Thursday, June 30, 2016

Gardening Project - Growing Herbs

Growing Herbs

I began the year with a goal to have my own herb garden to use fresh basil, oregano, parsley, mint and rosemary on my recipes; this is what I learned:
Basil is known around the world for its wonderful fragrance and flavor. If you were to grow only one herb, this should probably be it. 

Oregano is an easy-growing plant for the garden or container. I need to trim the plant often to keep flower formation at bay.

Parsley is easy to chop and the nutritious flat leaves are high in iron and in vitamins A, C, and E. I grew the Italian flat-leafed parsley which distinguishes it from the curly-leafed parsley. At first the foliage might be easily confused with cilantro, but the taste is different.

Mint as many herbs are easy to grow. I’m adding crush fresh leaves into water for a refreshing beverage. You can also dry leaves for flavoring dishes. 


Rosemary is a lovely, easy-to-grow plant with great culinary and ornamental value from the Mediterranean region and member of the mint family.




To protect earth and get involve in earth day projects visit:  http://www.earthday.org/earth-day/earth-day-theme/
About the Author: www.luzdelmes.com



Gardening Project - Growing Tomatoes

Growing Tomatoes 

According to scientists, tomatoes are clearly fruits, since they are the part of the tomato plant that bears seeds. Cooks, however, classify tomatoes as vegetables since they are the edible part of the tomato plant.

I am impressed how quickly the tomato is growing. Soon I would have to plant it on a 5 gallon pot and Feed with liquid plant food every couple of weeks during the growing season. I started to stake to easy growing, but later I have to cage the tomato to protect. Most tomatoes work best with a 5- to 6-foot trellis, stake, or cage.


First week
Second week

Third week

Fourth week

Happy Gardening!
 
Here it is a helpful tips for growing tomato plants:
 

To get involve in earth day projects visit:
http://www.earthday.org/earth-day/earth-day-theme/


Tuesday, June 21, 2016

ALA Participation in Orlando 2016

The American Library Association "holds professional conferences and meetings to enable its members to receive continuing education, build professional networks, and discover new products and services for professional use." 


This year, I have the honor to participate at ALA Conference with Latino Literacy Now presenting Award-Winning Book: Hazel Eyes / Ojos Avellana.

Meet and Great Maritza Martinez Mejia's Author: Booth 1067-G (Diversity Pavilion)  
June 26 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Filming presentation from 11:00 - 12:00 noon

Este domingo 6/26/16 te espero en el stand de Latino Literacy Now de 9:00 a 11:00 a.m. en 1067-G/ Diversity Pavilion, donde participaré con otros ganadores en la conferencia anual y exhibición de libros organizada por American Library Association.






Presentation Topics:

1. Writing to inspire others

2. Self-publishing challenges

3. Rejection is not an objection









For more Books and FREE Activities, visit my Website:

Monday, June 20, 2016

My Books at Mini-Conference @ FWA



 Book  Expositions and Interviews 


I attended the LAST Annual Mini-Conference of Florida Writers Association on JUNE 25th @  The Hilton Orlando/Altamonte Springs. Thank you for your support! 




Try to attend the next workshops & conferences. It 's a great way to learn more, connect with people and get a fresh perspective of writing.




SUMMER Readings: “Let Maritza Martinez Mejia’s books allow you to be thankful with Grandma's Treasure, learn acceptance with Vanilla and Chocolate/Vainilla y Chocolate, know humility with Hazel Eyes, and be delighted with Poems, Thoughts and More.” ~Lisa Waters~


Have a Super Relaxing Summer 2016


See you on the Fall with more NEWS!!!

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Summer Reading: Hazel Eyes/Ojos Avellana - Latino Book Award 2016

Latino Literacy Now’s
Latino Lit







For Summer reading, read an award winning book!

Dear Maritza Martinez Mejia, 
Congratulations, your book is a Finalist in the 18th Annual International Latino Book Awards, the largest awards in the USA celebrating achievements in Latino literature and culture. If you are a first time honoree, you have joined a very important group of Award Winning Authors and Publishers.

Category:

Best Nonfiction Book Translation - English to Spanish
Hazel Eyes, Maritza Martinez Mejia, WRB Publishing
Inspirational Memoir for teenagers and adults

Help me celebrate by leaving a review and telling a friend how much you enjoyed Hazel Eyes.





Best eBook-Nonfiction
Ojos Avellana, Maritza Martinez Mejia, Kindle Direct
Memorias motivacionales para adolescentes y adultos.

Ayúdame a celebrar dejando un comentario  y diciendo a un amigo cuánto disfrutaste 

Visit: https://www.amazon.com/Ojos-Avellana-Testimonio-Fe-Spanish-ebook/dp/B01494512Y



For the complete list of LBA Finalists 2016 visit: https://app.box.com/s/si0noqeuz45an4e8yzo7jp3fg3b5ryna

This year 2017, I will a Latino Book Award Judge.
Good luck to all participants!

Contact Maritza M. Mejia:

Monday, June 6, 2016

Nota de Prensa: XII EIDE

La escritora y poeta Maritza Martínez Mejía lanzará su libro “Ojos Avellana” en el XII Encuentro Internacional de Escritoras Marjory Stoneman Douglas (EIDE). 
Maritza Martínez Mejía publicó sus memorias en inglés con el titulo Hazel Eyes (2010) y presentó su traducción con el titulo Ojos Avellana al concurso Indie de Amazon 2015.   Es la autora de dos cuentos bilingües y un libro de poesías bilingües galardonado con el premio Virtue Christian Poetry 2016.
Ojos Avellana lleva al lector por un viaje espiritual de fe. Estas memorias conectan cada capítulo con historias comunes y hechos sobrenaturales vividos por el autor. Los temas incluyen los conflictos de la adolescencia, la vida universitaria, tradiciones, cultura, religión, matrimonio, maternidad, envejecimiento y muerte.  Las ganancias de este libro se usarán para apoyar la Campaña por la Dignidad Humana.

La escritora panameña Rose Marie Tapia comentó sobre este libro lo siguiente:

Ojos Avellana: Un testimonio hermoso de fe.
“Atrapa al lector desde  las primeras páginas, ese es el verdadero talento del escritor. Leí el libro de corrido, sin interrumpir para nada. Hay similitudes en la historia con la mía: la muerte de mis padres, que me hicieron conectarme con la autora. Me emocionó las escenas de la despedida de su madre. En fin es un testimonio de amor, fe y esperanza. Felicitaciones a la autora”.
Saludos desde Panamá
Rose Marie Tapia R.

Agosto, 2015



El libro se consigue en este link: Ojos Avellana
Nota de Prensa:
http://www.milibrohispano.org/ojos-avellana-se-presentara-en-eide/
Website: www.luzdelmes.com


Saturday, June 4, 2016

Summer Reading: Hazel Eyes/Ojos Avellana


  Hazel Eyes - Ojos Avellana: An inspirational Memoir


Summary:

 Ojos Avellana lleva al lector por un viaje espiritual de fe. 

Hazel Eyes takes the reader on a spiritual journey of faith.



Ratings and Blurs:

Un testimonio hermoso de fe. Atrapa al lector desde las primeras páginas, ese es el verdadero talento 
del escritor. Leí el libro de corrido, sin interrumpir para nada.

Hay similitudes en la historia con la mía: la muerte de mis padres, que me hicieron conectarme con
la autora. Me emocionó las escenas de la despedida de su madre.

En fin es un testimonio de amor, fe y esperanza. Felicitaciones a la autora.

Saludos desde Panamá
Rose Marie Tapia R.


Reading Author Maritza Martinez Mejia’s Hazel Eyes is somewhat of a mesmerizing memoir.
It’s never very easy to write about one’s life, but the author captures the essence of her life in a way that’s
unquestionably an outstanding and unbelievable journey. You’ll discover the young life of the author, her 
struggles and challenges living in Colombia, growing up and being subjected to worldly influences whereby 
she began to rebel. The author reveals how God touched her and she underwent a transformation not only in
life but her views and behavior. During her early adult life she embarked upon a pilgrimage to Monte Carmelo
in central Chile where she witnessed a miraculous apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus and
you’ll learn how her life progressed. The memoir will leave you in awe, fill you with hope, encourage you to 
renew your faith, cherish life, believe in the power of the Lord, and most of all bestow the acts of kindness 
and love upon all mankind.




Friday, June 3, 2016

30 Days of Ramadan: Understanding our Muslim Friends


Celebrate Ramadan:
 June 6th -July 5th, 2016
May 26th - June 24th, 2017

30 Days of Ramadan: Understanding Our Muslim Friends is a celebration
of children’s literature that includes characters and story-lines that celebrate being Muslim.

During the event, articles and blog posts about
the various ways to celebrate Ramadan will be shared by Muslim authors, illustrators, and publishers via social media, using the event
hashtag #30DaysRamadan

For more details, visit: http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/30-days-of-ramadan-understanding-our-muslim-friends-link-up/


Books for Children:

My favorite's and reviews:

I'm not Muslim but admire the Ramadan practice of prayer and fasting, similar to the 40 days of Lent, but there is a big difference: Compromise to do it! A good examples is:

A Party in Ramadan (2009) by Asma Mobin-Uddin and illustrated by Laura Jacobsen. Leena faces a dilemma: she has promised to fast for the first Friday of Ramadan but she has received an invitation to a classmate's birthday party. What do you think she is going to do?

The Best Eid Ever (2007) by Asma Mobin-Uddin and illustrated by Laura Jacobsen. Aneesa is disappointed to be celebrating Eid al-Adha without her parents, but she learns an important lesson about the importance of Eid.

Going to Mecca  (2012) by Na'ima B. Robert and illustrated by Valentina Cavallini. With lovely illustrations join the pilgrims on each step to Mecca.

The White Nights of Ramadan (2008) by Maha Addasi and illustrated by Ned Gannon. Set during the middle of the month of Ramadan. Noor is looking forward to celebrating with her neighbors.

Time to Pray (2010) by Maha Addasi, translated by Nuha Albitar, and illustrated by Ned Gannon. In this tender bilingual book, young Yasmin is visiting her grandmother in a Muslim country where she asks her grandmother to teach her to pray. This book include explanations about the Five Muslim Prayers.

30 days of Ramadan Activity:
Photo credits: https://muslimlearninggarden.wordpress.com/2010/05/09/ramadan-good-deed-tre

1. Create a cardboard tree – Brown paper.
2. Trace leaves and cut them – Green or Yellow paper
3. Every time your children does something good, glue a leave on the trunk tree.



Ramadan Karem!



Maritza Martínez Mejía
Website: http://www.luzdelmes.com   

¡Acoge la Diferencia! Embrace Tolerance!

Mi corazón está consternado con el odio y falta de tolerancia que reina en la humanidad.  No habrá promoción de autores y revisiones de libros en los próximos días. Me uno al dolor de las familias que están sufriendo la pérdida de un ser querido en Orlando.
¡Acoge la Diferencia!


My heart is saddened with the hate and lack of tolerance that prevails in the world.  There will be no author’s promotion and book reviews in the coming days. I am with the families who are suffering the loss of a loved one in Orlando.
Embrace Tolerance!

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

June Spotlight Interview with Author Lisa Waters

Lisa Waters on Luz Del Mes Spotlight Interview by Maritza Martinez Mejia


Welcome Lisa to Spotlight Interview! Tell me:

Q 1. What makes you proud to be a writer in The United States?
In the United States as an author, one can really stand out from the crowd. Taking a passion and love for writing coupled with the freedom of being able to pursue a dream and turn it into a successful reality is something to be more than proud. In the United States there are vast avenues in which to find education to continually increase knowledge and broaden areas in which to touch on many genres, subjects, and topics. Looking back deep in history, the opportunities available to writers, especially women, were scarce, since past women writers, were known mostly for keeping household diaries, corresponding, writing poetry and recipes. To be able to use our language as a persuasive tool, a way of reflecting, speaking to problems, and etching out the deepest, more meaningful, and most fascinating thoughts and dreams for all to read is a magnificent opportunity.
Reaching out to others teaching the craft of writing helps change not just each person individually, but whole communities. People open up. They talk about interests they never would have talked about before, and no longer feel shame or awkwardness that often comes with those scary words, freedom of expression. People of the creative arts are key to moving our culture forward. We often create wonderful ideas and spread them. An important aspect of life in the modern world among electronic technology is knowing that the love for the written word still exists.

Q 2. What or who inspired you to write
Get Fit & Healthy?

The inspiration to write Get Fit & Healthy: A Personal Journey stemmed from a challenge I set upon myself after attending a writing webinar, hosted by Donna Kozik, who is a writing coach. Her topic was based on writing a book in a weekend. Immediately afterwards I was entirely engrossed in wonder and compelled to learn for myself whether or not I too could write a book in a weekend. Surprisingly, as it turns out, it was a successful challenge. It was a rather thrilling experience, one I'm able to transfer the concepts I've learned and apply them to other projects in accomplishing quality products in the shortest span of time.


Q 3.  Do you come up with your title before or after you write the manuscript? 
In planning each manuscript it all starts with a vision of the concept or plot of the book. Automatically a title comes to mind and I find I almost always stick with that title for every book. It's rather fascinating as an author that at times I've noticed while sitting among friends and family, walking around, or in the midst of my day job words reveal themselves, come together, and a book title forms. In one situation, for a lovely story written in diary format called The Dance, it was a struggle among three titles, including Stacy's Diary, Stacy and the Winter Dance, and The Diary of the Dance before concluding the best title for the book would aptly be named The Dance. I often feel plagued by the third idea as a better choice, but feel often more may be said by saying less.

Q 4. What is your favorite writing style? 
As an author I'm unsure whether my writing style is actually reflective of my true personality or who I really am, since I don't love just one type of writing. It's been my experience to try many forms and types of writing and with each a new type of voice may bare itself, attracting a whole new set of readers. In beginning any writing, picturing the audience for which the book is intended helps to focus and mold the characters, navigate the plot, or display concepts for those readers. I believe the way each author changes structure, adds diction, organizes thought in frameworks expresses us perfectly through our writing. It all depends on creativity and inspiration as to which category one writes. Writing fiction or touching on poetry has a purpose all its own, as the ability to reveal the beauty of language is exciting, though, for the most part I'm attracted to adding in a touch of humor to entertain my readers whenever possible. I'm guessing this style of writing tends to use more adverbs and adjectives, figurative, imaginative, and creative details allowing the reader to envision scenery, events and details in their very own minds. Although, I do tend to be more comfortable and drawn to an informative type of writing whether it be fact-based or how-to in nature, my first love is among fiction. The technical aspects involved in non-fiction has an attractive format and style that I find easy to produce, perhaps stemming from a background in journalism.


Q 5. What is your promotion strategy to promote your books?
I've been successful selling more books offline than on and believe I'll continue with that process until I learn additional strategies to boost sales by other means. I've recently released a book detailing strategies I've learned, put in place, and have been using. Quoting as an excerpt from Strategies To Sell More Books: How Authors Sell 50,000+ Books by Lisa Waters: “I’m no stranger to having sold many books with the print on demand process. I’ve been able to stock up on books when the company offers 75% off or even 50% during the year. This is when I take advantage of printing books in bulk that I wish to hand out free, but also stock up on my best sellers. If a book doesn’t sell as well I retire it to one of my freebies for the public. I’ve been able to develop a network of relatives, friends, professionals, and businesses, who find different ways for me to sell my hard cover books. These opportunities have been, for a simple example, among business acquaintances I’ve been able to provide books on procedures and instructions for their clientèle that were very helpful. As the author I provide a book-marker directing them to my website. Works every time! In addition, I’ve been very successful with the sales of these book titles: I Want to Write a Story: A Kid's Guide to Writing, Totally Twisted is Confused: Can You Help?, The Dance, and Dante the Dolphin, found online at Amazon; plus An Easy Step-By-Step Guide On Self-Publishing and Whisper Island: Short Stories, offline. All of these book I use for demonstration when giving workshops on writing for kids and has resulted in huge sales. Also, I do assist first-time authors to become self-published and have a number of books associated with that as part of their learning materials and part of my writers’ program.”

Thank you for your time to answer this question for LuzDelMes Spotlight Interview.

To visit Lisa Waters' website: http://bookrev.wix.com/waters

More Books: