The title for this book isn't something that I would have conceived on my own. I truly believe it was Divine Intervention. I woke up in the middle of the night with this "phrase" running through my head..."A Son for Ibiza"..."A Son for Ibiza"...it almost kept repeating in my head until I wrote it down. It wouldn't let me rest until I did. So, I sat up, picked up my writing journal and jotted it down, having no idea what would become of it. It kept nudging me for the next couple of days. More like a quiet whisper just reminding me not to forget about it. I had no idea what I was going to do with this title., but I found myself looking up the name, Ibiza. I mean, I had never heard of it before, and I seriously thought I was going to write about a girl named Ibiza. However, then it was "whispered" into my ear again that it was about a city. I began researching Ibiza, and was pleasantly surprised with the amazing history of this Spanish Mediterranean Island. I honestly had no idea that it existed. I know, it sounds like I've been hiding under a rock, right? 

During my research, I discovered an intriguing love triangle involving the ruling Sheik, his favored mistress, and his brother. That's when I knew I had to run with that. I knew it was really meant for me to write this story, and I now had an angle and a direction in which to go with the story I was already planning in my head. 
Before, I discovered that juicy piece of history, I was tossing the "lost heir" idea around, but wasn't really sure how I was going to introduce it. When I found my little gem, it was a Eureka moment! I couldn't believe my fortune,

Anyways, it has now evolved into a full-fledged historical fiction about a lost heir, Khalaf, that comes back to Ibiza to claim the throne after being exiled with his mother, Azizah. It has truly been an adventure writing this novel, getting to know my characters as they develop, and especially learning the history and mysterious legends that surround the island, and those that surround Ibiza. It may be a series, if successful, but we shall see. 

Keep following for more installments of the series.  A new one each week!

Stay tuned for next week's...Vol. 2- The History Behind the Fiction

Stepping outside to check on my 10-year-old daughter and her best friend at play, I over-hear their dialogue:

  "No...here... you take the map!"
 
   "No... You take it, and don't let it fall into the ocean!"

They seem to be passing a notebook with a map on it to each other, back-and-forth.  They're on a dry grassy knoll in front of our apartment building, with two Disney princess tents, a small pink one and a larger purple one, set up for them to cross between. They obviously seem to be on a wild voyage to a new world, playfully arguing over who's navigating the trip. I smile to myself as I walk back inside, feeling as if I've done something right in my parenting skills. Knowing my daughter has an imagination and still utilizes it at 10 years old, fills me with pride. As a writer, singer, and all around creative person, I have always had to use my imagination. My love for books and reading always enthralled me because it alowed me to visit new lands, meet new people, and experience things I would not otherwise experience in reality; not to mention that I could even time travel!!! When a child uses their imagination, the possibilities are endless!

Every child is instilled with an imagination; whether it is nurtured positively and creatively, is something else. Sometimes, it is not nurtured at all, or even stifled; neither of which is developmentally productive for a child.  It is a huge detriment to a child who is not encouraged to "think outside the box,"so-to-speak. Parents who do not foster creativity or imagination in their children will never reap the end rewards. Imagination is crucial to creativity and growth.  Unfortunately, many children in this day in age do not know how to use the imagination God gave them, due to the fact they are constantly distracted with video games, the computer, phones, etc. While video games can encourage creative play, it also depend on the video game parents allow their children to play. The violent and graphic content of today's games are in no way a positive reinforcer of imagination. Children and even teens, who should know better, lose grips with reality when playing these games, and as we see time-and-time againin the news, end up taking the game into a real-life setting where people are mortally wounded. Who can we really hold accounbtable for this? The parents? The children? The game designers? The retailers? WHO??

As parents, we need to take responsibility for our child(ren)'s well-being!  Allowing their creativity and imaginations to be used productively and positively; to make a difference in the world, is what we want for them!!  We will all be better off!  They need to break off from technology every once in a while and get lost in a book, write in a journal, draw, color, sing, dance, or even just playing with a friend. Two minds are better than one, three or more is even better. Creativity can be sparked and is contagious!  Do not be afraid to listen in or ask to see what they write or draw. Give them postive, but honest critique. Do not berate them or put them down for doing something different than the norm. So what if their sky is pink, and not blue? Who's to say that's not their vision of a sunrise or sunset! Let them be who they are, respect them for their natural talents and abilities, and hone in on what their passions are! That is what will lead them to THEIR success!!

Right now, I sit here, Pandora playing on my TV. Finishing up my coffee while searching for new writing gigs. With a fresh and clean apartment, daughter at school, I find whatever time I can to write. I find myself faced with a decision. Do I continue on with school for Nursing? The more I contemplate it, the more it feels like I am doing it because I know I would be making better money, rather than the fact that it's not something I really planned on doing with my life. I have a passion for music and writing and the arts, and I feel I was always meant to go in that direction, despite the fact that I have never had anyone fully support me in that path. I'm at a point now, where I could care less who has my back. It's my life, is it not? God willing, I will get to do what I'm passionate about and not have to "work" a day in my life. If you're with me and want to support me and help me get to where I want to be, then that's great, if you're not... No skin off my back! When I say support, I am not talking about financial... I am just needing to meet the right people and be in the right place at the right time. That has not happened for me yet and I need that to get the fire lit! Just point me in the directiion, give me contacts or network resources to contact...If I need to be where they are, I'll find a way to get there.

On the other hand, if you have anything negative or critical to say of what I choose to do with my life, I really don't care to hear anymore...I've heard it all my life...believe me, I really don't need it! Mostly those naysayers are the jealous haters who wish they had talent, or do and don't have the courage or guts to do anything about it NOT MY PROBLEM, people! That's your own issue within yourself...something you need to resolve, instead of cutting down the dreams of others...just saying! Yeah, of course I'm going to keep working where I am right now. I have a great schedule, and while it's hard sometimes, It's meaningful to me and is where I need to be for now. I get that. Besides, I gotta pay my bills somehow! I am just gonna do whatever it takes on the side to get to where I want to be! Every artist has to pay their dues initially.


So, yes I realize I need to make a decision, and quite honestly... I am so sick of going to school. I have been at it since the age of 18, after feeling like I failed at becoming a professional vocalist, trying to find a "practical" path to please those that do not believe the arts is a real "career path." Sorry, but I refuse to listen to anyone's BS about that anymore. You only have one shot at life and you have to do what your passionate about, otherwise, you spend life miserable and unhappy, wishing you had done something to make your dreams come true. I refuse to stand idly by and watch life pass me by! I want to be the mother and woman my daughter needs me to be. Someone she can truly be proud of and look up to. Luckily I still have time on my side, and youth... for the most part. I can still make this happen DAMMIT!!! I will, just wait and see!! 

To all my naysayers and critics... Looking forward to the day when you will eat your words!!! Don't Choke! The heimlich maneuver hurts!;)

Right now, I sit here, Pandora playing on my TV. Finishing up my coffee while searching for new writing gigs. With a fresh and clean apartment, daughter at school, I find whatever time I can to write. I find myself faced with a decision. Do I continue on with school for Nursing? The more I contemplate it, the more it feels like I am doing it because I know I would be making better money, rather than the fact that it's not something I really planned on doing with my life. I have a passion for music and writing and the arts, and I feel I was always meant to go in that direction, despite the fact that I have never had anyone fully support me in that path. I'm at a point now, where I could care less who has my back. It's my life, is it not? God willing, I will get to do what I'm passionate about and not have to "work" a day in my life. If you're with me and want to support me and help me get to where I want to be, then that's great, if you're not... No skin off my back! When I say support, I am not talking about financial... I am just needing to meet the right people and be in the right place at the right time. That has not happened for me yet and I need that to get the fire lit! Just point me in the directiion, give me contacts or network resources to contact...If I need to be where they are, I'll find a way to get there.

On the other hand, if you have anything negative or critical to say of what I choose to do with my life, I really don't care to hear anymore...I've heard it all my life...believe me, I really don't need it! Mostly those naysayers are the jealous haters who wish they had talent, or do and don't have the courage or guts to do anything about it NOT MY PROBLEM, people! That's your own issue within yourself...something you need to resolve, instead of cutting down the dreams of others...just saying! Yeah, of course I'm going to keep working where I am right now. I have a great schedule, and while it's hard sometimes, It's meaningful to me and is where I need to be for now. I get that. Besides, I gotta pay my bills somehow! I am just gonna do whatever it takes on the side to get to where I want to be! Every artist has to pay their dues initially.

So, yes I realize I need to make a decision, and quite honestly... I am so sick of going to school. I have been at it since the age of 18, after feeling like I failed at becoming a professional vocalist, trying to find a "practical" path to please those that do not believe the arts is a real "career path." Sorry, but I refuse to listen to anyone's BS about that anymore. You only have one shot at life and you have to do what your passionate about, otherwise, you spend life miserable and unhappy, wishing you had done something to make your dreams come true. I refuse to stand idly by and watch life pass me by! I want to be the mother and woman my daughter needs me to be. Someone she can truly be proud of and look up to. Luckily I still have time on my side, and youth... for the most part. I can still make this happen DAMMIT!!! I will, just wait and see!! 

To all my naysayers and critics... Looking forward to the day when you will eat your words!!! Don't Choke! The heimlich maneuver hurts!;)