provide a group of three words.  You may know what they mean and how to use them, or you may not.  If you don't look them up.  Use them.  We can all benefit from a little painting excercise now and again.

1- erascible   2 - destitute   3- egalitarian. 
Meanings and usage will be posted the next day so you can check your results.