Author: Auroras & Blossoms Page 3 of 32

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The Warm Mug of Cozy Anthology: Focus on Denise Johnson

Welcome to our mini-series on A Warm Mug of Cozy Anthology, which celebrates the writers whose stories are featured in Volume 2 of our yearly anthology.

Today, Denise Johnson is sharing what inspired her story “New Job.”

I wrote “New Job” while my father was still alive. He relocated to assisted living and I thought it would be interesting to place a mystery in that environment. Even a place that appears to be what it seems—a simple home to older adults—can have darker secrets lurking about.

The plot naturally unfolds with a young woman’s first day coincidentally occurring at the same time a police investigation is being undertaken there.

The woman, who is the main character, most certainly expected a normal first day on the job. The typical employee handbook is provided and perhaps a few videos of dos and don’ts are shared. A day, by all accounts, one would consider boring. But this was no ordinary day, the young woman discovers. Rather, she finds that it is anything but.

Mysteries surround us and I think the best part of the story is knowing that any ordinary day can turn into an extraordinary one.

Denise Johnson has written several mystery, horror, and science fiction short stories that have appeared in Kings River Life and Blood Moon Rising magazines as well as several anthologies, including Determined Hearts: A Frankenstein Anthology; Black Buttons Vol. 3: A Family Affair; Buried; Murder of Crows; WhoDunit!; A Warm Mug of Cozy: Volume 1; Portal: The Inner Circle Writer’s Group Children’s Anthology 2019; Cold and Crisp; and in It’s All in My Mind.

Website: http://www.denisehjohnson.com

Thank you for sending us your story, Denise! We know people will love reading it as much as we have.

In the meantime, don’t forget to order your copy of A Warm Mug of Cozy Anthology: Volume 2.

Cendrine & David

The PoArtMo Anthology Series: Focus on David Ellis

Hello everyone!

Welcome to our PoArtMo Anthology Series, which celebrates the artists whose work appears in The Auroras & Blossoms PoArtMo Anthology: Volume 5.

Today’s guest is David Ellis, co-founder of Auroras & Blossoms, who has contributed a very unique set of poems. He explains what has inspired his creative journey for the pieces he has included in the anthology.

For this anthology, I wanted to provide a variety of found poetry creations that showcase all of the different places that you can find deep insight when looking for ways to motivate your muse. In this case, I have been influenced by catchy songs, other incredible poems, non-fiction literature and sumptuous photography/paintings.

Found poetry is a very rich passion of mine, I seem to be able to unearth endless permutations when playing around with the format. It is truly fascinating how it helps me to craft poetry in such a way that I would not have originally thought of, if I had written freeform poetry. There is something about being restricted with word choice and word placement that stimulates my brain, it generates a puzzle that must be solved! Having to think of innovative ways to phrase something that uses the resources available, along with it sounding nothing like the source material and having it make sense too is truly thrilling to me when I manage to finish the piece.

When it comes to subject matter, this is uncovered to me a bit like I am an archeologist. I start off trying to find the corners, along with the beginning, middle and end. Sometimes the pieces can be back to front or in the wrong place/order, so I gently fiddle with them until they fit better as a whole. Then the rest reveals itself piece by piece until I am completely satisfied that I have uncovered all of its secrets buried within.

My two longest poetry pieces in the anthology originally started out as attempts at “Cadralore” poetry (for more information on this wonderful and intricate form, check out GLEAM: Journal of the Cadralor). I mention this because although I was not successful this time in writing Cadralore poems (the plural of Cadralor), it still resulted in poems that to me feel extremely unique in the way they were crafted and I think the sentiment in them still shines through to the reader.

I would encourage fellow writers to be fearless when trying new ways to write/create because you never know what you will end up with, even if it does not come out exactly as you originally planned, you too could end up with something special for your audience!

Bio:

David Ellis lives in Tunbridge Wells, Kent in the UK. He is an award-winning poet, author of poetry, marketing workbooks/journals, humorous fiction and music lyrics. He is also the co-founder of Auroras & Blossoms, and the co-creator of PoArtMo (Positive Actions Rally Thoughts & Momentum) and the Kindku.

David’s debut poetry collection (Life, Sex & Death) won an International Award in the Readers’ Favorite Book Awards 2016 for Inspirational Poetry Books.

David is extremely fond of tea, classic and contemporary poetry, cats, and dogs but not snakes. Indiana Jones is his spirit animal.

Website: https://toofulltowrite.com

David, thank you for supporting Auroras & Blossoms! We know that people will love your work as much as we all do!

The Auroras & Blossoms PoArtMo Anthology: Volume 5 is available! Click here to purchase your copy.

“A Warm Mug of Cozy Anthology: Volume 2” is Out Today!

Hello everyone!

A Warm Mug of Cozy Anthology: Volume 2 is finally out!

This year’s volume is full of gripping stories crafted by eight phenomenal writers:

  • Whispers in Bars – Ian Tucker
  • The Norman Conquest – Anne Elliot
  • The Takedown – Julie A. Sellers
  • A Hard Pill to Swallow – RG Clark
  • A Terrible Murder – Sam Morris
  • No Good Deed – Lisa M. Lane 
  • The Body in the Bog – Andre DeCuir
  • New Job – Denise Johnson
  • The Old Book – Ian Tucker

If you don’t see your favorite online store in the list, wait for a few days, and it should appear there. Please note that the anthology will not be available through Amazon.

When you purchase your copy, you do not just support this website, you also make it possible for the authors who have opted to receive royalties to be duly compensated for their hard work!

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If you are a contributor to our anthology, we invite you to proudly display the banner below everywhere! Don’t forget to link to our store: https://warmmugofcozy.com/store.

We cannot wait to read your reviews of our anthology.

Have a wonderful week!

Cendrine & David

The PoArtMo Anthology Series: Focus on Azelle Elric

Hello everyone!

Welcome to our PoArtMo Anthology Series, which celebrates the artists whose work appears in The Auroras & Blossoms PoArtMo Anthology: Volume 5.

Today’s guest is Azelle Elric, who, as always, sent us a very unique set of drawings. She explains what has inspired her creative journey as a drawing artist.

First of all, thank you for giving me the opportunity to be published in this wonderful anthology! It’s so great for me to share my artistic journey with you!

The beginning of my artistic expression was for sure triggered by Japanese animation and Alphonse Mucha. Then about ten years ago, a co-worker of mine challenged me to draw a picture a day for one year. At the time, the easiest thing to draw was human faces.

It’s so easy and quick, so relaxing to draw a feminine face! Especially after a long and stressful day at work! And most of all, I find it extremely enjoyable to draw the same subject, with in mind, the desire to progress and try a new approach.

A friend of mine once told me that I always drew the same thing but that it looked different each time. In fact, I had never thought about it before she told me so. And maybe I could do something about it. It’s just quick and simple to add or subtract elements to modify a face : pearls, flowers, jewelry, eyes, nose, mouth, hairstyles, and so on!

I recently found a new way to express my creativity while consulting books about Zentangles and mandalas, and experimenting with black-ink water and white ink. The results are actually very rewarding!

Needless to say that I’m still learning, but that’s the main reason why I love art so much.

Bio:

Azelle Elric is a French-born artist with a soft spot for takoyaki and Japanese pastries. She loves cats, Japanese animation and drawing.

Website: https://www.instagram.com/elric_azelle

Azelle, thank you for supporting Auroras & Blossoms! We know that people will love your work as much as we do!

The Auroras & Blossoms PoArtMo Anthology: Volume 5 is available! Click here to purchase your copy.

The PoArtMo Anthology Series: Focus on Elena Anufriyeva

Hello everyone!

Welcome to our PoArtMo Anthology Series, which celebrates the artists whose work appears in The Auroras & Blossoms PoArtMo Anthology: Volume 5.

Today’s guest is Elena Anufriyeva. Elena sent us delightful paintings and in this post, she explains what has inspired her creative journey as a painter.

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” – I can’t agree more with these timeless words by Saint Augustine.

My inquisitive mind has always been a tapestry woven with threads of curiosity, creativity, and an unspoken longing for something that might be somewhere over there, beyond the beckoning horizon. It was surely the
two things that have become my main inspiration for eventually
expressing myself through painting, and in general for stepping on the
never-ending road that leads to becoming a better version of the own self
– traveling and reading. I am confident that nothing expands one
s
personal horizons and enriches one’s soul in a more beautiful and
effective way.

From a young age, I found myself drawn to the teachings of the Mount
Athos monks, their wisdom echoing through the corridors of my mind like
a whispered secret from a distant past. Beside the golden nuggets of the
holy knowledge, these books often contained depictions of the awe-
inspiring beauty of Greece, the everyday life and cultural traditions of its
inhabitants, Greeks’ sparkling humor, hospitality and unquenchable thirst
for life. Still, when years ago I visited the ancient land of gods, I did not
suspect that this trip would change a lot about the way I saw the world
and myself… But the first time I set foot on the Greek soil, it felt as if I had
come home after a lifetime of wandering. As the plane descended
towards the azure sea, I felt a surge of joy course through my veins, as if
I suddenly recognized the place I had never been to but somehow knew
intimately.

Long story short, there was an unexplainable harmony in everything I
saw, heard, felt and absorbed while traveling through Greece. I immediately fell in love (and still keep doing this!) with its breathtaking
views, vibrant colors, gentle sea, unique architecture, kind-hearted
people, deep spirituality, and of course, the ever-present gatoules—cats.
To me, as an ardent cat enthusiast, they are more than just animals—
but kindred spirits and silent but extremely smart companions.

I love to include these cute gracious creatures, the unofficial symbol of
the country’s resilience, independence, and free spirit, into my artworks
in different forms, shapes and sizes. Another important symbol of
Greece, the impressive Eastern Orthodox churches—the places of
worship and repositories of timeless knowledge, which guide the faithful
on their spiritual journeys—are also often present in my paintings.

All in all, discovering Greece first via books and then by traveling and
personally immersing myself in its rich cultural and spiritual heritage, has profoundly shaped my journey as a painter. Once I was told that my
name Elena means “shining light” in the Greek language. It is an immense
joy and a big honor for me to share this light with others, hoping to
inspire and bring a sense of wonder and connection to everyone whose
soul strings are touched by my art.

Bio:

A professional translator and psychologist, and an avid traveler, Elena Anufriyeva has always been fascinated by what is beyond the horizon. Her passion and an endless source of creative inspiration have long been Greece, with its breathtaking views and vibrant colors. A self-taught painter with a strong calling, Elena appreciates the transformative power of art.

Elena has participated in a number of international exhibitions and won prizes. In 2023, she became the Featured Artist of Aedra Fine Arts Gallery (New Jersey, USA). Her painted works adorn the homes of art connoisseurs in Germany, Greece, Switzerland and Canada.

Website: https://lassssie.wixsite.com/gatoulart

Elena, thank you for supporting Auroras & Blossoms! We know that people will love your work as much as we do!

The Auroras & Blossoms PoArtMo Anthology: Volume 5 is available! Click here to purchase your copy.

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