Colleen’s Weekly Poetry Challenge
The prompt words for Colleen’s Weekly Tuesday Tanka Poetry Challenge are Ghost and Hollow. Synonyms Only.
Mr. Taniguchi hooked one end of the rope to his waist belt, attached the other to the entrance post of Aokigahara Forest located along the foot of Mount Fuji. He released the rolling rope as he proceeded, passing the sign of “No Entry.”
He saw many strings but found them ended in bushes. Hours into the patrol, he discovered a pair of weathered shoes. Brushing the leaves aside, a skeleton was revealed.
He took photos, got out several signs and nailed them on the trees. They read, “Don’t Commit Suicide. Your Life Is Precious.” He traced his way back.
Colleen’s Weekly Tanks Tuesday Poetry Challenge “Ghost” & “Hollow” – #SynonymsOnly
The Showers of Blessings 
Hello Miriam! Wow! The story, Etheree poem, and images make for one spooky post. I’ve read about the suicide forest in Japan, but I didn’t know it was at the base of the Fuji mountain. You conveyed the sadness and eeriness of the place so perfectly with your Etheree poem. 😀 xx
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Thank you, Vashti. We watched a documentary long time ago narrated by the forest ranger. Then I did some research and post the first part. Then I added the poem for this challenge. It’s sad and I think it’s the 2nd or 3rd largest suicide site with Golden Gate bridge being the 1st. 😦 🙂 xox
I’m ready to post my book cover today. I uploaded the paperback, and I’m formatting the eBook. 🙂
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It is very sad. I didn’t know that about the Golden Gate bridge but it makes sense.
Congratulations! That’s so exciting! I can’t wait to see it. ❤
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Yes, with the bridge so high, there’s no going back for the suicide.
I finished formatting the eBook. So I’m going to post the book cover. May I ask why you have a pre-order option? ❤
I'll post on Amazon but launch the sale next week. ❤ xox
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I have my book on pre-order because I’m still doing the finishing touches on the formatting and I didn’t want to wait any longer to put it out there. People have been waiting for it since August which is when I had planned to launch it but things got complicated.
Yay! All the best with your new book, Miriam! ❤ xox
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I understand that Amazon wants you to meet the publishing date. A lot of pressure on you. Wishing you the best. I use Kindle Create. I didn’t want to because of the limitation of fonts and other formatting tools, but I couldn’t line up straight to kindle from the paperback formatting. Last light I gave up on my ideal to go with whatever Kindle create has. I could view and make adjustment. But the alignment is different depends on the device people use to view.
At least it’s easier to format the entire thing with Word then upload to Kindle KDP. Cheering you to the finishing line. ❤ xox
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Thank you, my friend! ❤ xox
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Are you using Kindle Create? ❤ xox Are there anything I can do for you? I'm almost done. ❤ xox
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Aw, you’re so sweet, Miriam. I’m almost done also. I’m using Amazon KDP for the ebook and CreateSpace and Ingram for the print book. Thank you so much for offering your help. ❤ xox
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I converted my CreateSpace account to KDP and work from there since I hadn’t used CreateSpace. Looking forward reading your book in a few days. ❤ 🙂
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I believe KDP and CreateSpace have join forces, so I will probably do it from there also. Thank you very much. I look forward to reading what you think about it. 😀 xox ❤
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Yes, they did. When I open CreateSpace, it asked if I wanted to transfer. I did. ❤ ❤
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Oh! I wanted to ask you if you’re planning to do book launch or blog tour for your poetry book.
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I’ll do book launch next week. In my Book Cover post, I said I would give a date for the book launch. What is blog tour?
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I’m doing the book Launch on my blog 11/09 and then the blog tour will be 11/10 – 11/16 on different blogs.
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How do you do it on different blogs? Do you ask the blog members to be featured? I know 3 to 5 blogger will post my new book.
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Some people create a blog post and then ask online friends to post it on their blogs. My blog tour is for 7 days, so I’ve created 7 blog posts because I rather each blog have its own post. With “The Fall of Lilith” I asked people if they would like to participate on my blog tour and then provided some with blog posts. Some people prefer doing their own thing rather than have me provide them with a post. Try to get 5-7 bloggers to feature your book. You can provide them with the posts. Like an excerpt from your book and maybe someone can interview you too.
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Thank you, Vashti. Yes, I do have people ready to promote my book. I need to contact them and see what they want me to provide for them.
I need to post the cover with front and back because Kindle doesn’t have the endorsements and short blurb.
My preface can be an introduction.
I’ve seen one promotion just quoting one of the poems without detail.
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I’m not sure what works best for poetry books but I think your name and book cover should appear in every post along with a short bio.
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The theme for WordPress has three featured headers. I may have one to post my book so it stays.
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Hauntingly beautiful Miriam. You did a fab job with the Etheree ❤
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Thank you, Debby! It is a haunting phenomena! ❤
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It is! ❤
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❤ 🙂
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Pingback: Colleen’s #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge Recap No. 106, “Ghost & Hollow”, #SynonymsOnly | Colleen Chesebro ~ The Faery Whisperer
Thank you!
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I’ve read about the horrors of the suicide forest in Japan. I think you captured the pain of the place perfectly, Miriam. Wow… so sad. I feel their pain wash over me. ❤
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Thank you, Colleen. I think the competitive pressure is great and lack of support from parents and society to the young(er) generation contribute a lot to their depression and feeling of hopeless in their struggle.
I remember watching the WWII movies with my dad. The suicide bombers considered dying is an honor.
Thank you for your comment. ❤
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Asia culture is complicated. Honor and family play a huge roll in an individual’s success. It’s still very sad. ❤
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Yes, even high school kids in Hong Kong – whether they go to college depends on the exit exam. But fortunately, under the British government, the mandate education goes up to 9th grade. After that, kids can go to trade school. It takes some pressure off. Wealthy parents would send their kids to the US or England for college if their kids couldn’t get into the universities in Hong Kong.
I remember the winter Olympics one year, Japan and Korea completed for figure skating. I really felt for the two girls. ❤
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This is a very sad and emotional piece of writing and poem, Miriam.
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Yes, it is sad, Robbie. The forest is thick and no trails. It doesn’t take too long to get lost. A perfect place to die when one is determined.
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Wonderful Miriam, have a nice Sunday!!!
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Thank you so much, Paulo. Wishing you a wonderful Sunday!!
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I remember reading that story before. Your poetry is an excellent addition to it – full of sadness and hopelessness. Well done.
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Yes, Norah. I wrote that for Charli’s flash fiction based on the true story. I added the poem to it. It’s sad that suicide is still a sad thing in Asia.
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It is indeed. Sad everywhere.
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Yes, I know. Hopefully people will do something about it.
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Hopefully.
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Yes. 🙂
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Excellent poem, what a poor and sad spirit…
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❤ ❤
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I just realized I posted this on your page and not Colleens!!! Please don’t post it!!!
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No worry. I won’t do anything. A nice surprise!!
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powerful!
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Thank you so much, Yvette, I appreciate your comment!!
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Wow! This is wonderful, Miriam. Great photos too. (I’ve been to Mt. Fuji ❤ )
Sending you Light and blessings for your completion of the book too!! I love you. xo Debbie
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Thank you, Debbie. I would like to go to Mt. Fuji someday. We’re going to Hong Kong and Kyoto in January, but have to wait for next trip to Mt Fuji. Love to you. Miriam ❤ xox
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Kyoto is amazing. They have a fantastic tea place there (to buy tea). I forget the name, and I bet you can ask around. I bought a bunch to bring home!! Love that you are doing this, Miriam. Hugs and have a great week. Debbie
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My daughter and Will and I will finalize tour locations this week. At least have a tentative plan. A great week to you, Debbie!
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