Ese’s Weekly Shoot & Quote Challenge – Bare (My Heart and Soul) 4

If any ambitious man have a fancy to revolutionize, at one effort, the universal world of human thought, human opinion, and human sentiment, the opportunity is his own — the road to immortal renown lies straight, open, and unencumbered before him. All that he has to do is to write and publish a very little book. Its title should be simple — a few plain words — “My Heart Laid Bare.” But — this little book must be true to its title. —- Edgar Allen Poe 

Edgar Allen Poe was on the mark with this quote.

I think any author motivated to change the world bares her heart and soul.

I think any author motivated to change the world bares her heart and soul.

I know I bared my soul when I wrote my novel. Still, I took liberties in writing the pat happy ending because my muse deserves that ending, and I wrote to inspire more kindness and understanding in the world. Real life is of course more complex.

You need so much energy and encouragement to write that if someone says something negative, some of that energy goes. ---- Joyce Carol Oates

You need so much energy and encouragement to write that if someone says something negative, some of that energy goes. —- Joyce Carol Oates

Yet, Joyce Carol Oates was brave enough to use the title, My Heart Laid Bare and like Edgar Allen Poe she tells the dark sides in her stories. Apparently this works well for her. People are still talking about My Heart Laid Bare on Goodreads.

You can go to Ese’s Voice to see more photos and quotes related to bare and to learn how you can join her challenge. 

I’m curious. Do you bare your heart and soul?

Weekly Photo Challenge: Inside 2

This morning was rainy on Oahu so that ruled out several options for photography, but I think I still managed to capture the theme thanks to being able to intermittently find shelter in the dugout.

Look whose in the batting cage.

Look whose in the batting cage.

The faded sign says: Think positive and positive things will happen.

The faded sign says: Think positive and positive things will happen.

While I was thinking positive this guy thankfully stayed in the rain for me to photograph him.

While I was thinking positive this Kolea thankfully stayed in the rain, inside the baseball diamond for me to photograph him.

Then the rain letup so I could take the picture I wanted.

Then the rain let-up so I could take the picture I wanted.

Today I’m grateful for dugouts, for the Kolea who stayed in the rain, and that positive thinking works. What are you grateful for today?

I’m also grateful to Michelle Weber for giving us this week’s WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge. Click on the links to see what others posted and to learn how you can join in the fun.

Ese’s Weekly Shoot & Quote: Loneliness (Although I Prefer Solitude) 2

In utter loneliness a writer tries to explain the inexplicable.—- John Steinbeck

Black and white photo of Diamond Head Lighthouse blocked by Kiawe Trees.

Black and white photo of Diamond Head Lighthouse obscured by Kiawe Trees.

Language… has created the word ‘loneliness’ to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word ‘solitude’ to express the glory of being alone. —- Paul Tillich

Looks can be deceiving.

Looks can be deceiving.

The kayaker wasn’t really alone nor was the surfer pictured just above the trees. There was a second kayaker and another surfer hidden from view.

Which word do you prefer loneliness or solitude? Do you have photos and quotes you would like to share? Go to Ese’s Voice to learn how you can join the challenge?