Thank + Analize + Add = 2020

I Invite you to follow these THREE principles for the New Year

THANK+ANALYZE+ADD=2020

A dear friend asked me, “How do you achieve everything you set out each year? ” My answer may surprise you,
I replied, “First, I always look for challenges that I know I can achieve. Second, I celebrate each accomplishment and third, I never compare myself with anyone else. I am my only competition.” 

This year, I invite you to think of your Resolution list as a VALUE to add to your life.  What would it be?

In the last three years, I have participated in the "12 days of Christmas for Writers" by Julie Hedlund. During day 2 and 3 of the challenge, she invites us to write on an empty piece of paper the surprises and successes of the year to focus on our accomplishments instead of New Year’s resolutions. She believes the way New Year's resolutions are traditionally made comes from a place of negativity - what DIDN'T get done or achieved in the previous year.

This is my first time sharing my professional accomplishments. I believe it is important to celebrate the effort of the year with a thankful heart.  Definitely, hard work paid off! Thank you for your support! 🌷 #LuzDelMes 🌠

👉Here is my list of 10 my major professional accomplishments:

💖Surprises & Successes 2019 💖

1. My biggest surprise was to visit Japan and came out  the with the idea to create a collaborative work in honor to Nature called LuzDelMes TRI-ANTHOLOGY in THREE languages: English, Spanish and Greek, but I don't speak Greek! I received an enormous help from Greek author, Agatha Rodi. We put together 33 authors and collaborators around the world and collected 150 Haiku in THREE months. The result was amazing! Please visit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1697554121

2. My second challenge was to open my own Editorial House to move all my books to LuzDelMes Publishing House and receive the Royalties I deserve. I moved TWO of my books, 5 more to come in the near future.

3. My great accomplishment, my second year as corresponsal (over the phone) with "El Mágico Mundo de los Libros" de Radio Sion, NYC 🎤because I live in Florida. This experience has been a growing lesson of perseverance, learning Spanish literature from diverse perspectives and authors, challenge myself to write poetry in Spanish. My brain works different, I write in English first, then I translate into my tongue language. Weird, isn’t it?

4. Invitation to be a speaker at Authors for Authors Conference for the second time.

5. Participation in local Book Fairs in Florida.

6. Attended one author local event monthly.

7. Participation in the Literary Forum  Fefi.TeVe.

8.Participant as reviewer of bilingual books at Multicultural Children's Book Day

9. Invitation to close the editorial of Visitame Magazine and the second year writing a monthly articles for them.

10. My great decision this year was to return to college to finish a Master degree in Theology for Education.

After surprises, successes and a lot of challenges, I closed December feeling blessed and excited for New Year plans.

2020 first semester projection:  Celebrate Multicultural Children's Book Day 2020 at Barnes & Noble Story Time Reading, Third year as Speaker of Authors for Authors and my participation in a local Expo and Book Fairs 2020. 

My main goal 2020 is to finish 4 classs for my Master in Theology. I will be busy, busy, and ready to study.

 I am Celebrating success!

I DESERVE it!...YOU TOO!

ACTIVIDADES GRATIS EN: www.luzdelmes.com

Maritza Martínez Mejía

Mother, Author, Educator and Translator

Member: FWA, SFWA, SCBWI, Board of Advisors MCBD, Delegado ANLMI
FREE Reading Activities visit: www.luzdelmes.com

Received Crystal Apple, VCB Poetry, Latino Book Awards, Author’s Talk

Annual Challenge ReFoReMo

Since 2017, I joined The ReFoReMo Challenge 
(Reading for Research Month Challenge).

This event was developed to help picture book writers reform writing by reading and researching mentor texts. 

This Facebook community is an extension of ReFoReMo. The purpose of this group is to discuss, inquire, and rely on one another and stellar picture books that exhibit great writing and illustration. 

Founded by:
Carrie Charley Brown-Founder & Co. Coordinator

Kirsti Call - Co-Coordinator

As a reader, the ReFoReMo Reading List  2017 grabbed my attention and for that reason, I joined the challenge. As a writer, the readings and bloggers had helped me focus to improve my own stories.

My  First Books to read

More info. http://www.reforemo.com

ReFoReMo 2018 Reading List!

More info. http://www.reforemo.com

Thank you ReFoReMo family!

Maritza Martínez Mejía

Website:www.luzdelmes.com

Mother, Educator, Bilingual Author and Translator

Recipient of the Crystal Apple Award 2006, VCB Poetry Winner 2015, Author’s Talk Book Award 2016, The Latino Book Awards 2016 and Author’s Talk Book Show 2017.

Focus Word 2018 Palabra de Enfoque

January, it is usually a month to make resolutions, sometimes didn’t pass the end of the month, Am I right? Instead, I prefer to mark intentions in my life and values on my writings.

I focus myself to write about ONE VIRTUE each year. I know, it sounds like preaching, but it is not the idea. I use that word not only as my FOCUS word to write about, but to improve my life. I write to inspire others to be good!

For the last ten years, the elements of values in my books are: Faith, Hope, Humility, Tolerance, Acceptance, Gratitude, and Respect. This year my ONE VALUE is Perseverance.

I invite you to think on ONE value you want to add to your life. It's not difficult! Let’s start with one step at a time. What is the VALUE you want to add to your life? ...

Think on your FOCUS Word!

One reader and virtual friend wrote this quote about my books: “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~ 

Books available: http://www.amazon.com/Maritza-Martinez-Mejia/e/B009DKDXFW/

Enero es generalmente un mes para las resoluciones, a veces no pasa el final del mes, ¿Estoy en lo cierto? Yo prefiero poner intenciones a mi vida y agregar virtudes en mis escritos.

Anualmente me enfoco en escribir sobre UNA VIRTUD. Lo sé, suena como una predica, pero no es la idea. Utilizo esa palabra no sólo como mi palabra de ENFOQUE para escribir, sino para mejorar mi vida. ¡Escribo para inspirar a otros a ser mejor!

Durante los últimos diez años, los elementos de valores que se encuentran en mis libros son: fe, esperanza, humildad, tolerancia, aceptación, agradecimiento y respeto. Este año mi VALOR es Perseverancia. 

Te invito a pensar en UN Valor que deseas añadir a tu vida. ¡No es difícil! 

Vamos a empezar con un paso a la vez. ¿Cuál es el VALOR que deseas agregar a tu vida?

¡Piensa en tu Palabra de ENFOQUE!

Libros disponibles en: http://www.amazon.com/Maritza-Martinez-Mejia/e/B009DKDXFW/

Maritza Martínez Mejía

FREE Reading Activities from Lesson for Living

http://www.luzdelmes.com/ldm.php?ldm=learningactivities

Mother, Educator, Bilingual Author and Translator

Website:www.luzdelmes.com

Recipient of the Crystal Apple Award 2006, VCB Poetry Winner 2015, Author’s Talk Book Award 2016, The Latino Book Awards 2016 and Author’s Talk Book Show 2017.

Challenge Yourself: Embrace Diversity

Challenge Yourself: Embrace Diversity!

Diversity in children’s literature has been a controversial topic in the last years, but thanks to movements like We Need Diverse Books and Multicultural Children’s Book Day, the message has been clarified and promoted all over the nation.

Diverse books feature characters from diverse cultures, countries, faith and race as an important building block of the learning process in classroom and at home. 

Authors, illustrators, educators and bloggers have been an important element to make sure children have access to books that celebrate diversity. 

 My goal is to teach students from early age that 
we may be different from the outside, but the same inside.

As an author, I welcome DIVERSE Titles and write honest comment about them.
I include RELIGIOUS activities and traditions on my BLOG to celebrate
Life and Faith.

Thank you for visiting the BLOG. For more information visit: www.luzdelmes.com

Desafíate a ti mismo: Abraza la Diversidad

Mi objetivo es enseñarles a los estudiantes desde temprana edad que podemos ser diferentes desde el exterior, pero el interior es el mismo.

Como autora, acojo DIVERSAS obras y doy un comentario honesto. 

Incluyo actividades religiosas y tradiciones en mi BLOG para celebrar 
la fe y la vida.

¡Gracias por visitar el BLOG! Para mayor información visita: www.luzdelmes.com

Challenge yourself - Retarte a ti mismo

Finishing ReFoReMo March Reading Challenge and beginning RhyPiBoMo April Reading Challenges. Reading is fun

Mis Retos de lectura del mes de Marzo y Abril, 

Retarte a ti mismo!

Maritza M. Mejia Social Media:

E-mail: hazeleyes@luzdelmes.com

Website: http://www.luzdelmes.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luzdelmes/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/luzdelmes

Blog: http://luzdelmes.blogspot.com/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/luzdelmes/

Amazon :http://www.amazon.com/Maritza-Martinez-Mejia/e/B009DKDXFW

March Challenge: ReFoReMo

My first group of ReFoReMo books

ReFoReMo

No it is not a prescription! 

It's March Challenge.

Reading for Research Month Challenge (ReFoReMo) was founded in 2015 to help picture book writers reform writing by reading and researching mentor texts in the month of March.  

The challenge is supported by educators, authors, illustrators, editors, and literary agents.  

ReFoReMo Challenge posts run February 28-March 31.

Carrie Charley Brown is the founder and co-coordinator of ReFoReMo. She eats, sleeps, and breathes picture books as a writer,professional critique mentor, and first grade teacher

Kirsti Call is the co-coordinator of ReFoReMo. She reads, critiques and revises every day as a member of various critique groups, and blogs for Writer's Rumpus and Children's Book Academy. 

READY FOR THE CHALLENGE!

Maritza M. Mejia Social Media:

E-mail: hazeleyes@luzdelmes.com

Website: http://www.luzdelmes.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luzdelmes/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/luzdelmes

Blog: http://luzdelmes.blogspot.com/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/luzdelmes/

Amazon :http://www.amazon.com/Maritza-Martinez-Mejia/e/B009DKDXFW

Poetry Marathon Challenge

I participated in the Half-Poetry Marathon 2016 and Complete Poetry Marathon 2015. The complete challenge consists on writing 24 poems in 24 hours and the half-marathon:12 poems in 12 hours. 
Every hour, you receive a prompt with images or even music to inspire you to write your poem. This phenomenal event is organized by Caitlin Jans (Thomson) and Jacob Jans, two writers and web publishers living in the Pacific Northwest. 

Half-Poetry Marathon Certificate 2016

This year, I learned about Haibun (Prose + Haiku) while writing a Persona poem about a Homeless. It hit me hard to think about a person without a home to sleep in... 

I enjoyed writing a Pantoum, a Gratitude poem and a few free style ones. I edited the poems and submitted two to the Poetry Marathon Anthology. Guest what? "Oatmeal in Heaven will be in the Anthology!

Full Poetry Marathon Certificate 2017

Last year Complete Poetry Marathon Challenge was exhausted, but rewarding. I edited the 24 poems over the following months. I sent the best poems for contests.  Two poems were selected to participate in one anthology for Authors Talk Book Show in November 2016.

I AM PROUD TO BE INCLUDED IN THE ANTHOLOGY 2016

The 2016 Poetry Marathon Anthology 
Poem #18 Oatmeal in Heaven by Maritza Mejia

For details about the the NEXT Poetry Marathon
visit: http://thepoetrymarathon.com/

For my poems visit: www.luzdelmes.com